🧀 Cheesy Root Vegetable Gratin

🛒 Ingredients (Serves 6–8)

Vegetables (about 3 lbs total)

• 2 medium Yukon gold potatoes

• 2 parsnips

• 2 carrots

• 1 small sweet potato

• 1 small turnip or rutabaga (optional)

Cheese Sauce

• 2 tbsp butter

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 tbsp flour

• 2 cups whole milk (warm)

• 1 cup heavy cream

• 1½ cups sharp cheddar, shredded

• ½ cup Gruyère (or mozzarella)

• 1 tsp salt

• ½ tsp black pepper

• ½ tsp thyme (fresh or dried)

• Pinch nutmeg (optional)

Topping

• ½ cup extra shredded cheese

• ¼ cup grated Parmesan

• Fresh thyme (optional)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Prep

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

• Lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish.

• Peel and slice vegetables thin (⅛ inch thick for even cooking).

👉 A mandoline works best for uniform slices.

2️⃣ Make the Cheese Sauce

• Melt butter over medium heat.

• Add garlic; cook 30 seconds.

• Stir in flour; cook 1 minute.

• Slowly whisk in warm milk + cream.

• Simmer until slightly thickened (3–5 minutes).

• Stir in cheeses and seasonings until smooth.

3️⃣ Assemble

• Layer vegetables in the dish, slightly overlapping.

• Pour cheese sauce evenly over layers.

• Gently press down to distribute sauce.

• Top with extra cheese + Parmesan.

4️⃣ Bake

• Cover with foil; bake 40 minutes.

• Remove foil; bake 20–25 minutes more until golden and fork-tender.

• Rest 10–15 minutes before serving.

🌟 Tips for Best Results

• Slice evenly so all vegetables cook at the same rate.

• If using dense veggies (rutabaga), slice extra thin.

• For extra crispy top, broil 2–3 minutes at the end.

❓ Q & A

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble and refrigerate (unbaked) up to 24 hours. Add 10–15 extra minutes baking time.

Q: Can I make it lighter?
Substitute half-and-half for cream and reduce cheese slightly.

Q: What cheese works best?
Sharp cheddar for flavor + Gruyère for melt and depth.

Q: How do I prevent watery gratin?
Salt vegetables lightly and let sit 10 minutes, then pat dry before layering.

Q: Can I add protein?
Yes — cooked bacon, ham, or shredded chicken works well between layers.