Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes

Transform your mealtime with Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes – a harmonious blend of tender potatoes, rich cheese sauce, and a crispy, golden topping. A side dish that’s sure to steal the spotlight!

A glass dish with homemade Au Gratin Potatoes.

Au Gratin vs Scalloped Potatoes

You may feel intimidated by the words “Au Gratin,” but don’t be! In French, Au Gratin means “by grating” or “with a crust.” This potato recipe is au gratin because we top the thinly sliced potatoes with an extra layer of cheese before baking, giving it a delicious cheesy crust!

Many people confuse au gratin potatoes with scalloped potatoes, and for a while, so did I! They both consist of thinly round-sliced potatoes, baked in a casserole dish. And both are extremely yummy! The difference is that scalloped potatoes are traditionally cut thicker and covered in a cream sauce, infused with garlic and fresh herbs. And au gratin potatoes are thinner, covered in a cheese sauce, and then topped with more cheese or bread crumbs before being baked.

Growing up, I loved it when my mom would make cheesy potatoes (aka Au Gratin Potatoes!). We typically had them when we had a ham dinner, with buttery pull-apart rolls and roasted veggies! But we never had leftovers because everyone loved this cheesy potato casserole with its crispy cheesy crust!

Recipe Ingredients

Lined potatoes in a pan.
  • Russet Potatoes: The russet potatoes offer a fluffy and starchy texture. Their mild, earthy flavor absorbs the rich, creamy elements perfectly.
  • Cheddar and Colby Jack Cheese Mixture: This blend provides a creamy, sharp, and slightly tangy taste.
  • Half & Half: Adds creaminess and a silky texture and balances the dish with a mild, sweet flavor.

For a full list of ingredients and amounts see the recipe card below.

Variations

  • Cheese Variations: For those looking to explore different cheese options, you can use Parmesan cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, or even Gruyère. Choose the flavor profile you prefer most.
  • Add Proteins: You can add cooked and diced ham, bacon, or chicken to make this dish more hearty.
  • Vegetables: Adding vegetables can make this dish more colorful and nutritious. Consider thinly sliced bell peppers, cooked spinach, or even thinly sliced mushrooms.
  • Herbs and Spices: Try different herbs and spices to change the flavor profile. For instance, you might add some fresh rosemary, fresh thyme, or a bit of nutmeg to the sauce. Smoked paprika could give a nice smoky flavor to the dish.
  • Different Potatoes: You could use Yukon Gold potatoes for a slightly different texture and flavor. Or you could use a mix of sweet potatoes and regular potatoes for a sweet-savory flavor contrast.
  • Vegan Version: For a vegan version, you can use vegan butter, almond milk or cashew milk instead of half & half, and a vegan cheese of your choice.

How to Make Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius). Lightly spray or butter a 9×13-inch baking dish. Arrange the potatoes by fanning them in three lines across the pan. Set aside.

A pan with potatoes.

Step 2: In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, add the butter. Once melted, add the onion and sauté for 3-5 minutes or until tender. Add the garlic and continue cooking for 1 additional minute.

Sautéing onion in a saucepan.

Step 3: Whisk in the flour and cook until lightly golden in color, then slowly pour in the half & half, whisking until all of the liquid has been incorporated. Whisk in salt and pepper. Add ¾ cups of the cheese mixture and whisk until the cheese is melted into the sauce.

Flour added to the pan with onions.

Step 4: Pour the mixture over the potatoes. Top with the remaining ¾ cup of the cheese mixture.

Sprinkling cheese over the top of the potatoes.

Step 5: Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for 15-30 minutes or until golden brown and the potatoes are fork-tender.

Step 6: Let cool for 15 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chives, if desired, and enjoy!

Plate of potatoes au gratin.

FAQs

Can you prepare this au gratin dish ahead of time and bake it later?

Yes, you can prepare Potatoes au gratin ahead of time and bake them later. Here’s how to do it:
 
Follow all the steps in the recipe until the point where you’ve assembled the dish (the potatoes are arranged in the baking dish, the cheese sauce is poured over, and the top is sprinkled with the remaining cheese).
 
