Effortless Cheesy Potatoes Au Gratin Recipe for Comfort Cooking

Bubbling with rich, cheesy goodness, these potatoes au gratin promise a comforting side dish that melts hearts and delights taste buds.

Layers of thinly sliced potatoes nestled between creamy sauce and golden cheese create a mouthwatering masterpiece.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of tender potatoes and luxurious dairy.

The classic French-inspired recipe brings warmth to any dining table with its irresistible aroma and velvety texture.

Sharp cheddar and smooth cream blend seamlessly to elevate this traditional potato dish.

The crispy top and creamy interior offer a delightful contrast that transforms an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.

Prepare to fall in love with this ultimate comfort food that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 360 kcal

Servings: 7

Everything You Need For Easy Potatoes Au Gratin

• Heavy Cream: Adds luxurious richness and silky texture to the dish, choose organic for deeper flavor.
• Butter: Creates a golden, velvety foundation with a subtle nutty undertone, select high-quality unsalted butter.
• Garlic: Provides a zesty punch and aromatic depth, look for fresh, firm bulbs with no green sprouts.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile, use sea salt or kosher salt for better mineral complexity.
• Black Pepper: Delivers a gentle heat and subtle spiciness, freshly ground offers more vibrant taste.

• Russet Potatoes: Starchy variety perfect for creamy layering, select firm potatoes without green spots or sprouts.
• Yukon Gold Potatoes: Offers buttery texture and golden color, choose smooth-skinned potatoes without blemishes.

• Fresh Thyme: Introduces earthy, woodsy notes to complement the creamy potatoes, select bright green sprigs with strong aroma.

Tools For Easy Potatoes Au Gratin That Help

• Sharp Knife: Essential for precise, thin potato slices.
• Mandoline Slicer: Helps create uniform, paper-thin potato cuts quickly and safely.
• 9×13-inch Baking Dish: Perfect size for layering and baking potatoes au gratin.
• Small Saucepan: Ideal for melting butter and warming cream mixture.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients smoothly.
• Cutting Board: Provides a stable surface for slicing potatoes.

Steps To Make Easy Potatoes Au Gratin Fast

• Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 375 degrees, getting ready for some serious potato magic.

• Prep Your Baking Vessel

Grab a rectangular baking dish and give it a generous butter massage to prevent any potato sticking.

• Slice Those Spuds

Grab your potatoes and transform them into delicate, whisper-thin rounds. A mandoline is your secret weapon for achieving those perfectly uniform slices that’ll make your dish look like a culinary masterpiece.

• Create a Creamy Base

Melt butter in a saucepan, then welcome some minced garlic for a quick dance. Pour in heavy cream, sprinkle in salt and pepper, and let a touch of thyme join the party if you’re feeling fancy. Warm everything gently without letting it boil.

• Layer and Assemble

Start building your potato paradise by creating alternating layers of potato slices and creamy goodness. Each layer should be a delicate blanket of flavor, overlapping slightly for maximum deliciousness.

• Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide your creation into the preheated oven and let it transform. After about 45-60 minutes, you’ll have a bubbling, golden-brown dish that’s crispy on top and creamy underneath.

• Rest and Serve

Once out of the oven, let your potatoes au gratin rest for 10 minutes. This allows the layers to settle and makes serving a breeze. Get ready for some serious comfort food love.

Tips For Creamy Easy Potatoes Au Gratin

• Slice Precision: Use a mandoline for ultra-thin, consistent potato slices that cook evenly and create a beautifully layered texture.
• Cheese Flexibility: Swap cheddar with gruyère, swiss, or gouda for different flavor profiles and exciting taste experiences.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the dish up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve for convenient entertaining.
• Gluten-Free Option: Replace regular flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend to make this recipe suitable for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegetable Boost: Incorporate thinly sliced onions, leeks, or spinach between potato layers for added nutrition and complex flavor dimensions.

