Crispy Cheese-Crusted Hasselback Potato Gratin Recipe

Golden, crispy edges and a creamy interior make this hasselback potato gratin a showstopping side dish that’ll steal the spotlight at any meal.

Potatoes, sliced with precision and layered with rich, melted cheese, create a culinary masterpiece that’s both elegant and comforting.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of textures, from the delicately fanned potato tops to the velvety sauce beneath.

Herbs and seasonings weave through the layers, adding depth and complexity to this classic French-inspired dish.

The technique might look complicated, but it’s surprisingly simple to execute with stunning results.

Butter, cream, and your favorite cheese transform ordinary potatoes into an extraordinary culinary experience that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Prepare to be the star of your next dinner gathering with this irresistible potato gratin.

How to Make Hasselback Potato Gratin Easily

• Oven Prep Warmth

Get your kitchen ready by heating the oven to a toasty 400°F. Grab a cozy casserole dish and give it a generous butter massage.

• Creamy Cheese Blend

Mix together a dreamy combination of rich cheeses, saving some for the final flourish. Stir in luxurious half & half, fragrant garlic, earthy thyme, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper to create a velvety sauce.

• Potato Stacking

Gently coat each potato slice in the creamy goodness. Carefully stand the potato slices upright in the dish, creating beautiful layered rows that look like an edible work of art.

• Final Touches Before Baking

Drizzle any remaining cream over the potato landscape. Season with an extra pinch of salt and pepper to enhance the flavors.

• Baking Magic

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and slide it into the oven. After 20 minutes, remove the foil and sprinkle the reserved cheese on top. Continue baking until the potatoes turn golden and become irresistibly tender.

• Serving

Let the dish rest for a few minutes after baking. This allows the flavors to settle and makes serving easier. Bring to the table and watch everyone’s eyes light up with anticipation.

Tips for Creamy Hasselback Potato Gratin

• Elevate Your Hasselback Gratin
• Use a sharp mandoline or carefully slice potatoes with a steady knife, keeping slices uniformly thin (about 1/8 inch) for even cooking and beautiful presentation.
• Experiment with different cheese combinations like gruyère, fontina, or sharp cheddar to create unique flavor profiles that match your taste preferences or complement your main dish.
• Try fresh rosemary or sage instead of thyme, or add a sprinkle of finely chopped chives just before serving to introduce bright, fresh notes to the creamy potato base.
• Prepare the entire dish up to the baking stage, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking to ensure even heating.
• For extra crunch, sprinkle some breadcrumbs mixed with grated parmesan over the cheese in the final 15 minutes of baking to create a golden, crispy top layer.

Serving Hasselback Potato Gratin at the Table

• Flavor Companions: Pair this creamy, cheesy hasselback potato gratin with roasted chicken, grilled steak, or herb-crusted salmon for a complete meal that will satisfy every taste bud.
• Herb Explosion: Garnish the golden-brown potatoes with fresh chopped chives, parsley, or additional thyme to add a burst of color and enhance the herbal undertones already present in the dish.
• Wine and Dine: Complement the rich, cheesy potatoes with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light Chardonnay that cuts through the creamy texture and balances the dish's decadent flavors.
• Vegetable Sidekick: Serve alongside a light, fresh green salad or roasted seasonal vegetables to provide a refreshing contrast to the potato gratin's luxurious and indulgent profile.

Storing Hasselback Potato Gratin the Right Way

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover hasselback potato gratin in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Carefully stack portions to maintain their delicate layered structure.
• Quick Reheating Technique: Warm individual servings in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, covering with aluminum foil to prevent excessive drying. Splash a few drops of half & half to restore moisture and creamy texture.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Wrap tightly in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil, keeping the dish fresh for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to maintain optimal taste and consistency.
• Meal Prep Wisdom: Prepare potato gratin components ahead of time by slicing potatoes and mixing cheese sauce a day before baking. Keep prepared ingredients separate in sealed containers to maximize freshness and reduce day-of cooking stress.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 9

Hasselback Potato Gratin Ingredient List

• Half & Half or Heavy Cream: Silky liquid that creates luxurious, velvety texture and rich depth in the gratin.
• Butter: Adds golden richness and helps prevent sticking while enhancing overall flavor complexity.
• Garlic: Provides subtle, aromatic warmth that elevates the potato's natural earthiness.

• Gruyère or Comté Cheese: Nutty, complex Swiss cheese that melts beautifully and delivers sophisticated taste.
• Parmigiano Reggiano: Sharp, crystalline cheese that introduces intense, salty umami notes and gorgeous golden crust.
• Fresh Thyme Leaves: Delicate herb that brings bright, slightly minty undertones and elegant herbal fragrance.
• Coarse Salt and Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that heighten and balance the entire dish's flavor profile.

• Organic Russet Potatoes: Starchy, fluffy potatoes perfect for creating crispy edges and tender interior. Choose firm, smooth-skinned potatoes without sprouts or green patches. Look for consistent size to ensure even cooking.

Tools for Hasselback Potato Gratin

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining cheese, half & half, and seasonings smoothly.
• 2-quart casserole dish: Perfect size for layering and baking potato stacks.
• Sharp knife: Crucial for slicing potatoes thinly and evenly.
• Cheese grater: Needed to grate the cheeses for even melting.
• Aluminum foil: Used to cover dish during initial baking stage.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately measure salt and pepper.
• Measuring cup: Ensures precise half & half quantity.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for gently tossing potato slices in cheese mixture.

Creamy Hasselback Potato Gratin Recipe

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4.8 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Potato lovers will adore this classic French hasselback potato gratin featuring thinly sliced potatoes layered with rich cream and herbs. Crispy edges and a luxurious interior make this side dish an irresistible companion to roasted meats or enjoyed on its own.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2.5 to 3 pounds (1.1 to 1.4 kg) russet potatoes (peeled and sliced into 0.5-inch/1.3 cm thickness)
• 2 cups (480 ml) half & half or heavy cream
• 1 cup (100 g) finely grated Gruyère, Comté cheese, or any high-quality Swiss cheese
• 0.5 cup (50 g) finely grated Parmigiano Reggiano
• 2 medium cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves (roughly chopped; alternatively, use 1 tsp dried thyme)
• 1 to 2 tbsps butter
• Coarse salt to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C) and generously butter a 2-quart casserole dish to prevent adhering.
2. Cheese Mixture: Combine shredded cheeses, half & half, garlic, thyme, salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl, reserving one-third of cheese for final topping.
3. Potato Coating: Thoroughly coat potato slices in the creamy cheese mixture, ensuring complete and even coverage.
4. Layering: Vertically stack potato slices in the prepared dish from edge to center, creating an elegant, tightly packed arrangement that resembles an accordion.
5. Seasoning: Drizzle remaining half & half over potatoes, then season with additional salt and pepper for enhanced flavor profile.
6. Initial Baking: Cover dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes to initiate the cooking process and soften potatoes.
7. Finishing Touch: Remove foil, sprinkle reserved cheese over the surface, and return to oven for 40 minutes until potatoes develop a crisp, golden-brown crust and become fork-tender.
8. Resting: Allow gratin to rest for 5 minutes after removing from oven, permitting flavors to meld and ensuring optimal serving temperature.

Notes

• Potato Selection: Choose starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold for best texture and even cooking.
• Cheese Melting Tip: Use room temperature cheese for smoother, more even melting throughout the dish.
• Slicing Technique: Use a sharp mandoline or knife to create uniform potato slices, ensuring consistent cooking and attractive presentation.
• Flavor Boost: Let the gratin rest briefly after baking to allow flavors to meld and cheese to set perfectly.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Dinner, Side Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Spanish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg