Tennessee Onions

3 large sweet onions (such as Vidalia or Walla Walla), sliced into 1/4-inch thick rings
1 1/2 cups shredded cheese (a mix of cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan works great)
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup crushed Ritz crackers (optional for a crunchy topping)
Fresh parsley or chives for garnish (optional)

Preheat your oven to 350°F.

Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Prepare the Onions:
Peel the onions and slice them into rings about 1/4 inch thick. Separate the rings and arrange them in the prepared baking dish, overlapping slightly.

Layer the Ingredients:
Sprinkle the garlic powder, salt, and black pepper evenly over the onion rings.
Pour the heavy cream over the onions, making sure it covers them well.

Add the butter cubes over the top of the onions.

Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the entire dish, covering the onions generously.
Add the Crumb Topping (Optional):

If you want a crunchy topping, sprinkle the crushed Ritz crackers over the cheese.

Bake:
Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the onions are tender and the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

Garnish and Serve.