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Creamy au Gratin Potatoes Recipe

Creamy au Gratin Potatoes Recipe

Few dishes turn an ordinary dinner into something worth remembering quite like a bubbling tray of au gratin potatoes. Thin layers of tender potato are bathed in a velvety, cheese-laced sauce and baked until golden — rich, comforting, and the kind of side dish people ask for the recipe of.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Servings 8

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs Russet potatoes sliced ¼ inch thick
  • 1 yellow onion sliced into thin rings
  • 1 tsp salt divided, plus more to taste
  • ½ tsp black pepper divided, plus more to taste
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 2 cups sharp white Cheddar cheese freshly shredded

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and butter a 2-quart baking dish.
    2. Arrange half of the sliced potatoes across the bottom of the dish. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
    3. Scatter onion rings over the first potato layer, then top with the remaining potatoes. Season once more with salt and pepper.
    4. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and a pinch of salt, stirring constantly for about 1 minute until the raw flour smell disappears.
    5. Add the milk a little at a time — about ¼ cup at a time — whisking thoroughly between additions to keep the sauce smooth and lump-free.
    6. Continue whisking over the heat for 3 to 5 minutes, until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
    7. Add the shredded Cheddar all at once and stir until fully melted, about 30 to 60 seconds.
    8. Pour the warm cheese sauce evenly over the layered potatoes, then cover the dish tightly with foil.
    9. Bake for about 1½ hours, until the potatoes are fork-tender and the sauce is bubbling at the edges. (Tip: uncover for the last 10–15 minutes if you'd like a more golden top.)

Notes

 
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven, or in the microwave for individual portions. Let the dish rest 10 minutes after baking so the sauce can set before serving.
 

Nutrition Facts

 
  • Calories: 499
  • Total Carbohydrates: 49g
    • Dietary Fiber: 4g
    • Total Sugars: 9g
  • Protein: 20g
  • Total Fat: 25g
    • Saturated Fat: 16g
  • Cholesterol: 77mg
  • Sodium: 683mg
  • Vitamin C: 19mg
  • Calcium: 484mg
  • Iron: 3mg
  • Potassium: 1184mg