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Delicious Three Cheese Potato Gratin

Featured in Tasty Ways with Grains and Rice.

This creamy and cheesy potato gratin takes comfort food to the next level with layers of thinly sliced russet potatoes baked with a trio of cheeses and a smooth, flavorful sauce. The process starts by cooking garlic and onions in butter to enhance the cream and chicken stock mixture. Potatoes are pre-cooked in this savory sauce, layered in a dish, and coated with sharp cheddar, nutty parmesan, and smooth fontina or provolone cheese before baking until golden and bubbling to perfection.
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Emily Watson
Updated on Mon, 10 Mar 2025 03:24:03 GMT
Richly Baked Three-Cheese Potato Casserole Pin it
Richly Baked Three-Cheese Potato Casserole | thefamilycooks.com

Discover how to make restaurant-style potatoes au gratin that rivals the famous Ruth's Chris version. This elegant side dish combines layers of thinly sliced potatoes with a rich three-cheese cream sauce to create something truly exceptional for your dinner table.

This perfected recipe captures the essence of fine steakhouse dining. The key is selecting quality ingredients and mastering the technique of creating a silky sauce that envelops each potato slice.

Key Ingredients

  • Idaho potatoes: Select medium, similar-sized potatoes
  • Heavy whipping cream: Use full-fat only
  • Stock: Clear chicken stock works best
  • Fresh garlic cloves: Mince just before using
  • Premium cheese blend: Freshly grated
  • Vidalia onion: For natural sweetness
  • Italian parsley: Adds fresh color

Preparation Method

Prepare Potatoes:
Scrub potatoes clean. Remove skin. Slice 1/8 inch thick. Submerge in cold water. Pat dry thoroughly.
Start Sauce:
Heat butter gently. Cook onions until soft. Add minced garlic. Season properly. Monitor temperature.
Finish Sauce:
Pour in stock. Add cream. Maintain gentle heat. Achieve proper thickness. Adjust seasonings. Avoid overheating.
Cook Potatoes:
Layer potatoes in sauce. Ensure coverage. Handle delicately. Test doneness. Keep heat steady.
Complete Dish:
Layer in casserole. Add cheese layers. Ensure coverage. Monitor while baking. Garnish when done.
easy Copycat Ruth's Chris Potatoes au Gratin Pin it
easy Copycat Ruth's Chris Potatoes au Gratin | thefamilycooks.com

The hallmark of this dish is how the cream sauce perfectly coats each potato slice while the cheese creates an irresistible golden crust. It's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that pairs beautifully with any main course.

Heat Management

The success of this dish depends on careful temperature control. Keep the sauce at a gentle simmer to prevent separation and ensure the potatoes cook evenly throughout.

Advance Preparation

The dish can be assembled one day ahead. Store covered in refrigerator and bring to room temperature before baking. Add extra baking time if cooking from chilled.

yummy Copycat Ruth's Chris Potatoes au Gratin Pin it
yummy Copycat Ruth's Chris Potatoes au Gratin | thefamilycooks.com

This refined potato dish delivers steakhouse luxury right to your table. The perfectly layered potatoes and rich cheese sauce create an outstanding side that elevates any meal to a special occasion.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What's the reason for precooking the potatoes?
It helps the potatoes soak up lots of flavor and guarantees that they bake evenly.
→ Can this dish be prepared in advance?
Absolutely! Put it together ahead of time and reheat later at 350°F until thoroughly hot.
→ Why include three different kinds of cheese?
Each one adds something unique—bold sharpness, creaminess, or a nutty finish.
→ How thin should I slice the potatoes?
About 1/8 inch thick works best to ensure they cook evenly and stack neatly.
→ Can other kinds of potatoes work here?
Russets are preferred for their starchiness, which helps create a thick sauce.

Three Cheese Potato Side

A hearty and creamy potato bake featuring thin layers of potatoes smothered in a rich cheese sauce and topped with a melted golden crust. Ideal for celebrations or a comforting treat.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
35 Minutes
Total Time
55 Minutes

Category: Grains & Rice

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: French

Yield: 6 Servings

Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

→ Base Ingredients

01 1 garlic clove, chopped up into tiny bits
02 1.5-1.75 lbs of russet potatoes, peeled and sliced into thin, ⅛-inch rounds
03 Half a medium onion, finely chopped
04 2 tablespoons of butter, with more for greasing

→ Sauce

05 1¼ teaspoons of salt
06 Heavy cream, 1¼ cups
07 ¾ cup of chicken broth
08 ½ teaspoon of black pepper, ground

→ Cheese & Garnish

09 Chopped fresh parsley, 1 tablespoon
10 ¾ cup of shredded Fontina or Provolone cheese
11 2 cups of sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
12 Shredded Parmesan, ¼ cup

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat your oven to 425°F or 220°C.

Step 02

Melt butter in a large pan or skillet. Sauté the chopped onion until soft and translucent—it’ll take about 5 minutes. Toss in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, letting the flavors mix well.

Step 03

Pour in the cream and chicken broth. Add the sliced potatoes, stirring them to coat completely.

Step 04

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Then, with the pan covered, let it cook on medium-low for about 15-20 minutes, until the potatoes are just barely tender.

Step 05

Move everything into an 8x8-inch dish greased with butter, and sprinkle the cheese blend over the top.

Step 06

Pop the dish into the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Once out, let it sit for a bit before adding parsley and serving.

Notes

  1. This reheats like a dream at 350°F if you want to make it ahead.
  2. Works beautifully as a side for chicken or steak dinners.
  3. You can prep this in small ramekins instead of one big dish for individual servings.

Tools You'll Need

  • A sharp knife to slice potatoes thinly
  • An 8x8-inch baking dish
  • A large skillet for cooking

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy: butter, cream, and several kinds of cheese.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 400
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: ~
  • Protein: ~