Perfect Potatoes Au Gratin: Your Go-To Recipe for a Creamy, Cheesy Thanksgiving Side

Thanksgiving is a time for gathering, gratitude, and, undeniably, a feast! As the holiday season approaches, the excitement builds, but so does the pressure of planning that perfect, unforgettable meal. It feels like just yesterday we were carving pumpkins, and now, in what seems like the blink of an eye, the aroma of roasting turkey and savory side dishes is almost upon us. This year, simplify your holiday planning without sacrificing flavor by adding this incredible Homemade Cheesy Potatoes Au Gratin to your menu.

For many, Thanksgiving conjures images of endless dishes, carefully prepared from cherished family recipes. While the main turkey often takes center stage, it’s the array of delectable side dishes that truly complete the meal, making it an experience to remember. Sometimes, preparing an entire holiday spread can feel like a monumental task, especially if you’re shouldering the responsibility alone. The sheer volume of options, from classic casseroles to innovative new creations, can be overwhelming. If you find yourself nodding along, rest assured, you’re not alone, and we’re here to help make your Thanksgiving meal a resounding success.

To ease your holiday culinary journey, I’ve teamed up with a wonderful group of fellow food bloggers to curate a comprehensive Thanksgiving menu. Below, you’ll discover a collection of over 25 amazing Thanksgiving recipes, covering everything from the star turkey dish to delightful pies and desserts. This blog hop is designed to provide you with a diverse range of options, ensuring every palate at your table is pleased and your planning process is as stress-free as possible.

My special contribution to this grand Thanksgiving menu focuses on a humble yet essential component: the potatoes. Often relegated to a supporting role, potatoes can, and should, shine brightly among your holiday offerings. Forget bland, uninspired potato dishes. This Potatoes Au Gratin recipe elevates the classic side to new heights, making it a truly unforgettable part of your feast. It boasts a richness and depth of flavor that will have your guests asking for the recipe. This isn’t just a side; it’s a statement.

What makes this Cheesy Potatoes Au Gratin stand out? It’s all in the details. We start with a luscious, homemade creamy cheese sauce, crafted from scratch to ensure maximum flavor and a silky-smooth texture. This exquisite sauce is generously drizzled over layers of perfectly thinly sliced russet potatoes. But the magic doesn’t stop there. Nestled in the middle of these tender potato layers, you’ll find a savory layer of thinly sliced yellow onions, adding a delicate sweetness and aromatic depth that complements the creamy potatoes and sharp cheddar cheese beautifully. This harmonious combination creates a side dish that’s rich, comforting, and undeniably delicious, perfect not just for Thanksgiving but for any special occasion or even a comforting weeknight meal.

Preparing homemade Potatoes Au Gratin is a culinary delight that promises to impress. The process begins with selecting the right potatoes. Russet potatoes are ideal here, as their starchy texture softens beautifully during baking, absorbing the creamy cheese sauce to become incredibly tender. Thin, uniform slices are key to ensuring even cooking and a beautiful presentation. A mandoline slicer can make this task quick and easy, but a sharp knife and a steady hand work just as well. The thinner the slices, the more surface area for that magnificent cheese sauce to cling to, creating layers of flavor in every bite.

The star of this dish, the homemade cheese sauce, is surprisingly simple to make. It starts with a classic roux – butter and flour cooked together – which forms the base for a thick, velvety sauce. Milk is gradually whisked in, creating a béchamel, which then transforms into a rich Mornay sauce with the addition of shredded cheddar cheese. The quality of your cheese truly makes a difference, so opt for a good sharp cheddar that melts smoothly and delivers a robust, savory kick. Seasoning the sauce appropriately with salt and a touch of pepper is crucial to bringing out its full flavor.

Layering the ingredients correctly ensures that every spoonful is a perfect balance of potato, onion, and cheese sauce. Start with a layer of potatoes, followed by the aromatic onions, and then the remaining potatoes. This creates a wonderful texture contrast and ensures the onion flavor permeates throughout the dish. Once assembled, the dish is covered with foil to allow the potatoes to steam and cook through, becoming wonderfully tender before the foil is removed for the final bake, allowing the top to brown and bubble, creating that irresistible golden crust that is the hallmark of any great au gratin.

This dish is more than just a side; it’s a testament to the comforting power of classic recipes. Its creamy texture and rich, cheesy flavor make it a perennial favorite that appeals to both adults and children. Whether it’s sharing the spotlight on your Thanksgiving table or serving as a hearty accompaniment to a simple roast chicken on a chilly evening, these potatoes au gratin are guaranteed to be a hit. They embody the warmth and generosity of home cooking, making any meal feel special.

Homemade Cheesy Potatoes Au Gratin

5 from 2 votes

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Course: Side Dish

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Servings: 4 -6 servings

Author: Jenn

Ingredients

▢ 4 russet potatoes peeled and sliced in 1/4 inch slices
▢ 1 yellow onion sliced into thin rings
▢ 3 Tbsp. butter
▢ 3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
▢ 2 cups milk
▢ 1/2 tsp. salt
▢ 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
▢ salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400º F. Spray a 1.5 quart casserole dish with cooking spray.
Layer 1/2 of the peeled and sliced potatoes into the bottom of the prepared casserole dish. Top potato layer with the onion slices, and then add the remaining potatoes onto the top. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Melt butter over medium heat in a medium-sized saucepan. Mix in the flour and salt, and stir constantly with a whisk for one minute. Stir in milk. Whisk and cook until mixture has thickened.
Stir in cheese all at once, and continue stirring until melted, about 30 to 60 seconds. Taste and season accordingly.
Pour cheese sauce over the potatoes, and cover the dish with aluminum foil.
Bake 1 1/2 hours in the preheated oven. When finished, potatoes should be bubbly and hot.
Remove foil and dish onto plates and enjoy!

Notes

recipe adapted from Allrecipes

Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @JenNikolaus or tag #YummyHealthyEasy!

While this Potatoes Au Gratin recipe is a star in its own right, no Thanksgiving meal is complete without a variety of dishes working in harmony. The beauty of our collaborative blog hop is that it offers a diverse palette of flavors and textures to craft a truly memorable holiday spread. From the savory centerpieces to delightful desserts, we’ve thought of everything to inspire your culinary creations this season.

Explore the Full Thanksgiving Menu Curated by My Blogger Friends:

Discover inspiring recipes across various categories, ensuring your holiday table is abundant and delicious. Click through to find detailed recipes and elevate your Thanksgiving celebration!

Main Dishes

Vegetables

Cauliflower Gratin | Love Grows Wild
Creamy Cheese Corn Casserole | Five Heart Home
Cranberry Citrus Salad with Goat Cheese and Pecans | Delightful E Made
Sautéed French Green Beans | Cherished Bliss

Potatoes

Potatoes Au Gratin | Yummy Healthy Eats
Mashed Sweet Potatoes | Live Laugh Rowe
Honey-Cinnamon Roasted Sweet Potatoes | Cooking with Ruthie
Cheesy Garlic & Herb Mashed Potatoes | Cherished Bliss

Sides & Breads

Harvest Grain Rolls | Heather’s French Press
Jello Salad | Your Homebased Mom
Herb and Cheese Monkey Bread | Five Heart Home
Brown Rice | Uncommon Designs

Pies

Desserts

We hope this comprehensive Thanksgiving menu helps you plan a truly magnificent and delicious holiday meal. May your table be filled with laughter, love, and plenty of incredible food, starting with these irresistible Homemade Cheesy Potatoes Au Gratin!