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Potatoes au Gratin (Potatoes Dauphinoise)

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Potatoes au Gratin are the best!! This classic French potato side dish is also known as potatoes Dauphinoise. Thinly sliced potatoes layered with a creamy herb and garlic infused sauce, studded with rich and nutty Gruyère cheese; baked to golden, creamy, bubbly perfection! Oh and they are naturally gluten-free!

Making a special meal, simply craving creamy cheesy potatoes or looking for the perfect side for your holiday meal, this is a must save recipe! I think I originally got the recipe decades ago from Ina Garten potatoes au gratin, you know these will be delicious!

You might also love our other favorite holiday side dishes like Cheesy Potato Casserole, Best Stuffing Ever, Corn Pudding, Tender Tarragon Carrots or Roasted Balsamic Brussels Sprouts, or if you are in a hurry then you should try my Instant Pot Scalloped Potatoes!

Square Image of slice of potatoes au gratin, with layers of creamy, gruyere cheesy deliciousness.

What is a holiday meal without ham and potatoes, check out this post for how to cook spiral ham without drying it out.

Potatoes au Gratin vs Scalloped Potatoes

The primary difference between scalloped potatoes vs au gratin is that scalloped potatoes do not have cheese. Gratin, meaning cheese is a clear distinction in these amazing potatoes. And in this case, it means the King of cheese, gruyere cheese — delicious, nutty, melts beautifully.

Scalloped potatoes typically have flour in them in order to thicken them up, but not these potatoes, the thick cooked cream mixture along with the gruyere cheese does the job! And if you enjoy this recipe, you need to try my broccoli au gratin recipe.

Creamy potatoes au gratin or dauphinoise potatoes on a pretty fancy plate oozing with gruyere cheese in a herb infused creamy sauce.

Why you will love Dauphinoise Potatoes

  • Fresh herbs and garlic gently infused in cream and milk mixture
  • Earthy and nuttiness of Gruyère cheese, the perfect compliment to the rich ingredients
  • A traditional and classic French dish that will become your the favorite holiday side dish.

Ingredients for Gluten-Free au Gratin Potatoes

Listed below are the primary ingredients, this is not a fussy dish, quality ingredients are important – the full recipe is at the end of the post.

Potatoes au gratin ingredients shot, L-R heavy cream, whole milk, fresh thyme, fresh rosemary, fresh garlic and sliced potatoes.
  • Heavy Cream | Use the real, good stuff here, it’s the holidays and they deserve all the richness heavy cream brings.
  • Whole Milk | The same goes for the milk, but if all you have is a lower fat percentage, then by all means use it! It just won’t be quite as creamy, thick and rich.
  • Herbs | We will infuse the milk and cream with fresh herbs, garlic cloves, rosemary and thyme are the best. Fresh is best, but I have used 1 teaspoon of each in dried form in a pinch)
  • Russet Potatoes | I think russets work and hold up the best, but I have also used Yukon gold, peel these potatoes unless you want a really rustic look.
  • Gruyere Cheese | Use a quality gruyere cheese and grate it yourself, to avoid having the extra caking agents that are often in pre-grated cheeses.
  • Butter | Just a touch, to finish off the dish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I substitute dry herbs for fresh herbs in potatoes daupinoise?

Sometimes we just cannot get our hands on fresh herbs! I have been asked is it okay to substitute dried herbs for fresh herbs and the answer is YES!
HERB SUBSTITUTION RULE | Use ⅓ the amount of fresh in the recipe.
For instance: Instead of a tablespoon (3 teaspoons) of fresh rosemary, you would add 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary & thyme, etc.

What does Dauphinoise mean?

A potato dish cooked in a cream, milk and cheese mixture. Named

Why is it called a “gratin”?

While many people believe that the word gratin means “cheese”, the word gratin is actually derived from the French word grater or gratter, meaning “to grate”. One would assume that gratin then refers to grated cheese, however often times it also meant breadcrumbs and or cheese that is browned and crisped. (Source)

Print this FREE Ingredient Substitution Chart
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How to Make Potato au Gratin

  • Grease a 9x13x2 inch casserole dish (glass or ceramic preferred) with 1 tablespoon butter, set aside. I smoosh the butter in the dish using a paper towel to get it all over.
  • Bring milk, cream, garlic, rosemary, thyme, sea salt and pepper to a low simmer. Cook on low for 30 minutes.
Process shots for gratin potatoes 1. hand with garlic cloves placing into cream mixture with fresh rosemary. 2. Straining garlic and herbs out of cream mixture. 3. mandolin slicing potatoes thin, 4. layering the cream mixture with cheese and potatoes.
  • Strain out herbs and garlic into a bowl, discarding the herbs and garlic. Reserve infused cream mixture. 
  • While cream mixture simmers, peel potatoes (my favorite peeler!) slice the potatoes 1/8 inch thick — if you’ve never used a mandolin slicer give it a try, your slices will be even and uniform and done lickity-split!
  • Place sliced potatoes in a bowl of cold water until ready to assemble, then drain and pat dry, if a short period of time you can forgo this step, if longer, they will brown quickly.
Process shots for Gratin potatoes 5. Adding a few slices of butter to potatoes. 6. ready for the oven. 7. post baking a golden brown. 8. a slice of layered, creamy gratin potatoes.

