Quick & Creamy Cheesy Potato Bake Recipe Everyone Will Love

Creamy cheesy potato bake enhances ordinary spuds into a mouthwatering culinary masterpiece that’ll make dinner guests swoon.

Potatoes become luxurious comfort food when layered with rich, velvety cheese and a silky smooth sauce.

Each forkful promises a delightful blend of textures and flavors that dance across your palate.

Hearty ingredients combine to create a side dish that feels like a warm embrace on a chilly evening.

This recipe balances simplicity with gourmet appeal, turning basic ingredients into something truly spectacular.

Crispy edges, melted cheese, and tender potatoes promise a satisfying experience that elevates any meal from mundane to magnificent.

Prepare to fall in love with a dish that celebrates pure, unapologetic deliciousness.

How to Make Creamy Cheesy Potato Bake

Step 1: Prepare the Creamy Sauce

• Salt
• Thyme
• Pepper

Set the sauce aside.

Step 2: Slice and Layer Potatoes

• Spreading 1/3 of the sliced potatoes
• Sprinkling salt
• Pouring 1/3 of the cream sauce
• Scattering of
• Cheddar cheese
• Gruyere cheese

Step 3: Build Additional Layers

Repeat the layering process two more times, using remaining potatoes, salt, and cream sauce. Ensure the final layer is covered with sauce. Save the remaining cheese for topping.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Cover the dish with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil, sprinkle reserved cheese on top, and bake for 20-30 minutes until golden and bubbly. For an extra crispy top, broil for 2-3 minutes. Let the dish rest for 15 minutes before serving.

Top Tips for Creamy Cheesy Potato Bake

• Choose the Right Potatoes: Select starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold for a creamy, tender texture that absorbs the sauce perfectly.
• Slice Consistently: Use a mandoline slicer to ensure even potato thickness, which guarantees uniform cooking and a professional-looking dish.
• Layer Carefully: Create even layers of potatoes and sauce to distribute flavors and ensure each bite is equally delicious and creamy.
• Control Cheese Melting: Sprinkle cheese in layers and save some for the final topping to create a golden, crispy cheese crust.
• Rest Before Serving: Allow the potato bake to rest for 15 minutes after baking, letting the sauce set and making it easier to slice and serve without falling apart.

Storing and Reheating Creamy Cheesy Potato Bake

• Refrigeration: Transfer cooled potato bake to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or lid to prevent moisture loss and absorbing other food odors.
• Reheating: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating. For best texture, reheat in the oven at 350°F covered with foil for 15-20 minutes, which helps maintain the creamy consistency and prevent drying out.
• Freezing: Wrap the bake securely in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to preserve the dish's original flavor and creamy texture.

Pairing Creamy Cheesy Potato Bake with Meats

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: A chardonnay or sauvignon blanc cuts through the richness of the creamy potato bake, balancing the heavy cheese and sauce with its bright, acidic notes.
• Serve with Herb-Roasted Chicken: The tender, seasoned chicken complements the potato bake's creamy texture, creating a hearty and satisfying meal that brings out the thyme and cheese flavors.
• Add Fresh Green Salad: A light, tangy salad with mixed greens, lemon vinaigrette, and fresh herbs provides a refreshing contrast to the rich, cheesy potato dish, cleansing the palate between bites.
• Match with Crisp Pilsner Beer: The light, hoppy beer helps cut through the creamy sauce and provides a refreshing counterpoint to the heavy potato and cheese combination.

Creamy Cheesy Potato Bake Variations You’ll Love

• Spicy Southwest Fusion: Replace thyme with chili powder, add diced green chilies, and swap half the cheese with pepper jack for a zesty kick.
• Herb Garden Potato Gratin: Mix fresh rosemary, parsley, and sage into the sauce, use a blend of goat cheese and parmesan for a more earthy flavor profile.
• Bacon and Loaded Potato Casserole: Crisp up bacon pieces and sprinkle between layers, top with chopped green onions and sour cream after baking for a classic loaded potato experience.
• Vegetarian Mediterranean Style: Substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth, add roasted red peppers, kalamata olives, and use feta cheese instead of cheddar for a Mediterranean-inspired version.

Creamy Cheesy Potato Bake: A Comforting Side Dish

• Savor Luxurious Creamy Layers: Each bite delivers a velvety smooth combination of rich half-and-half sauce coating perfectly sliced potatoes, creating an indulgent texture that melts in your mouth.
• Master Effortless Gourmet Technique: The recipe uses simple cooking methods like layering and gradual sauce building, making it accessible for home cooks while producing restaurant-quality results with minimal professional skills.
• Create Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food: Combining classic ingredients like cheddar and gruyere cheeses with tender potatoes ensures a universally loved dish perfect for family dinners, potlucks, and holiday gatherings that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Ingredients for Creamy Cheesy Potato Bake

• Half-and-Half: Rich and creamy base for the sauce that adds luxurious texture.
• Butter: Creates a smooth foundation for the sauce and adds rich flavor.
• Cheddar Cheese, Gruyere Cheese: Sharp and nutty cheeses that provide melty, golden topping with deep flavor.

• Potatoes: Starchy base that absorbs sauce and creates hearty texture.
• Onions: Sweet base that provides depth and background flavor to the sauce.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that adds intense, pungent notes to the dish.

• Chicken Broth: Flavorful liquid that helps create smooth, rich sauce.
• All-Purpose Flour: Thickening agent that helps sauce become creamy and stable.
• Thyme: Earthy herb that adds subtle, fresh herbal notes to the dish.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that enhances overall flavor profile.
• Black Pepper: Provides gentle heat and complexity to the sauce.

Creamy Cheesy Potato Bake Recipe

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4.8 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Creamy Cheesy Potato Bake delivers comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen with layers of tender potatoes smothered in rich, golden cheese sauce. Rich flavors meld perfectly, inviting you to savor each hearty, indulgent spoonful of this irresistible side dish.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, thinly sliced
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 cups shredded gruyere cheese

Dairy and Liquid Ingredients:

• ¼ cup butter
• 2 cups half-and-half, or whole milk
• 1 cup chicken broth, or vegetable broth

Seasoning and Additional Ingredients:

• 1 cup onions, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ cup flour, or 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to season the potatoes
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

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Instructions

1. Create a velvety base by melting butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat (375°F/190°C). Sauté diced onions until translucent and softened, approximately 4 minutes.
2. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 60 seconds, releasing its aromatic essence.
3. Sprinkle all-purpose flour over the onion and garlic mixture, stirring continuously for 1-2 minutes to eliminate raw flour taste and create a roux.
4. Gradually whisk in chicken broth, ensuring smooth integration without lumps. Reduce heat to medium-low (300°F/150°C).
5. Slowly pour half-and-half (or 50% whole milk and 50% heavy cream), stirring consistently until the mixture reaches a gentle simmer.
6. Season the cream sauce with kosher salt, dried thyme, and freshly ground black pepper. Remove from heat and set aside.
7. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9 x 13 inches (23 x 33 centimeters) casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray.
8. Using a mandoline or sharp knife, slice potatoes uniformly thin, approximately 1/8 inch (3 millimeters) thick.
9. Construct the first layer by arranging one-third of potato slices across the bottom of the dish, ensuring minimal overlapping.
10. Sprinkle a light layer of salt over potatoes, then generously distribute one-third of the prepared cream sauce.
11. Scatter each of shredded cheddar and gruyere cheese over the sauce.
12. Repeat layering process two more times, using remaining potatoes, sauce, and reserving final cheese portion for topping.
13. Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes.
14. Remove foil, distribute remaining cheese evenly across the surface, and continue baking for 20-30 minutes until potatoes become tender and top turns golden brown.
15. Optional: Activate broiler for 2-3 minutes to achieve a crispy, caramelized cheese crust.
16. Allow the potato bake to rest for 15 minutes before serving, enabling sauce to set and flavors to meld.

Notes

• Slice potatoes uniformly using a mandoline for even cooking and professional-looking layers.
• Create a silky sauce by gradually whisking half-and-half to prevent curdling and ensure smooth texture.
• Layer ingredients strategically: potatoes, salt, sauce, and cheese to distribute flavors evenly throughout the dish.
• Cover with foil initially to steam potatoes and prevent excessive browning before final cheese topping.
• Resting the casserole allows sauce to set and makes serving easier without falling apart.
• Choose high-quality cheeses like sharp cheddar and gruyere for rich, complex flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 65 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 410 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 520 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 26 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg