Description
This Easy French Onion Potato Bake is a comforting and flavorful side dish that combines tender layers of starchy potatoes with sweet caramelized onions, rich cream, and melted Gruyère cheese. Perfect for family dinners or special occasions, this baked dish delivers a cheesy, savory taste with fresh thyme accents and a golden crust.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 2 lbs starchy potatoes (Russets or Yukon Golds), thinly sliced
- 2 large sweet onions (Vidalia or Walla Walla), thinly sliced
- Fresh thyme, to taste
Dairy
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 ½ cups shredded Gruyère cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
Seasonings
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking your potato dish.
- Caramelize the onions: In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter and add the thinly sliced onions. Sauté them, stirring occasionally, until they turn golden brown and caramelized, about 15-20 minutes. This step develops the rich onion flavor that is key to the dish.
- Prepare the potato mixture: Thinly slice the potatoes and combine them in a bowl with the heavy cream, salt, freshly ground black pepper, and fresh thyme leaves. Mix gently to evenly coat the potatoes while maintaining their shape.
- Assemble the bake: Grease a baking dish thoroughly, then create layers starting with half of the potato mixture, followed by half of the caramelized onions. Repeat a second layer with the remaining potatoes and onions, then finish by sprinkling the shredded Gruyère cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake covered and uncovered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. After this, remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes until the dish is bubbly and the cheese turns a golden brown crust.
Notes
- For best results, use starchy potatoes such as Russets or Yukon Golds as they become tender and creamy during baking.
- Caramelizing the onions slowly enhances their sweetness and adds depth to the dish.
- You can substitute Gruyère cheese with a similar melting cheese such as Emmental or Swiss cheese if needed.
- Allow the dish to rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to set before serving.
- Fresh thyme can be adjusted or substituted with rosemary for a different herbal profile.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approximately 150g)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: French onion potato bake, caramelized onion potato casserole, baked potato side dish, Gruyère potato bake, easy potato recipes
