Gluten Free Au Gratin Potatoes

This Gluten Free Au Gratin Potatoes recipe is the best side dish! It's baked in a Gruyere cheese sauce with garlic, onions, and Dijon.

Nothing says comfort food like a big helping of Au Gratin Potatoes. The same could be said of potatoes in any form, but there's something about the thinly sliced potatoes baked in a decadent cheese sauce that makes this dish extra special.

The holidays are quickly approaching and I always feel that potatoes are a quintessential part of any holiday dinner. Admittedly, I am partial to good old mashed potatoes and gravy, but it's always good to switch things up now and then.

Gluten Free Au Gratin Potatoes are the perfect side dish to a holiday dinner menu because they're hearty, feed a crowd, and they're downright delicious. This dish elevates the humble potato into a star.

These cheesy potatoes pair nicely with any type of holiday fare like roasted turkey, beef, or ham. Potatoes go great with a variety of sides, from corn to stuffing to greens.

If you're looking for a crowd pleaser, you can't go wrong with a big batch of these potatoes.

Jump to:

• What's The Difference Between Scalloped and Au Gratin Potatoes?
• Which Potatoes Are Best For Au Gratin?
• How To Thinly Slice Potatoes
• How To Make Au Gratin Potatoes From Scratch
• How To Make The Cheese Sauce
• How To Thicken Cheesy Potatoes
• How To Layer Cheesy Potatoes
• How Long Do Cheesy Potatoes Take To Bake?
• What To Serve With Gluten Free Au Gratin Potatoes?
• Can These Potatoes Be Made Ahead Of Time?
• Gluten Free Au Gratin Potatoes

What's The Difference Between Scalloped and Au Gratin Potatoes?

You may have heard the terms 'scalloped' and 'au gratin' potatoes used interchangeably, and the two dishes are very similar, but there are a few distinct differences.

Scalloped potatoes are sliced a bit thicker than those used in au gratin potatoes. They are also made baked in milk, cream, or a mixture of the two.

Au gratin potatoes are sliced thinly and also baked in a milk or cream mixture with the addition of cheese. The distinguishing factor in au gratin potatoes is that cheese is added to the dish, along with an optional topping of breadcrumbs.

The addition of the cheese makes au gratin potatoes even more decadent than scalloped potatoes. 'Au gratin' is a French term that means 'sprinkled with breadcrumbs or cheese and browned'.

Which Potatoes Are Best For Au Gratin?

I like to use Yellow Potatoes (sometimes labeled as 'Yukon Gold') when making this recipe. Yellow potatoes (or Yukon Gold) are widely available in most grocery stores.

They're medium-sized, thin-skinned, and taste slightly sweet and buttery, making them a great option for this recipe.

You can also use Russet potatoes or red potatoes. Russets are naturally starchy, which helps to create a creamy texture. Reds are waxier in texture, but the flavor is great. There really are no 'wrong' choices when choosing which potato to use.

Do I Need To Peel The Potatoes First?

I do not feel that it is necessary to peel the potatoes first, as they are sliced quite thinly and the skins tend to break down while baking. However, you can certainly peel the potatoes first if you prefer.

Be sure to wash and scrub the potatoes first to remove any dirt.

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How To Thinly Slice Potatoes

One of the key components of this dish is that the potatoes are sliced thinly and evenly. Slicing all of the potatoes to an even thickness will ensure that the whole dish bakes evenly and that you won't end up with any hard, chunky potatoes.

I find that the best way to achieve this is to use a madoline slicer. A mandoline slicer is a kitchen gadget with a sharp blade that chops vegetables evenly and can be adjusted to how thick you want them sliced.

If you do opt for a mandoline slicer, be sure to use the protective guard, so that you do not cut yourself. The blades of a mandoline slicer are VERY sharp and it's best to exercise caution.

If you don't have a mandoline, feel free to slice your potatoes with a sharp knife, or slice them using a food processor.

Ingredients For Au Gratin Potatoes

Here's what you'll need to make it:

• 3 lbs. Yukon Gold Potatoes (may sub Russets or red potatoes)
• 6 cloves Garlic
• 1 Onion (white or yellow)
• 1 Tbsp. Olive Oil
• 4 Tbsp. Unsalted Butter
• ¼ cup Gluten Free Flour Blend (or regular AP flour if not gluten free)
• 1 Tbsp. Dijon Mustard
• 1 ½ tsp. Kosher Salt
• ½ tsp. Pepper
• 1 12 oz. can Evaporated Milk (equals 1 ½ cups)
• ½ cup Heavy Whipping Cream (can sub ½ cup evaporated milk)
• 6 oz. Gruyere Cheese (or any variety of sharp melting cheese)
• ⅓ cup Fresh Chives (or herbs of choice) (optional)

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How To Make Au Gratin Potatoes From Scratch

It can be tempting to make dishes like this from a box or to take shortcuts, but it's entirely worth it to take the time to make recipes like this one from scratch.

1. To start, wash and scrub 3 lbs. of potatoes. Dry the potatoes and thinly slice them using a madoline, a sharp knife, or a food processor. Place the sliced potatoes in a large bowl.
2. Mince 6 cloves of garlic and 1 onion (yellow or white is best). You can also sub shallots if you prefer.
3. Pour 1 Tbsp. olive oil into the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Brush the oil evenly across the bottom and sides of the pan to coat it.

How To Make The Cheese Sauce

The thing that takes these potatoes from good to great is the creamy cheese sauce that's poured over the top and coats them as they bake.

The cheese sauce provides excellent texture and flavor to this dish. It gives this recipe a creamy, salty kick that keeps you coming back for more (and more).

