Simple au Gratin Potatoes

Total Time

Prep: 20 min. Bake: 1-1/2 hours

Makes

8 servings

Updated: Oct. 27, 2023
These homemade au gratin potatoes are always welcome at our dinner table, and they're so simple to make. A perfect complement to ham, this homey potato gratin also goes well with pork, chicken and other entrees. —Cris O'Brien, Virginia Beach, Virginia

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 cups 2% milk
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 5 cups thinly sliced peeled potatoes (about 6 medium)
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • Additional pepper, optional

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°. In a large saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Stir in flour, salt and pepper until smooth. Gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat; stir in cheese until melted. Add potatoes and onion.
  2. Transfer to a greased 2-qt. baking dish. Cover and bake 1 hour. Uncover; bake 30-40 minutes or until the potatoes are tender. If desired, top with additional pepper.

Potatoes Au Gratin Tips

Why did my potato au gratin curdle?

Curdling can occur when high heat affects the fat in dairy. In this recipe, we thicken the milk with flour to prevent curdling. Starch will also help, so make sure to use a high starch potato like a russet. If you've got leftover russet potatoes, use them up in any of these russet potato recipes!

How do you keep potatoes au gratin from becoming watery?

If your au gratin is watery, replace the milk with heavy cream, which has a higher fat content, next time you prepare the recipe. Also, russet potatoes have less water and more starch, making them ideal for au gratin recipes.

What goes well with au gratin potatoes?

Lemon thyme chicken is easy and delicious—and bakes at the same temperature as the potatoes! Feeling more like a steakhouse dinner? Try a garlic grilled steak or any of our other steak recipes.

Nutrition Facts

3/4 cup: 225 calories, 10g fat (6g saturated fat), 30mg cholesterol, 602mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 8g protein.