Creamy Thyme Scalloped Potatoes with Gruyère
Silky potatoes layered in a rich cheese cream sauce, baked until bubbly and golden with fresh thyme for a decadent side dish. This french-inspired one pot ready in about 65 minutes pairs whole milk, heavy cream, grated Gruyère cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs, peeled and thinly sliced 1/8-inch thick Yukon Gold potatoes
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup, grated Gruyère cheese
- 1/2 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp, leaves only fresh thyme
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp (optional) nutmeg
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large saucepan, melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat, then whisk in 2 tbsp all-purpose flour to form a roux, cooking for 1-2 minutes until golden.
- Step 2: Gradually whisk in 2 cups whole milk and 1 cup heavy cream, then bring to a gentle simmer, stirring constantly until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon (about 5 minutes).
- Step 3: Stir in 1 cup grated Gruyère, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, 1 tbsp fresh thyme, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp nutmeg (if using) until cheese melts and sauce is smooth.
- Step 4: Arrange half of the sliced potatoes in a single layer in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Pour half of the cheese sauce over potatoes, then top with remaining potatoes and the rest of the sauce.
- Step 5: Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake 15 more minutes until potatoes are tender and top is golden and bubbly.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Creamy Thyme Scalloped Potatoes with Gruyère take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (20 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Creamy Thyme Scalloped Potatoes with Gruyère?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep whole milk from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Creamy Thyme Scalloped Potatoes with Gruyère?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Creamy Thyme Scalloped Potatoes with Gruyère for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Creamy Thyme Scalloped Potatoes with Gruyère?
French one pot like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
- ★★★☆☆
Okay for a quick meal. I've had better one pot dishes though.
- ★☆☆☆☆
The proportions seem off. Way too much of some ingredients.
