Easy Au Gratin Potatoes - Deliciously Seasoned (2024)

These cheesy au gratin potatoes are the perfect side dish that compliments ham, beef, chicken, and turkey. A creamy comfort food recipe made with tender slices of potatoes, onions, and a creamy cheese sauce.

When I think of the perfect potato side dish, the first thing I think of is au gratin potatoes. I just love them. They’re full of delicious flavors like onions, garlic, and a creamy, cheesy sauce all covering tender sliced potatoes. MmmMMM. I can almost taste it just typing about it. I’ve been making this cheesy potato dish for just about as long as I’ve been cooking. My mom made it all the time when I was a kid, and when I started cooking, I took up the potato mantle, myself. I can’t begin to count the times I’ve made these potatoes for dinner or a potluck. I also can’t count the times that they’ve been completely devoured! Everyone always loves this recipe, and I know you will, too.

Au Gratin Potatoes

The venerable au gratin potatoes recipe has been around since time out of mind. I make it. My mom made it. My grandmother made it. It’s been a staple of families everywhere for as long as anyone can remember, and it’s easy to see why. After all, it doesn’t get much better than cheese and potatoes. This simple dish is a marvel of flavors. It only takes a few ingredients to create something that is so hearty, filling, and absolutely delicious. That rich, cheesy sauce smothering all that potato goodness is just unbeatable. Pair it with pork, beef, or chicken – it always works! It’s also a great addition to parties and potlucks.

The Perfect Side Dish Recipe

In addition to being absolutely delicious, another reason that this au gratin potatoes dish is such a great side dish is that it goes so well with any protein source that lives on dry land. Beef is great with it, as is pork or chicken. Serve up this side with a steak, pork chops, or chicken breasts, and you’ve got a delicious meal that fills you up and makes you feel like you just had a meal straight from your mom’s kitchen. It really is perfect.

Variations

Another amazing thing about this recipe is how versatile it is. You can change it up in so many ways, whether it’s to make it taste a little different or to transform it from a side dish into a complete meal. It’s very forgiving, which lends it very well to experimentation.

Different Cheese

Cheddar cheese is the classic cheese for au gratin potatoes, but you can get as creative as you like. If you want a deeper flavor that’s a bit fancier, try it with some gouda and gruyere cheese. Make it zesty with a Mexican cheese mix. Get creative. Cheese and potatoes are always great, no matter the cheese.

Add Protein

If you want to transform this au gratin potatoes recipe from a side dish to a main dish, simply add some protein. It’s easy to do because so many things go so well with it. It’s a great dish for adding both freshly-cooked protein or leftovers. Some of my favorites are:

• Ham
• Bacon
• Chicken
• Pork
• Beef

Frequently Asked Questions

This FAQ section will answer all the common questions about au gratin potatoes, so I highly encourage you to read it over before you jump into the recipe. It doesn’t take long, and you’ll learn a lot!

What are Au Gratin Potatoes?

Au gratin potatoes is a dish of sliced potatoes combined with a heavy cream sauce and cheese that’s baked in the oven.

What’s the Difference Between Au Gratin and Scalloped Potatoes?

Scalloped potatoes are much simpler than au gratin potatoes. In addition to the creamy sauce, au gratin potatoes have cheese between the potato layers and over the top of the casserole, while scalloped potatoes simply use the cream sauce.

What’s the Best Kind of Potato for Au Gratin?

Russet potatoes and Yukon Gold potatoes are the best bet for au gratin. Red potatoes are too starchy and don’t give you that classic au gratin texture.

Do you Peel Potatoes for Au Gratin?

That’s a matter of personal preference. It’s done both ways. Some people love to leave the skin on and some swear by peeling the potatoes.

What to Serve with Potatoes Au Gratin?

You can serve almost any protein with au gratin potatoes. They all work well. Some of the best options, however, include:

• Roasted pork tenderloin
• Garlic roasted pork chops
• Roasted chicken
• Honey mustard chicken
• Roast beef
• Pan-roasted steak

Can you Make Au Gratin Potatoes Ahead of Time?

Yes, you can! Prepare the dish as if you’re going to bake it, then, cover it tightly with plastic wrap. Press the wrap directly onto the potatoes to prevent them from browning.

Which is Better, Scalloped Potatoes or Au Gratin?

Neither is better than the other. They’re just different. Both dishes are delicious. If you want a simpler dish, go for scalloped potatoes. If you’re all about cheese, go for au gratin potatoes.

Au Gratin Potatoes Recipe Ingredients

It doesn’t take many ingredients to make this delicious recipe, and most of them are kitchen staples. In fact, the only things you might have to shop for are heavy cream and Slap Ya Mama seasoning if you don’t make spicy food too often. Other than that, I’m willing to bet that you have all the ingredients in your kitchen right now.

• Russet potatoes, peeled, sliced ¼ inch thick
• Onion, diced
• Garlic salt
• Black pepper
• Slap Ya Mama seasoning
• Butter
• All purpose flour
• Heavy cream
• Whole milk
• Chicken broth or vegetable broth
• Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

Au Gratin Potatoes Recipe Instructions

Making this recipe is a fairly straightforward process. There is some prep work involved, but it’s all easy slicing. This is a simple recipe that even beginners can make.

Step 1: Prep

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and butter a 3-quart casserole dish or baking dish and set aside. Slice the potatoes and dice the onions.

Step 2: Make the Sauce

Melt butter in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Next, add the onion, garlic salt, black pepper, and Slap Ya Mama seasoning, stirring and cooking until the onions are translucent. Then, sprinkle flour over the onions and cook until combined.

Gradually pour heavy cream, milk, and chicken broth into the pan, stirring constantly until combined. Bring to a boil and cook until thickened. Finally add the shredded cheese into the skillet, stirring until melted.

Step 3: Bake

Add the sliced potato to the cheese sauce, stirring to coat, and pour into the prepared baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 60 – 75 minutes. Remove the foil and continue to bake until the potatoes are tender – about 30 more minutes.

Try This Delicious Side Dish Recipe Today

This au gratin potatoes recipe is rich, creamy, and oh, so cheesy. It’s the perfect dish to serve with almost any main course. The best part is that you can change things up to make it the main course by adding your protein of choice! Whether you choose to serve this as a side or main dish, at home or at a potluck, this recipe is one that has everyone coming back for more. Give it a try, and I know you’ll make it again and again.

Looking for More Potato Side Dish Recipes?

Potato Salad – This flavorful potato salad has all the delicious flavors we have come to love in our potato salad recipe. Tender potatoes, eggs, dill pickles, celery, onions, with a creamy base of mayo and mustard. Definitely a favorite and popular side dish recipe.

Loaded Roasted Potatoes – These potatoes are loaded with beef, cheese with a southwestern flare, and make a delicious side dish recipe or it can be a full meal. Easy and full of flavor.

Broccoli Mashed Potato Bake – This potato side dish combines two classic side into one super side. Loaded with mashed potatoes, broccoli, bacon, cheese, seasoned perfectly and baked. Hearty and delicious.

And, here is a delicious Mashed Potato Pancakes recipe from our friend, Christina, over at It’s a Keeper Blog. This would be a perfect recipe to use leftover mashed potatoes with.

Here are two photos that you can save to your favorite Pinterest boards or pin any of the other photos from this recipe to your boards.