Winterroot Vegetable and Sweet Potato Gratin with Nordic Cheese
A layered gratin featuring winterroot vegetables and sweet potatoes baked with a creamy Nordic cheese sauce for a comforting northern dish. This nordic-inspired vegetarian ready in about 80 minutes pairs heavy cream, grated Jarlsberg cheese, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 360 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 medium, peeled and thinly sliced sweet potatoes
- 2 medium, peeled and thinly sliced parsnips
- 1 medium, peeled and thinly sliced rutabaga
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups grated Jarlsberg cheese
- 2, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp, chopped fresh thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp, for greasing and dotting butter
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Butter a 9x13-inch baking dish with 1 tbsp softened butter.
- Step 2: In a small saucepan over low heat, warm 2 cups heavy cream with 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until fragrant, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Step 3: Arrange a layer of thinly sliced sweet potatoes, parsnips, and rutabaga in the prepared dish, overlapping slightly.
- Step 4: Pour a third of the warm cream mixture over the vegetables and sprinkle with 1/2 cup grated Jarlsberg cheese.
- Step 5: Repeat layering two more times with remaining vegetables, cream, and cheese, finishing with cheese on top.
- Step 6: Dot the top with 1 tbsp butter cut into small pieces.
- Step 7: Cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes, then remove foil and bake an additional 20 minutes until the top is golden and bubbling and the vegetables are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Step 8: Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Winterroot Vegetable and Sweet Potato Gratin with Nordic Cheese take to make?
Total time is about 80 minutes (20 min prep + 60 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 Winterroot Vegetable and Sweet Potato Gratin with Nordic Cheese?
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 heavy cream from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Winterroot Vegetable and Sweet Potato Gratin with Nordic Cheese?
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 Winterroot Vegetable and Sweet Potato Gratin with Nordic Cheese 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 Winterroot Vegetable and Sweet Potato Gratin with Nordic Cheese?
Nordic vegetarian 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.
