Creamy Onion Casserole

Let’s face it, when it comes to Thanksgiving and holiday recipes we all have our traditional recipes that we use year after year and that our family’s come to look forward to. As a recipe blogger coming up with new holiday recipes is the most difficult of tasks because we all like what we like.

I myself am guilty of this. We keep our Thanksgiving dinner small but we still  make every single traditional dish because it wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without them. I did want to come up with something a little different this year so I started to peruse Pinterest and saw a bunch of recipes for onion pie and onion pudding. It sounded weird at first, but when I read the recipes, they all had delicious sounding ingredients and seemed like they would be a great addition to any Thanksgiving or holiday meal. I took all of these recipes into consideration and came up with this recipe for a Creamy Onion Casserole that would make a delicious side dish or even an appetizer. We actually ate the leftovers from this Creamy Onion Casserole on top of a hamburger and it was delicious. If you decide to make this recipe you do not have to make a huge amount, a little goes a long way. This particular recipe will serve at least 12 to 15 people. It is rich and delicious and I think it will be your new favorite holiday side dish.

Here are the ingredients you will need to make this decadent and delicious Creamy Onion Casserole:

Ingredients

• 3 C of any sweet onion, diced
• 2 sleeves of ritz crackers
• 1 stick of butter
• 1 C of a shredded creamy cheese, I used white cheddar
• 3 Eggs
• 1/3 C of heavy whipping cream
• 1 C of french fried onions (in the can)
• 2 t of poultry seasoning
• 1 t of nutmeg
• salt, pepper to taste

I used yellow onions to make this Creamy Onion Casserole. You can use any onion you choose, I think this onion tastes the sweetest. I also chose to use a white cheddar but any creamy white cheese would do. In a pinch yellow cheddar would be fine too. Here is how you make the Creamy Onion Casserole:

1. Add 3 tablespoons of butter to your skillet, allow your onions to sweat at a low heat. This will be the longest part of the recipe because you really want to get the onions nice and caramelized. I add the salt and pepper to the onions, along with the poultry seasoning.
2. Make sure you are paying attention to the onions and turning them often so they do not burn. You want to get them a nice golden brown color. This could take 30 minutes or more.
3. While your onions cook, crush up your crackers and then grease the bottom an sides of a pie dish with some of the butter. Place the crackers in a bowl.
4. Melt the remainder of the butter and add almost all of it to the bowl of crackers. reserve a small amount for the last part of the recipe. Toss the crackers in the butter to coat, then press the crackers into the sides and bottom of the pie dish.
5. Bake the crackers in the pie dish at 350 degrees for 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from the oven and spread the shredded cheese all over the top of the crackers.
6. Whisk your eggs with the heavy cream and the nutmeg.
7. When your onions are golden brown, spread them in the pie dish on top of the cheese.
8. Then pour your egg mixture all over the top of the onions, then top with the french fried onions.
9. Pour the remaining butter over the top of the french fried onions.
10. I added a sprinkle of dried parsley, salt and black pepper to the top, but this is optional.
11. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Every oven is different so check your casserole often, you know it is done when the center is set. If your onions on top are getting too dark, cover loosely with foil.
12. When the center is set, pull the casserole from the oven and let cool for at least 15 to 20 minutes before cutting.

This casserole made my whole house smell like the holidays. It felt so cozy and warm in my home when it was cooking. This Creamy Onion Casserole is a perfect side dish but it would also make a great warm appetizer for a wine and cheese type gathering. I mention that we also ate the leftovers on top of a hamburger and it was delicious. I was also thinking that this would be a good side dish for a pork chop dinner.

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Creamy Onion Casserole

Ingredients

• 3 C of any sweet onion, diced
• 2 sleeves of ritz crackers
• 1 stick of butter
• 1 C of a shredded creamy cheese, I used white cheddar
• 3 Eggs
• 1/3 C of heavy whipping cream
• 1 C of french fried onions (in the can)
• 2 t of poultry seasoning
• 1 t of nutmeg
• salt, pepper to taste

Steps

1. Add 3 tablespoons of butter to your skillet, allow your onions to sweat at a low heat. This will be the longest part of the recipe because you really want to get the onions nice and caramelized. I add the salt and pepper to the onions, along with the poultry seasoning.
2. Make sure you are paying attention to the onions and turning them often so they do not burn. You want to get them a nice golden brown color. This could take 30 minutes or more.
3. While your onions cook, crush up your crackers and then grease the bottom an sides of a pie dish with some of the butter. Place the crackers in a bowl.
4. Melt the remainder of the butter and add almost all of it to the bowl of crackers. reserve a small amount for the last part of the recipe. Toss the crackers in the butter to coat, then press the crackers into the sides and bottom of the pie dish.
5. Bake the crackers in the pie dish at 350 degrees for 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from the oven and spread the shredded cheese all over the top of the crackers.
6. Whisk your eggs with the heavy cream and the nutmeg.
7. When your onions are golden brown, spread them in the pie dish on top of the cheese.
8. Then pour your egg mixture all over the top of the onions, then top with the french fried onions.
9. Pour the remaining butter over the top of the french fried onions.
10. I added a sprinkle of dried parsley, salt and black pepper to the top, but this is optional.
11. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Every oven is different so check your casserole often, you know it is done when the center is set. If your onions on top are getting too dark, cover loosely with foil.
12. When the center is set, pull the casserole from the oven and let cool for at least 15 to 20 minutes before cutting.

I highly suggest making this recipe for yourself and trying it out while drinking a glass of wine. I know that you are going to just love this recipe and it will soon become a new holiday tradition. As always, thank you for reading and happy eating!

Love,Tipsy

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