It’s time to learn a favorite french recipe of mine! The gratinated potatoes are so hearty, cheesy, and creamy that you’ll just forget all the other ways of cooking potatoes. This classic French recipe is made with layers of finely sliced potatoes, cream, butter, and a lot of cheese with a hint of fresh thyme. Such a delicious casserole recipe, not to mention the smell!
We have to admit: fall is the perfect season for all kinds of casserole recipes! We just love some hot and creamy casserole, especially when Thanksgiving is about to come. So, this creamy au gratin potatoes casserole is such a lifesaver for every chilly fall evening.
Gratinated Potatoes FAQ
Need a Thanksgiving potato casserole for all the guests that are coming? Try these French gratinated potatoes and impress every cheese lover out there! There’s nothing creamier and cheesier than these amazing au gratin potatoes.
However, before we start preparing them, let’s learn some basic things about the recipe. You are never too informed about what you are going to cook for your loved ones! Information is power in the kitchen, too. Believe me!
Gratinated potatoes or “au gratin potatoes” are thinly sliced potatoes cooked in a casserole dish. They are often cooked in a cream sauce and always cooked with a lot of cheese.
The secret of this recipe is to use potatoes that will cook easily and become soft under the cheesy crust. Therefore, we should use starchy potatoes. They’re super absorbent, so they will also soak up the vegetable’s best complements, such as dairy and butter.
I don’t recommend freezing au gratin potatoes, as they are super dairy-rich. Dairy products, like milk, cheese, or cream, tend to separate during the freezing and thawing process. So, it’s best to prepare the recipe considering the number of people who will consume it.
Also, when it comes to storing your leftover potatoes au gratin, use an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
What’s the Difference Between Scalloped Potatoes and Au Gratin Potatoes?
The main difference between scalloped potatoes and gratinated potatoes is cheese. Au gratin potatoes include grated cheese, while scalloped potatoes do not. However, they use milk, heavy cream (or both), and equal amounts of butter to make the sauce.
Moreover, scalloped potato slices tend to be thicker than those for the gratinated recipe. Traditionally, au gratin potatoes are sliced thin to achieve the satisfying effect of biting through many layers.
How to Make Gratinated Potatoes for Thanksgiving?
Now, I think we are more than prepared to start preparing this French casserole for our Thanksgiving dinner party. You just have to follow the ingredient list and the step-by-step recipe below. Also, a video tutorial is included in order to help you even more! You can thank me later!
Don’t worry: even though it takes a little time to prepare it, the steps are quite easy, and the ingredients list is super affordable for how delicious these gratinated potatoes actually are.
What You Need to Make Au Gratin Potatoes?
Here are all the ingredients you’ll need in order to prepare this French recipe we adore so much:
- 2.5 lb starchy potatoes;
- 2 cups gruyere cheese or mozzarella, freshly grated;
- 2 cups cream;
- 2 tbsp butter, melted;
- 4 garlic cloves, minced;
- 1 tsp salt;
- 1 tbsp oil;
- 1/4 tsp pepper;
- 2 tsp thyme leaves.
Gratinated Potatoes Step-by-Step Recipe
Now that you know what you need to prepare the gratinated potatoes, here is what you’ll need to do:
- First of all, place the melted butter, cream, and garlic in a cup. Add the salt, pepper, and thyme leaves, too. Mix them all until well combined.
- Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F (both fan and standard ovens).
- Peel the potatoes and slice them 1/8″/3 mm thick. Also, you can use a slicer if you have one.
- Add and spread the oil to the baking dish.
- Next, spread 1/3 of the potatoes in the baking dish, then pour over 1/3 of the cream mixture.
- Sprinkle the first layer of potatoes with 3/4 cups cheese.
- Repeat for the 2nd and third layers.
- Cover the dish with a lid or foil, and bake for 1 hr 30 min or until the potatoes in the middle are soft (you can use a knife to test the tenderness of the potatoes).
- Extra final step: Remove foil, and top with an extra cheese layer. Bake for a further 10 to 15 minutes until golden and bubbly. Let them set 5 minutes before serving.
Creamy Gratinated Potatoes Recipe
Learn how to cook these gratinated potatoes for your Thanksgiving dinner! The creamy cheese sauce and tender potatoes in this classic French dish combine just perfectly.
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 10 1x
Ingredients
- 2.5 lb starchy potatoes
- 2 cup cream
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 cup gruyere cheese/ mozzarella
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 2 tsp thyme leaves
- 1 tbsp oil
Instructions
- First of all, place the melted butter, cream, and garlic in a cup. Add the salt, pepper, and thyme leaves, too. Mix them all until well combined.
- Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F (both fan and standard ovens).
- Peel the potatoes and slice them 1/8″/3 mm thick. Also, you can use a slicer if you have one.
- Add and spread the oil to the baking dish.
- Next, spread 1/3 of the potatoes in the baking dish, then pour over 1/3 of the cream mixture.
- Sprinkle the first layer of potatoes with 3/4 cups cheese.
- Repeat for the 2nd and third layers.
- Cover the dish with a lid or foil, and bake for 1 hr 30 min or until the potatoes in the middle are soft (you can use a knife to test the tenderness of the potatoes).
- Extra final step: Remove foil, and top with an extra cheese layer. Bake for a further 10 to 15 minutes until golden and bubbly. Let them set 5 minutes before serving.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 90
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Video Recipe for Au Gratin Potatoes
Here is some extra help for my beloved readers – a video tutorial of this gratinated potatoes recipe!
What Do You Think About the Gratinated Potatoes?
Finally, the perfect candidate for the Thanksgiving table is au gratin potatoes for all cheese lovers! Even though they tend to appear like such an effort, believe me when I say you’ll actually have a lovely time preparing gratinated potatoes for your loved ones.
Also, now it’s time for you to share your experience with the au gratin potatoes recipe with me. So, tell everything about the recipe in the comments section below. As well, please, don’t hesitate to ask any further questions about our favorite French recipe. I will make sure to answer you as soon as possible!
Last but not least, if you are eager to find out more casserole recipes that will suit well your Thanksgiving dinner, give these favorites of mine a closer look:
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