Name: Gratin Potatoes with Cheese: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 1 kg potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced; 2 cloves garlic, crushed; Salt and black pepper to taste; Nutmeg, a pinch (optional); Knob of butter (for greasing); 300 ml double cream; 150 ml milk; 100 g Gruyère cheese, grated; 50 g Parmesan cheese, grated

Jump to Recipe

If you are craving a dish that wraps you in a warm, creamy hug, then this Gratin Potatoes with Cheese recipe is exactly what you need. Known among home cooks as Gratin Potatoes with Cheese: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe, this dish combines tender, thinly sliced potatoes bathed in a luscious cream sauce and topped with a golden, bubbling crust of Gruyère and Parmesan cheeses. It’s the kind of meal that effortlessly transforms an ordinary day into a cozy celebration and makes every bite an invitation to slow down and savor the moment.

The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering the right ingredients for this recipe couldn’t be simpler, yet each has a starring role that builds the dish’s rich flavors, velvety texture, and irresistible golden top. From the perfect starchy potato to the sharp cheeses, these components come together like old friends for a satisfying finish.

Potatoes (1 kg, peeled and thinly sliced): Choose waxy varieties for creaminess and structure without falling apart.
Garlic (2 cloves, crushed): Adds a subtle aroma and depth without overpowering the dish.
Double cream (300 ml): The secret ingredient for that decadent, silky sauce.
Milk (150 ml): Balances richness and helps the sauce coat every potato slice.
Gruyère cheese (100 g, grated): Delivers a nutty, slightly sweet flavor with wonderful meltability.
Parmesan cheese (50 g, grated): Adds a sharp, salty punch and helps form the gorgeous golden crust.
Salt and black pepper (to taste): Essential for enhancing flavors and adding a gentle warmth.
Knob of butter: Used to grease the baking dish, ensuring your gratin will slide out effortlessly.

How to Make Gratin Potatoes with Cheese: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe

Step 1: Get Ready and Prep Your Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). While it warms up, gently butter a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking and encourage a beautiful browning on the edges of your gratin.

Step 2: Layering the Potatoes and Garlic

Now, begin layering your thinly sliced potatoes in the prepared dish, sprinkling the crushed garlic evenly to infuse every slice with subtle garlic goodness. Taking your time here ensures an even coat of flavor throughout the dish.

Step 3: Seasoning That Perfect Base

Before adding the liquids, season the potato layers generously with salt and black pepper. This step is crucial because it allows the seasoning to mingle fully with the potatoes as they cook.

Step 4: Pouring the Cream & Milk Mixture

Combine double cream and milk together, then pour this luscious mixture over the layered potatoes gently. The cream and milk soak into the layers, creating the rich, smooth sauce that defines Gratin Potatoes with Cheese: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe.

Step 5: Cheese It Up

Sprinkle your Gruyère cheese evenly across the top, followed by the Parmesan. This cheesy blanket melts, melds, and crisps in the oven to form a golden crust that’s nothing short of irresistible.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide your baking dish into the oven and bake for about one hour. The potatoes should be tender when pierced with a fork, and the cheese on top should be bubbly and beautifully browned, signaling your gratin is ready to enjoy.

How to Serve Gratin Potatoes with Cheese: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe

Garnishes

A sprinkle of freshly chopped fresh parsley or thyme adds a touch of green and a fresh herbal note that cuts through the richness, making the dish even more inviting on the plate.

Side Dishes

This gratin pairs wonderfully with simple roasted vegetables or a crisp green salad dressed lightly with lemon vinaigrette. The freshness and crunch of sides balance the creamy, cheesy indulgence perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For a cozy dinner party, serve the gratin in individual ramekins for a personal touch. Alternatively, jazz it up by topping with crispy bacon bits or caramelized onions for added flavor layers and texture contrast.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Any leftover gratin can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Keep it chilled and cover it well to maintain moisture and prevent it from absorbing other fridge odors.

Freezing

Gratin Potatoes with Cheese: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe freezes nicely. Before baking, cover the prepared dish tightly with foil and freeze for up to one month. When ready to enjoy, bake directly from frozen but add extra cooking time until the potatoes are tender and the cheese is golden.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers in an oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) until warmed through and the cheese topping regains its crispness. Avoid the microwave if you want to preserve the luscious texture and golden crust.

FAQs

Can I use a different cheese instead of Gruyère?

Absolutely! While Gruyère is traditional, you can swap it for Emmental, Comté, or even a sharp Cheddar for a slightly different flavor profile that still melts beautifully.

Is it necessary to peel the potatoes?

Peeling ensures a smooth, creamy texture and even layering, but if you like a more rustic feel, you can leave the skins on—just make sure to wash them thoroughly before slicing.

Can I make this dish vegan or lactose-free?

To adapt this recipe, use plant-based cream and milk alternatives, and substitute the cheeses with vegan versions. Texture and flavor will differ slightly, but it can still be wonderfully comforting.

What’s the best potato variety to use?

Waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold or Charlotte hold their shape well and soak up the cream nicely, making them ideal for gratin dishes.

How do I know when the gratin is fully cooked?

It’s ready when the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork and the cheese topping is a gorgeous golden brown with bubbling edges.

Final Thoughts

There’s truly something magical about Gratin Potatoes with Cheese: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe that turns humble potatoes and cheese into a soul-satisfying masterpiece. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or sharing with loved ones, giving this dish a try means inviting warmth and joy to your table. I can’t wait for you to experience how effortlessly it brightens up any meal!

Gratin Potatoes with Cheese: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe

★★★★★

5.2 from 7 reviews

Author: Charlotte
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

A creamy and cheesy gratin potatoes recipe that offers the ultimate comfort food experience. Thinly sliced potatoes baked in a rich mixture of double cream and milk, layered with Gruyère and Parmesan cheeses, seasoned simply with garlic, salt, and pepper, then baked to golden perfection.

Ingredients

Scale

Potatoes and Seasoning

1 kg potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, crushed
Salt and black pepper to taste
Nutmeg, a pinch (optional)
Knob of butter (for greasing)

Dairy

300 ml double cream
150 ml milk
100 g Gruyère cheese, grated
50 g Parmesan cheese, grated

Instructions

Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) ensuring it reaches the perfect temperature for even cooking.
Prepare the baking dish: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish thoroughly with a knob of butter to prevent sticking and add flavor.
Layer the potatoes and garlic: Arrange thinly sliced potatoes in overlapping layers in the prepared dish, adding crushed garlic evenly among the layers for fragrant seasoning.
Season: Sprinkle salt, black pepper, and an optional pinch of nutmeg evenly over the layered potatoes to enhance flavor.
Add cream and milk: Pour the double cream mixed with milk gently over the potatoes so it seeps through all layers, ensuring rich creaminess throughout.
Add cheeses: Sprinkle the grated Gruyère cheese generously on top followed by the Parmesan cheese to create a delicious, golden, bubbling crust.
Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 1 hour or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork and the cheese on top is golden brown and crisp.

Notes

You can substitute Gruyère with other melting cheeses like Emmental or Cheddar for variation.
For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of double cream.
The pinch of nutmeg is optional but adds a warming depth to the dish’s flavor.
Allow the gratin to rest for 10 minutes after baking to set and make serving easier.
Use a mandoline slicer to get perfectly thin, even potato slices for uniform cooking.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Category: Side Dish
Method: Baking
Cuisine: French