These cheesy scalloped potatoes are divine thanks to a rich cream sauce made even more tasty with sweet onion, thyme, and Gruyère cheese. If you have trouble finding Gruyère, feel free to substitute a medium cheddar.
2 pounds Yukon Gold Potatoes (907g)
3 tablespoons butter, plus more for the dish (42g)
½ cup finely minced sweet onion, about ½ medium onion
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups whole milk (355ml)
½ cup heavy cream (118ml)
¾ teaspoon fine sea salt
¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, chopped
1 ½ cups shredded Gruyère, 6 ounces (170g)
1Prep: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease an 8×8-inch baking dish with butter.
2Cook the onions: In a medium saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium heat. Add the onions and a small pinch of salt, then cook until the onions are soft and smell sweet, about 5 minutes.
3Make the sauce: Whisk in the flour to form a roux and cook for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in the milk and cream. Cook, whisking often, until the mixture is smooth and thickened. Season with the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and thyme.
4Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 cup of the Gruyère cheese. Whisk until the cheese melts and the sauce is smooth. Taste, and then adjust with a bit more salt as needed.
5Prep the potatoes: You can peel the potatoes or leave the peels on. Slice them into ⅛-inch thick rounds.
6Assemble: Spoon a thin layer of sauce into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Add a layer of potato slices, slightly overlapping them like shingles. Sprinkle a little cheese over the potatoes, then spoon more sauce on top.
7Repeat the layering (potatoes, cheese, sauce) until all potatoes are used, ending with a final layer of sauce and the remaining cheese on top.
8Bake: Bake uncovered until the top is golden brown and a skewer slides easily through the potatoes, 40 to 55 minutes. Let the potatoes rest for 20 minutes before serving so they set and become easier to scoop.