America's Test Kitchen LogoCook's Country LogoCook's Illustrated LogoAmerica's Test Kitchen LogoCook's Country LogoCook's Illustrated Logo

Vidalia Onion Pie

By Jessica Rudolph

Published on December 17, 2021

Time

1 hour

Yield

Serves 4

Vidalia Onion Pie

Ingredients

2 large eggs ½ cup half-and-half ½ teaspoon hot sauce ½ teaspoon pepper 35 Ritz crackers ½ cup all-purpose flour ½ teaspoon table salt, divided8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, divided4 cups thinly sliced Vidalia onions (about 2 onions)6 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (1½ cups)¼ cup minced fresh chives

Before You Begin

We like to serve this pie with a mixed green salad dressed in a tangy vinaigrette. You will need about one sleeve of Ritz Crackers.

Instructions

  1.  Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 425 degrees. Whisk eggs, half-and-half, hot sauce, and pepper together in large bowl; set aside. Pulse crackers, flour, and ¼ teaspoon salt in food processor until coarsely ground, 8 to 10 pulses. Add 6 tablespoons melted butter and pulse until crumbs are evenly moistened, about 5 pulses. Transfer cracker mixture to 9-inch pie plate. Press crumbs into even layer on bottom and about 1¼ inches up sides of plate. Bake until crust is fragrant and beginning to brown, about 8 minutes.
  2.  Meanwhile, combine onions, remaining ¼ teaspoon salt, and remaining 2 tablespoons melted butter in 12-inch nonstick skillet. Cover and cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until onions are softened, about 8 minutes.
  3.  Stir onions into egg mixture. Stir in cheddar and chives. Transfer onion mixture to crust. Bake until set and center of pie registers 165 degrees, 14 to 17 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes. Serve.
Vidalia Onion Pie
Photography by Steve Klise. Styling by Elle Simone.

Vidalia Onion Pie

Save

Time

1 hour

Yield

Serves 4

Ingredients

2 large eggs
½ cup half-and-half
½ teaspoon hot sauce
½ teaspoon pepper
35 Ritz crackers
½ cup all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon table salt, divided
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, divided
4 cups thinly sliced Vidalia onions (about 2 onions)
6 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (1½ cups)
¼ cup minced fresh chives

Ingredients

2 large eggs
½ cup half-and-half
½ teaspoon hot sauce
½ teaspoon pepper
35 Ritz crackers
½ cup all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon table salt, divided
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, divided
4 cups thinly sliced Vidalia onions (about 2 onions)
6 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (1½ cups)
¼ cup minced fresh chives

Ingredients

2 large eggs
½ cup half-and-half
½ teaspoon hot sauce
½ teaspoon pepper
35 Ritz crackers
½ cup all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon table salt, divided
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, divided
4 cups thinly sliced Vidalia onions (about 2 onions)
6 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (1½ cups)
¼ cup minced fresh chives

Why This Recipe Works

In this streamlined version of a classic Southern recipe, we jump-started the baking time by tempering the custard filling with hot sautéed onions.

Before You Begin

We like to serve this pie with a mixed green salad dressed in a tangy vinaigrette. You will need about one sleeve of Ritz Crackers.

Instructions

  1.  Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 425 degrees. Whisk eggs, half-and-half, hot sauce, and pepper together in large bowl; set aside. Pulse crackers, flour, and ¼ teaspoon salt in food processor until coarsely ground, 8 to 10 pulses. Add 6 tablespoons melted butter and pulse until crumbs are evenly moistened, about 5 pulses. Transfer cracker mixture to 9-inch pie plate. Press crumbs into even layer on bottom and about 1¼ inches up sides of plate. Bake until crust is fragrant and beginning to brown, about 8 minutes.
  2.  Meanwhile, combine onions, remaining ¼ teaspoon salt, and remaining 2 tablespoons melted butter in 12-inch nonstick skillet. Cover and cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until onions are softened, about 8 minutes.
  3.  Stir onions into egg mixture. Stir in cheddar and chives. Transfer onion mixture to crust. Bake until set and center of pie registers 165 degrees, 14 to 17 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes. Serve.

Gift This Recipe

Enjoyed this dish? Let others know by sharing it as a gift recipe.

This is a members' feature.