Imagine a dish so creamy, cheesy, and irresistible that it transforms an ordinary dinner into a culinary celebration. Our Easy Skillet Scalloped Potatoes au Gratin is not just a side dish – it's a flavor explosion that will have everyone at your table begging for seconds! With golden, crispy edges, a luxurious cream sauce, and melted cheddar cheese that stretches with every forkful, this recipe is about to become your new go-to comfort food that's surprisingly simple to prepare.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 large potatoes, thinly sliced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare your ingredients by washing and peeling the potatoes. Using a sharp knife or mandoline, slice potatoes into thin, uniform rounds approximately 1/8 inch thick to ensure even cooking.
- Place a large cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottomed oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Melt the butter and sauté the diced onions until they become translucent and slightly golden, about 3-4 minutes.
- Layer the potato slices in the skillet, overlapping them slightly in a circular pattern. Season each layer generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Pour the heavy cream evenly over the potato layers, ensuring all potatoes are slightly submerged. This will help create a creamy, tender texture.
- Cover the skillet and cook on medium-low heat for approximately 15-20 minutes, allowing potatoes to become tender. Gently press down on the potatoes occasionally to help them cook evenly.
- Preheat your oven's broiler to high. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese uniformly over the top of the potatoes, covering the entire surface.
- Transfer the skillet to the broiler and cook for 3-5 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning. The cheese should become golden brown and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let the dish rest for 5 minutes to allow the sauce to set and cool slightly. This helps the potatoes absorb the cream and cheese.
- Serve hot directly from the skillet, garnishing with fresh chopped chives or parsley if desired. Cut into wedges for easy serving.
Tips
- Use a mandoline slicer for perfectly uniform potato slices, ensuring even cooking and a professional presentation.
- Choose starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold for the best creamy texture.
- Low and slow is the key – cook the potatoes on medium-low heat to prevent burning and achieve tender, melt-in-your-mouth results.
- Don't skip letting the dish rest after cooking; this helps the sauce thicken and the flavors meld together.
- For extra flavor, experiment with different cheese blends like adding some Gruyère or Parmesan to the cheddar.
- Make sure your skillet is oven-safe before transferring it to the broiler.
- Watch the broiling process carefully to prevent the cheese from burning – golden and bubbly is what you're aiming for!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 531kcal
Carbohydrates: 41g
Protein: 13g
Fat: 37g
Saturated Fat: 23g
Cholesterol: 115mg
