I am a creature of habit. I tend to make the same few meals over and over. You would think as a food blogger I would have a million recipes to toss out at any given moment in time. While my cookbook collection is starting to take over the kitchen, there’s still a lot of things I just don’t make. During the week I want things that are quick and simple. I spend a lot of time tied to my desk and hubs works 12 hour hospital shifts so he’s on his feet. The weekends are when I make meals that require a bit more time. I don’t mind. Kiddo and I can create masterpieces together and she gets a few life lessons out of it. And someday, she’ll remember all the great recipes just like I did and make them for her family.
At least, that is what I am hoping. I don’t really follow recipes. I never have been good about following rules. Most of the recipe I make are things that I learned how to make just by watching my mom over the years. She’s another who doesn’t really follow recipes. Matter of fact, I come from a long line of ladies who weren’t good at following recipes and preferred to use them more for inspiration.
We got into a bit of a rut with our weekend meals. I really wanted something different. When I get in this mood I tend to think – “what would mom make?” and try to seek out something new that my mom used to make that I loved and then I can share it with my family and with you guys.
That’s how these Creamy Au Gratin Potatoes came to be. I wasn’t really in the mood for homemade macaroni and cheese since we make that every so often. I wanted something different that I had not made for them. We’ve had the Betty Crocker version. Works in a pinch, but I am not the biggest fan of boxed foods when I know I can make things myself.
I wanted something cheesy. I was going to make scalloped potatoes but really wanted CHHHHHEEEESE.
Oh, I know. Let’s make homemade au gratin tatoes. Everyone screamed.
Ok. That was an exaggeration.
But, they were thrilled. Who doesn’t like cheesy potatoes.
I should also point out that these are not burned. I like to put my mac and cheese and now this under the broiler for the crispy top. My mom does this for me even still. I pick it off and eat it. Just one of those things. LOOOOOOve it.
We cheated and boiled our potatoes so it would not have to cook in the oven long. Just enough to blend the cheese and crisp it up. So much quicker than trying to cook the whole thing in the oven. I am an impatient person. Meatloaf and I don’t get along because it takes so long to cook.
These guys loved it. Half a pan was gone by the time dinner was over.
- 8 potatoes, pealed and sliced
- 6 tbsp butter
- 6 tbsp flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 4 cups skim milk
- 3 cups 2% shredded cheddar
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Boil a pan of water, be sure the pan is large enough to fit 8 sliced potatoes and water should cover at least an inch over the potatoes.
- Peal and slice your potatoes.
- Once the water has boiled add your potatoes and reduce the heat.
- Cook on medium-high heat for 10-15min. You want them to be just barely tender.
- Remove from heat, drain.
- In a sauce pan, on low heat, add the milk, butter, salt, and pepper. Whisk.
- Add 2 cups of the shredded cheese. Whisk up a little bit.
- As the butter and cheese start to melt and get saucy, add the flour. This will help thicken things up a little bit. You don't want a runny pan of potatoes! Continue whisking.
- Once everything is well blended into a nice thick cheese sauce, remove from heat.
- Add the potatoes to a cake pan.
- Add the cheese sauce.
- Mix carefully so that the potatoes don't break.
- Add extra salt and pepper if you like.
- Top with the remaining cup of cheese.
- Place in oven for 10-15 min or until your cheese has melted.
- If you like, place under the broiler for extra goo and crisp.
I am like you -it’s the same meals over and over. My people don’t do well with change, so I stick to what I know they will eat.
I do the same thing! Make the same dishes over and over. These look delicious. I’ll have to try them out.
We always make the same meals – we have about 2-3 weeks of meals that we’ll make over and over. Occasionally we’ll add a new recipe to the mix. These look delicious!
When the family comes over it’s always one of 4 standard meals I make for them. They don’t seem to be too adventurous. I like inviting new friends over to try something new. Those potatoes look yummy and something I’ve never tried before – maybe I need to!
I’ve got everything I need to make these tonight! My husband loves them but I don’t make them often enough.
Yep, those look extra gooey and extra delicious. Can’t wait to try this recipe.
for years my husband has said he hated au gratin potatoes. I don’t think he’d hate this at all
I’m so hungry now! That looks amazing. The broiler is a great touch. Nothing’s better than extra crispy cheese!
Oh yummy! That looks so good. I love the extra crispy top Nice touch!
That sounds good. A great dish to make.
I can definitely get in a food rut, too. These look really good. Our family loves cheese and potatoes. Especially together.
You totally had me at ‘extra cheese.’ 😉 You can’t beat cheese and potatoes! 🙂
I love cheese, lots of cheese! I think it makes a recipe better!
You sure know how to make some good looking dishes. That looks so good and delicious
Oh my gosh, these look AMAZING!
Is there really such a thing as too much cheese? I’m thinking no 😉
These look awesome1
3 cups of cheese is very cheesy! I love the burn on top. Best way to eat them!
Au gratin potatoes are one of my favorites. I love piling them high with bacon and cheese!
I love cheesy potatoes and my daughter loves Au Gratin potatoes, I always had extra cheese to any recipe but looks like this one won’t need me adding extra! Yummy!
This recipes looks simple to prepare. I cant wait to try this cheesy goodness. Thanks for sharing.
That looks so yummy right now. And I am so hungry!!
I swear, I was JUST thinking how I haven’t had any au gratin potatoes in a long time and should add some to the dinner menu this week. Looks like you have me covered with the recipe I don’t have to look for now 🙂
Yum my kids love potatoes and cheese so this would be a win/win in my house! Need to try them! Yum
I like making dishes like cheesy potatoes because they are great comfort foods. I put some in a smaller baking dish and drop it by the youngest kid’s house for later eating. Letting your kiddo cook along with you is awesome.
Yum! These look delicious. I always top mine with bacon!
I really would have appreciated in invite for dinner that night, because those looks so gooey and yummy. Now I need to make these to go with dinner one nigh very soon.
I love recipes like this! You did a super job! The compliment of course is that they ate it! lol
That’s a good idea to boil the potatoes first. My husband likes his top like that on potatoes, and on pizza too. I did a pizza post once and everyone thought it was burnt. I was so used to making it that way, I didn’t even think about it. 🙂
I feel like I am currently in a meal rut. THese sound delicious and I know everyone would love them.
Yum is right – the cheesier the better! I love potatoes au gratin, but don’t make them nearly as much as I should.
Oh yum this looks so good! I like easy to make too so this is great! I love cheese, the more the better!
When do the 6 tablespoons of flour go in?
Ooops! Sorry about that. I knew things didn’t look right when I was writing things out. You make a cheese sauce and the flour is the thickening agent. I fixed the recipe.
I’ve really been trying to get out of our meal rut and try new things. I get a little resistance from time to time but when I hit on something delicious my family gets excited to add a new meal to the rotation.
I pinned to my side dish board – these look amazing. My hubby would love it if I served potatoes at every meal! I know these will be a big hit at our house!
Would you believe… I’ve never made REAL au gratin potatoes? Just the one’s in the box. These look SO good, my family would LOVE if I made your recipe!
I love to add cheese to everything! Those Au Gratin potatoes sound delicious!
We do the same with having the same meals over and over. Creatures of habit I guess.
I am slowly trying to make the venture away from processed boxed & premade foods. It is hard. I love Au Gratin potatoes and use to make them like this when I first met my husband. I really need to get back to it! I love putting things under the broiler to make them crispy too. 😉
i really love to see your recipe it is looking perfect, great work thanks for sharing