With Valentine’s Day coming up, I have been thinking of romantic homemade meals for two. I know a lot of men think the best meals consists of meat and potatoes, so I tend to use this combination when I am cooking for them! Whether it be steak and baked potatoes or meatloaf and potatoes au gratin for two, a homemade meal can really win over the heart of the significant other in your life.
Today, I am sharing a new recipe for potatoes au gratin for two. This is two healthy servings of thinly sliced potatoes, layered with shredded Parmesan cheese, and smothered in a homemade garlic monterey jack cheese sauce.
Let’s talk about the ingredients for a minute.
The Potatoes
I used two medium russet potatoes, peeled them, and sliced them thinly for this recipe. I imagine you could use almost any potato you like, including sweet potatoes, although the cooking time may vary.
The Cheese
Cheese is everything in this recipe. I chose a Swiss Villa raw milk montery jack cheese, made from cows that are organically farmed and 100% grass fed. This 60 day-aged cheese packs enormous flavor that is perfect for potatoes au gratin.
I also feel great supporting Swiss Villa, because they are a small family business that works with small farmers around Pennsylvania. They produce high quality, organic butter, cheese, eggs, and meat. They have a passion for working with farms that practice sustainable farming. Visit their website to learn more.
Potatoes Au Gratin for Two
Back to the dish… it is a harmony of tender potatoes and delicious, melted cheese. This is my new favorite side dish, and… if I’m perfectly honest, it makes a great snack at work, if you happen to make it for just one, and have leftovers.
Potatoes Au Gratin for Two
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp butter
- 2 russet potatoes
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese shredded
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup shredded montery jack cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Place 1 tbsp butter in a .5 quart oven-safe dish. Place in oven while it's preheating, and allow butter to melt. Meanwhile, peel and slice potatoes into thin circles.
- Once butter is melted, coat the dish in butter, and place a layer of thinly-sliced potatoes on the bottom of the dish. Sprinkle on 1/3 of the Parmesan cheese, and repeat three layers.
- In a small saucepan, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium-heat. Sprinkle in flour, and whisk quickly to avoid any lumps. Add in milk, whisking vigorously, until it starts to thicken. Stir in cheese and remove from heat.
- Pour cheese sauce over potato dish. Bake on the bottom rack in preheated oven for 60 - 80 minutes, until potatoes are tender and cheese is golden brown.
I love learning how to create things from scratch, so I know what ingredients go into everything from homemade face scrubs to clean eating recipes. I enjoy sharing my favorite recipes with other families so they can have a healthier home, too!
I love this recipe and have made it several times. If I wanted to make it for a large group is there any ingredient that you would not keep doubling or tripling etc.?
So glad you like it! I think you’d be fine to double or triple all the ingredients. Let me know how it turns out!
Would love to know the seasonings used ! I see the bits in the sauce but none are listed in the ingredients
Hi Brittany – what a great observation 🙂
I did include salt and freshly-cracked pepper in the cheese sauce, which I didn’t include in the recipe. I tend to add both in all of my recipes and don’t even think about it.
Making this recipe now.
Used a round 2qt baking dish, I got 4 layers of potatoes.
I used 2 large baking potatoes.
1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 cup mild cheddar cheese
1 cup 2% lactose free milk.
After patting the potato slices dry, I poured the thicken cheese sauce over the layered potatoes as stated in the recipe. I am hoping it will come out alright. Not too dry between the layers of potatoes.
I felt as if I needed to layer cheese sauce in with each sprinkling of Parmesan, but I stuck to following the recipe’s directions.
Has Anyone actually made this?
How did it turn out for you?
I’d enjoy if this recipe worked out, given I am utilizing it as an addition to My weeknight dinner menu line-up for my husband and myself.
Hopefully I don’t have to do, too much tweaking with this tasty appearing dish.
ummm yes please, this looks amazing. i will have to put it on the menu for next week
I’m so glad that you made this recipe for two. I live alone so I don’t like to make family sized dishes. I end up throwing half away.
Its seems so delicious and easy!! I ll definitely try it 😉
I think this is so cool that you made these. My family LOVES au gratin potatoes.
I am so in love with this recipe. I have never used a monterey jack cheese for my au gratin potatoes, but yours looks so good, I will have to try it. I love the portion of the recipe too!
This is my boyfriend’s favourite side dish – you’ve definitely given me an idea for Valentine’s Day now. Proper cheesy warming comfort food, whats not to love!
I love Potatoes Au Gratin. I normally buy it in the package. Your recipe sounds pretty easy. Will give it a try. Thanks for posting it.
I love Potatoes Au Gratin but I’ve never tried to make them myself. Your recipe looks delicious!
I love cooking with potatoes because they go well with so many ingredients! I think this is a classic favorite. Thanks for the recipe.
I really need to try this out on weekend. My kids will surely love it.
This recipe looks so tempting, I love a good creamy and cheesy potato dish! I’m certain my husband would love this as well, he is that quintessential meat and potatoes man you speak of in your post.
I am drooling. I love potatoes and this looks so scrumptious.
Every meal with a lot of cheese and milk is a perfect treat for me. That tempting image makes me wanna eat them all.
I love how easy it is to make this dish. No more box potatoes for me.
I never liked potatoes au gratin as a kid and so I’ve never made them as an adult. You’ve got me reconsidering. Your recipe looks and sounds delicious and I like every single one of the ingredients. I’ll be giving it a try this nest week.