Teisen Nionod — The Savoury Welsh Onion Cake

Layered with simplicity and love, Teisen Nionod is a traditional Welsh dish that transforms pantry staples into something extraordinary. 

Think tender potatoes, sweet onions, and lashings of butter — baked slowly until golden and crisp on the outside, soft and melting inside.

Rooted in the culinary traditions of South Wales, Teisen Nionod is both a side dish and a star in its own right — one of those quiet heroes that deserves far more fame.

Humble Ingredients, Hearty Results

This dish calls for just a few components:

Thinly sliced potatoes

Sliced onions

Butter (and lots of it!)

Salt and pepper

Sometimes a little stock or bacon fat for extra flavour

Layered and baked slowly, the flavours mingle and intensify, giving you crisp edges and creamy centres. It’s a dish that rewards patience and celebrates the beauty of Welsh produce.

Regional Twists

While Teisen Nionod is most commonly made in Glamorgan and surrounding counties, you’ll find a few variations:

Carmarthenshire: Adds a splash of chicken or vegetable stock for extra richness

Cardiganshire: Uses dripping or lard instead of butter for a deeper flavour

Modern takes: Add leeks, cheese (like Caerphilly or cheddar), or even mustard

Perfect Pairings

Teisen Nionod is a perfect partner to:

Roast lamb or pork

Faggots and onion gravy

Laverbread and bacon

Or simply served with buttered cabbage and a poached egg for a vegetarian supper

Recipe: Teisen Nionod (Welsh Onion Cake)

Ingredients:

4 large floury potatoes (e.g., Maris Piper or King Edward)

2 large onions, thinly sliced

75g unsalted butter, melted

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Optional: 100ml stock or 50g grated Caerphilly cheese

Method:

Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan) / 350°F / Gas Mark 4.

Peel the potatoes and slice them very thinly (a mandoline helps).

Grease a round baking dish and layer potatoes and onions alternately.

Season each layer with salt, pepper, and a drizzle of butter.

Pour over any remaining butter (and stock if using).

Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes.

Uncover and bake a further 30 minutes until golden and crisp on top.

Rest for 5–10 minutes before serving in generous wedges.

A Taste of Hearth and Home

Teisen Nionod is proof that the most soul-satisfying dishes are often the simplest. It brings together the frugality of Welsh cooking and the indulgence of comfort food — a tray of golden warmth that belongs on every table.

Coming next: Welsh Griddle Bread — A Pan-Baked Heritage Loaf

Homemade Fast Comfort: Cheese, Onion, and Potato Pasty with ready made, Pre-rolled Puff Pastry

There’s something inherently comforting about a warm pasty, especially when it’s filled with creamy potatoes, sweet caramelised onion, and rich, melted cheese. 

Today, I’m sharing a fuss-free recipe for making your own cheese, onion, and potato pasty at home using a sheet of pre-rolled puff pastry. It’s hearty, golden, and satisfying — and best of all, you won’t need to make pastry from scratch! 

I actually invented this recipe this afternoon and pleasantly surprised my wife, and myself,  when I presented it for our evening meal! 

Whether you’re after a quick lunch, a picnic bite, or a meat-free dinner, this pasty delivers on flavour and simplicity. The ingredients are minimal — just potatoes, onion, cheese, and pastry — but together they create a filling that’s both comforting and indulgent. 

By pre-roasting the onion and potato slices, we bring out their natural sweetness and soften them just enough to meld beautifully with the cheese inside a buttery puff pastry shell.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Quick and easy: Thanks to pre-rolled puff pastry, there's no need for kneading or chilling dough.

Vegetarian-friendly: A great meat-free option that still satisfies.

Versatile: Ideal for lunchboxes, on-the-go snacks, or paired with a green salad for dinner.

Budget-conscious: Made with pantry basics, it's affordable and filling.

Ingredient Notes

You can customise this pasty with your favourite cheese — a sharp mature cheddar adds punch, while something milder like mozzarella offers gooeyness. For an extra kick, add a pinch of mustard powder or a few thyme leaves to the filling. Or you could even add cooked meat such as ham, chicken, beef or corned beef. Or use vegan cheese and vegan protein if you want to create a meat free feast.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your pasty warm with a dollop of brown sauce or chutney, or enjoy it cold as part of a picnic spread. It pairs wonderfully with a crisp apple cider or a pot of strong English tea.

Whether you're making this for yourself or sharing it with family and friends, this simple recipe is proof that comfort food doesn’t need to be complicated. Save it for a rainy day — or any day you need something warm and golden to lift your spirits.

Onion and Cheese Soda Bread

Serves 6

Ingredients

1 large onion, sliced

1 tbsp olive oil

450g/1lb plain flour

1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

150g/6oz Gruyere cheese, grated

300ml yoghurt

3 tbsp water

2 tbsp sundried tomatoes, chopped

Method

1) Preheat the oven to 220C/425F/gas mark 7

2) Heat the oil in a frying pan & gently fry the onions until translucent, about 10 minutes.

3) Mix the flour and bicarbonate of soda in a bowl; add the cheese, onions and sundried tomatoes.

4) Mix the yoghurt & water together then stir into the flour. Mix with a spoon until it comes together to form a soft dough.

5) Turn onto a floured surface, knead until it form smooth dough & shape into a 20cm round. Place onto a baking sheet & mark out 6 wedges with a knife. Bake for 30 – 40 minutes until golden brown and the bottom of the loaf sounds hollow when tapped. If it isn't ready after this time, turn it upside down on the baking sheet and bake for a few minutes more.

6) Serve warm with grilled bacon, tomatoes & onion relish.

(EDITOR: That's food and Drink would like to thank British Onions for their help in creating this article)