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Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Au Gratin Recipe Easy Homemade Comfort Food

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A creamy, cheesy scalloped potatoes au gratin dish with a golden crust, perfect for comforting meals and gatherings. Made with simple ingredients like potatoes, sharp cheddar, Gruyère, and a touch of garlic and thyme.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds (900g) russet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 4 tablespoons (60g) unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing
  • 3 tablespoons (24g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups (480ml) whole milk
  • 1 ½ cups (150g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup (100g) Gruyère cheese, shredded
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Pinch of nutmeg

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease your baking dish with butter to prevent sticking.
  2. Slice the potatoes thinly, about 1/8 inch (3 mm) thick, using a mandoline or sharp knife for even slices.
  3. In a medium saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons (60g) of butter over medium heat. Stir in 3 tablespoons (24g) of all-purpose flour and cook for about 1 minute, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
  4. Slowly add 2 cups (480ml) of whole milk while whisking continuously until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes. It should coat the back of a spoon and be silky smooth.
  5. Stir in minced garlic, a pinch of nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Then add 1 ½ cups (150g) sharp cheddar and 1 cup (100g) Gruyère cheese, stirring until melted and creamy.
  6. Layer the potatoes in the baking dish, arranging a single layer of slices overlapping slightly. Pour a ladle of cheese sauce over them. Repeat layering potatoes and sauce until all are used, finishing with a cheese layer on top.
  7. Sprinkle fresh thyme over the top.
  8. Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes to steam and cook the potatoes through.
  9. Remove the foil and bake for another 20 minutes to develop a golden, bubbly, crispy cheese crust.
  10. Let the dish rest for 10 minutes before serving to thicken the sauce and enhance texture.

Notes

For gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend. For dairy-free, use plant-based milk and vegan cheese but expect different texture. Slice potatoes uniformly thin for even cooking. If sauce is too thick, whisk in more milk. Broil 1-2 minutes at the end for extra crispy edges but watch carefully.

Nutrition

Keywords: scalloped potatoes, au gratin, cheesy potatoes, comfort food, holiday side dish, easy potato recipe