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    Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

    Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes Recipe

    Published: Nov 8, 2021 · Modified: Nov 9, 2022 by Amanda · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads

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    Jump to Recipe
    baking dish of au gratin potatoes with a wooden spoon scooping a serving

    This cheesy au gratin potatoes recipe is a great side dish for dinner or on your holiday table. Yukon gold potatoes are sliced thinly and combined with both cheddar and parmesan cheeses and baked until crispy on top and creamy on the inside.

    serving of au gratin potatoes on a white plate with a fork by blue baking dish

    This post was originally published in November 2019 and has been updated for content.

    These cheesy au gratin potatoes are a staple in our house when it comes to holiday dinners or special occasions. They are warm, comforting and make the perfect side dish to go with a glazed spiral ham for Easter, roast turkey for Thanksgiving or with beef braciole at Christmastime.

    Jump to:
    • 🥔 Ingredient notes
    • 📋 Substitutions and variations
    • 🔪 Step by step instructions
    • ⭐ Expert tips
    • 💭 Frequently asked questions
    • ⏲️ Make ahead instructions
    • 🥡 Storage suggestions
    • 🥔 More potato side dishes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    🥔 Ingredient notes

    yellow potatoes, pepper, salt, paprika, whole milk, half and half, flour, cheddar and parmesan cheeses
    • Potatoes - Yukon gold potatoes are the best for this cheesy potato recipe. They are tender potatoes with a soft, creamy texture. Red potatoes or russet potatoes can also be used, but cooking times may be a bit longer and the texture will not be as creamy.
    • Cheese - Both cheddar and parmesan cheeses are used to make the creamy cheese sauce. The cheddar brings a mild creamy flavor while the parmesan provides a slight sharp taste to the creamy au gratin potatoes. Alternative cheeses that could also be used include, gruyere cheese, pepper jack or smoked gouda.

    📋 Substitutions and variations

    • Onions - Slice a small white onion thinly and layer it with the sliced potatoes and the cheddar cheese.
    • Meat - Layer the potatoes with cooked chopped ham or bacon for an extra savory and smoky flavor.
    • Spicy - Dice up a jalapeno or two and layer it with the potatoes for an extra zesty au gratin potato dish.

    🔪 Step by step instructions

    First, melt butter in a medium skillet over medium heat and cook the garlic in it for about a minute. Whisk in the flour to make a paste and then slowly add both the half and half and milk, while whisking, until it's completely combined.

    Keep whisking the sauce while cooking it for another 5 minutes until it starts to thicken. Remove it off of the heat and then stir in the salt, pepper and paprika.

    skillet with garlic, butter and flour mixed and skillet with whisk and cream sauce in it

    Using a mandolin slicer or a sharp knife, carefully slice the potatoes into thin rounds. Place the potato slices into a greased baking dish or casserole dish in little stacks on their sides, alternating directions of the stacks.

    mandolin slicer with thinly sliced potatoes and potatoes slices stacked partially in a baking dish

    Layer the cheddar cheese on top of the potatoes and then pour the cheesy sauce over the top. Use a spoon to gently spread the sauce over the potatoes so it starts seeping down in between the slices and then top the sauce with the parmesan cheese.

    shredded cheddar on sliced potatoes in a pan and cream sauce and shredded parmesan on potatoes in a pan

    Bake the potatoes in a 375˚ preheated oven for about an hour until they are fork tender and golden browned on top. Let the potatoes sit for about 15 minutes and then serve!

    pan of baked au gratin potatoes with cheese and a spoon scooping out a serving

    If you ever don't recognize a tool or skill that I mention, be sure to look it up in the Glossary of Cooking Terms and Definitions for more information.


    ⭐ Expert tips

    • Make the sauce, first thing, before slicing the potatoes to them from browning while you are making the sauce.
    • When making the creamy sauce, be sure to slowly add the half and half and milk while whisking continuously. This will help to make sure the sauce doesn't turn out lumpy.
    • Use a mandolin slicer to help slice the potatoes evenly and into thin slices that are approximately ⅛ inch thick. Evenly, thin sliced potatoes will help everything to cook quickly and evenly.
    • Let the potatoes sit for at least 15 minutes after cooking so that they don't run and slide everywhere when you are trying to serve them.

