Description
Creamy, cheesy potatoes au gratin elevate comfort dining with layers of sliced potatoes melted with rich cheese and delicate herbs. Savory sides like these welcome guests to hearty, delicious moments shared around warm tables.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 lbs (907 g) russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, thinly sliced
- 1 cup (240 ml) shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup (120 ml) shredded Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup (120 ml) shredded Gruyere or mozzarella cheese
Dairy and Cream Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups (360 ml) heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasoning and Herbs:
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon thyme
- Fresh parsley or chives, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to a toasty 375°F (190°C), ensuring an ideal baking environment for the creamy potato dish.
- Meticulously prepare the baking vessel by thoroughly coating a 9×13-inch dish with a generous layer of lubricating fat to prevent sticking.
- Transform raw potatoes into delicate, uniform slices approximately 1/8-inch thick. A precision mandoline slicer guarantees consistent thickness and elegant presentation.
- Activate a small saucepan, gently melting dairy fat over moderate heat, then introduce minced garlic. Allow the aromatics to dance and release their fragrant essence for roughly 30 seconds.
- Incorporate rich cream into the garlic-infused butter, seasoning with salt, ground pepper, and optional fresh thyme. Warm the mixture gently, avoiding aggressive boiling which could compromise the sauce’s delicate structure.
- Layer the gossamer potato slices methodically in the prepared baking dish, creating overlapping rows that build a structured, visually appealing foundation.
- Cascading the luxurious cream mixture evenly across the potato layers, ensuring each slice becomes thoroughly saturated with the decadent sauce.
- Shield the dish with aluminum foil, creating a protective canopy that traps moisture and promotes even cooking.
- Slide the assemblage into the preheated oven, allowing approximately 45-50 minutes of transformative cooking time.
- Remove the foil during the final 15 minutes to encourage a golden, slightly crisp surface that adds textural complexity.
- Once potatoes achieve tender perfection and the surface displays an enticing golden-brown hue, extract from the oven and permit a brief resting period before serving.
Notes
- Slice potatoes uniformly to ensure even cooking and beautiful presentation.
- Use a mandoline for precise, consistent potato slices that cook at the same rate.
- Prevent cream from scorching by warming gently and avoiding high heat.
- Layer potatoes in a slightly overlapping pattern to create a visually appealing and deliciously textured dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner, Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg