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Crispy Potato Gratin Recipe

Crispy Potato Gratin Recipe

Thin potato slices bake in a creamy garlic-thyme sauce with a golden, crackly cheese crust. Comforting, elegant, and irresistibly crisp.
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Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients
 

Main Ingredients

  • 3 lb russet potatoes, thinly sliced about 1/8-inch thick
  • 2 cup heavy cream
  • 0.75 cup whole milk
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted divided
  • 2 tsp minced garlic
  • 0.25 cup shallot, finely minced
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves or 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1.5 tsp kosher salt plus more to taste
  • 0.75 tsp black pepper freshly ground
  • 0.25 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 2 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded
  • 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
  • 0.33 cup panko breadcrumbs optional, for extra crunch

Instructions

Preparation Steps

  • Heat oven to 375°F. Melt the butter; brush about 1 tbsp into a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  • Warm cream, milk, garlic, shallot, thyme, salt, pepper, and nutmeg in a saucepan over medium heat. Simmer gently 3–4 minutes; do not boil.
  • Slice potatoes 1/8-inch thick with a mandoline if possible. Pat dry to remove excess moisture.
  • Shingle half the potatoes in the dish. Stir the hot cream mixture and ladle about half over the potatoes.
  • Sprinkle half the Gruyère and a little Parmesan over the first layer.
  • Repeat with remaining potatoes, cream mixture, and cheeses to form a second layer.
  • For a crunchy top, toss breadcrumbs with 1 tbsp melted butter and scatter over the surface. Drizzle remaining 1 tbsp butter over the top (skip if using all the butter for greasing and crumbs).
  • Cover tightly with foil and bake 40 minutes.
  • Uncover and bake 25–30 minutes until potatoes are tender and the top is deeply golden and crisp.
  • Rest 10–15 minutes to set. Broil 1–2 minutes if you want extra color. Slice and serve warm.

Notes

Swap Gruyère with sharp cheddar or Comté, or fold in crisp bacon bits for a smoky twist. Make ahead: Bake covered for 40 minutes, cool, then chill up to 24 hours. Reheat covered at 350°F until hot, uncover to re-crisp 10 minutes.
This recipe is an original creation inspired by classic Crispy Potato Gratin Recipe flavors. All ingredient ratios and instructions are independently developed.