Potato dauphinoise
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There’s something undeniably comforting about a classic potato dauphinoise. Thinly sliced potatoes baked slowly in cream and garlic create the most luxurious, melt‑in‑the‑mouth side dish. The top turns beautifully golden and crisp, while the inside stays soft, rich, and silky.
It’s the kind of bake that feels indulgent yet wonderfully simple, making it perfect for Sunday roasts, special occasions, or whenever you want to elevate an everyday meal. This delicious, creamy, cheesy potato dish is so simple and easy to make — a true crowd‑pleaser that never goes out of style.
Serving Suggestions for Potato Dauphinoise
- Roast Chicken — lemony or herb‑roast chicken is the perfect classic pairing; the dauphinoise adds luxury.
- Steak (Ribeye, Sirloin, Fillet) — rich, charred steak meets creamy potatoes for a proper bistro feel.
- Lamb Chops or Lamb Rump — savoury, slightly sweet lamb works beautifully with the garlic cream.
- Pork Tenderloin or Pork Chops — especially with mustard or apple sauce to cut through the richness.
- Gammon or Ham Steaks — salty, sweet ham is a brilliant contrast to the creamy potatoes.
- Sausages — pork, chicken, or herby; simple, cosy, and always satisfying.
- Gravy — beef, chicken, or onion gravy adds savoury depth and ties the whole plate together.
- Grilled Mushrooms — earthy, savoury mushrooms soak up the sauce beautifully.
- Green Vegetables — peas, green beans, tenderstem broccoli for freshness and colour.
- Roasted Root Vegetables — carrots, parsnips, beetroot for sweetness and balance.
- Crisp Green Salad — sharp vinaigrette to cut through the creaminess.
- Caramelised Onions — sweet, sticky onions complement the garlic and cream.
Variations for Potato Dauphinoise
- Garlic Potato Dauphinoise — Increase the garlic for a richer, more aromatic version of this classic dish.
- Cheesy Potato Dauphinoise — Add Gruyère, Comté, or mature Cheddar between the layers for extra indulgence.
- Potato and Leek Dauphinoise — Layer softened leeks between the potatoes for added sweetness and flavour.
- Bacon Potato Dauphinoise — Add crispy bacon pieces for a smoky, savoury twist that pairs beautifully with roast meats.
- Thyme Potato Dauphinoise — Infuse the cream with fresh thyme for a fragrant herbal note.
- Potato and Onion Dauphinoise — Add thinly sliced onions between the layers for extra sweetness and depth.
- Blue Cheese Dauphinoise — Crumble Stilton or another blue cheese throughout for a bold and creamy variation.
- Mustard Potato Dauphinoise — Stir Dijon mustard into the cream for a subtle tang and extra richness.
- Mushroom Potato Dauphinoise — Add sautéed mushrooms between the layers for earthy flavour and texture.
- Rosemary Potato Dauphinoise — Use fresh rosemary for a rustic, aromatic variation that works especially well with lamb.
- Potato and Celeriac Dauphinoise — Replace some of the potatoes with celeriac for a slightly nutty flavour and lighter texture.
- Smoked Cheese Dauphinoise — Add smoked Cheddar for a deeper, smoky flavour throughout the dish.
- Potato and Spinach Dauphinoise — Layer wilted spinach between the potatoes for added colour and nutrition.
- Truffle Potato Dauphinoise — Add a few drops of truffle oil for a luxurious flavour that’s perfect for dinner parties.
- Potato and Cauliflower Dauphinoise — Combine potatoes and cauliflower for a hearty vegetable variation with a slightly lighter finish

Potato dauphinoise
Potato Dauphinoise features layers of thinly sliced potatoes baked in a rich, creamy sauce until tender and golden, creating an indulgent side dish.
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Mandoline
- Oven proof dish
Ingredients
- 25 g unsalted butter, plus a little extra greasing
- 1 onion, halved and finely sliced
- ½ tsp garlic paste
- 250 ml double cream
- 650 g potatoes, sliced
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 180°c / gas 4. Grease a 30 x 20cm rectangle dish with butter and set aside.
- Bring a large pan of salted water to a boil and par boil the potato slices for around 10mins, drain and set aside.
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan, add the onion and garlic and cook over a medium heat until softened.
- Add the double cream, season with salt and plenty of black pepper and simmer for 5mins.
- Take the pan off the heat, add the potatoes and mix together.
- Pour into the dish and level. Bake in the oven for around 30mins until the potatoes are soft and the top is golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and serve.
