Decadent Creamy Potato Gratin
Indulge in this luscious Decadent Creamy Potato Gratin, a delightful twist on the classic dish that promises to elevate your dining experience. The creamy sauce combines rich heavy cream, tangy cream cheese, and savory chicken bouillon, lovingly layered with perfectly tender potatoes and sautéed onions. Topped with a crunchy golden cracker crust, this gratin is not just a side dish; it's a star on your table. Each bite is a harmonious blend of flavors and textures, ensuring you won’t be able to resist going back for seconds!
10
Servings
240
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Diced Potatoes
3 cups (peeled and diced)
Heavy Cream
1 1/2 cups (none)
Butter
4 tablespoons (unsalted)
Chicken Bouillon Granules
3 teaspoons (none)
Cream Cheese
4 ounces (softened)
Diced Onion
1/3 cup (none)
Cornstarch
2 tablespoons (none)
Crushed Crackers
1/2 cup (none)
Pepper
1/2 teaspoon (black, freshly ground)
Salt
1/4 teaspoon (none)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a square baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
2
Place the diced potatoes in a large pot of cold, salted water and bring to a boil. Cook until just tender, about 5-7 minutes. Drain the potatoes and spread them evenly in the prepared baking dish.
3
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onions and sauté until they are translucent and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
4
In a separate bowl, mix the cornstarch with the heavy cream until well combined. Gradually pour this mixture into the saucepan with the melted butter and onions, stirring continuously.
5
Add the softened cream cheese and chicken bouillon granules to the saucepan. Stir until the cream cheese is completely melted and the mixture is smooth. Cook until the sauce thickens, approximately 5-7 minutes, while continuing to stir frequently.
6
Once the sauce has thickened, pour it over the potatoes in the baking dish. Gently stir to ensure all the potatoes are well-coated with the sauce.
7
Evenly sprinkle the crushed crackers over the top of the potato mixture to create a crunchy topping.
8
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 5-10 minutes, or until the cracker crust is lightly browned.
9
Remove from the oven and let it sit for 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy your Decadent Creamy Potato Gratin!
Nutrition Information
19g
Fat
17g
Carbs
3.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Decadent Creamy Potato Gratin?
Decadent Creamy Potato Gratin is a rich twist on the classic dish, featuring tender potatoes in a sauce of heavy cream, cream cheese, and chicken bouillon, topped with a crunchy cracker crust.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to yield 10 servings.
What temperature should I set my oven to?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) before baking the gratin.
How long do the diced potatoes need to boil?
Boil the diced potatoes in salted water for about 5-7 minutes until they are just tender.
What type of baking dish should I use?
A square baking dish greased with butter or cooking spray is recommended for this recipe.
How should I prepare the onions?
The onions should be diced and sautéed in butter for 3-4 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
Why is cornstarch used in the recipe?
Cornstarch is mixed with heavy cream to act as a thickening agent for the savory sauce.
How do I prevent the sauce from becoming lumpy?
Mix the cornstarch with the heavy cream in a separate bowl before gradually pouring it into the saucepan and stirring continuously.
What role does cream cheese play in the gratin?
Cream cheese adds a tangy flavor and a velvety, thick texture to the potato sauce.
What provides the savory seasoning in this dish?
The primary savory flavor comes from chicken bouillon granules, along with fresh black pepper and salt.
How long does it take for the sauce to thicken on the stove?
The sauce should be cooked over medium heat for approximately 5-7 minutes until it reaches the desired thickness.
When do I add the crushed crackers?
Sprinkle the crushed crackers evenly over the potato and sauce mixture just before placing the dish in the oven.
Do I need to cover the dish while baking?
Yes, cover the baking dish with aluminum foil for the first 25 minutes of the baking process.
What is the total baking time?
The total baking time is 30-35 minutes: 25 minutes covered and an additional 5-10 minutes uncovered.
How do I get a golden brown topping?
Remove the aluminum foil for the last 5-10 minutes of baking to allow the cracker crust to brown.
Should I let the dish rest after taking it out of the oven?
Yes, let the gratin sit for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set.
What are the nutritional facts for one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 240 calories, 19g of fat, 17g of carbohydrates, and 3.5g of protein.
Is this recipe suitable for a festive occasion?
Yes, the recipe is tagged as festive and comfort food, making it an excellent side dish for holiday meals.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
The recipe calls for unsalted butter, but if you use salted, you may want to reduce the amount of added salt later.
How many cups of potatoes are required?
You will need 3 cups of peeled and diced potatoes.
Can I make this dish vegetarian?
To make it vegetarian, simply substitute the chicken bouillon granules with vegetable bouillon.
What kind of pepper is recommended?
The recipe suggests using 1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper.
How much heavy cream is used?
The recipe requires 1 1/2 cups of heavy cream.
How much cream cheese do I need?
You will need 4 ounces of softened cream cheese.
What size should the potato pieces be?
The potatoes should be diced into uniform pieces to ensure they cook evenly during the boiling and baking stages.
Is there any fiber or sugar in this dish?
According to the provided nutritional data, the fiber and sugar content are negligible or not specified.
What is the category of this recipe?
This recipe is categorized under Potato dishes.
Can I use different types of crackers?
Yes, any savory cracker like buttery round crackers or saltines can be crushed for the topping.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 10 ingredients in this potato gratin recipe.
Why is it called 'Decadent'?
It is called decadent because of the rich combination of heavy cream, butter, and cream cheese that creates an indulgent texture.