Creamy au Gratin Potatoes
5 January 2025
Creamy au Gratin Potatoes
There’s something irresistibly satisfying about a dish that combines creamy layers of thinly sliced potatoes, smoky bacon, and a medley of rich cheeses baked to golden perfection. This Au Gratin Potatoes recipe is the epitome of comfort food, perfect for family dinners, holiday feasts, or any occasion that calls for a side dish that steals the show. With the earthy flavor of roasted garlic, the freshness of thyme, and a final touch of chives, this decadent casserole delivers a perfect balance of textures and flavors. Simple to make yet impressively indulgent, it’s a crowd-pleaser that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
So, if all that sounds good to you, read on!
Move Over Mashed Potatoes, There’s a New Star Side Dish in Town!
I can’t believe I waited this long to perfect this creamy, cheesy classic, but here it is: Au Gratin Potatoes—the ultimate comfort food side dish that’s so good, it might just steal the spotlight from the main course.
3 Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe
- EASY – It’s surprisingly simple to make, with just a bit of slicing, layering, and baking!
- VERSATILE – Works for any occasion—weeknight dinners, holiday gatherings, or potlucks.
- INDULGENTLY CREAMY – With layers of tender potatoes, smoky bacon, roasted garlic, and three melted cheeses, every bite feels like a decadent treat.
My favorite part? The golden, bubbly crust of melted cheese on top—there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of breaking into it with a serving spoon!
Honestly, I could eat this dish straight out of the pan. And the leftovers (if you even have any) reheat beautifully, making it the gift that keeps on giving.
So there you have it—the ultimate side dish that combines elegance, indulgence, and irresistible flavor. Once you try it, you’ll never look at potatoes the same way again!
Ingredients in Gratin Potatoes
Here’s what you need to make Creamy au Gratin Potatoes:
- Yellow Potatoes (2.5 lb): Choose firm, medium-sized yellow potatoes like Yukon Golds for their creamy texture and buttery flavor. They hold their shape well when baked and soak up all the delicious sauce.
- Bacon (200g): Use fresh, high-quality bacon for the best flavor. The smokiness of the bacon adds depth to the dish, and the crispy bits provide a wonderful texture contrast.
- Yellow Onion (1): A sweet yellow onion adds a subtle caramelized flavor when fried with the bacon, balancing the richness of the cheeses and cream.
- Gruyère Cheese (50g): This Swiss cheese melts beautifully and adds a slightly nutty, savory flavor to the dish.
- Classic Cheese (50g): Creamy and mild, Fontina cheese contributes to the luscious, melty texture of the sauce, making every bite indulgent.
- Parmesan Cheese (50g): A sharp, salty addition that enhances the flavor of the dish and helps create that perfect golden-brown crust on top.
- Heavy Cream (2 cups): The base of the creamy sauce. Use full-fat heavy cream for the richest results—it binds the cheese and flavors together beautifully.
- Roasted Garlic (1 head): Roasting garlic transforms it into a sweet, caramelized delight that adds depth and warmth to the dish. Roast the garlic ahead of time for convenience.
- Butter (2 Tbsp): Use unsalted butter to grease the casserole dish and lightly enhance the cream sauce without overwhelming the other flavors.
- Salt and Pepper: Season to taste, but go lightly with the salt since the cheeses and bacon are already salty. Freshly cracked black pepper adds a gentle kick.
- Fresh Thyme: These fragrant, earthy herbs add a subtle freshness to balance the richness of the cream and cheese.
- Chives: Sprinkle finely chopped fresh chives on top before serving for a pop of color and a light oniony finish.
Creamy au Gratin Potatoes
Creating Au Gratin Potatoes might look fancy, but it’s surprisingly straightforward and so rewarding! The magic lies in layering simple, high-quality ingredients to create a dish that’s greater than the sum of its parts. From slicing the potatoes to just the right thinness to mixing a velvety cream sauce loaded with smoky bacon, roasted garlic, and three decadent cheeses, every step is designed to build flavor and texture.
The secret to success? Take your time with each step.
1. Preheat your oven
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a medium-sized casserole dish with 1 tablespoon of butter, ensuring all sides are coated to prevent sticking, and set it aside.