Serve Easy Potatoes Au Gratin With Any Meal

• Hearty Main Course Companion: Serve alongside roasted chicken or grilled steak for a complete, satisfying meal that combines creamy potatoes with protein-rich options.
• Restaurant-Style Plating: Carefully arrange the golden-brown potato slices on a white ceramic plate, garnishing with fresh thyme sprigs and a light sprinkle of chopped parsley for an elegant presentation.
• Rustic Comfort Pairing: Complement the rich, creamy potatoes with a crisp green salad dressed in a light vinaigrette to balance the dish's heaviness and add a refreshing contrast to the warm, cheesy potatoes.
• Brunch Superstar: Transform this dish into a weekend brunch centerpiece by topping with a perfectly poached egg, allowing the runny yolk to mix with the creamy potato layers for an indulgent morning experience.

How To Store Easy Potatoes Au Gratin Nicely

• Quick Refrigeration Tactics: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days, keeping flavors intact and texture fresh.
• Freezing Strategy: Transfer cooled potato dish to a freezer-safe container, where it can remain stable for 2-3 weeks without losing quality.
• Reheating Magic: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or restore entire dish's crispy top by baking at 350F for 15-20 minutes.
• Smart Prep Technique: Slice potatoes and prepare cream mixture up to 24 hours ahead, storing separately in refrigerator to streamline cooking process and save time during meal preparation.

Creamy Potatoes Au Gratin Recipe

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4.6 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Cheesy potatoes au gratin showcase creamy layers of thinly sliced potatoes nestled between rich cheese and cream. Classic French comfort brings delightful warmth to dinner tables where you’ll savor each comforting, golden-edged bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 lbs (907 g) potatoes, russet or Yukon Gold, thinly sliced
• 1 ½ cups (360 ml) heavy cream or whole milk (lighter version)
• 1 cup (113 g) cheddar cheese, shredded
• ½ cup (50 g) Parmesan cheese, shredded
• ½ cup (50 g) Gruyere or mozzarella cheese, shredded (optional, for extra cheesiness)
• 2 tbsps (28 g) unsalted butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp thyme (optional)
• Fresh parsley or chives, for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

1. Potato Preparation: Meticulously clean and slice potatoes into translucent, uniform layers using a mandoline or sharp knife, ensuring precision and consistency.
2. Baking Vessel Setup: Thoroughly coat a rectangular ceramic dish with butter, creating a non-stick surface that promises effortless serving and easy cleanup.
3. Aromatic Cream Base: Melt butter in a saucepan, introducing minced garlic and allowing its robust essence to infuse. Incorporate heavy cream, thyme, kosher salt, and black pepper, whisking to create a fragrant, velvety liquid that will elevate the potato layers.
4. Layering Technique: Arrange potato slices in an overlapping, cascading pattern within the buttered dish, ensuring each delicate layer is strategically positioned to maximize flavor absorption and create a visually stunning presentation.
5. Cream Infusion: Gently pour the seasoned cream mixture over the potato layers, guaranteeing complete coverage and allowing the liquid to penetrate every crevice, promising a luxuriously creamy texture.
6. Cheese Topping: Generously sprinkle grated cheese across the surface, creating a protective layer that will transform into a golden, crisp crust during baking.
7. Baking Process: Place the gratin in a preheated oven, allowing the potatoes to slowly transform into a bubbling, caramelized masterpiece that combines creamy interior with a perfectly bronzed exterior.
8. Resting and Serving: Remove from the oven and let the gratin rest momentarily, enabling flavors to harmonize and internal temperature to stabilize before presenting this culinary delight.

Notes

• Slice Precisely: Use a mandoline or sharp knife to create uniform, thin potato slices for even cooking and consistent texture.
• Prevent Sticking: Generously butter the baking dish to ensure easy serving and prevent potatoes from adhering to the surface.
• Flavor Infusion: Allow garlic to steep in melted butter briefly to release its full aromatic potential before adding cream.
• Cheese Selection: Choose a high-quality, melting cheese like Gruyère or sharp cheddar for optimal flavor and golden-brown crust.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Dinner, Side Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 410 mg
• Fat: 26 g
• Saturated Fat: 16 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg