Imagine a dish so irresistibly creamy, so perfectly cheesy, that it transforms an ordinary dinner into a culinary masterpiece. Our Crock Pot Au Gratin Potatoes are not just a side dish—they're a comfort food revolution that will have your family begging for seconds! With minimal prep and maximum flavor, this American classic turns simple ingredients into a mouthwatering experience that'll make you the kitchen hero of your household.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 4 hrs
Total Time: 4 hrs 15 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 2 pounds potatoes, thinly sliced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the potatoes by washing thoroughly and using a mandoline or sharp knife to slice them uniformly thin, approximately 1/8 inch thick. Aim for consistent slice thickness to ensure even cooking.
- Grease the interior of the crock pot generously with butter or non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking and ease of serving.
- Finely chop the onions into small, uniform pieces to distribute flavor evenly throughout the dish.
- Layer the sliced potatoes in the crock pot, slightly overlapping each slice. After each layer, sprinkle a portion of chopped onions, shredded cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper.
- Continue layering potatoes, cheese, onions, and seasonings until all ingredients are used, creating multiple even layers.
- Pour the heavy cream slowly and evenly over the layered potatoes, ensuring the liquid penetrates through all layers.
- Dot the top layer with small butter pieces to enhance richness and promote golden browning.
- Cover the crock pot and set to low heat. Cook for 4 hours, allowing potatoes to become tender and cheese to melt completely.
- Check potatoes for doneness by piercing with a fork. They should be soft and easily pierced without resistance.
- Let the dish rest for 10-15 minutes after cooking to allow sauce to thicken and flavors to meld together.
- Serve hot, garnishing with additional fresh chopped chives or parsley if desired.
Tips
- • Use a mandoline slicer for uniform potato slices to ensure even cooking and a professional presentation. • Choose starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold for the creamiest texture. • Layer ingredients carefully, making sure each potato slice gets coated with cheese and cream. • Don't rush the cooking process—slow cooking is key to developing rich, deep flavors. • For a golden top, consider using a kitchen torch or broiler for a few minutes after slow cooking. • Let the dish rest after cooking to allow the sauce to thicken and flavors to fully develop. • For extra richness, you can mix different types of cheese like cheddar and gruyère. • If the sauce seems too thin, leave the lid off for the last 30 minutes of cooking to help it reduce.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 10g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 14g
Cholesterol: 70mg
