CHEESY POTATO GRATIN CASSEROLE ULTIMATE

Craving a dish that’s both comforting and elegant? Imagine layers of thinly sliced potatoes, bathed in a creamy, cheesy sauce, baked to bubbly, golden perfection. With this Cheesy Potato Gratin Casserole recipe, you’re about to create a show-stopping side dish that everyone will rave about – and I promise, it’s easier than you think!

The Star Players: Assembling Your Ingredients

Before we get started, let’s make sure you have everything you need. Don’t worry if you need to adapt slightly – that’s the beauty of home cooking! This is a wonderfully versatile dish, and it can also be adapted to suit various dietary needs, so let’s explore how.

What You’ll Need:

• Potatoes: 2.5 lbs Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced (about 1/8 inch thick)
• Heavy Cream: 2 cups
• Milk: 1 cup
• Garlic: 3 cloves, minced
• Gruyere Cheese: 1.5 cups, shredded (or a blend of Gruyere and Parmesan)
• Sharp Cheddar Cheese: 1 cup, shredded
• Butter: 2 tablespoons, unsalted
• All-Purpose Flour: 2 tablespoons
• Nutmeg: 1/4 teaspoon, freshly grated
• Dried Thyme: 1/2 teaspoon
• Salt: 1 teaspoon, or to taste
• Black Pepper: 1/2 teaspoon, or to taste
• Fresh Parsley: 2 tablespoons, chopped (for garnish)

From Pantry to Perfection: Step-by-Step Instructions

Alright, let’s get cooking! I know that making gratins can seem intimidating, but I’m going to walk you through each step. Remember, even if things don’t go *exactly* as planned, it will still taste amazing. We’re aiming for delicious, not perfection!

Prepping the Potatoes:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. Peel and thinly slice the potatoes. A mandoline slicer can be a lifesaver here, ensuring uniform thickness. If you don’t have one, just take your time and try to get the slices as even as possible. Uniform slices ensure even cooking!
3. Place the potato slices in a bowl of cold water to prevent them from browning.
4. Drain the potatoes thoroughly and pat them dry with paper towels. This step is crucial for preventing a soggy gratin.

Creating the Creamy, Cheesy Sauce:

1. In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, creating a roux. This helps to thicken the sauce.
2. Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream, ensuring there are no lumps.
3. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 5 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
4. Remove from heat and stir in the minced garlic, nutmeg, thyme, salt, and pepper.
5. Add the Gruyere and half of the cheddar cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

Assembling and Baking the Gratin:

1. Arrange a layer of potato slices in the prepared baking dish, slightly overlapping each slice.
2. Pour a third of the cheese sauce over the potatoes, ensuring they are evenly coated.
3. Repeat with another layer of potatoes and sauce.
4. Top with the remaining potato slices and pour the remaining cheese sauce over the top.
5. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese evenly over the gratin.
6. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
7. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20-30 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the top is golden brown and bubbly. A knife inserted into the center should easily pierce the potatoes.
8. Let the gratin rest for 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to thicken slightly.
9. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Level Up Your Gratin: Pro Tips and Variations

Now that you’ve nailed the basic recipe, let’s explore some ways to make it your own! Here are some tips and variations to take your Cheesy Potato Gratin Casserole to the next level.

Spice It Up:

Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the cheese sauce for a little heat. Smoked paprika is also a great addition for a smoky flavor.

Vegetarian Potato Casserole Recipes:

This recipe is already vegetarian-friendly! To add more vegetables, consider layering in some sautéed onions, mushrooms, or spinach between the potato layers. Leeks also add a wonderful savory flavor.

Healthy Cheesy Potato Casserole:

For a lighter version, you can substitute some of the heavy cream with milk or vegetable broth. Using low-fat cheese will also reduce the calorie count, but may affect the creaminess and melting properties. Another tip is to add some cauliflower puree to the sauce for added nutrients and creaminess without the added fat.

