Name: Vidalia Onion Dip
Total time: 1 h
Ingredients: 2 cups finely chopped Vidalia onions; 6 ounces sharp cheddar cheese , shredded (1½ cups); 3/4 cup mayonnaise; 2 ounces American cheese , chopped (½ cup); 1/4 cup thinly sliced scallion greens , divided

Why This Recipe Works

This signature Georgia dip is usually made by mixing cheese, finely chopped sweet Vidalia onions, and mayonnaise and baking the mixture until warm and bubbly. We upped the ratio of onions to mayonnaise to let the Vidalia onion flavor shine. We preferred the sharp flavor of cheddar cheese to milder Swiss, but the cheddar separated during baking, turning greasy. Adding just ½ cup of American cheese, which is more stable when melted, to the cheddar held the dip together as it baked and the cheese melted. A few scallion greens both in the dip and sprinkled on top added color and accentuated the onion flavor.

Before You Begin

Other sweet onions such as Maui or Walla Walla will work here. Do not use regular yellow onions. Serve with crackers or tortilla chips.

Instructions

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 375 degrees. Combine 2 cups finely chopped Vidalia onions, 1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, ¾ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup chopped American cheese, and 2 tablespoons thinly sliced scallion greens in bowl. Transfer to 1-quart casserole dish.

Bake until browned and bubbly, about 25 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes. Top with remaining 2 tablespoons scallions. Serve.