Sweet, jammy onions and nutty Gruyère cheese transform ordinary spuds into a rich, baked casserole. You'll love how the warm buttermilk and melted butter create an incredibly creamy base that contrasts with the savory mix-ins. It bakes up with a light, golden-brown crust while the center stays perfectly soft and fluffy. This is a fantastic side dish for holiday gatherings or a cozy weekend dinner when you're craving something extra special.
Prep
20 min
Cook
1 hr 0 min
Total
1 hr 20 min
Servings
8
Ingredients
4 lb. russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
3 tsp. salt, divided
1¼ cups buttermilk, warmed
½ cup milk, warmed
¼ cup butter, melted
½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
5 oz. Gruyère cheese, shredded (1¼ cups)
1 cup chopped caramelized onions
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
1Heat the oven to 350°F. Place the peeled and cut potatoes in a large Dutch oven, cover them with water, and add 2 teaspoons of the salt. Bring the pot to a boil over medium-high heat and cook for about 20 minutes until the potatoes are tender, then drain.
2Return the drained potatoes to the Dutch oven and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are completely dry. Removing excess moisture prevents a watery casserole.
3Mash the dried potatoes to your preferred consistency. Pour in the warm buttermilk, warm milk, melted butter, black pepper, and the remaining 1 teaspoon of salt. Mix gently just until everything is combined.
4Fold the shredded Gruyère cheese, chopped caramelized onions, and fresh parsley into the potato mixture. Transfer the blend into a lightly greased 2.5-quart baking dish or divide it evenly among eight 10-ounce ramekins.
5Bake for about 35 minutes until the top develops a light golden-brown crust.
Notes
Prep: To make your own caramelized onions, cook thinly sliced yellow or sweet onions in a mix of oil and butter over medium-low heat for about 45 minutes. Once they turn deep golden brown, deglaze the pan with a splash of water, broth, or dry white wine.
Make ahead: You can assemble the casserole up to a day in advance. Cover tightly and refrigerate, then add 10 to 15 minutes to the baking time.
Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave.