Potato-Fennel Gratin Recipe (2024)

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by Sandyon Apr 9, 2020 (updated Nov 23, 2020)

This potato gratin recipe is the perfect side dish for a weeknight or holiday gathering! Ina Gartin’s Potato-Fennel Gratin Recipe is the best! WATCH THE VIDEO!

Potato-Fennel Gratin Recipe (1)

For Easter Sunday, or any time of year, this Potato-Fennel Gratin Recipe is a crowd pleaser!

Table of Contents

Potato-Fennel Gratin Recipe

Enjoy a 9×13 pan of this scrumptious Ina Gartin’s Potato-Fennel Gratin Recipe! It’s is cheesy, creamy, and delicious!

We love it with ham or Crusted Pepper Prime Rib, and it’s also delicious with any chicken recipe!

Actually, you can serve it with any meat on the side, with a fresh vegetable.

It’s a great potato dish for a holiday brunch!

Potato-Fennel Gratin Recipe (2)

What is potato gratin?

Gratin is how you prepare an ingredient (potatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, etc) that is is topped with a browned crust, often using breadcrumbs, grated cheese, egg or butter.

Gratin is a French cuisine method, usually prepared in a shallow dish of some kind.

We use a large baking pan, usually a 9×13 pan for this recipe!

You may also want to try my popular Cauliflower Bacon Gratin!

Potato-Fennel Gratin Recipe (3)

Ingredients for Potatoes-Fennel Gratin

  • Fennel bulbs (you can usually buy 2 in a pack from Trader Joe’s)
  • Yellow onion
  • Good olive oil and usnsalted butter
  • Russet potatoes
  • Heavy cream andGruyère cheese (this cheese just makes this recipe!)
  • Kosher salt and ground black pepper

Potato-Fennel Gratin Recipe (4)

What does potato gratin go with?

There are so many dishes that you can serve potato gratin with, like Slow Cooker Short Ribs, Simple Chicken Parmigiana Recipe, and Pork Tenderloin.

We also love it for spring and summer with our Grilled Cornish Game Hens!

Potato-Fennel Gratin Recipe (5)

How to make Potato-Fennel Gratin

I’m so glad I decided to make Ina Garten’s Potato-Fennel Gratin Recipe. It’s truly different than the average Scalloped Potato Gratin recipe, and the mix of fennel and cheese is just fantastic!

Easy to make ahead, I like to make the day before so it’s ready to pop in the oven the day of the party!

Potato-Fennel Gratin Recipe (6)

Start with gorgeousfennel bulbs.

Potato-Fennel Gratin Recipe (7)

Chopped and sauted with onion.

Potato-Fennel Gratin Recipe (8)

Sliced potatoes using thisamazing OXO mandoline.

Potato-Fennel Gratin Recipe (9)

Baked to perfection!

Potato-Fennel Gratin Recipe (10)

Make the gratin potatoes the day before

I often double the recipe and make 2 pans the day before a dinner party.

You can warm them in the oven before serving!

Get the Recipe:

Ina Garten’s Potato-Fennel Gratin

Recipe from Ina Garten, The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook. I doubled the recipe and decreased the cooking time to 1 hour; heating them up later before the party.

Prep Time: 25 minutes mins

Cook Time: 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Total Time: 1 hour hr 40 minutes mins

Yield: 10

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Ingredients

  • 2 small fennel bulbs
  • 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons good olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 2 pounds russet potatoes, 4 large potatoes
  • 2 cups plus 2 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 2 1/2 cups grated Gruyère cheese, 1/2 pound
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

  • Butter the inside of a 10-by-15-by-2-inch (10-cup) baking dish.

  • Remove the stalks from the fennel and cut the bulbs in half lengthwise. Remove the cores and thinly slice the bulbs crosswise, making approximately 4 cups of sliced fennel. Saute the fennel and onions in the olive oil and butter on medium-low heat for 15 minutes, until tender.

  • Peel the potatoes, then thinly slice them by hand or with a mandoline. Mix the sliced potatoes in a large bowl with 2 cups of cream, 2 cups of Gruyère, salt, and pepper. Add the sauteed fennel and onion and mix well.

  • Pour the potatoes into the baking dish. Press down to smooth the potatoes. Combine the remaining 2 tablespoons of cream and 1/2 cup of Gruyère and sprinkle on the top. Bake for 1 1/2 hours, until the potatoes are very tender and the top is browned and bubbly. Allow to set for 10 minutes and serve.

Notes

Originally posted FEB 2015

Cuisine: American

Course: Side Dish

Author: Sandy / Reluctant Entertainer

Did you make this recipe?Tag @reluctantentertainer on Instagram and hashtag it #reluctantentertainer!

Potato-Fennel Gratin Recipe (12)

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  • Holiday Crock Pot Ham

Potato-Fennel Gratin Recipe (17)

Hello and welcome to my home and table!

I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...

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Christmas Easter Holidays Recipes Side Dishes Vegetarian Videos

originally published on Apr 9, 2020 (last updated Nov 23, 2020)

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20 comments on “Potato-Fennel Gratin Recipe”

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  1. LindaReply

    Potato-Fennel Gratin Recipe (18)
    I have made this a few times, always a hit. This time I made a couple of changes. I halved the recipe as there were only three of us and a generous mountain of meaty pork back ribs. I included the full 2 TBSP of cream for cheese topping and the full 1/2 cup of additional cheese for topping. It was perfect!
    (I also cut both the fennel and onion into inch slices as family mentioned the longer strips were too big…whatever works…the flavour is still there).

  2. Mary KielbReply

    Hi, I think you had said you can prepare it the night before and bake it the day of , can you let me k ow if that would be okay, I am doubling the recipe so it would be much easier

    • Sandy

      I usually make and bake the day or 2 before, then I reheat it in the oven the day of.

  3. MonicaReply

    This was excellent! I appreciate the short list of ingredients and even though I didn’t have gruyere (used cheddar/jack) and only one fennel it still tasted really good! Thank you for this recipe. I will definitely make this again.

  4. MarianReply

    Potato-Fennel Gratin Recipe (19)
    Can this recipe be frozen?

    • Sandy

      I would think that after it is made and cooled, you could freeze it!

  5. Vivian HnasonReply

    I have 2 au gratin dishes Each one holds 14 OZ. How long would each be in the oven with this recipe and at what temp??

  6. Barbara TricaricoReply

    Potato-Fennel Gratin Recipe (20)
    Thank you for mentioning my Ashland book! And I do know your cousin :) A very talented photographer!! This morning, my daughter-in-law across the country emailed me this recipe, since she was trying it, and we couldn’t help smiling at the coincidence at your mention.. I’m glad she found this, since I’ll now be sure and bookmark your wonderful blog!!

    • Sandy

      Such a small world. Love your book, and enjoy the recipe! xo

  7. SusanReply

    You mentioned that you made this a day before…I find that my potatoes sometimes turn brown if not cooked immediately. Did you cook it when you first made it and then re-heat? If so, would love to know the timing so it doesn’t dry out. Thanks in advance!

    • Sandy

      I’ve done it both ways, Susan. This recipe is a little browner on top anyway because of the fennel and onions, baked into the cheese. I’ve cooked it ahead, and cut squares (reheated) and served. But the best is to serve it hot out of the oven! :)

  8. Cindy FrankReply

    To die for!!

  9. sylvieReply

    Crispy outside, melty inside (it sounds like that), exactly the textures I love!

  10. bev @ bevcooksReply

    That is one SEXY gratin. Deeeeeuuuum.

  11. Brian @ A Thought For FoodReply

    That table setting is gorgeous, as is this gratin! I love adding fennel to dishes this time of year… especially ones that are on the heavier side to give it a little brightness. Gorgeous dish!

  12. Heidi SchuurmanReply

    That looks so yummy, and the table is gorgeous! I love the pop of red. Have fun!

  13. KirstinReply

    Oh yum! Just pinned that one! I don’t think I have ever made a gratin. I’ve made scalloped potatoes but pretty typical recipe. This looks so rich and yummy! And with salmon and everything else….my tummy is growling…winner winner chicken dinner

  14. Patricia @ Grab a PlateReply

    This dish looks amazing! I love fennel and I could probably eat an entire pan of this. Looks like a lovely party!

  15. AggieReply

    “keep me reasonably sweet”…
    I love this poem / prayer sandy!

    Your party sounds amazing!! I wish I could have a place to sit…enjoy those potatoes <3

  16. JulieDReply

    Looks awesome, Sandy!! :)

Potato-Fennel Gratin Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Can you make ina garten potato fennel gratin ahead? ›

Ina Garten Is Ditching Mashed Potatoes for This 5-Ingredient, Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Recipe. The best part (well, besides all the cheese)? You can prep it a day in advance.

