Crispy Parmesan And Gruyere Potato Gratin Recipe

The Ultimate Crispy Parmesan And Gruyere Potato Gratin Recipe

Potato gratins represent the ultimate comfort food for cheese lovers seeking rich, indulgent side dishes.

This luxurious recipe crafts humble potatoes into a sophisticated culinary experience that elevates any meal.

Layers of thinly sliced potatoes meld seamlessly with robust cheeses, creating a golden-brown masterpiece with irresistible textures.

Sharp parmesan and nutty gruyere combine to produce an exceptional depth of flavor that dances across your palate.

Creamy interiors contrast beautifully with a crisp, caramelized exterior, promising a sensory journey through every delectable bite.

Elegant yet surprisingly simple, this gratin speaks to home cooks craving restaurant-quality dishes without complex techniques.

The magic happens when high-quality ingredients meet careful preparation, crafting ordinary potatoes into an extraordinary accompaniment.

Tips to Elevate Your Crispy Parmesan and Gruyere Potato Gratin

  • Slice Precisely: Use a sharp mandoline to create uniform 1/8-inch potato slices, ensuring even cooking and perfect layering.
  • Infuse Deeply: Let the garlic simmer in cream slowly to extract maximum flavor before pouring over potatoes.
  • Layer Strategically: Arrange potato slices in a tight spiral pattern to create beautiful presentation and ensure consistent texture.
  • Control Browning: Watch closely during broiling to achieve golden, crispy cheese without burning the top.
  • Rest Before Serving: Allow the gratin to sit for 5-10 minutes after baking, which helps the layers set and makes cutting easier.

How to Store and Reheat Crispy Parmesan and Gruyere Potato Gratin

  • Storing Leftovers
  • Refrigerate the potato gratin in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to a sealed container to prevent moisture loss and maintain flavor. Keep the gratin in the coldest part of your refrigerator.
  • Reheating Method
  • Restore the crispy texture by warming the gratin in a preheated oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes. Covering the dish with foil prevents excessive browning while helping the potatoes heat evenly. For best results, avoid using the microwave, which can make the gratin soggy and compromise its delicious crispy edges.
  • Freezing Option
  • Freeze individual portions wrapped securely in freezer-safe containers for up to 1 month.

Why You’ll Crave Crispy Parmesan and Gruyere Potato Gratin Again

  • Elevate Comfort Food: This potato gratin transforms a classic side dish into a luxurious, restaurant-worthy experience with its elegant spiral design and rich, creamy texture.
  • Cheese Lover's Dream: The combination of nutty Gruyere and sharp Parmesan creates a crispy, golden-brown crust that delivers an irresistible melted cheese experience with maximum flavor impact.
  • Foolproof Cooking Method: The slow-bake technique and simple layering process make this recipe incredibly easy to execute, ensuring perfectly cooked, tender potatoes with minimal kitchen skills required.
  • Impressive Presentation: The beautiful spiral arrangement and bubbling cheese topping make this dish a showstopper that's perfect for dinner parties, holiday meals, or any special occasion when you want to wow your guests.

Ingredients for Crispy Parmesan and Gruyere Potato Gratin

Dairy and Cheese:
  • Heavy Cream: Rich base for infusing garlic flavor and creating a creamy texture.
  • Gruyere Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Sharp, nutty cheeses that provide a crispy golden topping and deep flavor.
  • Butter: Helps caramelize shallots and adds richness to the dish.
Vegetables and Aromatics:
  • Potatoes: Starchy base that creates layers of deliciousness when thinly sliced.
  • Shallots: Sweet and mild onion-like ingredient that adds depth when caramelized.
  • Garlic: Provides aromatic infusion when simmered in cream.
  • Fresh Thyme: Herbaceous garnish that adds a subtle earthy note.
Seasonings:
  • Salt: Essential for enhancing overall flavor of the gratin.

How to Make Crispy Parmesan and Gruyere Potato Gratin

Step 1: Prepare the Flavor Base

  • Heat oven to 325°F
  • In a small saucepan, combine
  • Cream
  • Salt
  • Garlic

Simmer on low heat for 5 minutes to release garlic’s rich essence. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 2: Slice Potatoes Precisely

Use a mandoline slicer to create paper-thin potato slices, approximately 1/8 inch thick.

Step 3: Sauté Shallots for Depth

In a 12-inch cast iron pan, melt butter and gently cook shallots on low heat for 5 minutes until they turn golden and caramelized.

Step 4: Create Potato Masterpiece

Artfully arrange potato slices in a beautiful spiral pattern over the caramelized shallots. Pour the infused cream mixture evenly across the potatoes.

Step 5: Slow Bake to Perfection

Cover pan tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Step 6: Add Cheese Crunch

Remove pan from oven and switch oven to broil. Sprinkle generously with:
  • Grated Gruyere cheese
  • Grated Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh thyme leaves

Step 7: Broil for Golden Finish

Broil for 5 minutes until cheese turns crispy and bubbly.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Remove from oven and serve immediately while warm and gloriously cheesy.

What to Serve with Crispy Parmesan and Gruyere Potato Gratin

  • Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a chardonnay or sauvignon blanc to complement the creamy, cheesy potato dish. These wines balance the richness with their bright, refreshing acidity and cut through the heavy flavors.
  • Serve with Herb-Roasted Chicken: A tender roasted chicken with rosemary and thyme creates a perfect protein companion. The herbs echo the thyme in the gratin while providing a lighter protein option to balance the creamy potatoes.
  • Match with Light Arugula Salad: Dress a fresh arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to add a peppery, tangy contrast. The salad's crisp, zesty notes will cleanse the palate between bites of the rich, cheesy potato gratin.
  • Add Roasted Asparagus: Quickly roasted asparagus with olive oil and sea salt provides a green vegetable side that enhances the meal's elegance. The vegetable's earthy flavor and slight crunch complement the smooth, cheesy potato texture perfectly.

Tasty Twists on Crispy Parmesan and Gruyere Potato Gratin

  • Rustic Herb Potato Layer: Swap thyme with a blend of rosemary, sage, and oregano for an earthy, aromatic profile that elevates the classic gratin.
  • Spicy Southwestern Gratin: Add diced green chiles, sprinkle chili powder, and top with pepper jack cheese for a bold, fiery version that packs a flavor punch.
  • Mediterranean Vegetable Fusion: Incorporate thinly sliced zucchini and roasted red peppers between potato layers, then finish with crumbled feta cheese for a Mediterranean-inspired side dish.
  • Bacon and Caramelized Onion Infusion: Crisp bacon pieces and deeply caramelized onions between potato layers create a rich, smoky undertone that complements the creamy cheese base.
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Crispy Parmesan And Gruyere Potato Gratin Recipe

Crispy Parmesan And Gruyere Potato Gratin Recipe


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4.5 from 24 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Crispy Parmesan and Gruyere Potato Gratin delivers French countryside comfort with golden-edged layers of creamy potatoes and melted cheeses. Luxurious ingredients and classic techniques combine for an irresistible side dish you’ll crave at every gathering.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 5 medium Yukon Gold or White potatoes
  • 1 cup grated Gruyere cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Cheese Seasonings:

  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt

Liquid and Aromatics:

  • 1 ½ cups heavy cream
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small shallot, diced
  • 1 tablespoon butter

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (163 degrees Celsius).
  2. In a small saucepan, combine heavy cream, kosher salt, and minced garlic. Gently heat on low, allowing the mixture to simmer for 5 minutes to intensify the garlic’s aromatic essence. Remove from heat and set aside.
  3. Utilize a mandoline slicer to create uniform potato slices approximately 1/8 inch (3 millimeters) thick, ensuring consistent cooking.
  4. Melt butter in a 12-inch (30-centimeter) cast iron skillet and sauté finely chopped shallots over low heat for 5 minutes until they develop a rich, golden caramelization.
  5. Artfully arrange the potato slices in an overlapping circular pattern atop the caramelized shallots, creating an aesthetically pleasing spiral design.
  6. Delicately pour the infused cream mixture evenly over the layered potatoes, ensuring complete coverage.
  7. Securely cover the cast iron pan with aluminum foil and transfer to the preheated oven. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, allowing the potatoes to become tender and absorb the cream’s flavors.
  8. Carefully remove the pan from the oven and adjust the oven setting to broil.
  9. Generously sprinkle grated Gruyere and Parmesan cheeses over the potato surface. Scatter fresh thyme leaves for an aromatic finishing touch.
  10. Return the pan to the oven and broil for 5 minutes, watching closely until the cheese transforms into a crispy, bubbling golden crust.
  11. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving warm, allowing the gratin to set slightly.

Notes

  • Achieve restaurant-quality potato gratin with a crispy, golden cheese topping that transforms a simple side dish into an elegant meal centerpiece.
  • Use a mandoline slicer for perfectly uniform potato slices, ensuring even cooking and a professional-looking presentation that impresses guests.
  • Infusing cream with garlic creates a rich, aromatic base that elevates the entire dish with deep, sophisticated flavor layers.
  • Caramelizing shallots before adding potatoes builds a foundation of sweetness and complexity that complements the creamy, cheesy texture.
  • Broiling at the end creates a stunning golden-brown cheese crust that adds irresistible crunch and visual appeal to the gratin.
  • Cast iron pan guarantees even heat distribution and helps develop a beautiful crispy bottom layer that turns this side dish into a memorable culinary experience.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Side Dish
  • Method: Baking, Broiling
  • Cuisine: French

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 385 kcal
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 520 mg
  • Fat: 28 g
  • Saturated Fat: 17 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 24 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 12 g
  • Cholesterol: 95 mg
Lucas Bennett

Lucas Bennett

Founder & Recipe Creator

Expertise

Simple Everyday Recipes, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Creative Meal Planning, Recipe Testing and Improvement

Education

Fox Valley Technical College, Appleton, Wisconsin

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Practical culinary training, fundamental cooking techniques, meal planning, and using fresh, local ingredients.

Lake Superior College, Duluth, Minnesota

  • Program: Certificate in Sustainable Food Systems
  • Focus: Cooking methods that promote sustainability, farm-to-table practices, and eco-friendly meal creation.

Lucas Bennett’s cooking journey started in his parents’ kitchen, where he learned to prepare tasty, no-fuss meals from scratch. His culinary passion led him to Fox Valley Technical College, where he gained practical cooking skills.
He then expanded his focus on sustainability at Lake Superior College. Today, Lucas shares easy, approachable recipes designed to make cooking enjoyable and stress-free for everyone.

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