Potato and Mushroom Gratin

Thinly sliced potatoes are layered with browned mushrooms, thyme, cream, and nutty gruyère for a rich, golden gratin. This comforting baked dish works beautifully as a vegetarian dinner with a crisp salad or as a special side for a holiday table.
Prep: 25 min · Cook: 75 min · Total: 100 min · Serves: 8
Ingredients
- 0.75 tsp black pepper (freshly ground)
- 0.125 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 oz parmesan cheese (finely grated)
- 1 cup whole milk
- 6 oz gruyère cheese (shredded)
- 1 medium yellow onion (thinly sliced)
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter (divided)
- 1.5 tsp kosher salt (divided)
- 1 lb cremini mushrooms (trimmed and sliced)
- 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves (chopped)
- 3 lb yukon gold potatoes (peeled and sliced 1/8 inch thick)
Instructions
- Place a rack in the center of the oven, heat the oven to 375°F (190°C), and coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with 1 tbsp unsalted butter until the bottom and sides are evenly greased.
- Slice the 3 lb Yukon Gold potatoes 1/8 inch thick with a mandoline or sharp chef's knife, then keep the slices in a large bowl of cold water for up to 10 minutes while you prepare the mushrooms so they do not discolor.
- Heat 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp unsalted butter in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until the butter foams, about 1 minute.
- Add the 1 lb sliced cremini mushrooms to the skillet in an even layer and cook, stirring every 2 minutes, until their liquid evaporates and the mushrooms are browned at the edges, 8-10 minutes.
- Reduce the skillet heat to medium, add the thinly sliced yellow onion, and cook with the mushrooms, stirring often, until the onion is softened and lightly golden, 5-6 minutes.
- Add the 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tsp chopped fresh thyme leaves, 0.5 tsp kosher salt, and 0.25 tsp black pepper to the skillet, then cook over medium heat for 1 minute until fragrant; remove the skillet from the heat.
- Drain the potatoes in a colander and pat them very dry with a clean kitchen towel, because excess water will thin the cream sauce and prevent the gratin from setting.
- Combine the 2 cups heavy cream, 1 cup whole milk, 0.125 tsp ground nutmeg, remaining 1 tsp kosher salt, and remaining 0.5 tsp black pepper in a medium saucepan, then warm over medium heat for 4-5 minutes until steaming but not boiling.
- Arrange half of the potato slices in the prepared 9-by-13-inch baking dish in slightly overlapping rows, then spread all of the mushroom-onion mixture evenly over the potatoes with a spatula.
- Layer the remaining potato slices over the mushrooms, pour the hot cream mixture evenly over the top, and press gently with a spatula so the potatoes are mostly submerged.
- Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil, place it on a rimmed sheet pan, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 40 minutes until the potatoes are beginning to soften when pierced through the foil with a paring knife.
- Remove the foil, sprinkle the 6 oz shredded Gruyère cheese and 1 oz grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the gratin, and continue baking uncovered for 25-30 minutes until the top is deep golden brown, the cream is bubbling around the edges, and a paring knife slides easily through the center potatoes.
- Let the gratin rest on a wire rack for 10-15 minutes before serving so the cream can thicken and the slices hold together cleanly.
Nutrition (per serving)
- Calories: 493
- Protein: 13 g
- Fat: 35 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
More Recipes
- Almond Bear Claw French Toast
- Almond Puff Pastry Loaf
- American Creamed Spinach
- Anise-scented Yeast Bread
- Apple Cider Braised Pork Chops with Onions
- Apple Cranberry Galette
- Apple Cream Scones
- Apple Crisp with Macadamia Oat Topping
- Apple Waldorf Salad with Walnuts and Grapes
- Arugula, Caramelized Onion, and Goat Cheese Pizza
- Avocado Cups with Crunchy Lime Slaw
- Avocado, Shrimp, and Hearts of Palm Salad