Mini Cheesy Stacked Potato Gratins: A Dreamy Homemade Recipe

Crafting delectable mini stacked potato gratins promises a delightful culinary adventure that will spark joy at your dinner table.

Layers of thinly sliced potatoes create a mouthwatering masterpiece bursting with creamy goodness.

Cheese melts luxuriously between each perfectly seasoned potato round, adding rich depth to every bite.

Each compact stack becomes a personal-sized treasure that feels both elegant and comforting.

Crispy edges complement the tender interior, making these gratins irresistible to anyone who appreciates simple yet sophisticated cooking.

Salt and herbs transform ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary side dish that feels like a gourmet experience.

FAQs

• How do I ensure my potato slices are uniform in thickness?

Use a mandolin slicer for precise, consistent 2mm thick potato slices. If you don’t have a mandolin, a sharp knife and steady hand can work, but take extra care to maintain even thickness.

• Can I use different types of potatoes for this recipe?

Waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold or red potatoes work best. They hold their shape well and provide a creamy texture. Avoid starchy potatoes like Russet, which might break down during cooking.

• What if I don't have a muffin tin?

A small baking dish can be an alternative, but you’ll lose the individual stack presentation. Adjust baking time and ensure potatoes are layered carefully to maintain the gratin’s structure.

Mini Stacked Potato Gratins with Cheese That Wow

• Create Petite Potato Perfection: Transform ordinary potatoes into stunning mini stacks that look like culinary artwork, impressing guests with minimal effort.
• Master Layered Deliciousness: Build complex flavor profiles by carefully arranging potato slices, cream, and cheese in perfectly proportioned individual servings that guarantee every bite is equally delectable.
• Versatile Dining Companion: Adaptable recipe that seamlessly transitions from elegant dinner side dish to casual brunch centerpiece, making it a go-to option for multiple meal scenarios.
• Simple Gourmet Experience: Elevate home cooking with restaurant-quality presentation using basic kitchen tools, proving sophisticated dishes don't require professional training or complicated techniques.

Ingredients for Mini Stacked Potato Gratins

Main Ingredients:

Potatoes: Starchy vegetables that form the core structure and base of these delightful mini gratins.

Cheese: Provides rich, melty flavor and creates a golden, crispy topping for the potato stacks.

• Heavy Cream: Adds luxurious richness and helps create a smooth, creamy sauce for the potato layers.
• Butter: Ensures a golden coating for the muffin tin and contributes to the overall buttery flavor.
• Shredded Cheese: Delivers a final crispy and melted cheese layer on top of the potato stacks.

• Garlic, Thyme: Fresh herbs and aromatics that enhance the depth of flavor in the potato gratins.
• Salt: Balances and highlights the overall taste of the dish.

How to Assemble and Bake Potato Gratins

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Set your oven to 350°F. This temperature ensures perfect cooking for these delightful potato stacks.

Step 2: Prepare the Muffin Tin

• Butter

Melt the butter and gently brush the inside of each muffin tin hole. This prevents sticking and adds a rich flavor.

Step 3: Create a Creamy Sauce

• Garlic
• Cream
• Salt

Sauté the garlic briefly in butter. Pour in cream and salt, letting the mixture simmer for a quick 30 seconds.

Set aside and keep warm.

Step 4: Transform the Potatoes

Peel the potatoes and create sturdy cylindrical shapes that fit perfectly in the muffin tin.

Slice them into ultra-thin 2mm pieces using a mandolin or sharp knife for precision.

Step 5: Build Potato Towers

Carefully stack potato slices into each muffin tin hole, filling them about halfway.

Aim for neat, uniform stacks that look as good as they taste.

Step 6: Drizzle the Cream

Generously pour about a teaspoon of cream mixture over each potato stack, using half of your prepared sauce.

Step 7: Add the First Cheese Layer

Place a square of cheese atop each potato stack, creating a delicious midpoint surprise.

Step 8: Complete the Stacks

Add the remaining potato slices, building each stack slightly above the tin’s rim.

Pour the remaining cream sauce and sprinkle most of the thyme.

Step 9: Initial Baking

Cover the tin loosely with foil and bake for 40 minutes.

The potatoes should become tender enough to pierce easily with a knife.

Step 10: Cheese Finale

Remove the foil, sprinkle shredded cheese over the stacks, and return to the oven.

Bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese turns golden and bubbly.

Step 11: Rest and Garnish

Sprinkle the remaining thyme over the gratins.

Let them rest for 5 minutes. Use a tablespoon or butter knife to gently remove from the tin.

Step 12: Serve and Enjoy

These elegant potato stacks work perfectly as a side dish, appetizer, or part of a hearty breakfast. Pair with eggs, bacon, or enjoy on their own.

Tips to Perfect Potato Gratins

• Opt for uniform potato slices using a mandolin or sharp knife to ensure even cooking and consistent texture in each stack.
• Butter the muffin tin generously to prevent sticking and create a golden, crispy exterior for easy removal.
• Cover with foil during initial baking to retain moisture, then uncover to achieve a beautifully caramelized cheese topping.
• Let gratins rest for 5 minutes after baking to set and make removal easier, preventing potential burns and maintaining stack integrity.
• Try different cheese varieties like gruyère or fontina to personalize the flavor profile and add depth to the dish.

Variations on Potato Gratins to Try

• Herb-Infused Potato Stacks: Replace thyme with rosemary or sage for a different aromatic profile. Swap regular cheese with herb-flavored alternatives like herbed goat cheese or parmesan.
• Vegan Potato Towers: Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream. Substitute dairy cheese with nutritional yeast or vegan cheese alternatives. Employ olive oil in place of butter for greasing.
• Spicy Southwestern Potato Layers: Add diced jalapeños or green chiles between potato layers. Incorporate pepper jack cheese and sprinkle chili powder for extra heat. Top with fresh cilantro after baking.

Pairings That Work Well with Potato Gratins

• Enhance the creamy, rich potato gratins with a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, whose bright acidity cuts through the dish's richness and complements the cheese's robust flavor.
• Serve alongside a golden, herb-infused roasted chicken that echoes the thyme notes in the gratins, creating a harmonious main course with complementary herbal undertones.
• Balance the gratins' decadence with a light, crisp green salad featuring arugula, lemon vinaigrette, and toasted pine nuts, providing a refreshing counterpoint to the creamy potatoes.

Storage Advice for Potato Gratins

• Seal cooled potato gratins in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, maintaining their delicious flavor and texture.
• Wrap individual gratins tightly in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. Freeze for maximum 1 month to prevent texture degradation.
• Place potato gratins on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat at 50% power for 1-2 minutes, checking periodically to prevent overcooking.

Mini Stacked Potato Gratins With Cheese Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Layered potato gratins showcasing sharp cheddar offer a luxurious side dish from French culinary traditions. Crisp edges and creamy centers make these individual portions perfect for elegant dinner presentations that will delight dinner guests.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.2 kg (2.6 lbs) starchy potatoes (preferably large and elongated)
• 180 ml (6 fl oz) gruyere cheese (shredded)
• 120 ml (4 fl oz) heavy cream
• 75 g (2.6 oz) gruyere cheese (sliced into 12 squares)
• 30 g (1 oz) unsalted butter
• 2 cloves garlic (finely minced)
• 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or 0.75 tsp if dried)
• 0.5 tsp salt
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste
• Vegetable oil spray

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C), ensuring an even cooking environment for the potato gratins.
2. Melt butter and generously brush the interior of a muffin tin, creating a non-stick surface for the potato stacks.
3. In a saucepan, briefly sauté minced garlic in remaining butter for 20 seconds. Pour in cream and salt, simmering for 30 seconds, then remove from heat and keep warm.
4. Prepare potatoes by peeling and creating stable cylindrical shapes that fit perfectly within muffin tin holes. Slice potatoes into uniform 2mm thick rounds using a mandolin or sharp knife.
5. Carefully layer potato slices into muffin tin holes, filling them halfway with precise, even stacks.
6. Drizzle approximately one teaspoon of cream mixture over each potato stack, ensuring even distribution.
7. Position a cheese square atop each potato layer to add rich, melting flavor.
8. Complete the stacks by adding remaining potato slices, allowing them to extend slightly above the tin rim. Pour remaining cream mixture and sprinkle most of the thyme across the stacks.
9. Cover muffin tin loosely with foil and bake for 40 minutes until potatoes become tender and easily pierced with a knife.
10. Uncover the tin, scatter shredded cheese over potato stacks, and return to oven for an additional 10 minutes until cheese turns golden and bubbling.
11. After baking, garnish with remaining thyme and let gratins rest for 5 minutes. Use a tablespoon or butter knife to carefully extract them from the tin.
12. Serve as an elegant side dish, appetizer, or breakfast accompaniment, showcasing these delicate potato stacks with their crispy edges and creamy interior.

Notes

• Select waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold or red potatoes for the most consistent texture and structure in your stacks.
• Use a sharp mandolin or knife to ensure uniform potato slices, which guarantees even cooking and professional-looking presentation.
• For gluten-free variation, replace regular cheese with dairy-free alternatives and confirm all ingredients meet dietary requirements.
• Enhance flavor complexity by adding subtle spices like nutmeg or white pepper to the cream mixture for sophisticated depth without overwhelming the potato’s natural taste.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 304 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 19 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 11 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg