Hasselback Potato Gratin Recipe

The Best Hasselback Potato Gratin Recipe for Cozy Dinners

Hasselback potato gratin refines ordinary spuds into a culinary masterpiece that delights the senses.

Stacked and fanned-out slices create an impressive visual display that hints at the delectable experience awaiting you.

Creamy, cheese-laden layers promise rich flavors that meld together in perfect harmony.

Rustic yet sophisticated, this dish bridges home cooking with gourmet techniques effortlessly.

Each slice promises a crisp exterior giving way to a silky, tender interior that melts in your mouth.

The combination of herbs, cheese, and cream elevates a simple potato to an extraordinary side dish.

Prepare to wow your dinner companions with this stunning potato creation.

Why Hasselback Potato Gratin Is a Show-Stopping Side

  • Indulge in Creamy Comfort: This hasselback potato gratin delivers ultimate cheesy richness with a luxurious blend of melted cheeses and half & half, creating an irresistibly smooth and decadent side dish.
  • Stunning Visual Presentation: The beautifully arranged upright potato slices create an elegant, fan-like appearance that transforms an ordinary potato dish into a stunning centerpiece for any dining table.
  • Effortless Gourmet Experience: Despite looking sophisticated, this recipe requires minimal technical skills, making it accessible for home cooks of all levels while delivering restaurant-quality results in under an hour.
  • Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for holiday gatherings, weeknight dinners, or special occasions, this gratin satisfies both comfort food lovers and those seeking a impressive yet simple potato recipe that everyone will adore.

Ingredients List for Hasselback Potato Gratin

  • Russet Potatoes: Starchy potatoes perfect for creating crispy, layered gratin with excellent texture and golden color.
  • Gruyère Cheese, Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Rich, melty cheeses that provide deep flavor complexity and creamy consistency.
  • Half & Half: Creamy liquid creating rich sauce and helping to soften potato layers.
  • Fresh Thyme: Delicate herb adding earthy, subtle flavor to enhance potato dish.
  • Garlic: Aromatic ingredient providing depth and warmth to overall recipe.
  • Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings for balancing and intensifying dish flavors.
  • Butter: Used for greasing baking dish and adding rich, smooth texture.
  • Aluminum Foil: Helps control moisture and prevent excessive browning during initial baking stage.

How to Make Hasselback Potato Gratin Step-by-Step

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish

Warm up the oven to 400°F and generously grease a 2-quart casserole dish with butter.

Step 2: Create Cheese Mixture

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cheeses, setting aside about 1/3 for later topping. Mix in:
  • Half & half
  • Minced garlic
  • Thyme
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Step 3: Coat Potato Slices

Gently toss potato slices in the creamy cheese mixture, ensuring each slice is evenly covered. Carefully arrange the potato stacks vertically in the casserole dish, starting from one edge and working towards the center.

Step 4: Add Final Seasoning

Drizzle any remaining half & half over the arranged potatoes. Sprinkle additional salt and pepper on top for extra flavor.

Step 5: Initial Baking

Cover the dish securely with aluminum foil. Place in the oven and bake for 20 minutes.

Step 6: Finish Baking

Remove the foil carefully. Sprinkle the reserved cheese over the potatoes. Return to the oven and bake uncovered for 40 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown and the potatoes become fork-tender.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

Remove from the oven and let the gratin rest for 5 minutes. Serve hot and enjoy the creamy, cheesy potato goodness.

Hasselback Potato Gratin Tips You Need to Know

  • Slice Smartly: Use a mandoline or sharp knife to create uniform potato slices, ensuring even cooking and a stunning layered presentation.
  • Cheese Selection Matters: Choose high-quality, melting cheeses like gruyère and parmesan for maximum flavor and creamy texture.
  • Prevent Sticking: Generously butter the baking dish to help potatoes release easily and develop a crispy golden edge.
  • Seasoning Secret: Don't be shy with herbs and garlic – they infuse deep, rich flavors throughout the entire gratin.
  • Resting is Key: Allow the gratin to rest for 5-10 minutes after baking, which helps the dish set and makes serving much easier.

Keeping Hasselback Potato Gratin Tasty After Day One

  • Refrigeration: Store leftover Hasselback potato gratin in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, these delicious potatoes will keep fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, maintaining their creamy texture and rich flavor.
  • Reheating Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Transfer potatoes to an oven-safe dish, cover with aluminum foil to prevent drying out. Warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through, removing foil during the last 5 minutes to restore the crispy top layer.
  • Microwave Quick Option: For a faster reheat, place potatoes in a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a damp paper towel to preserve moisture. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring gently between each cycle, until thoroughly warmed.

What to Serve with Hasselback Potato Gratin

  • Pair with Protein Powerhouse: Serve this rich, cheesy potato gratin alongside roasted chicken or grilled steak to balance the creamy texture and add a protein punch.
  • Wine Wonderland: Complement the dish's buttery, herbal notes with a crisp Chardonnay or a light Pinot Noir that cuts through the richness and enhances the thyme's earthy flavor.
  • Fresh Flavor Boost: Add a bright, tangy side salad with mixed greens, lemon vinaigrette, and fresh herbs to create a refreshing contrast to the heavy, indulgent potato gratin.
  • Green Veggie Companion: Roast some asparagus or green beans with garlic and olive oil to provide a crisp, nutritious counterpoint to the creamy, soft potato dish.

Creative Takes on Hasselback Potato Gratin You’ll Love

  • Herb Garden Potato Gratin: Replace thyme with a mix of fresh rosemary, sage, and parsley for an aromatic herb explosion that elevates the classic potato dish.
  • Spicy Jalapeño Cheese Gratin: Add diced jalapeños and swap half the cheese with pepper jack to create a zesty, heat-packed version that brings bold flavors to the table.
  • Bacon and Caramelized Onion Potato Bake: Incorporate crispy bacon bits and sweet caramelized onions between potato layers for a rich, savory upgrade that adds depth and complexity to the original recipe.
  • Mediterranean Potato Gratin: Mix in crumbled feta cheese, sundried tomatoes, and chopped kalamata olives to transport your taste buds to the sunny Mediterranean coast with every bite.
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Hasselback Potato Gratin Recipe

Hasselback Potato Gratin Recipe


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4.7 from 36 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Luxurious Hasselback Potato Gratin brings French culinary elegance to comfort food, combining crispy potato edges with creamy cheese layers. Rich cream, sharp gruyère, and delicate herb seasonings create a sensational side dish you cannot resist.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2.5 to 3 pounds organic russet potatoes (peeled and sliced into 0.5-inch thickness)
  • 2 cups half & half or heavy cream
  • 1 cup finely grated Gruyère, Comté cheese, or any high-quality Swiss cheese
  • 0.5 cup finely grated Parmigiano Reggiano

Flavor Enhancers:

  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (roughly chopped; alternatively, use 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
  • 2 medium cloves of garlic (minced)

Seasoning and Finishing:

  • Coarse salt to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons butter

Instructions

  1. Warm the oven to 400°F (204°C) and generously coat a 2-quart (1.9-liter) casserole dish with softened butter to prevent sticking.
  2. Create a rich base by blending shredded cheeses, reserving approximately one-third for final topping, with half & half cream, finely chopped garlic, fresh thyme leaves, salt, and ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper in a spacious mixing bowl.
  3. Carefully fold sliced potatoes into the creamy cheese mixture, ensuring each potato slice receives an even, luxurious coating.
  4. Meticulously arrange potato stacks vertically in the prepared casserole dish, starting from one edge and progressively filling toward the center, creating an elegant layered presentation.
  5. Gently pour any remaining half & half cream over the arranged potatoes, then sprinkle additional salt and freshly ground black pepper across the surface for enhanced flavor.
  6. Securely cover the dish with aluminum foil, then place in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes to initiate the cooking process.
  7. Remove foil carefully, then distribute the reserved cheese evenly across the potato surface.
  8. Return the uncovered dish to the oven and continue baking for 40 minutes, or until potatoes develop a golden-brown crust and can be easily pierced with a fork.
  9. After removing from the oven, let the gratin rest for 5 minutes, allowing flavors to settle and ensuring a perfect serving temperature.

Notes

  • Carefully prep potatoes by slicing them thinly without cutting all the way through, creating an accordion-like design for maximum crispy edges.
  • Cheese selection matters tremendously, mixing gruyère with sharp cheddar ensures complex, rich flavor profiles that elevate this classic side dish.
  • Half & half creates luxurious creaminess between potato layers, transforming a simple recipe into a decadent comfort food experience.
  • Aluminum foil technique prevents early browning while allowing consistent moisture distribution during initial baking stages.
  • Resting period after baking helps potatoes absorb remaining liquid, guaranteeing a silky, tender texture throughout each delectable slice.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Dinner, Side Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Spanish

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 410 kcal
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 350mg
  • Fat: 28g
  • Saturated Fat: 17g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 34g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 10g
  • Cholesterol: 80mg
Julian Park

Julian Park

Co-Founder, Cuisine Researcher & Food Culture Writer

Expertise

  • Global Food Cultures & Culinary History
  • Regional Flavor Profiles & Cooking Techniques
  • Food Anthropology & Cultural Identity
  • Culinary Research & Narrative Writing
  • Street Food Traditions & Heritage Dishes

Education

The Institute of Culinary Education (ICE), Los Angeles, CA

  • Degree: Certificate in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Professional culinary techniques, global cuisine fundamentals, and real-world training in restaurant-style cooking and food presentation.

Julian Park is a natural storyteller at The Dream Café who blends hands-on culinary experience with a passion for exploring global food traditions. A graduate of The Institute of Culinary Education in Los Angeles, Julian combines professional technique with a love for cultural discovery, diving into how dishes reflect heritage, migration, and identity. 

His work spans everything from in-depth cuisine guides to reflections on everyday meals around the world. With a curious palate and a journal always close by, Julian helps readers connect with food in a way that feels so insightful and personal.

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