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Easy Au Gratin Potatoes – Classic Creamy Dauphinoise

Au Gratin Potatoes

Golden, bubbly, and loaded with cheesy, garlicky goodness, this creamy au gratin potatoes recipe is pure comfort. Perfect for holidays or weeknights—just layer, bake, and watch it disappear! 
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Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: French
Keyword: Comfort Food, Easy Weeknight Meal, hearty winter recipes, holiday side dishes, Thanksgiving Dinner
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 505kcal
Author: Jennifer Locklin
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Ingredients

Instructions

Prepare the Cream Mixture

  • In a large measuring cup or bowl, combine the melted butter, heavy cream, minced garlic, and half of the minced thyme leaves. Stir well to mix. Microwave on high for about 1 minute, just to scald the milk and infuse it with the garlic and thyme flavors. Set aside.
    1 ½ cups heavy cream, 3 cloves garlic, 4 tablespoons salted butter, 1 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves

Preheat the Oven

  • Set the oven to 350°F (180°C).
  • Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
  • In a medium bowl, mix all the cheese together and set aside.
    2 cups Gruyère cheese, 1 cup sharp white cheddar cheese, ½ cup parmesan cheese

Slice the Potatoes

  • Peel the Russet potatoes.
    2 ½ pounds Russet potatoes
  • Using a mandolin slicer, slice them into ⅛-inch thick rounds for even cooking.

Assemble the Layers

    First Layer:

    • Spread ⅓ of the sliced potatoes evenly in the greased baking dish.
    • Pour ⅓ of the cream mixture over the potatoes.
    • Sprinkle with ⅓ of the salt, pepper, and thyme.
    • Top with 1 cup of the cheese mixture.

    Second and Third Layers:

    • Repeat the layering process two more times, reserving the remaining cheese for later.

    Bake Covered

    • Cover the baking dish with foil or a lid.
    • Bake for 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, until the potatoes in the center are tender when pierced with a knife.

    Add the Final Cheese Topping

    • Remove the foil.
    • Sprinkle the remaining cheese mixture over the top.
    • Bake uncovered for 10 to 15 more minutes, until the cheese is golden and bubbly.

    Rest & Serve

    • Let the dish sit for 5 minutes before serving. This helps the layers set for easier scooping.

    Notes

    Ingredient Substitutions
    Cream Alternatives: Substitute half-and-half or a 50/50 mix of heavy cream and milk for a slightly lighter version. Avoid using only milk, as it won’t provide the same creamy texture.
    Cheese Alternatives: Gruyère melts beautifully, but you can use a mix of Colby, Yellow Cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Havarti for different flavors. *Always grate your own cheese—pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that hinder melting.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 505kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 109mg | Sodium: 598mg | Potassium: 682mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1289IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 470mg | Iron: 2mg

    *Nutrition information is automatically calculated based on ingredient data and should be considered an estimate. When multiple ingredient options are provided, the first listed is used for calculation. Optional ingredients and garnishes are not included in the nutrition analysis.