    💭 Frequently asked questions

    What's the difference between au gratin and scalloped potatoes?

    Scalloped potatoes are typically sliced thicker and baked in a plain cream sauce. Au gratin potatoes are sliced thinner and layered and topped with cheese and sometimes breadcrumbs.

    ⏲️ Make ahead instructions

    To make this classic side dish ahead of time, follow the instructions all the way up until before cooking time. Cover the dish in plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to 12 hours. Remove the dish from the refrigerator 30-60 minutes before cooking time to allow it to come to room temperature. Remove the plastic wrap and cook in the oven as directed.

    🥡 Storage suggestions

    This easy cheesy potatoes au gratin recipe will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days and in the freezer for for up to 2 months. Frozen au gratin potatoes should be thawed in the refrigerator completely. Leftovers can be reheated in the oven or in the microwave.

    🥔 More potato side dishes

    If you loved this cheesy au gratin potatoes recipe, check out these other potato side dishes that I know you will love too!

    • Smashed Red Potatoes with Blue Cheese
    • Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes with Roasted Garlic
    • Herb Roasted Sliced Potatoes

    Don't Forget! If you make this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and give it a rating. I love to hear from each and every one of you! Tag me on Facebook and Instagram as well! It makes my day to see all of your photos of the food you have made.


    📖 Recipe

    white plate with a serving of cheesy au gratin potatoes with a fork

    Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes Recipe

    Amanda
    This cheesy au gratin potatoes recipe is a great side dish for dinner or on your holiday table. Yukon gold potatoes are sliced thinly and combined with both cheddar and parmesan cheeses and baked until crispy on top and creamy on the inside.
    4.85 from 13 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 30 mins
    Cook Time 1 hr 5 mins
    Resting Time 15 mins
    Total Time 1 hr 50 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 389 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 pounds yukon gold potatoes
    • 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 1 Tablespoon chopped garlic approximately 3 cloves
    • 3 Tablespoons all purpose flour
    • 2 cups half and half
    • 1 cup whole milk
    • 2 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
    • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon paprika
    • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
    • 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 375° and grease a 9x13" baking pan or 3 quart casserole dish with butter or baking spray.
    • Melt the butter in a large skillet or pan on the stovetop over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring continuously. 
    • Sprinkle the flour over the butter and whisk while cooking for 1 minute. 
    • Slowly pour in the half and half and whole milk, while whisking, until it is completely incorporated with the flour mixture.
    • Continue to cook for 3-5 minutes, while whisking occasionally, until the sauce starts to thicken.
    • Remove the sauce off of the heat and whisk in the salt, pepper, and paprika.
    • Using a mandolin slicer or a sharp knife, slice all of the potatoes into approximately ⅛ inch thick rounds. 
    • Place the sliced potatoes in small stacks on their sides, in alternating directions, in the prepared baking dish.
    • Sprinkle the cheddar cheese over the sliced potatoes and then pour the prepared cream sauce over the potatoes and cheese. 
    • Using a spoon, gently spread the sauce over the potatoes, so it covers it completely and starts to seep down into the crevices. Sprinkle the top of the sauce with the parmesan cheese.
    • Bake the potatoes in the preheated oven for 60-65 minutes until potatoes are fork-tender and browned on top. Let the potatoes sit for 15 minutes before serving.

    Notes

    • Make the sauce before slicing the potatoes to prevent the potatoes from browning while you are making the sauce.
    • When making the sauce, be sure to slowly add the half and half and milk while whisking continuously. This will help to make sure the sauce doesn't turn out lumpy.
    • Use a mandolin slicer to help slice the potatoes evenly and into thin slices that are approximately ⅛ inch thick. Evenly, thin sliced potatoes will help everything to cook quickly and evenly.
    • Let the potatoes sit for at least 15 minutes after cooking so that they don't run and slide everywhere when you are trying to serve them.
     

