When comfort food is calling your name, nothing answers quite like a skillet of Parmesan Au Gratin Potatoes. This dish is a heartwarming blend of thinly sliced potatoes, smothered in a creamy, cheesy sauce, and baked to golden perfection right in your skillet. Each bite is irresistibly crispy on top yet tender and savory underneath, making it the perfect side dish for any family dinner.
Whether you're pairing it with a roast, grilled chicken, or enjoying it on its own, these Creamy Au Gratin Potatoes promise to be a crowd-pleaser, filling your kitchen with an aroma that feels like a warm hug.
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Why This Recipe Works
- Comforting and Hearty: Au gratin potatoes are the epitome of comfort food. Their creamy, cheesy texture combined with soft, tender potatoes makes every bite soothing and satisfying.
- Versatile Side Dish: These potatoes pair wonderfully with a variety of main courses, from steaks and roasts to grilled chicken or fish, making them a versatile choice for any meal.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Loved by adults and kids alike, au gratin potatoes are always a hit at gatherings, family dinners, and holiday meals.
🥘 Ingredients
- Heavy cream: Adds a rich, velvety texture to the dish, forming the creamy base that envelops the potatoes.
- Kosher salt: Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients, bringing out the natural sweetness of the potatoes and cheese.
- Minced garlic: Infuses the cream with a pungent, aromatic flavor that complements the earthiness of the potatoes.
- Salted butter: Adds a layer of richness and helps to create a golden, crispy top when baked.
- Dried minced onion: Offers a subtle sharpness and sweetness, adding depth to the overall flavor profile of the gratin.
- Medium potatoes: These are the star of the dish, sliced thinly to absorb the creamy sauce and bake to tender perfection.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Melts into the cream, adding a nutty, savory taste that's key to the gratin's delicious crust.
- Parsley: Provides a fresh, herbal note that brightens the rich flavors and adds a pop of color to the finished dish.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
- Bacon and Chive Au Gratin Potatoes: Before assembling the dish, cook and crumble some bacon. Layer the bacon bits between the potato slices and sprinkle chopped chives throughout. This adds a smoky, savory depth to the dish, making it even more irresistible.
- Garlic and Herb Au Gratin Potatoes: Add a burst of flavor by incorporating minced garlic and a mix of fresh herbs such as rosemary, thyme, and parsley into your cream sauce. This version adds a fragrant and herby touch that complements the nutty Parmesan beautifully.
🔪 How To Make Creamy Au Gratin Potatoes
Step One: In a small saucepan over low heat, mix together heavy cream, salt, and minced garlic. Let it simmer for 5 minutes to allow the garlic to infuse the cream, then remove from heat and set aside. Set your oven to 325°F (163°C) to begin.
Step Two: Rinse and then thinly slice the potatoes into ⅛-inch thicknesses using a mandoline slicer.
Step Three: In a 16-inch cast iron skillet, melt and brown the butter over medium heat for 4 minutes until it's slightly golden. Add the minced onion during the last minute of browning, then remove from heat. Place the sliced potatoes in a spiral pattern over the browned butter in the skillet.
Step Four: Pour the infused cream evenly over the potatoes. Cover the skillet tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Step Five: After baking, remove the skillet and switch the oven setting to broil. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese and parsley over the potatoes. Return the skillet to the oven and broil for 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is crispy and bubbling.
Step Six: Remove the skillet from the oven and serve the au gratin potatoes while they are still warm, ensuring a delightful and savory experience.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Choose the Right Potatoes: For the best texture, use starchy potatoes like Russets or Yukon Golds. They have the right balance of starchiness and creaminess, making them ideal for absorbing the sauce without falling apart.
- Slice Evenly: Uniformly thin slices are key. Use a mandoline slicer to get consistent, thin slices (about ⅛ inch thick). This ensures even cooking and a perfect texture in every bite.
- Layer Thoughtfully: Arrange the potato slices in overlapping layers to maximize exposure to the cream mixture, which helps every slice soak up the flavor and become wonderfully tender.
- Use Full-Fat Dairy: For the richest, creamiest sauce, opt for full-fat cream or half-and-half. The fat content adds to the luxurious texture and depth of flavor of the dish.
- Season Each Layer: Sprinkle salt, pepper, and other seasonings like garlic powder or thyme between each layer of potatoes. This builds flavor throughout the dish rather than just on the surface.
💭 FAQs
Russet potatoes are commonly recommended due to their starchy texture, which absorbs the creamy sauce well. However, Yukon Gold potatoes can also be used for a slightly buttery flavor and tender texture.
To promote even cooking, slice the potatoes uniformly to about ⅛-inch thickness. Using a mandoline slicer can help achieve consistent slices, ensuring all pieces cook at the same rate.
Yes, you can assemble the dish ahead of time and refrigerate it before baking. When ready to serve, bake it in the oven, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time if it's chilled.
To attain a crispy, golden-brown crust, sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese over the top before baking. Some recipes also suggest adding crushed crackers or breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter for extra crunch.
Cool to room temperature, then store in an airtight container or tightly covered baking dish for 3 to 5 days. Wrap well in heavy-duty aluminum foil or use freezer-safe containers to freeze for up to 3 months. Freezing may slightly alter the texture.
🧂Serving Suggestions
Pair Parmesan Au Gratin Potatoes With These side dishes:
- Roasted or Grilled Meats: Serve your au gratin potatoes with Instant Pot Pesto Chicken, Air Fyrer Steak Bites, pork chops, or lamb. The rich, creamy potatoes balance beautifully with the savory flavors of these meats.
- Seafood: For a more refined meal, pair with Pan Fried Salmon, Paprika Shrimp, or seared scallops. The subtle flavors of seafood are enhanced by the cheesy richness of the potatoes.
- Vegetarian Entrees: Combine with a vegetable lasagna, Air Fryer Stuffed Bell Peppers, or a hearty Vegetable Gumbo for a satisfying vegetarian meal.
- Green Salads: Offer a light, crisp green salad on the side to add freshness and balance to the meal. Consider Salads With Vinaigrette Dressings to cut through the richness of the potatoes.
- Roasted Vegetables: Accompany with a side of Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Asparagus, or a medley of Balsamic Roasted Vegetables for added texture and flavor.
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Parmesan Au Gratin Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 cups Heavy Cream
- 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 2 tablespoons Minced Garlic
- 2 tablespoons Butter salted.
- 1 teaspoon Dried Minced Onion
- 6-7 Medium Potatoes
- ½ cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 1 teaspoon Parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 325°F (163°C) to begin.
- Prepare the Cream Mixture: In a small saucepan over low heat, mix together heavy cream, salt, and minced garlic. Let it simmer for 5 minutes to allow the garlic to infuse the cream, then remove from heat and set aside.
- Prepare the Potatoes: Rinse and then thinly slice the potatoes into ⅛-inch thicknesses using a mandoline slicer.
- Brown the Butter: In a 16-inch cast iron skillet, melt and brown the butter over medium heat for 4 minutes until it's slightly golden. Add the minced onion during the last minute of browning, then remove from heat.
- Arrange the Potatoes: Place the sliced potatoes in a spiral pattern over the browned butter in the skillet.
- Add the Garlic Cream: Pour the infused cream evenly over the potatoes.
- Bake the Dish: Cover the skillet tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
- Broil the Potatoes: After baking, remove the skillet and switch the oven setting to broil. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese and parsley over the potatoes.
- Final Broiling: Return the skillet to the oven and broil for 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is crispy and bubbling.
- Serve Warm: Remove the skillet from the oven and serve the au gratin potatoes while they are still warm, ensuring a delightful and savory experience.
