This creamy cheesy Potato Gratin for Two makes an easy meal or perfect side dish!
Hey! It’s May! And if you’ve been following along with Baking Mischief for a while, you’ll know that May means it’s Nerd Month here on the blog!!!
Nerd Month = my favorite month because it’s a month-long excuse for me to create recipes based on my favorite nerdy things and try to convince you to read/watch/listen along with me (you can see all of last year’s nerdy recipes here).
It won’t be ALL nerdy recipes this month, but a big chunk of the posts will be, and I’m so excited to share them with you because spoiler, this year’s recipes (and the things they are based on) are GREAT!
To start, we are taking a little trip back in time and down under for Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries!
Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries via Den of Geek
Miss Fisher, which is available on Netflix, might be the most charming murder-mystery show you’ve (n)ever seen (okay, maybe it’s tied with Pushing Daisies). As much as I love dark and twisty television, sometimes you just want a bit of sunshine with your entertainment, and this show has that in spades.
The incomparable Essie Davis (HAVE YOU SEEN HER IN THE BABADOOK?) plays Phryne Fisher, a private detective in 1920’s Australia who, along with her trusty companion, Dot, a ragtag gaggle of staff, and reluctantly charmed Detective Inspector Jack Robinson, solves crimes, wears fabulous clothes, and generally has a grand old time.
It’s a very fun and breezy show that is also quite conscientious about its portrayal of women and social issues. If you’ve been feeling like you’re getting a little too much Man Pain in your TV diet lately, this is a pretty delightful counterbalance.
I’ve been rewatching episodes of this show quite a bit over the last few months, so I knew I wanted to include it in this year’s nerd month, and when it came to the recipe, there was one clear choice: Potato Gratin!
In the third episode of the series, Phryne uses some of Dot’s gratin to bribe Jack for information on their case, and since potato gratin is one of the best foods known to man, I had to make for the blog. Plus, how cute is this exchange? I really wanted an excuse to share it.
Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries via Tumblr
This recipe makes Potato Gratin for Two, which means it makes just enough for you and the handsome Detective Inspector in your life. 😉
Not only is Potato Gratin great for bribing police, it’s also a tasty and versatile recipe to have in your back pocket. You can pair it with a salad for a simple vegetarian main or serve it as a carbolicious side dish with something meaty.
Full-size gratins are a little time consuming to put together since there’s a fair amount of chopping involved, but since this recipe is for two, it’s actually quite fast to prepare. You just slice a quarter of an onion and one or two potatoes, grate a little cheese and throw everything together in a casserole dish.
The only downside to this gratin is that it does require nearly an hour of baking time, BUT it’s a low-maintenance hour, so you can just pop it into the oven and let it hang out for the first forty minutes while you go about your life.
By the time the potatoes are finished, the cheese on top is all bubbly and a little crispy and the potatoes are creamy and perfect. Honestly, you will be so glad that this is a portion-controlled recipe for two because you will never want to stop eating it!
Cheesy Potato Gratin for Two
Ingredients
Special Equipment
Potato Gratin
- 1 large russet potato (about 12oz) thinly sliced and divided
- 1/4 onion halved root to tip and thinly sliced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt divided
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper divided
- 1 heaping teaspoon all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cold butter diced and divided
- 1/2 cup (2oz) shredded Cheddar cheese divided
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F and lightly grease your casserole dish. Layer half of the potatoes in the dish and top with the onions. Sprinkle with half of the salt and pepper, all of the flour, and half of the butter and cheese.
- Add remaining potatoes and top with remaining salt, pepper, butter, and cheese. Pour milk and cream over the top.
- Place a sheet of foil or baking sheet on the bottom rack to catch any milk or cheese that bubbles over. Bake gratin on the center rack for 40 to 60 minutes, until potatoes are fork tender.
- Cool for five minutes and enjoy!
Adapted From AllRecipes
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Kathleen Stanley says
This dish was perfect! I used two larger red potatoes., I had to add salt to it on my plate, but my guest did not.I love recipes for two. I highly recommend this recipe, k
Joyce says
Sounds super good, and very easy to make. Going to make them today while the storm rages outside.
Thank you for such a good and easy recipe!
Paula B says
These were really tasty! I love that it’s not too much for just my husband and me and that they were super quick and easy to make!
Tracy says
So glad you and the husband enjoyed it, Paula!
Jan says
I made these tonight using gruyere. They were delicious and went well with our Prime Rib. It made just the right amount for the two us with no leftovers. Thank you for this recipe.
Barb says
My husband and I thought this was delicious. The recipe was easy to prepare and made the whole house smell wonderful as it baked. I didn’t have heavy cream so I made do with whole milk. Definitely will make this again.
Tracy says
Thanks, Barb! So glad you both enjoyed it!!
Mary Ann Jess says
We love these. So much better than the boxed potatoes I have been using. A little more preparation but well worth the effort.
Tracy says
So glad to hear it, Mary Ann!
Elaine says
This was fantastic and so easy! My husband loved it.
Tracy says
Thrilled to hear it, Elaine!
Victoria says
My husband loved these au gratin potatoes and this recipe was so easy! Portion control? Well, I made this “two portion” recipe and, since I did not eat but a spoonful (stupid weight gain…), he took care of the entire amount.
Maryb says
Thanks for this recipe, it was delicious! My husband and I are retired so this was perfect. Am kinda obsessed with small batch recipes.
kaye says
I seemed to have a problem with the potatoes not getting nice and soft. I decided that perhaps I was cutting them to thick, so I dragged out my trusty mandoline and sliced the ‘taters very thin. Ta-Daaaaaaaaaa….nice tender potatoes in a creamy delicious sauce!! I make this quite often for hubby and myself. Good thing it is a recipe for two, ’cause were it larger I’d be eating it all up and gaining back any weight I have lost, LOL
So happy that it’s working for me now.
Tracy says
LOL! So glad you got it to work for you, Kaye!
John says
Hi…took your advice to go for it
Used gruyere
My french wife liked it better than her moms
She doesn’t put in onions
Great dish….thanks
Tracy says
Thanks for reporting back! SO thrilled to hear you and your wife enjoyed it!
John says
Hi…can I substitute Colby jack or Monterey Jack instead of cheddar
Thank you
Tracy says
Go for it!
John says
Will do….thanks
Stephanie says
These are amazing!! It is so hard to find delicious recipes that don’t make massive amounts of food. This is a new favorite!
Tracy says
So glad you enjoyed them, Stephanie!!
Tracey says
Thank you for the recommendation! We’ve been enjoying Miss Fisher, it’s a great show.
I also love your small batch dessert recipes. Thanks for sharing!
Tracy says
This makes me so happy to hear!! Thanks, Tracey!
Shannon says
I made these last night and they are the best!
Tracy says
Thanks, Shannon! So glad you enjoyed it!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
I’m always up for new show suggestions and haven’t heard of this one before so you know I have to check out 😉 I absolutely love potato gratin, but don’t make too often cause it’s usually way to much for two people. So, your recipe is perfect. Though, I bet once I dig in, it’ll, all of a sudden, become a recipe for one, lol 😀 Pinning! Going to make this one for hubby and I with bbq steak! Cheers to a wonderful weekend, Tracy, and looking forward to more yummy recipes and show suggestions 🙂
Tracy says
Thanks, Dawn! And thanks for pinning!!