Parmesan Creamed Onions Recipe

This baked creamed onions recipe with white wine thyme-infused sauce is a fancy but easy holiday side. Topped with melty parmesan cheese and herby parsley, it’s ready to become a family-favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Creamed Onions Recipe

This easy creamed onions recipe is a festive and elevated twist on a classic side dish all your guests will love.

• Little oil. Baking the onions in the sauce means you only need a drizzle of olive oil to throw this recipe together.
• Creamy. Heavy cream and melty parmesan cheese create a creamy, rich sauce for this effortless casserole.
• French-inspired. Dijon mustard, heavy cream, parmesan, and dried thyme add some lovely French flair.
• Great for the holidays. No Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s dinner is complete without these creamed onions.

What You’ll Need

White wine, tangy Dijon, and herby thyme give this creamed onions recipe an elevated flavor profile. Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact ingredient amounts.

• Onions – They need to be peeled.
• Olive oil – Feel free to use corn, vegetable, or canola oil.
• Salt and pepper – Kosher salt and freshly-cracked black pepper are best.
• Heavy cream – Half-and-half works too. Avoid sour cream.
• White cooking wine – It’s basically dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.
• Dijon mustard – Stone-ground mustard works too.
• Dried thyme – You can also use fresh thyme or rosemary.
• Parmesan cheese – Freshly-grated is always better than bottled cheese.

What Are The Best Onions To Use?

Sweet onions are the best type for this creamed onions recipe. Yellow and white onions are good swaps, but definitely avoid red onions because they will paint the sauce red/pink.

How To Make Parmesan Creamed Onions

The key to this creamed onions recipe is keeping the onion rings together and intact. Don’t separate the layers. Scroll to the bottom of the post for the full recipe card.

• Prep the oven. Preheat it to 375F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
• Season them. Spread the onion rings on the prepared baking sheet without breaking up the layers. Drizzle with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
• Bake them. Bake for 15 minutes and then remove from the oven. Turn up the oven to 450F.
• Make the sauce. Pour the heavy cream, wine, mustard, thyme, and salt in a small pot. Bring it to a gentle simmer for 5 minutes and remove it from the heat.

• Assemble the casserole. Carefully transfer the baked onions to a cast-iron skillet or baking dish. It’s okay to overlap them slightly. Pour the cream sauce on top. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
• Bake again. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 5 minutes or until the onions are slightly browned.
• Serve. Remove it from the oven. Let cool for 5-10 minutes. Garnish with fresh thyme or parsley. Serve and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

Add juicy steak, smoked paprika, or garlicky spinach to this cheesy creamy onions recipe to switch things up.

• Add protein. Top the casserole with shredded Air Fryer Chicken Breast or Grilled Whole Chicken for a heartier bite.
• Make it French onion-style. Swap half of the heavy cream for beef broth and the parmesan for Gruyere cheese. Top the dish with Grilled Ribeye Steak.
• More veggies. Mix Sautéed Garlic Spinach or chopped Roasted Asparagus into the sauce for an extra veggie-packed side.
• Spice it up. Stir 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes into the sauce until smooth for added depth.
• Prep ahead. Bake the onions and prep the sauce up to 3 days in advance. Assemble the casserole and go in for the second baking time right before dinner.
• Up the onion flavor. Whisk 1-2 cups French Onion Soup into the sauce to enhance the onion goodness in the recipe.

Serving Suggestions

This creamed onions recipe is an easy side for the holidays. It’s perfect with my No Fuss Thanksgiving Turkey or Garlic Herb Turkey Breast. Other side ideas include my Roasted Cauliflower with Smoky Maple Spice and Garlic Herb Roasted Potatoes. For soup, try my Tuscan White Bean Soup and Bacon Butternut Squash Soup. If you prefer salads, go for my Farro Salad with Maple Dijon Dressing or Grilled Sweet Potato Salad.

How To Store Leftovers

Keep them away from delicate dishes in the fridge to prevent the transfer of the onions’ odor.

• Fridge: Place it in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Discard immediately if it tastes sour or bitter.
• To reheat it: Microwave it in 20-second increments, stirring between each one, until warm. You can also use a pot over medium heat for 10-12 minutes or the oven at 300F for 25-30 minutes.

More Holiday Sides To Try

• Fall Arugula Salad with Roasted Grapes
• Easy Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus
• Garlic Herb Hasselback Potatoes
• Crispy Garlic Parmesan Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts

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