Instead of putting the dish in the oven, let it cool down to room temperature. Then cover it tightly with plastic wrap and press it onto the top of the dish to get all the air out and prevent the potatoes from browning, but some slight browning may occur.
 
Store the prepared dish in the refrigerator. It should be fine for up to 24 hours.
 
When you’re ready to bake, remove the dish from the refrigerator and let it sit on the counter for about 30 minutes to take the chill off.
 
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (as stated in the original recipe).
 
Remove the plastic wrap, replace it with aluminum foil, and bake for the initial 45 minutes. Then, remove the foil and continue baking until golden brown and the potatoes are tender.

Is there a recommended tool for slicing potatoes?

While a mandolin slicer is preferred for its precision and speed in creating consistent potato slices, you can also use a regular, sharp knife and cutting board if you don’t have one. Both methods work well in preparing the potatoes for your Au Gratin dish.

How thin should I slice the potatoes?

The ideal thickness for potato slices for these cheesy potatoes au gratin is about ¼ inch. This ensures that the potatoes fully cook without remaining crunchy or turning mushy.

Storage Info

To STORE Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes, cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days to maintain freshness. Freezing is possible, but it can alter the texture. If you choose to FREEZE, wrap portions in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before placing them in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.

To REHEAT, thaw frozen portions in the refrigerator overnight and then warm in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) until heated through, usually around 20-30 minutes. Alternatively, reheat individual servings in the microwave until hot.

Did you try this recipe? Leave a ⭐️ rating below and share it on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest!

Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes in a glass dish.

Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes Recipe

Transform your mealtime with Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes – a harmonious blend of tender potatoes, rich cheese sauce, and a crispy, golden topping. A side dish that's sure to steal the spotlight!
4.71 from 96 votes
Pin Rate
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 431kcal
Author: Andrea
Print Recipe

Ingredients

  • 6 medium russet potatoes, rinsed, peeled, and cut into 1/4-inch thick slices
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 c. diced yellow onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
  • 2 c. half & half
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon kosher sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
  • 1 1/2 c. total grated cheddar and colby jack cheese mixture - divided in half
  • 1 tbsp. sliced chives (optional)

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius). Lightly spray or butter a 9×13-inch baking dish. Arrange the potatoes by fanning them in three lines across the pan. Set aside.
  • In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, add the butter. Once melted, add the onion and sauté for 3-5 minutes or until tender. Add the garlic and continue cooking for 1 additional minute.
  • Whisk in the flour and cook until lightly golden in color, then slowly pour in the half & half, whisking until all of the liquid has been incorporated. Whisk in salt and pepper. Add ¾ cups of the cheese mixture and whisk until the cheese is melted into the sauce.
  • Pour the mixture over the potatoes. Top with the remaining ¾ cup of the cheese mixture.
  • Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for 15-30 minutes or until golden brown and the potatoes are fork-tender.
  • Let cool for 15 minutes before serving. Top with fresh chives, if desired.

VIDEO

NOTES

To STORE Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes, cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days to maintain freshness. Freezing is possible, but it can alter the texture. If you choose to FREEZE, wrap portions in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before placing them in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
To REHEAT, thaw frozen portions in the refrigerator overnight and then warm in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) until heated through, usually around 20-30 minutes. Alternatively, reheat individual servings in the microwave until hot.

Nutrition

Calories: 431kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 771mg | Potassium: 815mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 825IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 406mg | Iron: 2mg

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About the Author

Andrea

Hi I'm Andrea!

Hotelier turned Food Blogger to help make your life simple, one recipe at a time.

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Comments:

  1. 5 stars
    This was my first time making au gratin potatoes from scratch. They were a huge success with my family. There were only 5 of us and there were no leftovers which didn’t surprise me. These were so delicious and everyone loved them and I will be making them again. I love this recipe.

  2. 5 stars
    Best and easy recipe to make. This was my first-time making au-gratin from scratch and not out of a box. I will tell you it was a fabulous hit with my family. We never knew how great au-gratin potatoes were until I made these. This is my go-to each time making them in the future. I can’t say enough good things about this recipe.