This easy Potatoes Au Gratin Recipe mixes butter, onion, potatoes and cheese into a creamy casserole dish that is the perfect side dish for Easter.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
DELICIOUS – Tender, sliced potatoes baked in a creamy, cheese sauce! This dish hits all your taste buds in the right way!
EASY RECIPE – It’s a potato casserole, so, by definition it’s pretty hard to screw up!
RECIPE TO FEED A CROWD – This is a great dish to bring to potlucks, pitch ins or holiday parties. It’s a side dish that goes with just about any main course and can fit in easily in any situation.
What is The Difference Between Potatoes Au Gratin And Scalloped Potatoes
There is often some confusing concerning the exact difference between these two dishes. This is, mostly, our own fault. Traditionally, the real difference between Au Gratin and scalloped was that the former uses cheese in the recipe. They are both thinly sliced potatoes baked in layers in a creamy sauce. For instance, these Potatoes Au Gratin start with a creamy roux consisting of butter, flour, salt, pepper and milk. Usually they are topped with bread crumbs as well (although our recipe is not). A lot of times, people make scalloped potatoes and put cheese in them (because cheese makes everything better, right!), so now no really knows for sure what they are making, and often times, the ingredients are very similar.
What Are The Best Potatoes For Potatoes Au Gratin?
I recommend using a more waxy potato like Yukon Gold Potatoes or Red Potatoes. These sorts of potatoes are better at holding the shape during baking! Russet potatoes can also work. Just make sure you slice the potatoes thin enough so that they cook through!
How To Make This Recipe With A Breadcrumb Topping?
As I mentioned above, our version does not have a breadcrumb topping. But if you want to make your own it is pretty easy. Just mix together:
- 1/4 CUP PARMESAN CHEESE
- 1 CUP BREADCRUMBS
- 1/2 CUP BUTTER
- 1/2 TSP GARLIC POWDER
- 1/2 TSP ONION POWDER
Sprinkle this mixture on top of the potatoes once they are done cooking. Then put back in oven and broil for 2-3 minutes. Keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn!
What To Serve With Potatoes Au Gratin?
This is such a great side dish for so many recipes! You can always find them during the holidays, whether it is during Thanksgiving next to your Turkey or during Easter with some Ham. But they would also be delicious paired with:
- BACON WRAPPED PORK CHOPS
- TURKEY POT PIE
- SLOW COOKER CUBE STEAK
- SHAKE AND BAKE PORK CHOPS
- PARMESAN CRUSTED SALMON
- CROCKPOT RANCH PORK CHOPS
Notes and Tips and FAQs
- WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO SLICE POTATOES FOR POTATOES AU GRATIN? – This 6-in-1 Mandoline Food Slicer works great for potatoes and tons of other things too! It’s the best $20 you can spend in your kitchen!
- CAN YOU SUBSTITUTE CHEESE IN AU GRATIN POTATOES? – Sure, go for it. Try any softer cheese that will melt easily. Swiss, Monterey Jack or even add a little heat with some Pepper Jack Cheese!
- WHAT IS THE BEST BAKING DISH TO COOK AU GRATIN POTATOES IN? – We love to bake in our Le Creuset Casserole Dish because it comes with a lid! You can just keep your leftovers right in your casserole dish in the fridge! Or, if you are looking for something a little less expensive, this one works great too! Or, you can get this 6 piece non-stick oven bakeware baking set. From muffins to bread loafs to cookie sheets, you’ll have everything you need to bake in your kitchen!!! And it’s only $26.00!!!
- CAN YOU USE HEAVY CREAM IN POTATOES AU GRATIN? – Our recipe uses 2% milk. But you can substitute for Half and Half or even heavy cream to make these potatoes a little creamier.
Give this recipe a try and let me know what you think of it in the comments. Happy eating!
Au Gratin Potatoes Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2 cups milk
- 1/4 cup diced onion
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 6 medium potatoes peeled and sliced thin.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 and grease a 2 quart casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a large saucepan, add butter and cook on low heat until melted.
- Stir in flour, salt and pepper.
- Add milk, a little at a time, and mix, continuing to cook over medium heat.
- Stir frequently until mixture begins to boil.
- Continue to stir and boil for 2 minutes or until thick.
- Remove from heat. Stir in onion and cheese and mix well.
- Add potatoes and stir well to coat.
- Pour into prepared pan. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 60 minutes.
- Remove foil and discard. Return to oven for an additional 20-30 minutes or until top begins to brown..
Comments & Reviews
BJ says
I wonder how this recipe could be tweaked to go into a crockpot. The stove is always so busy on Thanksgiving.
Kathy says
I should make a slow cooker version. That is on my list of recipes to make. Thank you for the suggestion.
Linda says
I would be very interested in your crock pot au gratin recipe when you get it. I have a 9×13 and I think it would be so much better when we have a busy oven
Kathy says
A Crockpot Au Gratin Recipe is a great idea! In the meantime, you can check out our Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes. Would this work?
https://bubbapie.com/crockpot-cheesy-potatoes/
JEANNETTE STREHLE says
If I could give these au gratin potatoes 10 Stars I would , they are so easy, they are creamy and delicious .My kids that don’t like a au gratin potatoes left not one drop in the pot they are so good I think I’m going to try using the cheese sauce with macaroni and make it a macaroni and cheese sounds delicious to me thank you so much for this recipe.
Kathy says
Thank you for the feedback, I am so glad your family enjoyed the Au Gratin potatoes!
Cheryl says
Love the cheese sauce. I’m going to try it on cheesey bacon fries. Delicious, thank you so much for sharing the recipe.
Kathy says
Thank you for your feedback. I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Eileen Garretson says
Jeanette, my mac and cheese recipe has this type of sauce! I love it! In fact, if I was the only person in this house, we’d never buy the boxed stuff again! 😉 My hubby, being s big kid, prefers the powdered cheese to my recipe! 🤨😂
Chrissy says
Can you cook this ahead of time, or assemble. It the night before cooking?
Irene says
So easy to make and it was a hit with my husband, who is hard to please. So so delicious!
Kathy says
So great to hear Irene!
Frank E says
I made this and I’m not the cook in the family easy and delicious
Rachel says
This recipe was so easy and so good.
I added one clove of garlic and a small shallot though. Will be making it again!
Lea says
Came out beautiful
Kathy says
Yay! So glad!
Nancy D. says
Great recipie!The whole family loved these potatoes.
Cailyn says
Such an easy recipe! The first time I made it I followed it to a T. This time I tweaked it a little bit. I used Parmesan cheese and added garlic to it as well. We used garlic powder, oregano, parsley, and onion powder. It is so good!!
Kathy says
Great suggestions!
Nelda says
With a couple of additions, I followed the directions to make this. I combined sharp cheddar and gruyere cheeses to make 2 cups total. I also added some freshly grated nutmeg (as I do to all “cheesy” dishes). It is DELICIOUS!! I’ll keep this one in my repertoire…
Kathy says
Great suggestions!
Stephanie says
Can i prepare this the night before?
Kathy says
We haven’t tried that. But I don’t see why not.
Julie says
Can this be made ahead ?
Kathy says
Yes, it would just need to be warmed up in the oven with some foil.
Kathleen says
To dievfor! Best day of making. Not as good reheated. Great recipe!