Thinly sliced potatoes and sweet potatoes Recipe

If you love a dish that feels like a warm hug on a plate, then this recipe featuring thinly sliced potatoes and sweet potatoes is destined to become your new favorite. Imagine layers of tender Yukon Gold and sweet potatoes nestled in a luscious garlic-thyme cream, all crowned with bubbling Gruyère and Parmesan cheese. The result is a beautiful contrast between crispy golden edges and a creamy, dreamy center. Not only does this visually stunning dish taste incredible, but it also brings a comforting, elegant touch to any meal.

Ingredients You’ll Need

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

To make this classic yet impressive recipe, you only need a handful of simple ingredients that each play a vital role in bringing out rich flavor, luscious texture, and inviting color.

• Yukon Gold potatoes (3 medium): Their buttery flavor and firm texture hold up beautifully when sliced thinly, creating tender layers.
• Sweet potatoes (2 medium): Add natural sweetness and vibrant orange hues that brighten up the dish.
• Heavy cream (1 cup): Provides the silky sauce that keeps every slice luxuriously moist.
• Garlic (2 cloves, minced): Offers a subtle aromatic punch, infusing the cream with warmth.
• Fresh thyme (2 sprigs): Adds an earthy herbal note that complements both potatoes perfectly.
• Salt and black pepper (½ tsp each): Essential seasonings that enhance all the flavors without overpowering.
• Gruyère cheese (1 cup, shredded): Melts beautifully to create creamy, cheesy pockets between layers.
• Parmesan cheese (¼ cup, grated): Sprinkled on top, it crisps up to a golden, irresistible crust.

How to Make Thinly sliced potatoes and sweet potatoes

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Select a bundt pan and grease it well to ensure the beautiful potato layers release cleanly after baking. This step sets the stage for a perfect presentation and easy serving.

Step 2: Whisk the Cream Sauce

In a small bowl or saucepan, combine the heavy cream with minced garlic, fresh thyme, salt, and black pepper. Warm the mixture gently to let the flavors meld but avoid boiling. This creamy, fragrant sauce will transform your potatoes into a luscious masterpiece.

Step 3: Slice the Potatoes

Take your time to slice the Yukon Gold and sweet potatoes very thinly, ideally about 1/8 inch thick. Uniform slices mean even cooking and a wonderfully delicate texture. Using a mandoline slicer can make this step quicker and more precise, but a sharp knife works just fine.

Step 4: Arrange the Layers

Place the thinly sliced potatoes and sweet potatoes vertically in the bundt pan, alternating varieties and overlapping each slice slightly. This vertical arrangement creates stunning layers that cook evenly and look spectacular when unmolded.

Step 5: Add Cheese and Pour Sauce

Sprinkle shredded Gruyère cheese evenly throughout the layered potatoes, allowing it to melt into creamy pockets. Then, pour the warm cream mixture over the entire stack, letting it settle between the slices. Finish by topping with grated Parmesan, which will crisp beautifully in the oven.

Step 6: Bake Covered

Cover the pan tightly with foil and bake for 40 minutes to let the potatoes soften and absorb the flavors. This gentle cooking helps the potatoes become tender while keeping the layers intact.

Step 7: Finish Baking Uncovered

Remove the foil and bake for another 20 minutes until the top is golden and crisp. This final step adds a wonderful texture contrast, sealing the creamy interior with a satisfying cheesy crust.

Step 8: Cool and Serve

Allow the gratin to cool slightly before carefully unmolding it onto a serving plate. Serving warm maximizes the creamy, cheesy goodness and showcases the beautiful layers of thinly sliced potatoes and sweet potatoes arranged like a glorious wreath.

How to Serve Thinly sliced potatoes and sweet potatoes

Garnishes

A sprinkle of fresh thyme leaves or chopped parsley brightens the dish visually and adds a burst of herbaceous freshness. For an extra touch of elegance, a light dusting of smoked paprika enhances the golden crust and adds subtle depth.

Side Dishes

This dish pairs wonderfully with roasted meats such as herb-crusted chicken or a juicy rib-eye steak. A crisp green salad with vinaigrette or garlicky sautéed greens cuts through the richness, balancing the meal perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For a festive touch, serve your potato gratin in the bundt pan itself, allowing guests to admire the vertical layers of thinly sliced potatoes and sweet potatoes. Alternatively, individual servings baked in mini ramekins make for charming plated courses or a stunning buffet presentation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Cover any leftover potatoes tightly with plastic wrap or transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate up to 3 days. The flavors deepen overnight, making it a delicious next-day side.

Freezing

While freezing is possible, it may affect the texture slightly. To freeze, cool completely, then wrap portions tightly in plastic wrap and foil before freezing. Use within 1 month for best quality.

Reheating

To reheat, warm covered in a 350°F oven until heated through, about 20 to 30 minutes. Removing the cover in the last few minutes restores the crispy top beautifully, making it taste freshly made.

FAQs

Can I substitute different types of potatoes?

Absolutely! While Yukon Gold and sweet potatoes offer contrasting flavors and textures, you can swap in red potatoes or Russets. Just keep the slices thin and monitor cooking times closely, as denser potatoes may need slightly longer baking.

Do I have to use a bundt pan?

No, you can use any oven-safe dish or a springform pan to layer the potatoes, but the bundt pan helps create that stunning vertical wreath effect that makes the dish so special and festive.

Can this recipe be made dairy-free or vegan?

For a dairy-free version, swap heavy cream with coconut or cashew cream and use vegan cheeses that melt well. The flavor profile will be different but still delicious. Use fresh herbs and garlic as usual for aromatic depth.

What’s the best way to slice the potatoes thinly?

A mandoline slicer is the easiest tool for achieving uniform thin slices quickly and safely. A very sharp knife also works, but take your time to slice evenly to ensure even baking and an attractive presentation.

Can I add other flavors or ingredients?

Yes! Feel free to experiment by adding caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms, or a pinch of nutmeg to the cream sauce for added complexity. Just keep the balance so the star remains the harmony of thinly sliced potatoes and sweet potatoes.

Final Thoughts

There is something truly magical about the way thinly sliced potatoes and sweet potatoes come together in this dish to create layers of flavor, texture, and color. It’s a recipe you’ll want to return to again and again, whether for a cozy family dinner or a special occasion. Give it a try, and watch it quickly become a beloved classic in your kitchen too!