Description
Potato lovers rejoice with this classic French Potato Au Gratin, a comforting dish that blends rich cheesy layers and tender potato slices. Cheesy, golden, and irresistibly smooth, you’ll savor each indulgent bite of this timeless culinary treasure.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 cups (950 ml) Russet potatoes, thinly sliced
- 1 ½ cups (170 grams) shredded Cheddar cheese
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
Dairy and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons (45 grams) butter
- 1 ½ cups (360 ml) milk
Thickening Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons (23 grams) all-purpose flour
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400°F and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with light grease.
- Create the first potato layer across the dish bottom, ensuring even coverage.
- Distribute onion slices uniformly over the initial potato layer.
- Add the second potato layer on top of the onions, creating a complete potato and onion stack.
- Season the layered potatoes with salt and pepper for enhanced flavor.
- Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat, creating a smooth base.
- Incorporate flour into the melted butter, whisking continuously for 1-2 minutes to develop a roux.
- Gradually introduce milk while stirring, preventing any potential lumps from forming.
- Simmer the mixture, stirring consistently until the sauce reaches a thick, velvety consistency.
- Remove from heat and fold in shredded Cheddar cheese until completely melted and incorporated.
- Carefully pour the cheese sauce over the potato and onion layers, ensuring complete and even coverage.
- Shield the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour.
- Remove foil and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes until the surface turns golden and potatoes become fork-tender.
Notes
- Slice potatoes uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
- Use a mandoline or sharp knife to create thin, consistent potato slices for better layering and quicker cooking.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like Gruyère or Parmesan for unique flavor profiles and added depth.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half or milk with lower fat content and reduce the amount of cheese to cut calories without sacrificing taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 335
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg