Creamy Smashed Potatoes Gratin (Printable version)

Golden smashed potatoes baked with rich cream, melted cheeses, and fresh herbs for a savory, comforting dish.

# Ingredient list:

→ Potatoes

01 - 3.3 lbs small Yukon Gold or baby potatoes
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Cream Mixture

04 - 1.5 cups heavy cream
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves or 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
07 - 0.5 teaspoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
08 - 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg

→ Cheeses

09 - 1 cup grated Gruyère cheese
10 - 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
11 - 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Garnish

12 - 2 tablespoons fresh chives or parsley, chopped

# Step-by-step guide:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Place whole potatoes in a large pot, cover with salted water, and bring to a boil. Cook until fork-tender, approximately 15 to 18 minutes.
03 - Drain potatoes and let cool slightly. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Use a potato masher or the bottom of a glass to gently smash each potato to approximately 0.5 inch thickness.
04 - Drizzle smashed potatoes with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. Roast in the oven for 20 minutes, or until edges are crisp and golden.
05 - In a small saucepan over low heat, combine heavy cream, garlic, thyme, rosemary, and nutmeg. Heat gently until just warmed and fragrant; do not boil.
06 - Arrange half the roasted smashed potatoes in a buttered baking dish. Pour over half of the cream mixture and sprinkle with half the Gruyère, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
07 - Layer the remaining potatoes, then top with the rest of the cream and cheeses.
08 - Bake in the oven at 425°F for 20 to 25 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown on top.
09 - Let rest for 10 minutes before garnishing with fresh herbs and serving.

# Expert tips:

01 -
  • Those caramelized, crispy edges are pure textural bliss against the creamy middle, and honestly, it's hard to stop at one serving.
  • It looks fancy enough for company but comes together faster than you'd expect, giving you back precious time to spend with your guests.
  • The herb-infused cream mixture smells absolutely incredible while it's warming, filling your kitchen with a comfort that no candle can replicate.
02 -
  • Smashing the potatoes while they're still slightly warm keeps them from becoming gluey, but if they cool completely, they become harder to break down and might need a bit more oil to prevent sticking.
  • Don't skip the first roast of the smashed potatoes; those crispy edges are what make this gratin feel fancy and not just like creamy mashed potatoes in a baking dish.
  • Heavy cream needs gentle heat, not boiling, or it can separate and become grainy—watch it carefully and you'll know it's ready when it smells impossibly fragrant.
03 -
  • Room-temperature cream mixes more smoothly with the other ingredients than cold cream straight from the fridge, so pull it out while your potatoes are cooking.
  • Buttering your baking dish isn't just tradition; it prevents the edges from sticking and creates a subtle richness that merges with the cream, making every bite feel intentional.
Go back