Easy Cheesy Potato Gratin:

To make this even easier, consider using pre-shredded cheese and pre-minced garlic. You can also assemble the gratin ahead of time and bake it just before serving. Just be sure to add a few extra minutes to the baking time if it’s cold from the refrigerator.

Vegan Potato Gratin Recipe:

To make this gratin vegan, substitute the heavy cream and milk with full-fat coconut milk or a plant-based cream alternative. Use a vegan cheese alternative that melts well. Nutritional yeast can also be added to the sauce for a cheesy flavor. You can also make a cashew-based cream sauce, which is surprisingly rich and delicious.

Beyond the Basics: Serving Suggestions

This Cheesy Potato Gratin Casserole is incredibly versatile and pairs well with a variety of dishes. It’s the perfect side dish for holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, but it’s also great for a weeknight dinner. Here are some serving suggestions:

• Serve it alongside roasted chicken, beef tenderloin, or pork chops.
• It’s also delicious with a simple green salad for a complete meal.
• For a vegetarian option, pair it with grilled vegetables or a hearty lentil stew.
• Leftovers can be reheated in the oven or microwave. They’re also great added to omelets or breakfast casseroles.

Craving More Comfort? Explore These Similar Dishes

If you loved this Cheesy Potato Gratin Casserole, you might also enjoy some other comforting casserole recipes. Consider trying a Cheesy Ground Beef Melt for a hearty, satisfying meal. Or, for something a little different, try a Cheesy Dorito Casserole. Another family favorite is the Cheesy Hamburger Casserole, a simple but delicious weeknight dinner. For another potato based favorite, try Tater Tot Casserole. Lastly, you can also try a Cheesy Ground Beef Potato Casserole, or Cheesy Hamburger Casserole, all are sure to please!

Your Gratin Awaits: Get Cooking!

So there you have it – everything you need to create a show-stopping Cheesy Potato Gratin Casserole. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different cheeses, herbs, and spices to make it your own. And most importantly, have fun in the kitchen! Happy cooking!

Cheesy Potato Gratin Casserole Ultimate

Alice Yowell

This Cheesy Potato Gratin Casserole is a comforting and elegant dish perfect as a side for holidays or weeknight dinners. Layers of thinly sliced potatoes are baked in a creamy, cheesy sauce until golden and bubbly.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

• 9×13 inch baking dish
• Oven
• Mixing Bowls
• saucepan
• Whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Mandoline slicer or knife
• Paper towels
• Aluminum foil
• Grater

Ingredients

  

• 2.5 lbs Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup milk
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1.5 cups Gruyere cheese, shredded
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• ½ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
• Peel and thinly slice the potatoes (about 1/8 inch thick). Place the potato slices in a bowl of cold water to prevent them from browning.
• Drain the potatoes thoroughly and pat them dry with paper towels.
• In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, creating a roux.
• Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream, ensuring there are no lumps.
• Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 5 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
• Remove from heat and stir in the minced garlic, nutmeg, thyme, salt, and pepper.
• Add the Gruyere and half of the cheddar cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
• Arrange a layer of potato slices in the prepared baking dish, slightly overlapping each slice.
• Pour a third of the cheese sauce over the potatoes, ensuring they are evenly coated.
• Repeat with another layer of potatoes and sauce.
• Top with the remaining potato slices and pour the remaining cheese sauce over the top.
• Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese evenly over the gratin.
• Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
• Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20-30 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the top is golden brown and bubbly. A knife inserted into the center should easily pierce the potatoes.
• Let the gratin rest for 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to thicken slightly.
• Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

For a spicier gratin, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the cheese sauce. Smoked paprika can also be added for a smoky flavor. To add more vegetables, layer in some sautéed onions, mushrooms, or spinach between the potato layers. Leeks also add a wonderful savory flavor. For a lighter version, substitute some of the heavy cream with milk or vegetable broth. To make this gratin vegan, substitute the heavy cream and milk with full-fat coconut milk or a plant-based cream alternative and use a vegan cheese alternative.