Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Elevate your family meals with this comforting dish of thinly sliced potatoes layered with a creamy sauce and melted cheese. Perfect for holidays or cozy dinners, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite!
Parenting Tip: Cooking as a Learning Experience
Involving children in the kitchen not only teaches them valuable cooking skills but also enhances their understanding of measurements and time management. Assign age-appropriate tasks like washing potatoes, layering slices, or setting the timer to make them feel included and responsible.
A Family Tradition
Growing up, preparing this layered potato dish was a family affair. My siblings and I would gather in the kitchen, each with a specific task, from grating cheese to arranging potato slices. These moments not only taught us the basics of cooking but also created cherished memories that we now pass on to our own children.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 4 cloves garlic, grated
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, chopped
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 3 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, sliced ⅛-inch thick
- ½ medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 1½ cups grated cheddar cheese
👩🍳 Instructions
- Prepare the Oven and Dish
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter.
- Make the Creamy Sauce
- In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the flour and whisk continuously for about 1 minute to form a roux.
- Gradually add the milk and vegetable broth, whisking to ensure a smooth mixture.
- Incorporate the grated garlic, chopped thyme, sea salt, and black pepper. Continue cooking, stirring often, for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat.
- Assemble the Layers
- Arrange half of the sliced potatoes evenly at the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Distribute half of the sliced onions over the potatoes.
- Pour half of the creamy sauce over the layers, ensuring even coverage.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of the grated cheddar cheese over the sauce.
- Repeat the layering process with the remaining potatoes, onions, sauce, and the final ½ cup of cheese.
- Bake
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 35-40 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the cheese is golden brown.
- Rest and Serve
- Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and let it sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes. This allows the layers to set and makes serving easier.
- Serve warm as a delightful side dish to your favorite main courses.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
This creamy layered potato dish pairs wonderfully with:
- Roasted Cauliflower
- Steamed green vegetables such as asparagus or green beans for a balanced meal.
- Fresh salads to add a crisp contrast to the creamy potatoes.
By bringing your children into the cooking process, you not only prepare a delicious meal but also create lasting memories and teach essential life skills. Enjoy this comforting dish with your loved ones, and perhaps it will become a cherished tradition in your family as well.