Step-by-Step Gluten-Free au Gratin Potatoes

  1. Arrange potatoes in rows, overlapping slightly; seasoning each layer with sea salt and pepper. 
  2. Sprinkle a handful of Gruyere cheese over potatoes and pour 1/2 cup cream mixture over the potatoes.
  3. Repeat steps twice, finish by pouring remaining cream mixture over the top.
  4. Dot with 1 tablespoon butter; cover with foil and bake.
  5. Bake in preheated 375°F oven for 45 minutes; then remove foil and continue baking, uncovered for an additional 45 minutes, until golden brown and bubbly and potatoes are fork tender (insert fork into potatoes, they should yield to gentle pressure.)

A few tools I recommend for making these potatoes Dauphinoise even easier!

  • Pan | You want a 9×13 ” pan, I love the Staub casserole as they clean up beautifully!
  • Mandolin Slicer | These really make it so simple to slice paper thin potato slices, you can with a bigger one or this simple hand held.
  • Strainer | After you have infuse the cream mixture with herbs and garlic, you’ll need to strain it all out.
Layered Potatoes au gratin ready for oven.

Can I make Potatoes Dauphinoise ahead of time?

Yes, please make these au gratin potatoes ahead and save yourself some precious time on your holiday.

  • Bake gluten free au gratin potatoes a total of 60 minutes undercooking potatoes slightly, they should be a light brown instead of a deep golden brown.
  • Once cooled, cover with a sheet of wax paper pressed into the potatoes (protect against freezer burn), then cover with foil, sealing baking dish well.
  • If serving within 24-48 hours, refrigerate until ready to reheat. Or freeze up to 2 weeks.
  • For best texture and flavor, thaw in refrigerator overnight or bake from frozen (might require a bit more time).

Reheating

  • Place potatoes Dauphinoise in preheated 375°F oven (remove wax paper), covered for about 30-40 minutes, removing foil last 10 minutes to brown. Should be bubbly around edges and warmed in center with a deep golden brown hue.
  • To determine if warmed through, stick butter knife in middle of gratin holding for about 30 seconds. Remove knife, if warm or hot to touch, they are warmed through, if cool to touch, return to oven in 15 minute increments, covering with foil if browning too quickly. 
Image of baked golden brown casserole of potatoes gratin gruyere in white ceramic baking dish.

Are Potatoes Dauphinoise Gluten-Free?

Yes, without any changes! Unless you are using pre-shredded cheese (watch those ingredients), this is a completely vegetarian and gluten free holiday side dish.

More Great Holiday Recipes

Long pin for potatoes au gratin or dauphinoise potatoes, with top image of slice of golden, bubbly cheesy gratin potatoes, bottom image of casserole dish filled with cheesy potatoes.

Did you love these potatoes Dauphinoise or potatoes au gratin? Comment below the recipe!

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Square Image of slice of potatoes au gratin, with layers of creamy, gruyere cheesy deliciousness.

Potatoes au Gratin (Potatoes Dauphinoise)

Author: Kathleen Pope
4.55 from 75 votes
Potatoes au Gratin are the best!! This classic French potato side dish is also known as potatoes Dauphinoise. Thinly sliced potatoes layered with a creamy herb and garlic infused sauce, studded with rich and nutty Gruyère cheese; baked to golden, creamy, bubbly perfection! Oh and they are naturally gluten-free!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine French, American
Servings 10 -12 servings
Calories 321 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup milk, I use whole milk
  • 7 cloves garlic, crushed (or scant teaspoon garlic powder)
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, or 1 teaspoon dried
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme, or 1 teaspoon dried
  • 1/2 – 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 – 1 teaspoon white pepper
  • 6 russet potatoes, about 3 lbs peeled
  • 2 tablespoons butter, divided
  • 6 oz Gruyere cheese or similar, grated

Instructions
 

Prepping Potato Gratin

  • Grease a 9x13x2 inch casserole dish (glass or ceramic preferred) with 1 tablespoon butter, set aside. I smoosh the butter in the dish using a paper towel to schmear evenly.
  • Bring milk, cream, garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt and pepper to a low simmer. Cooking on low for 30 minutes. Strain out herbs and garlic into a bowl, discarding the herbs and garlic. Reserve infused cream mixture. 
  • While your cream mixture simmers, slice the potatoes 1/8 inch thick — if you’ve never used a mandolin slicer give it a try, your slices will be even and uniform and be done lickity-split! Place sliced potatoes in a bowl of cold water until ready to assemble, then drain and pat dry.

