The BEST Potatoes au Gratin Gruyere! This is the perfect holiday side dish recipe - it's packed with flavor and sure to be a family favorite!
Ingredients
4tablespoonsbutterdivided (regular or dairy-free)
1small yellow onionhalved and thinly sliced
1teaspoongarlicminced
⅓cupall-purpose flourOR gluten-free flour
1½cupsNutpods Originalunsweetened/unflavored creamer OR half-and-half*
½cupchicken broth
1teaspoonkosher salt
¼teaspoonground black pepper
1½cupsGruyére cheesefreshly grated
1cupmonterey jack cheesefreshly grated
½cupparmesan cheesegrated
4-5cupsyukon gold potatoessliced to ⅛ inch
Instructions
Prep: Preheat oven to 375℉.
Sauté: Bring a medium-sized skillet to medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons butter and let melt. Swirl to coat the pan. Add onion slices and 1 teaspoon garlic. Move around pan until garlic becomes fragrant and onions soften a bit, approx. 2-3 minutes. Remove onions and place on a small plate; set aside.
Creamy Base: Add the other 2 tablespoons butter and let melt. Add ⅓ cup all-purpose flour and use a whisk to combine with melted butter to create a paste (aka a roux). Whisk continually and slowly add 1½ cups Nutpods Original about 1/4 cup at a time. Continue adding and whisking as the liquid combines with the roux. Once you have added the creamer, add ½ cup chicken broth the same way. Continue whisking and ensure the mixture is simmering gently as it continues to thicken. Add 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, and onions back in, stir to combine.
Add Cheese: Remove from heat and add in 1/2 the Gruyere, 1/2 the monterey jack and all of the parmesan cheese. Stir to combine as it melts.
Layer: Use a large 12inch cast iron skillet (approx. 2 inches deep) and layer half of the thin slices of potato on the bottom. Top with half the cheese sauce then layer the remaining potatoes, the remaining sauce and the rest of the Gruyere and monterey jack cheeses (use more cheese, as desired on top).
Bake: Cover with aluminum foil and place in oven, middle rack, for 1 hour. Remove and test the potatoes ensuring they are soft, but still a bit firm. If they need longer, cover again continue cooking in 10 minute increments until they are fully cooked. Otherwise, uncover, and return to oven for 10 minutes to really make sure the cheese is bubbly.
Serve: Remove from oven and let cool at least 15 minutes (otherwise it will fall apart if you try and scoop it up) before serving.
Notes
Gruyere Cheese: instead of the monterey jack cheese you can use all Gruyere (so 1 1/2 cups total) but I like to mix it up a bit - I feel like using both results in a better depth of flavor - but totally personal preference.
*Creamer: I love using Nutpods (ensure it is unsweetened and unflavored) - you can't tell the difference and it just lightens up this otherwise heavier (but delicious) holiday side dish! Use what works best for you, but I highly recommend you try it!
Potatoes: I recommend using a mandoline slicer so you get uniform, thin slices. You could use russet but for best results use Yukon golds.
Storage: store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.