2. Prepare the Potatoes
Wash and peel the potatoes, then use a mandoline slicer to cut them into thin, even rounds about 2mm thick. Place the sliced potatoes in a large bowl and set aside while you prepare the other ingredients.
3. Cook the bacon and Onions
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until it’s crispy and golden brown, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking. Remove the bacon from the skillet and chop it into small pieces. In the same skillet, add the chopped onion to the bacon fat and sauté until softened and lightly caramelized, about 5 minutes. Combine the bacon and onions together and set aside.
4. Grate the Cheese
Grate the Gruyère, Classic Cheese, and Parmesan cheeses using a box grater or food processor. In a medium bowl, mix the three cheeses together, reserving a small handful for the topping later.
5. Prepare the Cream Mixture
In a large mixing bowl, combine the heavy cream with the roasted garlic (squeezed out of its skins), thyme leaves, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Add the bacon and onion mixture, and stir until everything is evenly incorporated.
6. Assemble the Dish
Add the sliced potatoes to the cream mixture and gently toss to coat each slice with the creamy sauce. Layer the coated potato slices into the prepared casserole dish, ensuring they are slightly overlapping for even cooking. Pour any remaining cream mixture over the top, spreading it evenly.
7. Bake Covered
Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 1 hour, allowing the potatoes to cook through and absorb the creamy sauce.
8. Bake Uncovered
After an hour, remove the foil. Return the dish to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbling.
Ready to Serve
Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Sprinkle freshly chopped chives over the top for a pop of color and flavor before serving.
There you have it—the ultimate Au Gratin Potatoes that will take any meal to the next level. With layers of creamy cheese, smoky bacon, and perfectly tender potatoes, this dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s as comforting as it is indulgent. Whether you’re serving it for a holiday feast or just a cozy family dinner, it’s bound to become a favorite. So, dig in, savor each mouthful, and enjoy the rich, cheesy goodness that only gets better with every bite!
I’d love to know what you think if you give this a try! 🙂 – Angie
Watch how to make it
Follow along with this detailed, step-by-step video guide to discover just how simple and enjoyable it is to prepare this Creamy au Gratin Potatoes!
The best part? It’s quick and easy, so you can impress your family or guests with a delicious homemade dish in no time! Grab your ingredients, hit play, and let’s get started!
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PRINT RECIPE
Creamy au Gratin Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2.5 lb Yellow Potatoes
- 200 g. Bacon
- 1 Yellow Onion
- 50 g. Cruyere cheese
- 50 g. Classic cheese
- 50 g. Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups Heavy Cream
- 1 Roasted head of Garlic
- 2 Tbsp Butter
- Salt/Pepper to taste
- Fresh Thyme
Instructions
Preheat your oven
- Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a medium-sized casserole dish with 1 tablespoon of butter, ensuring all sides are coated to prevent sticking, and set it aside.
Prepare the Potatoes
- Wash and peel the potatoes, then use a mandoline slicer to cut them into thin, even rounds about 2mm thick. Place the sliced potatoes in a large bowl and set aside while you prepare the other ingredients.
Cook the bacon and Onions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until it’s crispy and golden brown, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking. Remove the bacon from the skillet and chop it into small pieces. In the same skillet, add the chopped onion to the bacon fat and sauté until softened and lightly caramelized, about 5 minutes. Combine the bacon and onions together and set aside.
Grate the Cheese
- Grate the Gruyère, Classic Cheese, and Parmesan cheeses using a box grater or food processor. In a medium bowl, mix the three cheeses together, reserving a small handful for the topping later.
Prepare the Cream Mixture
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the heavy cream with the roasted garlic (squeezed out of its skins), thyme leaves, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Add the bacon and onion mixture, and stir until everything is evenly incorporated.
Assemble the Dish
- Add the sliced potatoes to the cream mixture and gently toss to coat each slice with the creamy sauce. Layer the coated potato slices into the prepared casserole dish, ensuring they are slightly overlapping for even cooking. Pour any remaining cream mixture over the top, spreading it evenly.
Bake Covered
- Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 1 hour, allowing the potatoes to cook through and absorb the creamy sauce.
Bake Uncovered
- After an hour, remove the foil. Return the dish to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbling.
Ready to Serve
- Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Sprinkle freshly chopped chives over the top for a pop of color and flavor before serving.
Notes
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Hi, I'm Angie!
I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative!
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