Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 3 lb sweet onions (about 4 large onions)
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp granulated garlic
- 1 tsp dry mustard
- 2 tsp brown sugar (light or dark)
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaf (stripped)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 oz freshly grated Tillamook mild cheddar cheese
- 2 oz freshly grated Gruyere cheese
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese (or Parmesan)
- 3 tbsp butter (cut into small piece)
- 1 lb Cooked Breakfast Sausage (optional)
- 1 Handful of Ritz crackers crushed (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat smoker to 350°F (175°C).
- Peel and slice the 3 pounds of sweet onions thinly (about 1/8 inch thick) using a mandolin.
- Place the sliced onions into a large bowl and toss them to break up any rings.
- In a small bowl, combine the spice blend: salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, granulated garlic, dry mustard, brown sugar, cayenne pepper, and fresh thyme leaves. Mix well.
- Drizzle olive oil over onions and hand mix them to coat. For more protein, mix in your breakfast sausage here.
- Pour half of the spice blend over the onions and toss thoroughly with your hands to coat evenly.
- Add the remaining half of the spice blend and toss again until all onions are coated.
- Lightly grease a 13×9 inch baking dish with butter or oil.
- Layer half of the seasoned onions in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle 2 ounces of the mild cheddar cheese and 2 ounces of Gruyere cheese over the first layer of onions.
- Add the second layer of onions on top of the cheese.
- Sprinkle the remaining 2 ounces of mild cheddar cheese and Gruyere cheese over the second layer of onions.
- Sprinkle 1/2 cup of Pecorino Romano (or Gruyere/Parmesan) over the cheese layers.
- Dot the top evenly with 3 tablespoons of butter cut into small pieces.
- Tightly cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.
- Cook on your smoker for 45 minutes.
- Remove the foil and sprinkle crushed Ritz crackers over the casserole (optional if you like a buttery and crunchy topping). Return the casserole to the smoker for another 30 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 75 minutes
