Golden Layered Potato Bake Recipe

Quick & Buttery Golden Layered Potato Bake Recipe

Crafting a golden layered potato bake sparks culinary magic in my kitchen every single time.

Potatoes sliced thin and kissed with herbs create pure comfort on a plate.

Layers of creamy goodness promise delectable moments that warm hearts and satisfy hungry souls.

Cheese melts between delicate potato rounds, building incredible depth of flavor.

Crispy edges hint at the delightful textures waiting to surprise you.

Aromas wafting through the house will draw everyone closer to the table.

Prepare to savor each heavenly bite of this irresistible potato masterpiece.

Why Golden Layered Potato Bake Is Pure Comfort

  • Craft Creamy Comfort Food: Rich, indulgent potato layers combine with a velvety cream sauce that transforms simple ingredients into a luxurious side dish.
  • Create One-Pan Wonder: Minimal prep and straightforward assembly make this recipe perfect for home cooks seeking delicious results without complicated techniques.
  • Customize Your Crunch: Flexible breadcrumb topping allows personal texture preferences, letting you dial up golden crispiness or keep it subtly crunchy.
  • Impress Dinner Guests: Elegant layered presentation and professional-looking golden surface make this dish suitable for casual family meals and more sophisticated gatherings.

Everything You’ll Need For Golden Layered Potato Bake

Potato Base:
  • Potatoes: Starchy, golden vegetables that form the hearty foundation of this creamy dish.
Dairy and Cream Mixture:
  • Heavy Cream, Whole Milk: Rich dairy ingredients that create a luxurious, smooth sauce for the potatoes.
  • Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and helps bind the breadcrumb topping.
  • Cheddar Cheese: Sharp, melty cheese that provides a golden, flavorful surface.
Seasonings and Topping:
  • Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder, Paprika: Classic spices that enhance the overall flavor profile of the potato bake.
  • Breadcrumbs: Crispy ingredient that creates a golden, crunchy topping for texture contrast.
  • Fresh Parsley: Bright herb that adds a fresh, aromatic garnish to the finished dish.

Steps To Make Golden Layered Potato Bake At Home

Step 1: Fire Up The Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 375°F and generously grease a 9×13 inch baking dish so nothing sticks.

Step 2: Prep Those Potatoes

Grab your potatoes and give them a good wash.

Peel them carefully, then slice into super thin, almost translucent rounds using a sharp mandoline or knife. Aim for uniform slices about 1/8 inch thick.

Step 3: Whip Up The Creamy Magic

In a large mixing bowl, create a flavor-packed cream blend by whisking together:
  • Heavy cream
  • Whole milk
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Garlic powder
  • Paprika

Blend until everything is perfectly combined and the seasonings dance throughout the mixture.

Step 4: Create Potato Layers

Arrange potato slices in beautiful overlapping circular patterns inside the baking dish.

Make sure each layer gets equal love and is completely covered with the dreamy cream mixture.

Step 5: Pour On The Goodness

Slowly cascade the cream mixture over the potato layers, letting the liquid sneak between each slice for maximum flavor explosion.

Step 6: Cheese Please

Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the top, creating a rich and irresistible golden landscape.

Step 7: Craft The Crispy Topping

Melt unsalted butter and mix with breadcrumbs until they form a slightly damp, crumbly texture that promises crunch.

Step 8: Crown With Crumbs

Spread the buttery breadcrumb mixture evenly over the cheese, promising a golden, crispy finish.

Step 9: Bake To Perfection

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes.

Then uncover and continue baking for 15-20 minutes until potatoes turn tender and the top becomes a gorgeous golden brown.

Step 10: Rest And Settle

Pull the dish from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes.

This allows the layers to settle and soak up any remaining cream.

Step 11: Final Flourish

Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top for a burst of color and fresh flavor before serving.

Cooking Tips For Golden Layered Potato Bake

  • Select starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold for the best creamy texture and golden results.
  • Slice potatoes uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent layers throughout the dish.
  • Soak sliced potatoes in cold water for 10 minutes before layering to remove excess starch and prevent browning.
  • Use full-fat dairy for maximum richness and a luxurious, velvety mouthfeel in the cream mixture.
  • Add optional herbs like thyme or rosemary to the cream mixture for enhanced flavor complexity and aromatic depth.

Tweak And Try Golden Layered Potato Bake

  • Herbed Potato Gratin: Replace traditional seasonings with fresh thyme, rosemary, and sage for an aromatic Mediterranean-inspired version that brings earthy herb flavors to the classic dish.
  • Spicy Southwestern Potato Bake: Add diced green chiles, cumin, and replace cheddar with pepper jack cheese to create a zesty, bold southwestern-style potato casserole with extra kick.
  • Bacon and Caramelized Onion Potato Layer: Incorporate crispy bacon bits and slowly caramelized onions between potato layers for a rich, savory enhancement that adds depth and complexity to the original recipe.

What Tastes Great With Golden Layered Potato Bake

  • Pair with Bold Red Wine: Select a robust Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah with strong tannins that can cut through the creamy potato dish's richness and complement its savory profile.
  • Complement with Crisp Green Salad: Toss a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to provide a refreshing, tangy contrast to the heavy, creamy potato layers and add brightness to the meal.
  • Match with Herb-Roasted Protein: Serve alongside rosemary-infused roasted chicken or herb-crusted pork tenderloin to create a balanced plate where the protein's herbs enhance the potato bake's seasonings.
  • Balance with Chilled White Wine: Choose a buttery Chardonnay or crisp Sauvignon Blanc that will refresh the palate and provide a smooth counterpoint to the dish's rich, creamy texture.

Store Golden Layered Potato Bake The Right Way

  • Refrigerate: Store leftover potato bake in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Cool completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
  • Freeze: Wrap tightly in freezer-safe container or aluminum foil. Label with date and contents. Freezes well for up to 2 months. Protect from freezer burn by removing excess air.
  • Microwave Reheat: Place individual portions on microwave-safe plate. Cover with damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat at 50% power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly. Total reheating time varies from 1-2 minutes.
  • Oven Reheat: Preheat oven to 350°F. Transfer potato bake to oven-safe dish.

Your Golden Layered Potato Bake Questions Answered

  • Can I use different types of potatoes?

Yes, waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold or red potatoes work best because they hold their shape and create creamy layers without falling apart during baking.

  • How do I ensure my potato slices are evenly cut?

Use a sharp mandoline slicer or a very sharp knife, maintaining consistent 1/8 inch thickness. Uniform slices guarantee even cooking and a professional-looking dish.

  • Is it possible to make this recipe lower in fat?

Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, and reduce cheese quantity. You can also use reduced-fat cheese to lower overall calorie content without sacrificing flavor.

  • Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

Absolutely! Assemble the potato bake up to 24 hours in advance, cover, and refrigerate.

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Golden Layered Potato Bake Recipe

Golden Layered Potato Bake Recipe


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4.7 from 33 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Creamy golden layered potato bake brings comfort and elegance to your dinner table. Luxurious cheese, herbs, and perfectly sliced potatoes create a mouthwatering side dish you cannot resist.


Ingredients

Scale

Cheese and Dairy:

  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup heavy cream (237 milliliters)
  • 1/2 cup whole milk (118 milliliters)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Potatoes and Main Ingredients:

  • 4 large potatoes

Seasonings and Herbs:

  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Topping:

  • 1/3 cup breadcrumbs

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 375°F and generously coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent adherence.
  2. Meticulously cleanse and strip potatoes, then slice into translucent, consistent rounds using a precision mandoline or sharp culinary blade.
  3. Blend heavy cream, whole milk, and seasonings in a spacious mixing vessel, whisking until spices disperse completely and create a harmonious liquid base.
  4. Construct systematic potato layers within the prepared dish, arranging slices in elegant overlapping circular configurations for optimal coverage.
  5. Gently cascade cream mixture across potato layers, ensuring liquid permeates between each delicate slice to maximize flavor penetration.
  6. Lavishly distribute shredded cheddar cheese across the potato landscape, creating a sumptuous golden foundation.
  7. Transform breadcrumbs by melting butter and thoroughly incorporating until achieving a slightly damp, crumbly consistency.
  8. Scatter buttered breadcrumbs uniformly over cheese layer, crafting a textural golden-brown crown.
  9. Shield dish with aluminum foil and roast for 45 minutes, then unveil and continue baking 15-20 minutes until potatoes become fork-tender and surface achieves a caramelized bronze hue.
  10. Extract from oven and permit 10-minute resting period, allowing layers to stabilize and absorb residual cream essence.
  11. Embellish with freshly chopped parsley, introducing a vibrant, aromatic flourish to the finished dish.

Notes

  • Slice potatoes uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
  • Use a mandoline for precise, thin cuts that help layers cook evenly and absorb cream mixture perfectly.
  • Experiment with cheese varieties like Gruyère or Parmesan for different flavor profiles and added depth.
  • Make it gluten-free by substituting breadcrumbs with crushed gluten-free crackers or almond flour for a crispy topping.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: French

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 346
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 570 mg
  • Fat: 23 g
  • Saturated Fat: 14 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 8 g
  • Cholesterol: 61 mg
Truc Tran (Kris)

Truc Tran (Kris)

Senior Food Editor

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Vietnamese Food Evaluation Expert

Education

  • Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) at TasTAFE
  • Culinary Arts at Kendall College (Australia Branch in Sydney)
  • Vietnamese Cuisine Head Chef at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Truc Tran (Kris), an experienced food writer and editor, is great at exploring and describing global cuisines, from simple street food to fancy dining. In her writing, she skillfully mixes different flavors, cooking methods, and culinary traditions, showing the unique character of various cultures through their food and drinks. On azcuisines.com, Kris highlights her knowledge, especially in Asian cuisine and worldwide traditional dishes.

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