22 Golden-Topped Gratin Recipes with Squash, Pasta, Potatoes, and More (2024)

A gratin is a casserole but not just any casserole. With thoughtful layers of artfully arranged ingredients baked under a golden topping that typically includes breadcrumbs and/or cheese, gratin comes to the table all dressed up and ready to mingle with an array of other dishes. It's an elegant, crowd-pleasing way to showcase seasonal produce all year round, from root vegetables in the colder months to zucchini and sliced tomatoes in the summer — and of course, potatoes whenever the occasion calls for it. Here's our collection of gratin recipes for comforting, creative casseroles.

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Smashed Potato and Shallot Gratin

22 Golden-Topped Gratin Recipes with Squash, Pasta, Potatoes, and More (1)

For this luxurious side dish, whole baby potatoes are roasted with shallots and smashed right in the baking pan before they're covered in garlicky cream and Parmesan. The whole thing gets a quick pass under the broiler until it's deeply golden brown.

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02of 22

Rainbow Vegetable Gratin

22 Golden-Topped Gratin Recipes with Squash, Pasta, Potatoes, and More (2)

Six layers of colorful vegetables cook together in former F&W culinary director at large Justin Chapple's free-form gratin; panko and Parmigiano-Reggiano absorb extra juices and provide a nice crunch.

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03of 22

Fennel Gratin

22 Golden-Topped Gratin Recipes with Squash, Pasta, Potatoes, and More (3)

In this fennel gratin, the bulbs are perfectly tender and completely smothered in a luscious garlicky cream sauce. It’s a decadent side dish that feels right at home on a holiday table — the option to bake it in advance comes in clutch when oven space is at a premium.

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04of 22

Creamy Swiss Chard Gratin with Crispy Gnocchi

22 Golden-Topped Gratin Recipes with Squash, Pasta, Potatoes, and More (4)

A riff on creamed spinach, this cheesy gratin is studded with buttery toasted gnocchi. Swiss chard adds an earthy bite, while a duo of nutty Gruyère and salty Parmigiano-Reggiano cheeses brings richness and depth to the bechamel. Store-bought gnocchi help this gratin come together in a flash, and toasting them in butter instead of boiling adds a compelling crunch.

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05of 22

Rutabaga, Celery Root, and Potato Gratin

22 Golden-Topped Gratin Recipes with Squash, Pasta, Potatoes, and More (5)

This recipe for a three-root gratin is reinvigorated by a hearty combination of Yukon Gold potatoes, rutabaga, and celery root. Rutabaga and celery root bring an earthy depth and an engaging, subtle sweetness, giving the gratin a flavorful lift. Classic gratins lean on heaps of Gruyère; here, robust Parmigiano-Reggiano cuts in with more intense flavor, accentuating the vegetables instead of smothering them.

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Potatoes au Gratin

22 Golden-Topped Gratin Recipes with Squash, Pasta, Potatoes, and More (6)

For this creamy, cheese-laden recipe, thin-sliced red potatoes and onions are shingled from the outside in, creating an enticing decorative top. Bechamel made with heavy whipping cream, Gruyère, and cheddar creates the base for the rich, cheesy sauce. Broil the dish for a few minutes to yield a crisp golden brown exterior, then sprinkle with fresh chopped chives.

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07of 22

Apple-Shallot-Potato Gratin

22 Golden-Topped Gratin Recipes with Squash, Pasta, Potatoes, and More (7)

In this sophisticated yet comforting gratin, tangy Pink Lady and Granny Smith apples, shallots, and potatoes are baked under a golden brown crust dusted with fennel pollen. This gratin is equally at home served with a roast bird or as a side to a pan-seared, butter-basted steak.

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08of 22

Crab Macaroni Gratin

22 Golden-Topped Gratin Recipes with Squash, Pasta, Potatoes, and More (8)

"A glorious amount of crabmeat baked with shell-shaped pasta in a three-cheese cream sauce — tangy white cheddar, nutty Gruyère, and sharp Parmigiano-Reggiano — is no-joke delicious, and trés riche," recipe developer Andrea Slonecker writes. "That's where the Champagne comes in. The tingly bubbles give your palate an ultrasonic scrub between each creamy, cheesy, blissful bite."

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09of 22

Summer Squash Gratin

22 Golden-Topped Gratin Recipes with Squash, Pasta, Potatoes, and More (9)

Recipe developer Laura Rege puts abundant summer squash and zucchini to good use in this beautiful and very simple gratin, which gets fantastic flavor from white wine, leeks, and Gruyère cheese.

