Cheesy Potato and Leek Gratin

Name: Cheesy Potato and Leek Gratin
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 75 min
Yield: Serves 6
Cuisine: Baking
Ingredients: 2 lb (900 g) potatoes, thinly sliced; 2 leeks, sliced; 1½ cups heavy cream; ½ cup milk; 1½ cups (170 g) shredded cheese; 2 tbsp (28 g) unsalted butter; 2 cloves garlic, minced; to taste salt and pepper

Thin potato slices baked in cream with leeks and cheese.

Prep Time20 mins

Cook Time55 mins

Total Time1 hr 15 mins

YieldServes 6

Before You Start

Soft layers of potato baked in cream with sweet leeks and a golden cheese top. Slice the potatoes thin and even so they cook through, and check them with a knife before you take it out. A comforting main or a generous side.

Instructions

1
Heat the oven to 180°C / 350°F. Melt the butter in a pan and soften the leeks with the garlic for 5 minutes.
2
Warm the cream and milk with salt and pepper, but do not boil.
3
Butter a baking dish. Layer the potato slices with the leeks and half the cheese, seasoning as you go.
4
Pour the warm cream over so it just reaches the top layer.
5
Scatter the rest of the cheese on top.
6
Cover with foil and bake 35 minutes, then uncover and bake 20 more, until the potatoes are tender and the top is golden.

Ingredients

2 lb (900 g) potatoes, thinly sliced
2 leeks, sliced
1½ cups heavy cream
½ cup milk
1½ cups (170 g) shredded cheese
2 tbsp (28 g) unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
to taste salt and pepper

Baker's Tip

For the most reliable results, weigh your ingredients with a digital scale. Measuring flour by cups can overpack it and dry out your bake. Tap any ingredient above to convert it.

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💡 Baker's tips

Slice the potatoes thin and even, about 3 mm, so they cook through. A mandoline helps.
Check the potatoes are soft with a knife before taking it out. Undercooked gratin stays firm.

🔀 Make it your own

Add crispy bacon or ham between the layers.
Use half sweet potato for colour and sweetness.

📦 Storing & freezing

Keeps 3 days in the fridge. Reheats well covered in the oven.

❓ Frequently asked

Why are my potatoes still hard?

They needed longer, or the slices were too thick. Cover and give it more time until a knife slides in easily.

Can I make gratin ahead?

Yes, bake it, cool, and reheat covered. You can also assemble it a few hours ahead and bake when needed.

Baking in a different unit? Use the cups ↔ grams converter or the recipe scaler to halve or double this recipe.