    Substitutions and Variations

    • Potatoes - Yukon gold potatoes are best for these au gratin potatoes because of their soft, creamy texture. Red potatoes or russet potatoes can be used, but cooking times may be a bit longer and the texture will not be as creamy.
    • Cheese - Both cheddar and parmesan cheeses are used to layer and top these potatoes. Alternatives that could be used include, gruyere, pepper jack or smoked gouda.
    • Onions - Slice a small white onion thinly and layer it with the sliced potatoes and the cheddar cheese.
    • Meat - Layer the potatoes with cooked chopped ham or bacon for an extra savory and smoky flavor.
    • Spicy - Dice up a jalapeno or two and layer it with the potatoes for an extra zesty au gratin potato dish. 
     

    Make Ahead Instructions

    To prepare these potatoes ahead of time, follow the instructions all the way up until before cooking time. Cover the dish in plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator up to 12 hours. Remove the dish from the refrigerator 30-60 minutes before cooking time to allow it to come to room temperature. Remove the plastic wrap and cook in the oven as directed. 
     

    Storage Suggestions

    Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days and in the freezer for for up to 2 months. Frozen au gratin potatoes should be thawed in the refrigerator completely. Refrigerated or thawed potatoes can be reheated in the oven or in the microwave. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cupCalories: 389kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 15gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 63mgSodium: 1055mgPotassium: 875mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 658IUVitamin C: 35mgCalcium: 363mgIron: 2mg
    Did You Make This Recipe?Mention @SaporitoKitchen or tag #SaporitoKitchen!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Andrea

      January 31, 2022 at 4:45 pm

      5 stars
      Made these for Sunday dinner, was a huge hit!

      Reply
      • Amanda

        January 31, 2022 at 4:55 pm

        Thanks Andrea, I'm so happy to hear that. Thank you for trying the recipe!

        Reply
    2. Jen Vinuya

      November 09, 2021 at 7:45 am

      5 stars
      My family really loved it!

      Reply
      • Amanda

        November 09, 2021 at 12:34 pm

        I'm so happy to hear that!

        Reply
    3. Michaela Graham

      November 08, 2021 at 2:49 pm

      5 stars
      The perfect side dish for over the holidays 🙂

      Reply
      • Amanda

        November 09, 2021 at 12:35 pm

        Agreed 🙂

        Reply
    4. Lindsay Howerton-Hastings

      November 08, 2021 at 2:37 pm

      5 stars
      Definitely making these as a Thanksgiving side dish!

      Reply
      • Amanda

        November 09, 2021 at 12:35 pm

        Awesome, can't wait to hear how it turned out for you!

        Reply
    5. Catherine

      November 08, 2021 at 2:04 pm

      5 stars
      These were so good!!

      Reply
      • Amanda

        November 09, 2021 at 12:35 pm

        Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it.

        Reply
    6. Sabrina

      November 08, 2021 at 1:52 pm

      5 stars
      Love potato gratin. This cheesy version is extra good! Thanks

      Reply
      • Amanda

        November 09, 2021 at 12:36 pm

        Absolutely - thank you for trying the recipe!

        Reply
    7. Angela

      November 08, 2021 at 1:34 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe is total comfort food for my family. I made it for my dad and he loved it.

      Reply
      • Amanda

        November 09, 2021 at 12:36 pm

        So happy to hear that!

        Reply
    8. Kristina

      November 08, 2021 at 12:09 pm

      5 stars
      Came out great.

      Reply
      • Amanda

        November 09, 2021 at 12:36 pm

        Awesome, glad to hear it!

        Reply
    9. Sue

      November 08, 2021 at 10:41 am

      5 stars
      I am loving the cheesy goodness in these potatoes!

      Reply
      • Amanda

        November 08, 2021 at 10:49 am

        Thank you!

        Reply

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