These au gratin potatoes are my husband’s favorite — he considers it a special occasion every time I make them! The creamy cheese sauce and tender potatoes in this classic French dish make a delicious flavor combination. Experiment with different cheeses for variety. Serve potatoes au gratin with a roast pork loin or beef tenderloin, alongside a green salad.
Creamy Au Gratin Potatoes
These au gratin potatoes are my husband's favorite — he considers it a special occasion every time I make them! The creamy cheese sauce and tender potatoes in this classic French dish make a delicious flavor combination. Experiment with different cheeses for variety. Serve potatoes au gratin with a roast pork loin or beef tenderloin, alongside a green salad.
Ingredients
- 4 medium russet potatoes thinly sliced
- 1 medium onion sliced into rings
- salt and ground black pepper to taste
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups milk
- 1 ½ cups shredded Cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Butter a 2-quart casserole dish.
- Layer 1/2 of the potatoes in the bottom of the prepared casserole dish; season with salt and pepper.
- Layer onion slices over top, then top with with remaining potatoes. Season again with salt and pepper.
- Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Gradually whisk in flour and salt and cook, whisking constantly until raw flour flavor has cooked off, about 1 minute.
- Gradually add milk, about 1/4 cup at a time, whisking well after each addition to incorporate; the gradual addition and whisking of milk will help avoid lumps in your sauce.
- Cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture has thickened, 3 to 5 minutes.
- Stir in cheese all at once; continue stirring until melted, 30 to 60 seconds.
- Pour cheese sauce over the potatoes, and cover the dish with aluminum foil.
- Bake in the preheated oven until potatoes are tender and sauce is bubbly, about 1 ½ hours.
