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Creamy, cheesy, and absolutely irresistible—our Creamy Potatoes Au Gratin recipe is a must-try! Thinly sliced potatoes mingle with butter, cream, and heaps of cheese, baking to a bubbly, golden perfection. Easy to prepare and perfect for entertaining, this dish will steal the show at any gathering.
Table of Contents
Tips and Tricks:
- Selecting Potatoes: Choose starchy potatoes like Russets or Yukon Golds for the creamiest texture. These varieties hold up well to baking and absorb flavors beautifully.
- Uniform Slicing: To ensure even cooking, use a mandoline slicer or a sharp knife to slice the potatoes to a consistent thickness, around 1.5 mm.
- Preventing Browning: After slicing the potatoes, immediately place them in a bowl of cold water to prevent them from browning while you prepare the other ingredients.
- Flavorful Layers: Add depth of flavor by seasoning each layer of potatoes with salt, pepper, and any desired herbs or spices. Thinly sliced onions and garlic also add delicious flavor.
- Creamy Cheese Sauce: Make sure your cheese sauce is well-seasoned and creamy. Gradually add the cheese to the saucepan, stirring constantly, to ensure a smooth texture.
- Coating the Potatoes: Thoroughly coat the sliced potatoes with the cheese sauce to ensure every bite is creamy and flavorful.
- Baking Time: Cover the dish with aluminum foil during the initial baking time to prevent the top from browning too quickly. Remove the foil during the last few minutes of baking to allow the top to become golden and bubbly.
- Testing for Doneness: Insert a knife into the center of the dish to test if the potatoes are cooked through. They should be tender and easily pierced.
- Resting Time: Allow the dish to rest for a few minutes after removing it from the oven. This allows the flavors to meld together and makes it easier to slice and serve.
Creamy Potatoes Au Gratin Ingredients
- Potatoes: Thinly sliced Russet potatoes form the hearty base of this dish. If you prefer, you can also use Yukon Gold potatoes for a slightly different texture.
- Onion: One onion, sliced into rings, adds a subtle yet flavorful layer to complement the potatoes.
- Garlic Cloves: A few cloves of garlic provide aromatic depth to the dish, enhancing its overall flavor profile.
- Seasonings: Simple yet essential seasonings include nutmeg, parsley, salt, and pepper, adding a harmonious blend of flavors to the creamy potatoes.
- Butter and Flour: The cheese sauce begins with a roux made from butter and all-purpose flour, providing a rich and velvety texture to the dish.
- Milk: Slowly whisk in the milk to achieve the perfect creamy consistency for the cheese sauce, ensuring a decadent finish.
- Cheese: Finally, no Au Gratin Potatoes would be complete without a generous amount of cheese. Choose your favorite variety, such as cheddar or gruyere, to melt into the sauce and create a luscious, cheesy coating for the potatoes.
How to make Creamy Potatoes Au Gratin
- Preparation: Thinly slice Russet potatoes and onion rings.
- Make the Cheese Sauce: Whisk together butter and flour in a saucepan. Gradually add milk while whisking until smooth. Stir in cheese until melted and smooth. Season with garlic, nutmeg, parsley, salt, and pepper.
- Layering: Arrange the sliced potatoes and onions in a baking dish. Pour the cheese sauce evenly over the top.
- Bake: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated oven for about an hour. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.
- Serve: Allow the dish to cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy the creamy and flavorful Au Gratin Potatoes as a side dish or a standalone meal.
What Cheese To Use for Creamy Potatoes Au Gratin
When it comes to choosing cheese for your Potatoes au Gratin, the possibilities abound. Alongside classics like cheddar and gruyere, consider the creamy depth of fontina, the nutty richness of Gouda, or the tang of Parmesan. However, my personal favorite is white cheddar. Its sharp flavor and creamy texture elevate the dish to a whole new level of indulgence.
For me, nothing beats the irresistible combination of creamy white cheddar and perfectly baked potatoes in this classic dish.
How to Store Au Gratin Potatoes
- If you have leftovers, allow them to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container.
- Refrigerate the leftovers promptly, and they should keep well for up to 3-4 days. When reheating, you may need to add a splash of milk to maintain the creamy consistency.
- Alternatively, you can freeze Au Gratin Potatoes for longer storage. Place them in a freezer-safe container or resealable bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. To reheat frozen Au Gratin Potatoes, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in the oven until heated through.
How to Serve Au Gratin Potatoes
Au Gratin Potatoes are a versatile dish that can be served in various ways to suit different occasions and preferences. Enjoy them as a satisfying standalone meal, pair them with your favorite main courses for a delicious side dish, or add them to your holiday table for a comforting and festive touch. Whether you’re dining alone or entertaining guests, Au Gratin Potatoes are sure to impress with their creamy texture and rich flavors.
Looking for salad ideas to serve alongside Au Gratin Potatoes? Check out my blog for a selection of refreshing options that perfectly complement the richness of this dish. From crisp garden salads to Mediterranean-inspired creations and hearty roasted vegetable salads, there’s something for every taste preference. You can find these recipes linked below, adding a refreshing contrast to the comforting flavors of Au Gratin Potatoes.
Other Potato Recipes That You Should Definitely Try
Mashed Potatoes with Bacon and Parmesan
Creamy Potatoes Au Gratin
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 kg Potatoes
- 1 Onion
- 4 Garlic Cloves
Sauce:
- 400 ml Milk
- 1 tbsp Flour
- 60 g Butter
- 300 g Cheese White Cheddar
- 2 tbsp Parsley
- Nutmeg
- Pepper
- Salt
Instructions
Prepare Cheese Sauce:
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
- Add flour and whisk until smooth, cooking for 1-2 minutes until lightly golden.
- Gradually pour in milk, whisking continuously until the mixture thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Reduce heat and add (200 g) of cheese, stirring until melted and fully incorporated.
- Season with parsley, salt, nutmeg, and pepper to taste.
- Continue cooking and whisking until the sauce thickens, approximately 3 to 5 minutes.
Preheat Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 392°F (200°C).
Prepare Potatoes:
- Peel the potatoes and slice them thinly, about 1.5 mm thick, either by hand or using a slicer.
- Slice the onion and cut the garlic cloves into thin slices.
Assemble:
- Arrange the potatoes vertically in a stack, ensuring they remain upright. Repeat this process until all the potatoes have been used.
- After arranging the potatoes vertically, add the onion slices among them, ensuring a distribution of flavors.
- Distribute the sliced garlic over the potatoes.
- Pour the prepared cheese sauce over the potatoes, ensuring they are well-coated.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top.
Bake:
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.
- Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until the potatoes in the middle are tender when tested with a knife.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.
Serve:
- Allow the dish to stand for 5 minutes before serving to let it settle slightly.
- Serve hot and enjoy your delicious Potatoes Au Gratin!
