Easy Recipe for Au Gratin Potatoes

5 from 5 votes

Posted: 11/01/21

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Layers of thinly sliced potatoes, onions and a delicious cheesy cream sauce make these Homemade Au Gratin Potatoes a hit side dish that’s perfect for the holidays or just because! This recipe is a family favorite and comes together easily, yet is incredibly delicious.

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Serving spoon with Potatoes Au Gratin on it

If you’re craving a comforting delicious side dish you can’t go wrong with this recipe for Au Gratin Potatoes! This is a side dish that has a fancy name, but it really easy to make.

Sliced potatoes and onions baked in a rich and creamy cheese sauce combine to make is the best side for holiday dinners or anytime you want to treat yourself to a decadent dish! It’s so cozy and so good!

Pair this side with my crockpot ham for the holidays or serve it alongside some mini meatloaves for a regular dinner!

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Scalloped Potatoes vs. Au Gratin

They are very similar. Both have thin-sliced potato baked in a sauce, but traditional scalloped potatoes are usually made with a cream sauce while potatoes au gratin are made with a cheese sauce.

Overhead Image of Potatoes Au Gratin Ingredients

Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes Ingredients

Potatoes – The best potatoes will be waxy potatoes like red-skinned or Yukon gold potatoes because they hold their shape well.
Onion – Peel the onion and chop finely.
Butter – We used salted butter for this recipe.
Flour – We used all-purpose flour to thicken the cheese sauce.
Seasonings – A mixture of garlic and onion powder, dried basil and rosemary plus salt and pepper give these potatoes tons of flavor.
Heavy Cream
Cheese – We used sharp cheddar cheese. Remember to grate it from a block for the best melting. Any cheese with a sharp taste with give your Au Gratin Potatoes the best flavor. You could also try Parmesan and/or Gruyere or Swiss cheese.
Parsley chopped (optional garnish)

Best potatoes for Homemade Au Gratin Potatoes

I like to use yellow potatoes which are also called Yukon Golds. They have a great texture that’s a little waxy so the slices hold their shape with a buttery flavor. Plus, you don’t need to peel them.

You can use other kinds for this recipe, too.

Russet potatoes work well, but I recommend peeling them because the skin is thick.
You can also use red potatoes. They don’t need to be peeled, and the red skin will give the dish a little color.

What is the preferred cheese for Homemade Au Gratin Potatoes?

The potatoes are layered with sliced onions and then baked in a creamy cheese sauce made with butter, flour, seasonings, heavy cream, cheese.

For the cheese, I recommend using sharp cheddar cheese but you can use other types of cheddar if you prefer. You can also use Gruyere cheese which will add a rich nutty flavor.

For the creamiest sauce be sure to use heavy cream. You can use half and half or whole milk but the sauce won’t be as rich and creamy.

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How to make Au Gratin Potatoes

Slice the potatoes very thin. The easiest way to do this is with a mandolin or you can use a sharp knife. The mandolin makes it easy to slice them so they are all of even thickness.
Slice the onions, too, and then layer the vegetables in the baking dish. I like to do several layers alternating the potatoes and onions.

Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat and then whisk in the flour. Whisk the mixture for a minute or so to cook off the raw flour taste.
Add all of the seasoning and whisk to combine. Slowly add the heavy cream and stir. Cook the sauce, stirring frequently, until it’s thickened.
Add the cheese and stir until it’s melted and the sauce is smooth. Pour the sauce over the vegetables in the baking dish.

Cover the baking dish with foil and bake it for 50 minutes.
Uncover the pan and bake for 10 minutes longer or until the sauce is bubbling around the edges.
Garnish with the parsley and serve warm from the oven.

Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes Pro Tips

Slicing Tip: The thickness of the sliced potatoes matters. If they are sliced thicker they will take longer to bake. Also, if they are sliced unevenly they may not bake evenly. This is why I use a mandolin, it makes it so much easier to evenly them.

Layering Tip: The easiest way to layer the potatoes and onions is to layer the potato slices flat with the onions on top. The trade-off is that you won’t get crispy potatoes on top of the dish once it’s baked but it’s still really delicious.

For a fancier presentation, you can line the sliced potatoes up like books on a bookshelf with onion slices in between. This will take much longer but the tops of the potatoes will get crispier when baked.

Garnish Tips: Feel free to add a little more shredded cheese on top before you bake it or sprinkle some buttered breadcrumbs over the top for a crispy top. You can also garnish with fresh chopped chives instead of parsley.

Homemade Au Gratin Potatoes FAQs

How do you cut potatoes for Au Gratin?

You want the sliced potatoes to be as thinly sliced and as uniform in size as possible. The best option is to use a mandoline slicer if you have one.

If you don’t have a mandoline slicer it works best to cut a thin slice along the length of the potato, then place the potato cut side down, on a cutting board so it sits flat and doesn’t wobble while you thinly slice it.

How long will Potatoes Au Gratin last?

Keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator and they will store well for up to four days. Keep in mind that it won’t be as creamy when you reheat it because the sauce will thicken when chilled.

Can you freeze Au Gratin Potatoes?

You can freeze the leftovers for up to two weeks. Thaw in the refrigerator before rewarming.

Can you make Au Gratin Potatoes ahead of time?

For the best creamy cheese sauce, I think it’s best to make this dish and serve it straight from the oven. For this reason, I don’t recommend making it ahead.

What goes with Au Gratin Potatoes?

Lots of main dishes pair well with this dish! For holidays, it goes great with turkey or baked ham. For a special comfort food dinner, try it with homemade meatloaf, baked chicken thighs, or Parmesan pork chops!

If you’ve been looking for a new easy side dish to try, you can’t go wrong with Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes! It looks like a complicated dish but it’s so easy to make. It’s definitely a go-to when you want a creamy, cheesy, hearty side dish.

More Potato Side Dishes

Hasselback Potatoes are baked potatoes thinly sliced like an accordion and stuffed with cheese, bacon, and other toppings. They are crispy and golden on the outside, soft and creamy on the inside!
Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potato Casserole is a serious upgrade from plain mashed potatoes! It’s a great side dish for any holiday meal.
Cottage Potatoes are always a family favorite! Cheesy, comforting, and great for potlucks and holidays.

More Great Recipes!

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Meet Julie Evink

I'm here to help you win in the kitchen again! Life is Busy, Life is Crazy, but that doesn't mean you can't make your family dinner! Julie's goal is to provide you with easy, family, friendly recipes that use pantry staples. Dinnertime will be stress free again!