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10of 22

Triple-Cheese Curried Cauliflower Gratin

22 Golden-Topped Gratin Recipes with Squash, Pasta, Potatoes, and More (10)

Chef Sang Yoon seasons this creamy, cheesy potato and cauliflower gratin with vadouvan, a curry spice blend flavored with dried shallots and garlic.

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11of 22

Winter Squash and Savoy Cabbage Gratin with Garlic Crema

22 Golden-Topped Gratin Recipes with Squash, Pasta, Potatoes, and More (11)

San Francisco chef Matthew Accarrino looks to cornstarch to thicken the creamy milk-based roasted garlic sauce here. It's a rich and nutritious combination of winter squash with cabbage, all topped with crunchy hazelnuts.

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Garlicky Cherry Tomato and Bread Gratin

22 Golden-Topped Gratin Recipes with Squash, Pasta, Potatoes, and More (12)

The cherry tomatoes in chef Jacques Pépin's simple gratin add color to a winter menu and hold their shape well during cooking — but don't reserve this dish just for winter.

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13of 22

Polenta Gratin with Spinach and Wild Mushrooms

22 Golden-Topped Gratin Recipes with Squash, Pasta, Potatoes, and More (13)

Commercial wild mushroom mixes (usually a combination of shiitake, cremini, and oyster mushrooms) are a godsend: Someone has already cleaned, stemmed, and sliced the mushrooms for you. In this recipe, they're combined with spinach and cream, then baked in a luscious gratin under smooth rounds of precooked polenta until bubbling hot.

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14of 22

Pizzoccheri Gratin

22 Golden-Topped Gratin Recipes with Squash, Pasta, Potatoes, and More (14)

In Northern Italy, pizzoccheri are short, flat buckwheat noodles cooked with cabbage and potatoes and layered with cheese. For his version, chef Jonathon Sawyer cuts fresh lasagna sheets into noodles and bakes them in a gratin dish with a crispy breadcrumb topping.

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15of 22

Lima Bean and Sweet Pepper Gratin

22 Golden-Topped Gratin Recipes with Squash, Pasta, Potatoes, and More (15)

"This butter bean gratin is based on an amazing flageolet bean gratin that one of my mentors, Frank Stitt, makes. His recipe was originally inspired by one from Richard Olney," says chef Hugh Acheson. "It's an ode to the marriage of Southern vegetables and French know-how."

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16of 22

Sweet Potato and Goat Cheese Gratin

22 Golden-Topped Gratin Recipes with Squash, Pasta, Potatoes, and More (16)

Goat cheese fans will love the tang that the cheese adds to this sweet and luscious gratin, with its crispy topping.

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17of 22

Citrus Gratin with Toasted Almonds

22 Golden-Topped Gratin Recipes with Squash, Pasta, Potatoes, and More (17)

This warm citrus dessert is an updated version of the old-fashioned half grapefruit broiled with brown sugar. A scattering of crunchy almonds and turbinado sugar forms the crust on top.

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18of 22

Ziti, Eggplant, and Fontina Gratin

22 Golden-Topped Gratin Recipes with Squash, Pasta, Potatoes, and More (18)

Eggplant is sautéed in olive oil until it's creamy-soft and then tossed with pasta and cheese. A quick stint under the broiler melts the Fontina and browns the top.

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19of 22

Brandade de Morue au Gratin (Whipped Salt Cod Gratin)

22 Golden-Topped Gratin Recipes with Squash, Pasta, Potatoes, and More (19)

The Provençal dish known asbrandade de morueelevates humble salt cod andpotatoes by whipping them with milk, olive oil, and garlic until luxuriously silky. Jacques Pépin's extra step of serving the dish au gratin (browned, with cheese on top) makes it that much more delicious.

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Squash Gratin with Poblanos and Cream

22 Golden-Topped Gratin Recipes with Squash, Pasta, Potatoes, and More (20)

Los Angeles chef Julie Robles makes this cheesy vegetarian gratin in individual dishes with a topping of candied pumpkin seeds. Our simplified version is for one big gratin garnished with plain toasted pumpkin seeds.

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Spicy Eggplant Gratin

22 Golden-Topped Gratin Recipes with Squash, Pasta, Potatoes, and More (21)

Chef Chris Behr roasts his eggplant instead of breading and frying it for this fresh, lighter take on eggplant Parm. In place of regular mozzarella, he opts for gooey smoked scamorza cheese, which pairs perfectly with the creamy eggplant.

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Pearl Onions au Gratin

22 Golden-Topped Gratin Recipes with Squash, Pasta, Potatoes, and More (22)

Inspired by the pickled pearl onions that became a family tradition, chef Barbara Lynch bakes fresh pearl onions in a mixture of cream, garlic, shallots, and bacon, then tops it all with a crispypankocrust.

