Rating: 5.00
(4)

Easy Potato Au Gratin

By Rachel
January 9, 2022

This easy potato au gratin is such a quick side dish. Tender sliced potatoes in a creamy parmesan sauce baked until bubbly and golden brown! Simply slice the potatoes thinly, toss in the cream sauce and layer evenly in a baking dish. Top with cheese and broil until golden brown. This one pan side dish would be a great idea for the holiday table or special occasions! A perfect recipe for thanksgiving day, Christmas dinner, or an addition to weeknight family dinner. Not to mention budget friendly and delicious!

Highlights of this one-pan side dish:

  • Tender layered potatoes
  • Easy recipe
  • Creamiest garlic sauce
  • Huge hit with crowds
  • Great savory side dish
  • Loads of fresh herbs to add extra flavor
  • Quick to make
  • Great way to use up old potatoes
  • Easy clean up
  • Budget friendly idea for a crowd
  • Require little prep work

First Steps:

  • Thinly slice potatoes, using a mandolin works best
  • Prepare cream sauce by sautéing butter and garlic until fragrant
  • Add in cream and parmesan cheese
  • Pour over potatoes and toss to combine

Tools I used for this easy potato recipe:

  • Oval Baking Dish both functional and modern!
  • Handheld Mandolinperfect for getting even slices, this mandolin has a rubber handle for good grip and a safety guard. Plus it takes up very little space and you can change the thickness as desired.
  • Stainless Steel Sauce Panthe perfect size pan for warming up the cream mixture!
baked au gratin potatoes

Tender layered potatoes covered in a garlic cream sauce! Top with fresh thyme or oregano for even more flavor, the whole family will love this dish. Once everything is prepared you can leave in the oven to bake until the potatoes are soft!

If you like this easy potato au gratin, you’ll love…

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Can I freeze au gratin potatoes?

No, I don’t not recommend freezing the scalloped potatoes either uncooked or cooked. These are best enjoyed fresh, freezing will change the texture of the potatoes and could cause the sauce to break.

How long do I bake au gratin potatoes?

If sliced super thinly and evenly, these will cook from raw in 50-60 minutes. Adjust timing as needed until desired consistency is reached.

Do you soak potatoes in water before cooking?

No, you do not need to soak these potatoes before baking. When making fries it can be helpful to soak the potatoes prior to baking or frying to pull out some of the starch. But that is not needed when baking these potatoes.

Do I need to peel my potatoes for au gratin potatoes?

It is preferred to peel the potatoes so you get a smooth, creamy texture. But you can leave unpeeled if desired.

Second Steps:

  • Arrange coated potatoes in a greased baking dish
  • Pour cream sauce over top
  • Bake until potatoes and tender and golden brown

Grocery List for the au gratin potato side dish:

  • Yukon gold or russet (try to find uniform potatoes, this can help with even baking)
  • Butter (can substitute vegan butter)
  • Garlic cloves (the more the better!)
  • Heavy cream, half and half, or milk (cashew cream could be substituted if needed to make this dish vegan)
  • Fresh thyme, rosemary, or oregano
  • Kosher salt & black pepper
  • Parmesan cheese (or different types of cheeses like substitute gruyere cheese, Colby jack or Monterey jack, or cheddar cheese, you could also substitute a vegan cheese).

Instructions for the Easy Potato Au Gratin:

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F, grease a baking dish and set aside.
  • Heat a small saucepan over medium-high heat, once warm add in the butter and garlic. Sauté for 4-5 minutes, until fragrant. Remove from the heat, add in the cream and parmesan cheese. Stir until cheese is melted. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Add sliced potatoes to a large mixing bowl, pour the cream mixture over top and mix to combine. Arrange potatoes evenly in the prepared baking dish, pour any remaining cream mixture over top.
  • Bake at 375 for 55-60 minutes or until the potatoes are tender and golden brown. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired and enjoy!

Notes:

*May substitute russets or any other waxy potato. The best way to get even slices of potato is to use a mandolin. 

*May substitute whole or 2% milk

Easy Au Gratin Potatoes

5 from 4 votes
Tender layered potatoes in a creamy garlic parmesan sauce.
Servings 7 servings
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes

Equipment

  • Casserole dish

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1- 1 1/2 lbs. Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and sliced thinly*
  • 1 stick Unsalted butter,
  • 3-4 Cloves garlic, minced or sliced
  • 3/4 cup Heavy cream or milk*
  • 1 cup Freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Fresh thyme or oregano, for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F, grease a baking dish and set aside.
  • Heat a small saucepan over medium-high heat, once warm add in the butter and garlic. Sauté for 4-5 minutes, until fragrant. Remove from the heat, add in the cream and parmesan cheese. Stir until cheese is melted. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Add sliced potatoes to a large mixing bowl, pour the cream mixture over top and mix to combine. Arrange potatoes evenly in the prepared baking dish, pour any remaining cream mixture over top.
  • Bake at 375 for 55-60 minutes or until the potatoes are tender and golden brown. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired and enjoy!

Notes

*May substitute russets or any other waxy potato. The best way to get even slices of potato is to use a mandolin. 
*May substitute whole or 2% milk
*Baking time is subject to the thickness of the potatoes, if you potatoes are thicker they may need additional baking time.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 385kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 9gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 17gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 73mgSodium: 247mgPotassium: 728mgFiber: 4gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 893IUVitamin C: 32mgCalcium: 212mgIron: 1mg
Author: The Hearty Life
Calories: 385kcal
Cost: $
Course: Side Dish
Keyword: Au gratin, casserole, Easy Side Dishes, Holiday Sides, Potatoes, Salloped Potatoes, Weeknight Meals
oval casserole dish of au gratin potatoes

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I would love to see it! Take a picture and post to Instagram with the tag @theheartylife and the hashtag #theheartylife – You can also leave me a question or comment below! If you’ve tried this recipe, feel free to give it a star rating on the recipe above.

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