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  1. Food and Cooking
  2. Recipes
  3. French Onion Potatoes au Gratin

French Onion Potatoes au Gratin

They’re loaded with caramelized onions and so much cheese!

By Ree DrummondUpdated: Nov 24, 2025
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5
1 Rating
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pioneer woman french onion potatoes au gratin
David Malosh
Yields:
8 - 10 serving(s)
Prep Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
2 hrs 45 mins

This French onion potatoes au gratin recipe is what happens when French onion soup meets a pan of cheesy potatoes au gratin and they decide to live happily ever after. It’s got sweet, jammy, caramelized onions, a splash of sherry, layers of thinly sliced potatoes, and more melty cheese than should probably be legal. Everything bakes together until it's golden, bubbling, and basically begging for a fork.

This glorious side dish doesn’t sit quietly on the side of the plate. It steals attention from the Thanksgiving turkey, distracts from the Christmas prime rib and ham, and might even cause a few friendly arguments over the last cheesy corner. Just try not to eat half the pan before it hits the table.

Pro tip: Let the dish rest for a full 20 minutes after it comes out of the oven so the cheese can settle and the layers set up just right. It’s the difference between scooping and slicing—and it’s worth the wait.

Can you make French onion potatoes au gratin ahead of time?

Yes, absolutely. Assemble the dish a day in advance, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake. Before it goes in the oven, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes to take the chill off. Bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes if needed to get that bubbly, golden top.

What kind of cheese works best for French onion potatoes au gratin?

This French onion potatoes au gratin recipe uses a dreamy combo of gruyère, Swiss, and parmesan. Gruyère, the classic nutty cheese for French onion soup, melts like a champ and has a rich, nutty flavor. Swiss adds creaminess and a little stretch, and parmesan sharpens everything with a salty, golden finish.

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Ingredients

  • 4 Tbsp.

    salted butter, plus more for the baking dish

  • 2 Tbsp.

    olive oil

  • 5

    onions, thinly sliced

  • 1 1/2 tsp.

    kosher salt

  • Black pepper, to taste

  • 1 tsp.

    sugar

  • 1 Tbsp.

    fresh thyme, chopped

  • 1/4 cup

    dry sherry

  • 1/2 cup

    low-sodium beef broth

  • 2 Tbsp.

    all-purpose flour

  • 1 1/2 cups

    heavy cream

  • 1 1/2 cups

    whole milk 

  • 1/4 tsp.

    freshly grated nutmeg

  • 6 oz.

    gruyère cheese, shredded

  • 6 oz.

    Swiss cheese, shredded

  • 5

    large russet potatoes, peeled, halved and sliced 1/4 inch thick

  • 1/4 cup

    grated parmesan cheese

  • Chopped fresh chives, for topping

Directions

    1. Step 1Preheat the oven to 375˚. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Heat the olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the onions, 1 teaspoon salt, a few grinds of pepper and the sugar. Stir, then cover and cook, stirring once, 10 minutes. Uncover, increase the heat to medium and cook, stirring, 10 more minutes. Add the thyme, sherry and broth. Cook, stirring, until the liquid evaporates and the onions are caramelized, about 15 more minutes. 
    2. Step 2Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a dutch oven over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook 1 minute, then whisk in the heavy cream and milk. Add the remaining ½ teaspoon salt and the nutmeg. Bring to a simmer, whisking until smooth. Cook, stirring, until thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat. Stir in all but ½ cup each of the gruyère and Swiss until melted. Stir in the potatoes. 
    3. Step 3Layer half of the potatoes in the baking dish, then half of the onions. Repeat with the remaining potatoes and onions. Sprinkle with the reserved gruyère and Swiss and the parmesan. Cover with foil, tenting it so it doesn’t touch the cheese; bake until the potatoes are tender, 45 to 55 minutes. Uncover and bake until golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Let sit 20 minutes before serving. Top with chives.
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