Budget-Friendly Potato Layer Bake (Printable Version)

Tender potatoes and onions baked in creamy cheese sauce for a comforting, budget-friendly dish.

# The Ingredients You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2.6 lbs peeled potatoes, thinly sliced
02 - 1 large onion, thinly sliced

→ Dairy

03 - 3/4 cup plus 2 tbsp whole milk
04 - 2/3 cup heavy cream
05 - 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
06 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing

→ Pantry

07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1 tsp salt
09 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
10 - 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)

→ Optional Toppings

11 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley for garnish

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a medium baking dish (about 9x11 inches) with butter.
02 - Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Stir in whole milk, heavy cream, salt, black pepper, and nutmeg if using. Warm gently until just heated without boiling, then remove from heat.
04 - Arrange half of the potato slices evenly in the baking dish. Top with half the sliced onions and half the grated cheddar cheese.
05 - Repeat layers with the remaining potatoes, onions, and cheese.
06 - Pour the warm milk and cream mixture evenly over the layered ingredients.
07 - Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes.
08 - Remove foil and bake an additional 20 minutes until the top is golden and potatoes are tender.
09 - Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Optionally garnish with chopped parsley.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Budget-friendly and filling
  • Easy to prepare and bake
02 -
  • This dish can be made vegetarian by omitting optional bacon additions
  • Gruyère or mozzarella can substitute cheddar for a different flavor
03 -
  • Use thinly sliced potatoes for even cooking
  • Heat the dairy mixture gently to avoid curdling
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