Want more side dishes? Make Air Fryer Baked Potato, Poutine, Quinoa Salad, and Roasted Vegetables!
Au Gratin Potatoes vs Scalloped Potatoes:
These two potato dishes are often confused since they are so similar. The biggest difference is that scalloped potatoes are cooked in cream, and au gratin potatoes are baked with cheese. In this recipe, we use a cheese sauce and shredded cheese on top, then bake in the oven until bubbly.
How to make Potatoes Au Gratin:
Make Sauce: For the sauce, melt the butter in a saucepan then stir in flour, cooking for a minute or two. Stir in milk, garlic, salt, dried onions, and pepper and bring to a simmer. Whisk until smooth, and once it is slightly thickened, stir in 2 cups of shredded cheese. Slice Potatoes: Use a mandolin or a sharp knife to slice russet potatoes very thin. You can peel the potatoes or leave it on. Assemble and Bake: Arrange half of the sliced potatoes in the bottom of a 9×13 dish and pour half the sauce over them. Add another layer of potatoes, then the rest of the sauce. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 30 minutes, or until potatoes are cooked and the cheese is bubbly. Serve with ham, rack of lamb, or baked salmon. Make sure to add some homemade rolls and salad too!
Storage and Make Ahead Instructions:
To Store: Stores leftovers in a covered container in the fridge for 3-5 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until warm. To Make Ahead: Follow the recipe until the baking step. Cover pan with aluminum foil then refrigerate overnight. Remove from fridge 1 hour before baking as instructed.
Recipe Variations:
Crock Pot Au Gratin Potatoes: Coat the bottom of a slow cooker with cooking spray and layer potatoes and cheese sauce. Place lid on top and cook on high for 3 hours, until the potatoes are cooked. Ham and Potatoes Au Gratin: Layer 1 ½ cups chopped ham on top of the potatoes then cover with cheese sauce.
What to Serve with Au Gratin Potatoes:
Serve With:
Beef Tenderloin Roast Prime Rib Baked Ham Rack of Lamb Cedar Plank Salmon Marinated Flank Steak Easy Roast Chicken Thanksgiving Turkey Chicken Cordon Bleu Spatchcock Chicken Garlic Chicken Honey Mustard Chicken
*I originally shared this recipe December 2013. Updated December 2018, November 2021, September 2022 and November 2024.
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