How to Make the Perfect Caramelized Onion and Gruyere Scalloped Potatoes
French-American · Hard · 105 min · 10 servings
These elegant scalloped potatoes are layered with sweet caramelized onions and blanketed in a rich Gruyere cream sauce. It is a show-stopping holiday side dish that is pure comfort in every cheesy golden bite.
Why this recipe works
This Caramelized Onion and Gruyere Scalloped Potatoes recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 105 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 380 calories with 11g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 3 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes sliced thin on a mandoline
- 2 large yellow onions thinly sliced
- 2 cups Gruyere cheese grated
- 1.5 cups heavy cream
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter divided
- 4 cloves garlic minced
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Caramelize the Onions
Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over low heat. Add the thinly sliced onions with a pinch of salt and cook very slowly, stirring every few minutes, for 35 to 45 minutes until they are deeply golden and jammy. Do not rush this step as properly caramelized onions are essential to the dish.
Step 2: Make the Cream Sauce
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the remaining butter and cook the minced garlic for 1 minute. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Season generously with salt, black pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg. Stir in half the Gruyere cheese until melted and smooth.
Step 3: Layer the Casserole
Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and butter a 9x13 baking dish. Arrange one third of the potato slices in an overlapping layer on the bottom. Spread half the caramelized onions over the potatoes, then pour one third of the cream sauce over everything. Repeat the layers and finish with a final layer of potatoes and remaining cream sauce.
Step 4: Bake Covered Then Uncovered
Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and bake for 45 minutes until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a knife. Remove the foil, scatter the remaining Gruyere cheese evenly over the top, and bake for 20 to 25 more minutes until the top is deeply golden and bubbling. Let it rest 15 minutes before cutting.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- Gruyere cheese → Swiss cheese or sharp white cheddar
- heavy cream → half-and-half for a slightly lighter dish
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Rushing the caramelization of onions by using high heat which makes them bitter instead of sweet
- Slicing potatoes too thick which prevents them from cooking through evenly
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 380 calories, 11g protein, 32g carbs, 24g fat, 3g fiber.
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