Dauphinoise Potatoes

Try our easy recipe for dauphinoise potatoes

Impressive and easy, this dauphinoise potatoes recipe is just what you need when you want to dazzle your guests. It takes a mere handful of ingredients to cook a delicious masterpiece like this.

Simply layer up the thinly sliced potatoes, pour over the sauce, pop it in the oven, and let its warm embrace do the rest. The result? Soft, tender potatoes soaked in creamy sauce and topped with cheese crust that will have everyone gathered around the table the second it leaves the oven.

Creamy goodness from milk and cream

Milk and cream work together as a team for this sauce. As the milk gently simmers, it adds a delicate creaminess that lets the rich cream shine through. The cream coats the potatoes in a velvety layer, giving them a luxuriously smooth texture while keeping the sauce at the right consistency; neither too thick nor too thin. Garlic is there to give the blend a little edge, infusing the sauce with a fragrant warmth. 

Extra crispy top with melted cheese

Although Cheddar is not traditionally part of potato dauphinoise, here it acts as a golden crown, adding a decadent finishing touch. It melts and crisps up in the oven, forming a gloriously crunchy topping that makes way for the soft, creamy layers beneath. The cheese has a sharp, tangy flavour that cuts through the earthy potatoes and silky sauce, providing a luscious depth and dimension.

Serve as part of a decadent dinner

With this easy dauphinoise potatoes recipe, you can whip up a side dish that stands out on its own but also works with just about anything on the table. Let them cosy up to a juicy steak or a roast lamb, and their creamy layers will soak up the rich juices like a sponge. Even with something as delicate as pan-seared salmon, they hold their own, adding a luxurious contrast to the fish’s flaky tenderness.

For vegetables, think of them as the canvas for your culinary creativity. Bright, crisp green beans or a tangle of sautéed spinach can cut through the decadence, while caramelised onions or roasted root vegetables add a sweet, earthy depth that feels like autumn on a plate.

French comfort food at its best

Dauphinoise potatoes are the definition of cosy French cooking. This classic comes from the Dauphiné region in southeastern France, nestled between the Alps and the Rhône Valley, where chilly evenings call for warm, comforting food. Traditionally, thinly sliced potatoes were slowly baked in a creamy, garlicky sauce until irresistibly soft, with no cheese in sight.

But over time, just like us, people could not resist topping them with cheese, letting it crisp up into a golden crust that makes them even more comforting. This ultimate comfort food invites you to wrap yourself in a cosy blanket, settle into a soft chair by the fire, and enjoy every creamy, cheesy scoop without a care in the world.

For more potato comfort, our scalloped potatoes are rich, creamy, and every bit as cosy. Or stay in the French mood with a homemade baguette fresh from the oven or a batch of soft madeleines for dessert.

Add your own touch to the classic

Cheddar may be the go-to choice for dauphinoise potatoes, but there is a whole world of flavours waiting to be explored. Swap the cheese for Gruyère, and you will get a nutty depth with a slight sweetness that melts smoothly into the sauce. Prefer a milder melt? Try a mix of mozzarella and Parmesan; mozzarella brings the gooeyness, while Parmesan steps in with its salty, nutty touch. Fresh herbs can also take things up a notch. A sprinkle of thyme adds an earthy warmth, while rosemary brings a bold, piney aroma that lingers as the potatoes bake.