As a beginner, I used to mistake au gratin potatoes with scalloped potatoes, another French dish. However, after doing some research, I found out that the two dishes are actually quite different.
Scalloped potatoes, which are also delicious, are usually made with thinly sliced potatoes baked in a creamy sauce. These Simple Au Gratin Potatoes, on the other hand, are made with thicker slices of potatoes that are boiled before being baked. And the key difference? Cheese!
Au Gratin Potatoes are a classic dish that can be made in so many different ways, but my favorite way is the Simple Au Gratin Potatoes recipe I grew up with. It’s the perfect mix of cheesy and creamy goodness that I just can’t get enough of! This recipe is so easy to make and only requires a few simple ingredients, but this dish is still packed with flavor.
This dish is the perfect combination of all of my favorite things: cheese, potatoes, and cream. So when I’m in need of a bit of comfort food, this is always my first choice. I like to make this dish ahead of time and then reheat it when I’m ready to eat. That way, the flavors have time to meld together, and the potatoes are extra tender.
These Simple Au Gratin Potatoes are the perfect side dish for any meal, but they’re also great as a main dish if you’re looking for something hearty and filling. You can have them with a salad for a light meal or with some roasted meat for a more substantial dish.
Whatever you choose, I promise that when you see these potatoes bubbling and overflowing with cheese, you’ll want to add this French classic to your menu.
PrintSimple Au Gratin Potatoes
This Simple Au Gratin Potatoes recipe will deliver the cheesy, tender, and comforting pick-me-up meal that you deserve!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 1x
- Category: Sides & Sauces
Ingredients
- 3 russet potatoes, peeled
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup shredded Asiago cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 large egg
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and lightly coat a 9-inch oven-safe dish with cooking spray.
- Using a mandoline or knife, slice the potatoes 1/4 inch thick and layer half of them in the pie plate.
- Season with salt and pepper, sprinkle with half of the Asiago and Monterey Jack cheeses and all of the bacon. Top with the remaining potato slices and sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top.
- Whisk the milk and egg together in a small bowl and pour over the potatoes. Cover with foil and bake for 1 1/2 hours. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.
What do you think? Have you tried this recipe? Or do you prefer scalloped potatoes?