Description
Creamy potatoes au gratin deliver comfort on a plate, blending rich cheese and tender potato slices into a golden, irresistible side dish. Hearty and satisfying, this classic French recipe invites you to savor each indulgent, cheesy bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes au Gratin Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 4 large russet potatoes, thinly sliced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 cups Gruyere cheese (1 cup for sauce, 1 cup for topping)
Cheese Sauce Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Preparation Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon softened butter (for dish)
- Chopped chives for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Crush garlic and melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat, releasing aromatic flavors.
- Whisk cream with flour, creating a silky base for the sauce, then incorporate seasonings and grated cheese until mixture becomes velvety and smooth.
- Grease a baking dish with butter, then carefully layer thinly sliced potatoes, sprinkling salt and pepper between each stratum.
- Gently cascade the creamy cheese sauce over potato layers, ensuring comprehensive and uniform coverage.
- Shield the dish with aluminum foil and roast in a preheated 400°F oven for approximately 75 minutes, allowing potatoes to become tender.
- Remove foil, sprinkle additional cheese across the surface, and return to oven for 5 minutes to melt.
- Switch oven to broil and watch carefully, allowing the top to transform into a golden, crispy crust with caramelized edges, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Rest the gratin for 10 minutes before serving, enabling sauce to set and flavors to harmonize.
Notes
- Slice potatoes uniformly using a mandoline for consistent, thin layers that cook evenly and look professional.
- Use starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold for the best creamy, tender texture in the dish.
- Make ahead by preparing and refrigerating the casserole up to 24 hours before baking, which allows flavors to meld and intensify.
- Customize by adding crispy bacon bits, caramelized onions, or fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary between potato layers for extra depth of flavor.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 27 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg