Au Gratin Potatoes (Printable)

Tender sliced potatoes layered in rich garlic cream sauce with melted Gruyère and Parmesan, baked until golden and bubbling.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 3 lbs Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
02 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Dairy

03 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter
04 - 2 cups heavy cream
05 - 2 cups grated Gruyère cheese
06 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Spices & Seasonings

07 - 1 tsp salt
08 - ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
09 - ¼ tsp freshly grated nutmeg

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Generously grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter.
02 - Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in heavy cream, then add salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Heat until just simmering, then remove from heat.
03 - Arrange half of the sliced potatoes in the prepared dish, overlapping slightly. Pour half of the warm cream mixture over the potatoes. Sprinkle with half the Gruyère and Parmesan cheeses.
04 - Layer the remaining potatoes over the first layer. Pour the remaining cream mixture evenly over the top. Finish with the remaining Gruyère and Parmesan cheeses.
05 - Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 40 minutes until potatoes begin to soften.
06 - Remove foil and continue baking for 20 minutes until the top is golden brown and bubbly, and potatoes are tender when pierced with a knife.
07 - Let the gratin rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken slightly.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The creamy garlic sauce seeps into every layer, making each bite impossibly tender
  • That golden bubbling cheese crust creates the most irresistible texture contrast
  • It actually gets better as it sits, making it perfect for make ahead entertaining
02 -
  • Slice your potatoes as evenly as possible, thin slices that are uniform in thickness ensure they all finish cooking at the same time
  • A mandoline makes perfectly even slices, but a sharp knife and patience work just as well
  • The sauce will look very thin when you first pour it, but it thickens beautifully as the potatoes release starch
03 -
  • Rub your baking dish with a cut garlic clove after buttering for an extra layer of flavor
  • Let the cream mixture cool slightly before pouring over potatoes so it does not cook them unevenly
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