Potatoes Au Gratin
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy.
Tender, golden, and irresistibly creamy, potatoes au gratin is the kind of crowd-pleasing side that makes any meal feel special.
This wonderful classic potatoes au gratin recipe is one of my go-to Thanksgiving side dishes, but it’s also perfect for any special dinner. It involves layering thinly sliced potatoes with heavy cream and grated cheese in a casserole dish, and then baking until the cream thickens and blankets the potatoes in a rich, creamy sauce. This dish is definitely worthy of a special occasion, but honestly, enjoying this au gratin potatoes recipe feels like a special occasion all on its own.
For more easy gratin recipes to round out your dinner rotation, check out my cauliflower gratin and Brussels sprouts gratin.
“I only gave this five stars because I couldn’t give it 10 stars. This may be my favorite side dish ever. It is amazing!”
What You’ll Need To Make Potatoes Au Gratin
- Russet Potatoes: With their high starch content, russets soak up the cream beautifully and bake into soft, melt-in-your-mouth layers. They’re the best choice for this dish. Skip the Yukon Golds here—they won’t give you the same texture.
- Heavy Cream: The secret to the luscious, velvety sauce. You might be tempted to swap in milk or half-and-half, but don’t—this recipe really needs heavy cream to thicken properly.
- Parmigiano Reggiano: Adds a salty, nutty depth that melts right into the potatoes, creating incredible flavor and texture. Be sure to use true Parmigiano Reggiano. If you can’t find it, Pecorino Romano makes a great substitute.
- Salt, Pepper & Thyme: These simple seasonings bring everything to life—the thyme is optional but adds a subtle earthiness that pairs perfectly with the creamy potatoes and cheese.
- Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Slice the potatoes. It’s key to cut the potoates as thinly and uniformly as possible. You can use a mandoline slicer if you have one, but I never bother.
Pro tip: When slicing wobbly potatoes, it helps to cut a thin slice along the length of the potato, then turn the potato cut-side down on a cutting board so that it sits flat.
Step 2: Season the potatoes. Place the potatoes in a large bowl and toss with the salt and pepper. Be sure the potatoes are evenly coated.
Step 3: Assemble the gratin. Butter a 2-quart baking dish. Arrange some of the potato slices, with their edges overlapping, in a single layer on the bottom of the dish. Sprinkle a quarter of the cheese over the potatoes.
Pour a quarter of the cream over top. Repeat with the remaining potatoes, cheese, and cream, forming four layers. Pour any leftover cream over the top—you want to use it all.
Step 4: Bake. Bake the gratin for 60 to 75 minutes, until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a knife and golden brown on top. Don’t cover the dish with foil — you want that beautiful color to develop. The top should be nicely golden by the time it’s done, but if you’d like a little extra browning, pop it under the broiler for a minute or two (just keep a close eye on it so it doesn’t burn). Sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves, if you like, and serve warm.
More Potato Side Dishes You May Like
Potatoes Au Gratin
With layers of thinly sliced potatoes baked in cream and melted cheese, this potatoes au gratin is the ultimate comfort food.
Ingredients
- Butter to grease the baking dish
- 2½ pounds Russet potatoes (3 to 4), peeled and sliced very thin
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup (4 oz) finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
- 2¼ cups heavy cream
- Fresh thyme, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Grease an 8-inch (or 2-quart) baking dish with butter.
- In a large mixing bowl, toss the potatoes with the salt and pepper until evenly coated.
- Arrange some of the potato slices, edges overlapping, in a single layer on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle a quarter of the cheese over the potatoes, and then pour a quarter of the cream over the cheese. Repeat with the remaining potatoes, cheese, and cream, forming 4 layers. Pour any leftover cream over top.
- Place in the oven and bake, uncovered, for 60 to 75 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a knife and golden brown on top. Let the dish settle on the counter for about ten minutes. Sprinkle with fresh thyme, if using, and then serve.
- Make Ahead: If absolutely necessary, this dish can be assembled a day ahead and covered tightly with plastic wrap (pressing the wrap directly against the potatoes so they don’t discolor too much). Store in the refrigerator and bake before serving. Note that the potatoes on top will still discolor a bit in the fridge, but it shouldn't be noticeable after baking.
Nutrition Information
Powered by 
- Per serving (8 servings)
- Calories: 399
- Fat: 29 g
- Saturated fat: 18 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Sugar: 3 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Sodium: 518 mg
- Cholesterol: 101 mg
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Gluten-Free Adaptable Note
To the best of my knowledge, all of the ingredients used in this recipe are gluten-free or widely available in gluten-free versions. There is hidden gluten in many foods; if you're following a gluten-free diet or cooking for someone with gluten allergies, always read the labels of your ingredients to verify that they are gluten-free.
See more recipes:
Add a Comment
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Made this recipe and it was scrumptious. I used two cups cream which was all I had. I also added a cup of white Irish cheddar along with the parmasanbecause my mother-in-law always made the recipe out of the box. There were four of us dining and a half portion was all that remained. I only took one helping when I saw them being devoured. So rich and delicious. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience.
This recipe is absolutely delicious. There is never any leftovers. I have been thinking about substitutions. Do you think sweet potato would work? Also curious would cooked pasta for Mac and cheese work?
Chris, Sweet potatoes would definitely work here! Not certain about the pasta though. You may want to consider this Mac and Cheese recipe instead.
Can you substitute gruyere cheese instead of the Parmesan?
Definitely!
When doubling this recipe, can this dish be baked in 2 , 8×8 pans?
Yes, Janice, that should work perfectly.
I would like double this recipe and make the potatoes as a side dish for a precooked spiral ham that needs to be in the oven for about three hours at 275 degrees. Is it possible to cook the potatoes at that temperature and if so, how long do you think It would take for them to get done and not be mushy? I only have the one oven and if I warm the ham at 350 degrees I am concerned that would dry it out. Thanks.
Hi Pamela, I not certain how long the potatoes would take to cook at that temperature. Instead, you may want to make the potatoes ahead and then reheat them covered tightly when the ham is reheating. It’s fine for them to be reheated at that lower temperature.
Another flawless recipe. Everyone loved it….better than most restaurants!!!
Hi, how far in advance can i make this? can i let it sit in my refrigerator for a day and pop it in the oven the next day or can i bake it and reheat the next day? I ask cause I’m so crazy the day of.
You can go either way Diane. If you don’t bake it in advance, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, pressing the wrap directly against the potatoes so they don’t brown. If you bake them in advance, fully cook them and then reheat, covered with foil, in a 350 oven for 15-20 min.
How would I me this dis for 20 people??
Kathleen, I think you’d need to triple the recipe. In terms of dishes, you’d need either 3 two-quart baking dishes or 1 two quart dish and 1 four-quart dish.
Hi Jen,
Just planning Easter menu and was wondering if these could be prepared a day ahead, up to point of baking if covered tightly with cling wrap and refrigerated?
Thank you,
Debbie, Keith, you can assemble this ahead, but cover it tightly with plastic wrap, pressing the wrap directly against the potatoes so they don’t brown. Hope everyone enjoys!
Is it possible to make and bake the scalloped potatoes in advance and then reheat them in the microwave using the Sensor Reheat function?
Hi Lori, These really are best made fresh but you can make ahead if necessary. I would suggest reheating them in the oven instead of the microwave reheat, covered with foil, in a 350 oven for 15-20 min.