Assembling & Baking Potato Gratin

  • Arrange potatoes in rows, overlapping slightly; seasoning each layer with sea salt and pepper. Sprinkle a handful of Gruyere cheese over potatoes and pour 1/2 cup cream mixture over the potatoes. Repeat steps twice, finish by pouring on an remaining cream mixture. Dot with 1 tablespoon butter; cover with foil and bake.
  • Bake in preheated 375°F oven for 45 minutes; then remove foil and continue baking, uncovered for an additional 45 minutes, until golden brown and bubbly and potatoes are fork tender (insert fork into potatoes, they should yield to gentle pressure).

Video

✱ Kathleen’s Tips

Tips for Making Ahead
  1. Bake gratin for a total of about 60 minutes undercooking potatoes slightly, remove from oven and cool quickly by placing in refrigerator (be careful and place a hot pad or trivet on your fridge shelf. Remove them when they have a light brown color instead of a deep golden brown hue.
  2. Once cooled, cover with a sheet of wax paper pressed into the potatoes (protect against freezer burn), then cover with foil and seal baking dish well.
  3. If serving within 24-48 hours, refrigerate until ready to reheat. Or freeze up to 2 weeks for best texture and flavor, thaw in refrigerator overnight or bake from frozen (might require a bit more time).
  4. Place in preheated 375°F oven (remove wax paper), covered for about 30-40 minutes, removing foil last 10 minutes to brown. Should be bubbly around edges and warmed in center with a deep golden brown hue.
  5. To determine if warmed through, stick butter knife in middle of gratin holding for about 30 seconds. Remove knife, if warm or hot to touch, they are warmed through, if cool to touch, return to oven in 15 minute increments, covering with foil if browning too quickly. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving Calories: 321 kcal Carbohydrates: 22 g Protein: 9 g Fat: 22 g Saturated Fat: 14 g Polyunsaturated Fat: 7 g Trans Fat: 1 g Cholesterol: 69 mg Sodium: 335 mg Fiber: 2 g Sugar: 3 g

Nutrition Disclaimer

The Fresh Cooky is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Kathleen Pope, The Fresh Cooky.

About Kathleen Pope

Recipe Innovator | Food Photographer | Food Writer

Hi, I’m Kathleen Pope. Here at The Fresh Cooky you will find easy, mostly from-scratch, trusted recipes for all occasions. From speedy dinners to tasty desserts, with easy step-by-step instructions. I am here to help teach you how to make mouthwatering recipes without spending hours in the kitchen. Read more about Kathleen here.

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33 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I made this recipe for our Easter family gathering! It was amazing. So flavorful and creamy…it didn’t last long!! This is our new go to potato dish for the holidays! You must make this!!!!

  2. I saw your instructions for baking it ahead of time and refrigerating. But do you think I could just assemble them and put in the fridge and then bake the next day?

    1. Hi Heather, I have never done that. Potatoes tend to turn funny colors when they’re exposed to the air but I would say if you make sure they’re well in the cream sauce and press some plastic wrap on top of it. It should be fine. Just make sure you bring it out about 30 minutes before you’re going to bake it so the shock to the casserole dish doesn’t break when it hits the heat of the oven. Let me know how it turns out!

  3. Maybe I’m being dumb. Use 1/2 of the cream mixture and then repeat for 2 more layers? So use none on the second layer and only cheese and the rest on the top OR split the remaining 1/2?

  4. This recipe looks amazing, but I have a quick question. I’m making scalloped potatoes to go with our prime rib on Christmas, but the night before we are having fondue with gruyere. Do you think a different cheese would be good in this recipe, or have you tried another? I feel like it might be too much gruyere for one weekend…but is there such a thing?

  5. I have not tried this recipe, but it sounds amazing! I was wondering if I can make the infused cream, and thicken it with corn starch (as it is gluten free), then assemble the casserole?

  6. I made a similar recipe recently but this looks much better. The other had no flour in it either and my potatoes were still floating in the cream mixture. How do you get it to thicken without the addition of flour.?

    1. Hi Rhonda, this is an amazing recipe, I believe it’s a combination of simmering down the milk, cream mixture, using a starchier potato such as russets along with the cheese that helps it bubble and thicken. Sometimes if I do not put in quite enough potatoes mine will be “swimming” in the cream mixture a bit more too, but not typically, plus as it sits it firms up well! Hope that helps!

  7. So excited to make these for our Easter dinner! My mouth is watering already.
    If fresh rosemary and thyme are not available what would you recommend for plan B?

    1. Great question, Joanne! Generally speaking you swap ⅓ dried herbs for fresh. If a recipe calls for 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary or thyme, then add 1 teaspoon dried rosemary/thyme. And I have made it with dried herbs, I will update my recipe! Happy Easter!

  8. 5 stars
    We tried these potatoes and they are amazing! The way you infused the herbs made such a big difference and the cheese was definitely the hero in this dish. This is my new go-to for potato gratin!