Our Most Saved Easter Recipe Last Year
This holiday-favorite dish tastes like home.
Allrecipes Magazine
When you think of a typical Easter feast, you might think of a showstopping spiral ham, a picture-perfect plate of deviled eggs, or the fluffiest old-fashioned coconut cream pie. But at our table, it’s potatoes that take the holiday spotlight.
Last year, our Creamy au Gratin Potatoes recipe was the hit of Easter brunch, earning the title of top-saved Easter recipe of the year. Between its layers of creamy cheese, caramelized onions, and velvet-soft potatoes, this is a dish that everyone will fall for on first bite.
Why We Love This Recipe
Don’t be fooled by its elegant look and elevated flavor, this classic French-inspired dish is also surprisingly easy. We have plenty of au gratin potato recipes on our site, but this one stands out (with over 4,000 five-star reviews!) for its simplicity and foolproof formula.
"“Perfect in every way!” said user Deborah Madick. “Easy and delicious! Fantastic!”"
The magic is in the super-thin slices of shaved potato. Simmered in the creamy sauce, the potatoes soften to the point of nearly melting, creating a texture that crosses the layered goodness of scalloped potatoes with the best cheesy mashed potatoes you've ever had. And, at Easter, the richness pairs perfectly with the sweet glazed ham or bitter greens on your plate.
This is a top-rated recipe you’ll turn to time and time again, whether for a holiday, a dinner party, or just a Sunday family meal. So, if you haven’t clicked the save button already, go ahead and tuck this potato casserole away to your “classic comfort food” files. You’ll get so many comments and requests for this recipe, you’ll want to keep it in reach.
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
How to Make Our Most Saved Easter Recipe
The ingredients in this recipe are super simple, but one key tool will be essential in the process: a mandoline. Trust us, it will make the preparation faster, easier, and more painless than ever. You can even use the mandoline to thinly slice the onions as well, which, according to some reviewers, helps them meld into the cozy potato medley even better.
“So easy to make. Purchased an inexpensive mandoline, as suggested,” said an Allrecipes Member. “What a time-saver.”
Starting with a buttered one-quart casserole dish, arrange the shaved potatoes on the bottom of the dish, followed by the thinly sliced onions and another layer of potatoes on top. Next comes the cheese sauce.
The roux-based sauce comes together on the stovetop with a simple blend of butter, flour, milk, and a whole lot of cheddar. Be sure to whisk it constantly, even while it cooks and thickens, to get the smoothest, silkiest cheese sauce for your dish. Pour it evenly over the potatoes, allowing it to slowly seep into every sliced potato crevice.
Finally, cover with aluminum foil and bake in a 400-degree F oven for an hour and a half, until the potatoes are tender and the sauce is nice and bubbly.
Tips From Our Reviewers
With a recipe this straightforward, you're free to make ingredient swaps or do some experimenting to make the dish your own. One reviewer added garlic and Cajun seasoning for a subtle kick, while another added a breadcrumb and grated Parmesan topping to give the casserole a satisfying crunch.
Feel free to add in other veggies, like spinach or mushrooms, or incorporate savory cooked meats like bacon or cured ham. Some reviewers suggest cutting back on the amount of onions or cutting them out completely, depending on your preferences. Additionally, you can try out different kinds of cheese (maybe Gruyère or Parmesan) to amp up or mellow out the flavor.
“This recipe is easy and delicious! Get out your mandoline and have a blast. (I love having an excuse to dig out the mandolin.) I followed the recipe to a tee and recommend you do, too. I can see how adding small ham pieces or maybe some bacon bits could delight a meat eater but this vegetarian dish should please every member of your family,” said nanandand.
Read the original article on All Recipes.