1. Grate 6 oz. of Gruyere cheese (or any sharp-flavored melting cheese).
2. To make the cheese sauce, simply place a sauce pan on the stove top and heat it to medium-low. Add 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter to the pan and allow it to melt completely.
3. Add ¼ cup gluten free flour blend (or AP flour if not gluten free) to the butter and stir until completely combined with a whisk.
4. Cook the butter and flour mixture for a minute, and then slowly add 1 ½ cups of evaporated milk, stirring often to prevent it from sticking or burning.
5. Add ½ cup heavy whipping cream, stirring often.
6. Once the mixture is somewhat thick and creamy, add 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard, 1 ½ tsp. kosher salt, and ½ tsp. pepper to the pan. Stir until combined.
7. Remove the pan from the heat and add the grated cheese to the pan. Stir until combined.

How To Thicken Cheesy Potatoes

The great thing about this cheesy sauce is that it provides the potatoes with a thick, creamy base, giving them excellent texture.

The cheese sauce is layered throughout the dish, ensuring that the texture is thick and creamy and prevents them from becoming watery or oily.

A Few Things:

Here are a few modifications you can make to the cheese sauce to customize it to your liking.

• You can use any variety of sharp, melting cheese (or combo of cheeses) that you like. I love Gruyere because of its sharp, nutty flavor, but you can choose sharp cheddar, Parmesan or Pecorino Romano, Jarlsberg, Emmentaler, or Swiss cheese.
• It's best to choose a variety of cheese that melts quickly and will give your dish flavor (mild cheeses like mozzarella or Jack melt well, but lack in flavor).
• Feel free to omit the heavy whipping cream and sub another ½ cup of evaporated milk if you prefer.
• For a richer and even creamier cheese sauce, use whole milk in place of the evaporated milk.

How To Layer Cheesy Potatoes

The key to ultimate flavor and texture is to layer all of the ingredients, much like you would when making lasagna.

This helps to ensure that no part of the dish dries out and provides for the maximum cheesy comfort food factor.

1. Heat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Sprinkle half of the minced garlic and onions evenly across the bottom of the oiled baking pan.
3. Layer half of the sliced potatoes over the garlic and onions.
4. Pour half of the cheese sauce over the first layer of potatoes.
5. Sprinkle the other half of the garlic and onions over the cheese sauce.
6. Layer the remaining potatoes over the garlic and onions.
7. Top with the rest of the cheese sauce, spreading it evenly over the top.

How Long Do Cheesy Potatoes Take To Bake?

I like to cover these potatoes with foil for the first half of the baking process and then remove it, so that the top gets nice and brown.

The golden brown top makes the dish more visually appealing and those crispy browned parts make for the most flavorful bites.

1. Place a piece of foil tightly over the top of the baking dish and pop it in the oven for 40 minutes.
2. After 40 minutes, remove the foil and cook for an additional 25-30 minutes.
3. Once the potatoes are finished (you should be able to piece them easily with a knife), remove the pan from the oven and allow to cool for 10-15 minutes.
4. Mince ⅓ cup of fresh chives (or herbs of choice) and sprinkle over the top (this step is optional).

If you choose to top the potatoes with herbs and don't care for chives, you can use fresh parsley, tarragon, rosemary, or thyme in place of them (if using rosemary or thyme, reduce the amount to 1 Tbsp.).

What To Serve With Gluten Free Au Gratin Potatoes?

As I mentioned, these Gluten Free Au Gratin Potatoes make a great addition to any holiday table.

They're cheesy, salty, and slightly sweet. I love a potato dish served alongside ham, turkey, chicken, beef short ribs, or pot roast.

The rich flavors of these potatoes pair well with bitter greens like kale, collards, Swiss chard, or broccoli rabe.

You can't go wrong serving potatoes with grilled or roasted meat like steaks or pork chops.

For a lighter pairing, it can be served with a Balsamic Green Bean Salad, Pickled Beet Salad, Marinated Tomato Salad, or Minty Pea Salad.

If you're looking for more vegetable side dishes, I love these Garlic Roasted Green Beans, Sweet Spicy Brussels Sprouts, and Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower.

Love potatoes? Check out these recipes!

• Sheet Pan Pesto Cod and Potatoes
• Ranch Seasoned Red Potatoes
• Sheet Pan German Sausage and Potatoes
• Greek Chicken and Potatoes
• Mediterranean Chicken and Potatoes
• Curried Cauliflower Potato Soup
• Thai Inspired Potato Corn Chowder
• Ham and Potato Soup
• Crockpot Chicken Potato Soup
• Mediterranean Potato Salad
• Spanish Inpired Potato Salad

Can These Potatoes Be Made Ahead Of Time?

Yes!

The holidays are a busy time and it's nice to be able to prepare some dishes ahead of time.

• To make ahead, simply assemble to recipe as instructed, without baking. Cover the unbaked dish tightly with plastic wrap and keep it in the fridge for 1-2 days before baking
• To bake, remove the plastic wrap, cover in foil, and bake as directed. Add the fresh herbs (if using) right before serving.

How Long Do They Last In The Fridge?

Any leftovers should last 3-4 days stored in an airtight container in the fridge.

Feel free to add a bit of water to the potatoes if reheating in the oven or the microwave, so they do not dry out.

Can Gluten Free Au Gratin Potatoes Be Frozen?

I think it's best not to freeze dishes like this one, as the freezing process tends to alter the flavor and texture of the dairy.

Looking for more holiday side dishes? Check out these recipes!

• Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes
• Gluten Free Green Bean Casserole
• Garlic Herb Roasted Potatoes
• Roasted Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad
• Maple Dijon Brussels Sprouts
• Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes
• Wild Rice Fennel Stuffing
• Butternut Squash Feta Salad
• Maple Sesame Brussels Sprouts
• Savory Fennel Spinach Stuffing
• Harvest Wild Rice Salad

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