Description

A rich, creamy, and indulgent side dish featuring Yukon Gold potatoes baked in a velvety cheese sauce with sharp cheddar and Gruyère. This make-ahead friendly recipe ensures tender, non-soggy potatoes with a golden-brown crust, perfect for holiday meals.

Ingredients

Scale

3 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and sliced into 1/8 to 1/4 inch rounds
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, for greasing the dish
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian version)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded from a block
1 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded from a block
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard powder
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
Salt and black pepper, to taste
2 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves stripped (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter.
Slice potatoes into uniform rounds and place in cold water to prevent browning. Drain and pat dry thoroughly.
In a large saucepan, combine heavy cream, chicken broth, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, dry mustard powder, nutmeg, salt, pepper, and thyme leaves. Heat over medium until just simmering, then remove from heat.
Layer half the potatoes in the baking dish. Pour one-third of the cream mixture over them, then sprinkle with one-third of the cheddar and one-third of the Gruyère.
Repeat with remaining potatoes, cream mixture, and cheeses, ending with a layer of potatoes on top.
Pour remaining cream over the top, pressing down gently to ensure potatoes are submerged.
Cover tightly with foil and bake for 60 minutes.
Remove foil, sprinkle remaining cheese on top, and bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes until cheese is melted and golden brown.
Let rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow sauce to thicken.

Notes

Shred your own cheese to ensure smooth melting; pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can make the sauce grainy. Uniform potato slices are crucial for even cooking. This dish can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerated before baking. If baking from cold, add 15-20 minutes to the covered baking time.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 380
Sugar: 4
Sodium: 450
Fat: 22
Saturated Fat: 13
Carbohydrates: 32
Fiber: 3
Protein: 14

Keywords: scalloped potatoes, cheesy potatoes, holiday side dish, Thanksgiving sides, Christmas dinner, au gratin potatoes, make-ahead side dish, comfort food