Description
The Cheesy Potato Bake is a quintessential comfort food dish that combines tender layers of potato with a creamy, savory cheese sauce. Perfect for chilly evenings, potlucks, or any occasion that calls for a homely, satisfying meal, this dish promises to delight everyone from kids to the elderly with its delightful flavors and textures.
Ingredients
- 4 large russet potatoes, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Step-by-step Directions
1. Preparing the Oven and Baking Dish
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Take a 9×13-inch baking dish and grease it lightly to prevent sticking.
2. Making the Cheese Sauce
In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and stir continuously for about 1 minute to cook off the raw flavor. Gradually whisk in the milk and continue cooking until the mixture reaches a thick consistency.
3. Adding Flavor
Blend in the garlic powder, salt, and pepper to the thickened sauce, and then mix in 1 cup of the cheddar cheese until the sauce is smooth. Remove the saucepan from heat once the cheese has melted completely.
4. Assembling Layers
Arrange half of your thinly sliced potatoes in the bottom of the greased baking dish. Pour half of the prepared cheese sauce over the potatoes. Repeat this process with the remaining potatoes and cheese sauce, ensuring even layers.
5. Baking the Dish
Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese on top of the assembled layers. Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes. After this time, remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until the cheese on top turns golden and bubbly.
Servings & Preparation Time
This recipe serves approximately 6 people. The preparation time is about 15 minutes, with a cooking time of 60 minutes, totaling 75 minutes from start to finish.
Tips for Storage & Reheating
- Storage: Allow the bake to cool completely before covering it with foil or transferring it to an airtight container. It can be refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating: Reheat individual servings in the microwave, or reheat larger portions in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through. Add a splash of milk or cream when reheating if the dish seems too dry.
Conclusion
The Cheesy Potato Bake is more than just a dish; it’s a heartwarming experience that brings smiles with every creamy, cheesy bite. Perfect for almost any occasion, its simplicity in preparation coupled with its robust flavor profile makes it a perennial favorite among those who appreciate wholesome, flavorful meals. Whether you’re feeding a family or looking for the perfect dish to bring to a gathering, this cheesy potato bake ticks all the boxes for a delightful, comforting meal.
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Cheesy Potato Bake
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
The Cheesy Potato Bake is a quintessential comfort food dish that combines tender layers of potato with a creamy, savory cheese sauce. Perfect for chilly evenings, potlucks, or any occasion that calls for a homely, satisfying meal, this dish promises to delight everyone from kids to the elderly with its delightful flavors and textures.
Ingredients
- 4 large russet potatoes, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Take a 9×13-inch baking dish and grease it lightly to prevent sticking.
- In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and stir continuously for about 1 minute to cook off the raw flavor. Gradually whisk in the milk and continue cooking until the mixture reaches a thick consistency.
- Blend in the garlic powder, salt, and pepper to the thickened sauce, and then mix in 1 cup of the cheddar cheese until the sauce is smooth. Remove the saucepan from heat once the cheese has melted completely.
- Arrange half of your thinly sliced potatoes in the bottom of the greased baking dish. Pour half of the prepared cheese sauce over the potatoes. Repeat this process with the remaining potatoes and cheese sauce, ensuring even layers.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese on top of the assembled layers. Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes. After this time, remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until the cheese on top turns golden and bubbly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes