Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes
These cheesy au gratin potatoes are loaded with creamy potatoes, roasted garlic and crispy bacon. This side dish steals the show with a golden, crispy top.
Servings: 8
Ingredients
- 1 bulb garlic
- Drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil
- 6 strips bacon chopped
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (add an additional 2 tablespoons if skipping the bacon)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/4 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary chopped
- 12 ounces sharp cheddar cheese shredded + more for topping (as needed)
- 4-5 medium yukon gold potatoes peeled and thinly sliced
- 6 ounces sharp white cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 teaspoon salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. Slice the tops off the bulb of garlic to expose the cloves. Drizzle the clove with olive oil, wrap in foil, and bake for 30 to 35 minutes until soft and golden.
- Once the garlic is finished baking, lower the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- In a large skillet, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon, crumble it, and set it aside. Reserve 2-3 tbsp of bacon fat in the skillet.
- Add the butter to the skillet with the bacon fat. Once melted, add the flour and whisk to create a roux. Cook for 1-2 minutes until golden.
- Gradually pour in milk, whisking constantly until the mixture thickens.
- Add the roasted garlic (I use about 5 to 6 cloves, but if you really love garlic, you could use more), paprika, thyme, rosemary, salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Gradually stir in the Tillamook Sharp Cheddar until the sauce is creamy.
- Place the sliced potatoes in the greased baking dish. Pour the cheese sauce over the potatoes, ensuring they are evenly coated. Sprinkle the crumbled bacon on top.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes. Then, uncover the dish, sprinkle with additional Tillamook Sharp and White Cheddar on top, and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender, and the top is golden and bubbly.
Nutrition
Calories: 526kcal