What is the cooking technique of gratin? ›

Gratin (French: [ɡʁatɛ̃]) is a culinary technique in which an ingredient is topped with a browned crust, often using breadcrumbs, grated cheese, egg or butter. The term may be applied to any dish made using this method.

Why is my gratin watery? ›

Some potatoes, like Yukon Gold, have more water in them. Try letting the dish rest for 10 minutes or so to let the water get absorbed and let the sauce thicken. Try cooking your recipe longer. Try uncovering the dish in the oven for the last 10 minutes or so.

Can you make au gratin potatoes ahead and reheat? ›

Can au gratin potatoes be made ahead of time? You can absolutely make these cheesy au gratin potatoes up to three days ahead of time! Simply pour the sauce over the potatoes as directed, then cover the pan with foil and instead of baking, place in the fridge until ready to bake.

Can potatoes be prepared the day before? ›

They just won't stand up to an overnight soak, so don't do it. The larger the potato pieces, the longer they'll last in water. If you're prepping with smaller pieces, don't soak for more than 12 hours. This trick is handy, but it'll only work for about 24 hours — so don't prep too far in advance.

What part of fennel can you not eat? ›

Technically speaking, all parts of the plant are edible, but most people will find the stalks too tough and fibrous to eat. The leaves can be chopped and used to flavor salads, dressings, marinades and sauces. They tend to have a slightly more citrusy flavor than the base. The base (or bulb) is delicious raw or cooked.

Why do you soak fennel in water? ›

Detoxification: Fennel seeds have diuretic qualities, which may be partially extracted into the water by soaking them in water overnight. By encouraging urine production and waste product elimination, this may help the body's natural detoxification procedures.

What goes well with fennel? ›

Citrus: Fennel pairs well with citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, and limes. Herbs: Fennel pairs well with fresh herbs such as dill, parsley, and thyme. Cheese: Fennel pairs well with cheeses such as parmesan, feta, and goat cheese. Nuts: Fennel pairs well with nuts such as almonds, hazelnuts, and pine nuts.

How deep should a gratin dish be? ›

Butter a gratin dish (which should be long and large and about 5 cm (2 in) deep) and sprinkle 2 chopped garlic slices on the bottom, a pinch of salt and pepper and more nutmeg.

Why did my potato gratin curdle? ›

Heat can cause milk to curdle and the lower the fat in the milk the more likely it is to happen, but there are things you can do to avoid it.

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." Definitions of au gratin. adjective. cooked while covered with browned breadcrumbs (and sometimes cheese) synonyms: cooked.

Why did my au gratin potatoes turn GREY? ›

Once they have been peeled and cut, raw potatoes will turn brown quickly. This process, which is called oxidation, happens because potatoes are a naturally starchy vegetable. And when exposed to oxygen, starches turn gray, brown, or even black. An oxidized potato is completely safe to eat.

Why do my scalloped potatoes taste bland? ›

My scalloped potatoes are bland

They are also in need of serious seasoning to ensure deliciousness. Make sure your sauce is well-seasoned, but also, season each layer of potatoes with salt and pepper before adding the sauce, to make sure they are as flavorful as you want them!

Why should the potato slices for the gratin not be soaked in water before adding to the cream? ›

I don't recommend soaking the potatoes in water ahead of time for our potatoes au gratin (as some recipes call for). Soaking them will cause them to lose some of their starch, which helps to keep this dish creamy. The dish will still get a nice, crisp top without soaking the potatoes.

Can I assemble scalloped potatoes ahead of time? ›

Make-Ahead Instructions:

Over the years, I've had lots of you ask if you can prep this recipe in advance — and the answer is yes! For make-ahead scalloped potatoes, just bake the scalloped potatoes and let them cool completely to room temperature. Then cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Can you make Martha Stewart scalloped potatoes ahead of time? ›

Martha makes scalloped potatoes ahead of time by partially cooking them in milk and holding them on the stove.

How long does potato gratin last in fridge? ›

Potato Gratin is one of the easiest potato sides to make ahead! Cook it as per the recipe, cover with baking paper (to stop the cheese sticking), followed by foil and refrigerate it for up to 48 hours. To reheat, keep it covered and heat it in a 200°C/400°F (180°C fan) oven for 45 minutes or until warmed through.

Can you make Robuchon potatoes ahead of time? ›

About 30 minutes before serving time, heat the riced potatoes then begin adding the butter and proceed from there. This is not a recipe that should be made ahead and reheated.

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