This recipe is a favorite of my culinary students. It is so easy, and makes the perfect, quintessential, creamy, cheesy potato casserole of American comfort-food fame.
True scalloped potatoes consist primarily of thinly cut potatoes in a white cream sauce, whereas potatoes au gratin feature buttery potatoes beneath a cheese and/or breadcrumb crust. Scalloped Potatoes Au Gratin is a hybrid -- the best of both worlds. It is what many of us in the U.S. grew up with and knew as Potatoes O' Gratin.
So, without further ado, here is the easiest and most delicious recipe I think you'll find for the creamy, cheesy, golden, bubbly potato dish of legend:
Scalloped Potatoes Au Gratin
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Baking Time: 45-55 minutes
- 1 1/4 pounds Yukon Gold Potatoes, washed, peeled and sliced 1/8 inch thick (approx. 2 large)
- 3 Tablespoons butter, plus 1 Tablespoon for buttering the pan
- 2 Tablespoons diced sweet yellow onion
- 1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoons kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked pepper
- 1 cup lowfat milk
- ¾ cup medium cheddar cheese, shredded
- An additional 1/4 cup medium cheddar cheese, shredded and set aside
- 2 Tablespoons Panko bread crumbs
Preheat oven to 375°F. Butter a 9x9” glass casserole dish and set aside.
Step 1: Rinse potatoes and peel. Cut into 1/8-inch slices using a mandoline.
Step 2: Make the roux: Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook onion in butter about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender (do not brown). Stir in flour. Cook, stirring constantly, until bubbly.
Step 3: Slowly whisk in milk until smooth. Stir in salt and pepper.
Step 4: Over medium heat, whisk in the 3/4 cup of cheese. Heat to a gentle boil, whisking constantly till smooth. Boil and stir over medium-high heat for 1 minute until the cheese is completely melted and sauce has thickened. Add the potatoes and simmer, stirring constantly with a rubber scraper for 5 minutes.
Step 5: Pour mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Use scraper to distribute evenly in pan. Season top with a bit of salt and pepper. Bake uncovered for 35 minutes on the middle rack. Remove from oven. Increase oven temperature to 425°F.
Step 6: Mix remaining cheddar cheese and bread crumbs; sprinkle over potatoes. Bake uncovered on the top rack of oven for 10-15 minutes, or until top is golden brown and bubbly.
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Notes:
This recipe can be made Gluten Free by replacing the flour with GF flour and using potato chips in lieu of the bread crumbs. It is absolutely delicious!
This recipe can be prepared up to two days in advance. Simply cover with foil after transferring mixture to the casserole dish in step 5. Refrigerate until ready to bake. Bring to room temperature before baking to cut down on additional cooking time.
