Description
Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Au Gratin is a rich, creamy holiday side dish made with thinly sliced potatoes baked in a garlic-thyme cream sauce and plenty of cheese. It bakes up tender inside with a golden, bubbly top—perfect with steak, chicken, or festive mains.
Ingredients
3 lbs (1.36 kg) Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled if desired, thinly sliced (about 1/8-inch)
1 tbsp unsalted butter (for greasing the dish)
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves (or 1 tsp dried thyme)
2 1/2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Gruyère, or a blend), divided
Optional: 1/4 cup grated Parmesan for extra golden top
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and butter a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. In a saucepan over medium heat, warm the heavy cream with garlic, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and thyme until hot but not boiling (about 3–5 minutes).
3. Layer one-third of the sliced potatoes in the dish, slightly overlapping.
4. Pour one-third of the warm cream mixture over the potatoes, then sprinkle with 3/4 cup shredded cheese.
5. Repeat layers two more times, finishing with the remaining cheese (and Parmesan if using) on top.
6. Cover tightly with foil and bake 45 minutes.
7. Uncover and bake 15–20 minutes more until the top is golden and bubbly and the potatoes are fork-tender.
8. Rest 10–15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
For the best texture, slice potatoes evenly so they cook at the same rate.
If the top browns too fast, loosely tent with foil near the end.
Make-ahead: assemble up to 1 day ahead, cover, refrigerate, then bake (add 10–15 minutes covered time if baking cold).
Leftovers keep 3 days in the fridge; reheat covered in the oven for best creaminess.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 65 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg