Description
French Onion Potato Bake is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines the rich, savory flavors of classic French onion soup with tender, layered baked potatoes, all topped with a golden, bubbling crust of melted Gruyère cheese. Perfect for weeknight dinners or family gatherings, this recipe features caramelized onions, fresh herbs, and a creamy broth infusion, creating a warm and satisfying experience that feels like a cozy hug in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes
- 4 large Russet potatoes, thinly sliced
Onion Mixture
- 4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 3 tbsp butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 cups beef or vegetable broth
Cheese
- 1 ½ cups shredded Gruyère cheese
Seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Onions: Start by slicing your yellow onions thinly. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat and add the onions. Cook them slowly, stirring often, until they become deeply golden and caramelized, which should take about 25 minutes. This slow cooking develops the signature sweet and savory base that defines the French Onion Potato Bake.
- Add Garlic and Herbs: Once the onions are beautifully caramelized, add minced garlic, fresh thyme, and bay leaves to the skillet. Cook for another 1-2 minutes to release the herbs’ fragrances and allow the garlic to soften without burning.
- Simmer with Broth: Pour in the beef or vegetable broth, stir everything together, and let the mixture simmer gently for about 10 minutes. This step melds the caramelized onions with the broth, creating a rich, flavorful sauce that will soak into the potatoes.
- Prepare the Potatoes: While the onion mixture simmers, thinly slice your potatoes using a mandoline or sharp knife to ensure even cooking. Lightly grease a baking dish and begin layering the potato slices, seasoning each layer with salt and pepper.
- Assemble the Bake: Pour the onion and broth mixture evenly over the layered potatoes. Top everything generously with shredded Gruyère cheese—a crucial step for that irresistible crust.
- Bake: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 45 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes to brown and bubble the cheese beautifully.
Notes
- Caramelize onions slowly: Don’t rush the onions; slow caramelizing brings out their natural sweetness.
- Uniform potato slices: Evenly sliced potatoes ensure consistent cooking throughout the bake.
- Use quality cheese: Gruyère is traditional, but any good melting cheese will enhance the dish.
- Season each layer: Light seasoning between potato layers prevents bland bites.
- Let it rest after baking: Allowing the bake to rest for 5 minutes helps it set and makes serving easier.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: French Onion Potato Bake, French Onion Soup, baked potato casserole, caramelized onions, Gruyère cheese, comfort food, easy dinner, vegetarian option, gluten free
