Au Gratin Potatoes

Name: Au Gratin Potatoes
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 75 min
Total time: 90 min
Ingredients: 2.5 pounds russet potatoes (starchy potatoes) (sliced thinly (about ⅛ inch thick) into rounds); 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (divided (reserving 1 cup for top)); 1 ½ cups shredded Gruyere cheese; 1 1/2 cups heavy cream; 1/2 cup milk; 1 1/2 tablespoons flour; 2 cloves garlic (minced); 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/8 teaspoon black pepper; 2 teaspoons thyme leaves (optional); butter for baking dish (about 1 tablespoon); fresh chopped parsley to garnish

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Au Gratin Potatoes are cheesy, creamy side dish perfection everyone is sure love. Tender sliced potatoes smothered in a luscious cream sauce made with two kinds of cheese and baked until golden and bubbly!

I am not sure how much more perfect a side dish can get! Au Gratin Potatoes make a wonderful holiday dish as well as a superb Sunday supper side! Serve them along with ham, roast beef, or even your favorite southern fried pork chops! Any way you serve them they will be a hit!

A plate with a serving of au gratin potatoes on a white plate set on a white table with the casserole dish in the background.

Why We Love This Recipe!

Classic Dish: It's hard to beat a cheesy potato recipe. A favorite all around when I serve this dish!
Perfect Side: This dish pairs well for a Holiday meal or an everyday meal. A delicious potato dish goes with just about any meat you will serve.
Versatile: Although the combination of cheeses in the recipe is spot on, you can change it up with what you have on hand or what you love.

Honestly, I can't think of a more perfect thing in the whole entire world to eat than these Creamy Au Gratin Potatoes. I guess you can see where I stand on the matter! They are full of creaminess and rich cheesy flavor in every bite.

Here's what you need to get started:

Ingredients

Russet Potatoes
Cheese - Cheddar & Gruyere
Butter
All-Purpose Flour
Heavy Cream & Milk
Garlic
Salt & Pepper
Thyme Leaves (optional)

How To Make Au Gratin Potatoes!

Step 1 | Prep Potatoes, Cheese, and Casserole Dish

Preheat the oven and butter a baking dish or cast iron skillet.

Wash and thinly slice Potatoes with a knife or mandoline slicer.

Place sliced potatoes fanned out in rows (slanted rows) in the bottom of the casserole or baking dish. Don't pack them overly tight. You want the sauce to get all around the potatoes.

Russet potatoes that have been washed, peeled and sliced thinly and placed in a white casserole dish.

In a medium bowl mix together the cheeses. Reserve 1 cup for the top.

Step 2 | Make the cheese Sauce

Melt butter in a saucepan or skillet over medium heat; slowly whisk in flour and cook.

Slowly whisk in heavy cream, milk, garlic, salt, pepper, and thyme leaves (optional).

Heat until thick and bubbly.

Remove from heat and stir in cheese mixture per the recipe until melted and creamy.

TIP: Taste the sauce and add more seasoning as desired. Everyone's taste is different (especially on the salt factor).

Collage image to make cheese sauce for au gratin potatoes.

Step 3 | Assemble the Gratin & Bake

Spoon or pour cheese sauce over the potatoes. Spray the inside of aluminum foil and cover the baking dish. Bake until the potatoes are tender. (Test with a knife to fork tender)

Remove cover and top with remaining cheese. Then bake uncovered until the cheese is golden and bubbly. You can also turn on broil for a minute or two to get that top extra crispy if you like.

Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Then enjoy!

Au Gratin Potatoes just out of the oven cooling on a baking rack.

Tips

Shredding your own cheese makes for a smoother sauce.
Evenly slice your potatoes so that they cook evenly. A mandoline makes this really easy.
These au gratin potatoes can be made with skins on or off (peeled or unpeeled). It really is a matter of preference.
Want to shorten cook time, while making the sauce cover place the potatoes in the casserole dish (make sure it is microwave safe), cover with plastic wrap, and microwave on high for 10 minutes. Carefully remove the plastic wrap and finish as directed for about 50 minutes.
Like the top extra crispy, turn on the broiler for a minute or two to get a nice bubbly brown on the top. Just keep an eye on it - it can burn quickly.

Variations and Substitutions

Here are a few ideas on how to customize this dish a bit.

Add ham or bacon: Use leftover ham or take cubed ham or even cooked bacon and mix into the cheese sauce for a complete meal in one dish.
Change up the cheeses: If you don't have gruyere on hand or just want to change it up, use all cheddar, gouda, Colby jack, or even a jalapeno jack cheese to spice it up.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best potatoes to use for Potatoes au Gratin?

In my opinion, a starchy potato such as a russet is perfect for this dish. A wax potato separates slightly from the sauce

What is the difference between scalloped potatoes and potatoes au gratin?

Actually, they are very similar. Scalloped potatoes are often cooked with onions and baked in a creamy sauce. The definition of Au Gratin is to be topped or covered with cheese or breadcrumbs. Scalloped means to be "baked in a sauce or milk."

The difference in this recipe is the cheese. However, you often see recipes for scalloped potatoes that contain cheese in the dish. Confusing - right?

A white casserole dish filled with potatoes au gratin being scooped out with a silver serving spoon.

Storage and Make Ahead

Make Ahead: Make these potatoes a day in advance! Simply pour the sauce over the potatoes as directed, then cover the pan with foil and place in the fridge until ready to bake (reserving divided cheese for the topping as directed).

Remove from the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before baking. They may take a bit longer, around 10 to 15 minutes, to bake as the sauce will be cold.

Storage: Cover with foil or plastic wrap or place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.

Reheat: To reheat individual servings, place desired amount on a microwave-safe dish and reheat. Start with 1 minute and stir. Then add 30-second intervals until heated to your liking.

You can also place the pan back into a 350°F oven until heated through.

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