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22 Golden-Topped Gratin Recipes with Squash, Pasta, Potatoes, and More (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between au gratin and casserole? ›

Both are baked in the oven, but a gratin is a special form of a casserole. When cooking it, you will layer the ingredients instead of just adding them all together. In most cases, a gratin is also served as a side dish, not a main, and it has a signature crust that has to be, well, gratinated.

What makes a dish a gratin? ›

A gratin is a dish that is topped with cheese, or bread crumbs mixed with bits of butter, then heated in the oven or under the grill until brown and crisp. The terms au gratin or gratinée refer to any dish prepared in such a manner.

What does it mean when food is served au gratin or gratine? ›

A “gratin” is any dish that is topped with cheese or breadcrumbs mixed with butter, then heated in the oven or under the broiler until brown and crispy, according to The Food Lover's Companion. The term au gratin or gratinée just refers to anything prepared in that manner.

Do you bake or broil gratin? ›

Derived from the French verb gratiner — to broil — gratin is a process that involves topping a dish with either cheese or buttery breadcrumbs and baking or broiling until crispy. While potatoes au gratin is most traditional, the contents beneath the golden crust can vary widely.

Which is better scalloped or au gratin? ›

Scalloped potatoes also won't be as crispy in texture as au gratin. Both are golden brown and creamy, but if it's crispiness and crunchiness you're after, au gratin will probably be your best bet. Either one is sure to be a hit with your dinner guests, but it just depends on what sort of vibe you're going for!

Why is my au gratin watery? ›

If you stored the sliced potatoes in water to prevent discoloring, but didn't drain them well and pat them dry before adding them to the baking dish, you may have added extra water to the dish. You could have also used the wrong kind of potato, as some waxy potatoes can release more water than starchier potatoes.

What do you eat with Gratins? ›

Au Gratin potatoes are rich. Serve them with leaner proteins such as beef tenderloin, grilled or roasted chicken, and pan-seared fish. Another excellent pairing for Au Gratin potatoes is a fresh salad with herbs and a tart vinaigrette. Au Gratin potatoes make a great casserole and are a great entrée themselves.

What does gratin mean in French? ›

The phrase au gratin literally means "by grating" in French, or "with a crust," from the verb gratter, "to scrape, scratch, or grate."

Why did my gratin curdle? ›

The curdling is caused by high heat, which is hard to avoid in an oven. So to keep the sauce together, tackle it before the dish goes in the oven.

What is the difference between gratin and dauphinoise? ›

Potato dauphinoise is made with uncooked, thinly sliced potatoes cooked in a cream sauce, whereas potato au gratin is made with pre-cooked, thinly sliced potatoes in a cream sauce. The only real difference is one is pre-cooked, and the other isn't.

How long does au gratin last in fridge? ›

To store: simply store these au gratin potatoes in the refrigerator in individual, airtight containers or covering the entire pan and placing it in the refrigerator. They'll stay good for up to 5 days. To reheat: reheat individual portions in the microwave or place the pan back in the oven until heated through.

What does au sec mean? ›

Au sec: In French, au sec means “nearly dry”, and in cooking, this refers to reducing a liquid to the point where it's almost dry.

What pan is best for au gratin potatoes? ›

I love cooking these potatoes in a cast-iron skillet because it gives the potatoes a nice crispy edge and it makes the perfect amount of potatoes.

Is gratin supposed to be liquidy? ›

It isn't supposed to be watery. Try checking your oven temperature. If it reads too low that would do it. Try using russets.

How deep is a gratin dish? ›

The vessel best suited for most au gratin dishes is, simply enough, an au gratin pan. It can be round, oval or rectangular, and most commonly it is about an inch and a half deep.

What do the French call a casserole? ›

noun. le ragoût masc. I'm going to make a casserole. Je vais faire un ragoût.

When a casserole is described as au gratin What does this mean? ›

They are made with lots of cheese sprinkled in between the layers of potatoes and also on top of the casserole. Au gratin is a French cooking term that can refer to any dish topped with cheese and breadcrumbs and browned under a broiler.

What is the French version of casserole? ›

In France, un casserole refers specifically to a saucepan, and nothing else. However, une cassolette—a baked dish that's akin to what Americans call a casserole—is somewhat popular in French home cooking.

What is the meaning of au gratin style? ›

The phrase au gratin literally means "by grating" in French, or "with a crust," from the verb gratter, "to scrape, scratch, or grate." Definitions of au gratin. adjective. cooked while covered with browned breadcrumbs (and sometimes cheese)

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