Description
This Easy Creamy Cheesy Potato Bake is a comforting and delicious side dish featuring tender potato cubes baked in a rich mixture of milk, cream, mayonnaise, garlic, and thyme, topped with a golden layer of melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for family dinners or holiday gatherings, the dish boasts creamy textures and cheesy flavors that complement any main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes
- 1.25kg (2.5lb) potatoes (any type except waxy potatoes)
Liquid Ingredients
- 2/3 cup (160 ml) milk (full or low fat)
- 3/4 cup (185 ml) thickened cream (heavy cream)
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise (preferably whole egg) or 1/4 cup cream
Herbs and Seasonings
- 1 1/2 tsp fresh thyme leaves (plus more for garnish) or 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 large garlic cloves, minced
- 3/4 tsp salt
- Black pepper, to taste
Cheeses
- 2 cups (200g) shredded cheese for mixing (such as cheddar or your choice)
- 1 cup (100g) shredded mozzarella cheese (or substitute with another cheese)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 180°C (350°F) to prepare for baking.
- Prepare the Potatoes: Peel the potatoes and cut them into 1 3/4 cm (2/3 inch) cubes. Place the cut potatoes into a large mixing bowl.
- Mix Ingredients: Add the milk, thickened cream, mayonnaise (or cream), thyme leaves, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and 2 cups of shredded cheese to the bowl with the potatoes. Stir everything together until the potato cubes are well coated with the creamy mixture.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the potato and cream mixture into a 3-liter (3-quart) baking dish, approximately 22cm (9 inches) square by 6cm (2.3 inches) high.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and bake for 60 minutes, or until the potatoes are soft and tender when pierced with a fork.
- Add Mozzarella Topping: Remove the foil and evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
- Finish Baking: Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 25 minutes, or until the mozzarella is melted and golden brown.
- Rest and Garnish: Allow the potato bake to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with extra fresh thyme leaves if desired for added aroma and presentation.
Notes
- Use non-waxy potatoes like Russet or Maris Piper for best texture; waxy potatoes may result in a clingy, less creamy bake.
- Mayonnaise adds richness and a slight tang; whole egg mayo is preferred for flavor and creaminess. If you don’t have mayo, substitute with extra cream (1/4 cup).
- Shredded cheese for mixing can be cheddar, Gruyère, or a cheese blend that melts well. This deeply influences the flavor, so choose your favorite.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Western
Keywords: cheesy potato bake, creamy potato casserole, baked potatoes, comfort food, side dish, easy potato recipe
