Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes
What comfort food takes you back home? In my top 5 are my Mom’s Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes. They are always welcome at our dinner table, and they’re so simple to make. Cheesy Au Gratin potatoes are a perfect complement to ham, pork, chicken, beef, and other entrees.
They can be made 2 ways, with thinly sliced raw potatoes or precooked potatoes. Mom always cooked her potatoes first, then peeled and sliced them. Next she would carefully add creamy Béchamel Sauce along with chopped sautéd onions, celery, and green peppers with lots of melty cheese!
I make mine plain, potatoes, sauce, and cheese, (as pictured) often. We also adore them, “Loaded UP,” with green onions, red or green peppers, celery, bacon, and sour cream. The directions for both ways are included in the full recipe for you.
As Easter is approaching I especially remember always having Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes on Mom’s buffet line up. With my family I added Curried Fruit Bake because it’s so flavorful and pretty next to baked ham and potatoes. Add a fresh vegetable, some hot rolls, and a yummy dessert for a lovely memorable meal.
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Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes
Are you wondering what the term “Au Gratin,” means? Interestingly, it’s anything covered with bread crumbs or cheese and then baked until brown. So for this dish, we are using potatoes, but let your mind go wild and think of all the au gratin designer dishes you can make!
Begin by boiling 3 pounds of potatoes, using your favorite variety, for approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour. It takes longer at higher elevations and the size of your potatoes makes a difference too. Just wash them and cover with water. Bring them to a boil, cover and turn heat to low-to medium heat so that they are gently simmering. Your potatoes need to be firm, not mushy, so check on them till they are ready.
Remove cooked potatoes from the pan, cool till you can handle them without burning your hands, peel, and cube or slice them into a large mixing bowl. Add the Béchamel Sauce, (I prepare mine while the potatoes are cooling), and 1 cup of cheddar cheese and carefully mix it together, trying not to break or mash your potatoes. Scoop the potatoes into a 3 quart baking dish and sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup of cheese. Sprinkle with paprika and cover and refrigerate if you are making ahead. Be sure to bring your potatoes to room temperature before placing them in the oven.
When you are ready to bake Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes, preheat your oven to 350˚degrees. Bake uncovered for 45 minutes or until cheese is lightly browned. Serve immediately and enjoy!
We're Alison and Renée, and we're so glad you've joined us! Our kitchens are our happy place, where we're whipping up memories. Get comfy and check things out. We hope you find inspiring dishes and ways to better your life. Feeling optimistic, trying new things and sharing with those we love brings joy in all we do. It's time to cook, create and celebrate. CHEERS! 
This reminds me of home so much! You can’t beat Mom’s cooking!
That looks yummy! Love foods with lots of cheese!
Thanks, Franco!
This looks yummy and simple. I will tell my wife to do this one for me and my kid and of course her one of these days.
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It is so simple and so good!
Great recipe, Looks so delicious. I hope I will do it good, because I’m definitely trying this as soon as possible. Thanks for posting the recipe.
Thanks, David! You will do great! Let us know what you think of them!
I was already craving for something good and here I come across your post. The dish looks so delicious!
See, we are a perfect match! 🙂
This is something worth trying. My boys are now on school break and sometimes I can’t think of anything more to serve them. They will definitely love this dish, best paired with their favorite pan grilled chicken. Thanks for sharing!
Oooh! This would be perfect with pan grilled chicken!
You never fail to make me hungry by simply reading and checking ur photos. This is surely delicious and if I have time this weekend. I would love to try doing one.
Thanks Cai! You need to try it out and let me know what you think!
I love my potatoes fried but this looks like a delicious and filling dish. Thanks also for explaining what au gratin means; learned something new today.
Thanks, Ivan! That is the goal! Try them out – they are awesome!
This is the perfect comfort food for that cool evening by the fireplace. I love root vegetables and always look for interesting ways to prepare them. Yum!
Thanks Elizabeth, yes it is a great way to prepare vegetables!
I have eaten this before!!! I’d say dish if really filling. Then again, I think all potato dish are like that. 🙂
I wasn’t aware it was so easy to cook! The first and last time I had Au Gratin Potatoes was April last year when I had dinner with my husband at Cru Steakhouse Marriott Hotel. This was served with the portabello mushrooms and steak. I’ll try to cook this at home soon!
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YES, that’s just what we want to hear. Thanks Roselle!
I absolutely adore how you have done step-by-step pictures of the process! This is something I wish websites and cookbooks did more frequently!
I’ve bookmarked the page for next week! You’ve inspired me to surprise my french partner with a traditional classic! (I’m sure he will thank you for it! 😉 )
I’m really looking forward to reading more of your delicious recipes! 🙂
Thanks Kylie, we’d love to hear more about your surprise!!!!
My family and friends are massive, massive potato fiends so this will be right up their alley. I bet I can even make it lactose-free by using almond milk in the sauce and lactose-free Cabot cheese. The consistency will be slightly different, but if it means I can eat it, win/win! – Jerusha, ThePositiveYear.com
Way to go Jerusha! I love that you’ve got it figured out and can adapt the recipe to meet your needs.
Cheesy potatoes , mm delicious, one of my favorite foods ever! mom used to make this for us all the time
Denisa recently posted…Spicy Potato Coconut Curry
Thanks for sharing your sweet memory with us Denisa. I’m on my way to check out your potato recipe that sounds so good!
That looks really yummy, I am going to try and make this myself. Great post.
http://mariesbeauties.co.uk
Awesome Marie, after you try them we’d love your feedback!
I love creamy potatoes and I love cheese! These cheesy au gratin potatoes look so good! I’m pinning this! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much Cole for reading and for pinning!!! We LOVE Pinterest.
It looks so delicious but right now I can’t eat this because of my diet and it makes me so sad 🙁 This weekend maybe
These are a family favorite, though I have never made them from home myself, I will sure have to now!!
This looks so good and like some major comfort food! I am trying to cut down on bread and carbs. Blogger question Do you use a certain program for your photos they look amazing.
Dia All The Things I Do recently posted…How to Ask For A Raise
Delicious. The photographs were so inviting. My comfort food is rice, curd and brown sugar. When ever I am down and out it works like magic
Oooh I love cheesy au gratin potatoes they are so delicious especially with a good veggie roast dinner.
Thanks for reading Ana!
Nothing is more scrumptious than cheesy potatoes. My family would go crazy for this.
Greatest, Bella, thanks!
To be honest, i have never tasted this. But it looks yummy! I only know how to cook less than 10 meals and when i get married, your site would be a great help on checking and getting how to’s on cooking.
Now that’s a great reason to get married Aika. We’ll be sending recipes and best wishes your way!
Yumm.. It looks so delicious!! I would love to try this recipe today!! Thanks for sharing!!
I am missing my mother’s cooking and these cheesy potatoes brings back so many memories
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Isn’t it amazing how many foods tie us to those we love? Enjoy those sweet memories Anosa.
I gotta stop reading these posts when I’m hungry lol. These looks sooo delicious, will have to pin for a future Sunday dinner.
-Desi
http://www.heelsnbeauty.deals/
Yes, these are perfect for a Sunday dinner!
I LOVE au gratin potatoes! I’ve only had the ones in the box, but think they are delicious so I know I’d love a recipe from scratch! I’ll have to try this recipe.
This dish looks amazing! I can tell that this will satisfy everyone! Would love to try this.
I sure hope you are able to try it and enjoy it Gecca.