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Ultimate Cheesy Herb Individual Potato Gratin: Your Perfect Holiday Side Dish

Welcome to a delightful twist on a beloved classic! Our Cheesy Herb Individual Potato Gratin takes the comforting, rich flavors of traditional potato gratin and elevates them into elegantly portioned servings, perfect for any holiday feast or special dinner party. Imagine creamy, tender potato slices infused with aromatic fresh herbs and blanketed in a golden-brown, bubbly cheese topping, all served in charming mini cocottes. This dish isn’t just a side; it’s a showstopper that promises to impress every guest at your table, adding a touch of gourmet sophistication without the fuss.

Cheesy Herb Individual Potato Gratin | cakenknife.com #potatoes #sidedish #hoildays #thanksgiving — A close-up of a perfectly baked Cheesy Herb Individual Potato Gratin, ready to be served.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Le Creuset. While I was compensated, as always, all opinions and the recipe are my own. Thanks for supporting the brands that support Cake ‘n Knife!

As the holiday season approaches, our thoughts often turn to festive menus. Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, or another special gathering, we’re all looking for that perfect balance between time-honored traditions and exciting new culinary experiences. This individual potato gratin recipe embodies that spirit, offering a familiar flavor profile in an innovative, elegant presentation.

Why Individual Potato Gratins are a Holiday Game-Changer

Every year, when I brainstorm Thanksgiving menu ideas, I find myself seeking fresh, yet simple, ways to update those cherished family recipes. It’s a common dilemma for home cooks who love to experiment, especially when family members eagerly anticipate the same classic dishes year after year. While a global-inspired Thanksgiving menu might sound adventurous, the demand for familiar, comforting flavors often wins out. And honestly, who doesn’t appreciate a touch of tradition?

This is precisely why I love crafting new interpretations of familiar holiday flavors. My inspiration for this year’s potato side dish came from the undeniable charm of Le Creuset! Serving individual portions of potato gratin isn’t just about aesthetics; it brings a host of practical benefits to your holiday spread:

Elegant Presentation: Each guest receives their own beautifully crafted dish, adding a sophisticated touch to your table setting.
Perfect Portion Control: No more uneven slices or fighting over the crispy edges! Everyone gets a perfectly portioned, delicious gratin.
Consistent Perfection: Every single gratin benefits from the ideal ratio of creamy potato layers to golden, bubbly cheese topping.
Easier Serving: Simply place a mini cocotte at each setting or offer them from a platter – no messy scooping required.
Reduced Leftovers (or better management): While leftovers are unlikely, individual portions are easier to store and reheat for delicious post-holiday meals.

The Secret to a Perfect Gratin: Ingredients & Flavor Profile

These individual potato gratins are truly melt-in-your-mouth tender, featuring layers of thinly sliced potatoes bathed in a rich, creamy sauce, all elevated by a generous blend of cheeses and fresh herbs. The secret lies in a few key ingredients and how they come together to create an unforgettable flavor experience.

Choosing Your Core Ingredients:

Potatoes: For the best gratin, opt for starchy potatoes like Russets, as they break down slightly and absorb the creamy sauce beautifully, resulting in that desirable tender texture. Uniformly thin slices are crucial for even cooking, so a mandoline slicer can be a real time-saver and ensure professional-looking results. Yukon Golds can also work if you prefer a slightly waxier texture with a naturally buttery flavor.
Heavy Cream: This is the foundation of our rich sauce. Do not substitute with lighter creams or milk if you want that truly decadent, luxurious texture that defines a gratin. The high fat content ensures the sauce is thick, creamy, and holds its structure.
Cheese Blend: Our recipe calls for a delightful combination of white cheddar and Gruyère. White cheddar offers a sharp, tangy note and excellent melting properties, while Gruyère brings a nutty, slightly sweet, and incredibly complex flavor that adds depth and sophistication. This duo creates a perfectly golden, bubbly crust and a wonderfully cheesy interior. Feel free to experiment with other good melting cheeses like Fontina, Comté, or even Parmesan for different flavor profiles.
Fresh Herbs: Freshly chopped thyme and oregano are the stars here, infusing the cream with their earthy, aromatic notes. A bay leaf also contributes a subtle, classic savory undertone during the simmering process, which is then removed before baking. Fresh parsley for garnish adds a burst of color and freshness right before serving. The use of fresh herbs truly makes a difference in brightening the dish and complementing the rich potatoes and cheese.

Le Creuset Mini Cocottes: Where Elegance Meets Everyday Functionality

Can we take a moment to truly appreciate how utterly adorable and versatile these Le Creuset Mini Cocottes are?! They are not only the perfect size for any individually portioned side dishes or desserts, but their vibrant colors also make an absolutely stunning statement on any holiday table. Personally, I’m completely smitten with the “Marseille” blue, but the “Cerise” (cherry red) and all the other brilliant hues bring so much life and joy to a meal, at any time of year.

Beyond their charming good looks, these mini cocottes are incredibly practical. They are dishwasher-safe, microwave-safe, and, of course, oven-safe, making them true lifesavers when you’re hosting dinner parties. The legendary quality of Le Creuset cookware ensures these are the kind of dishes you’ll want to stock in your cabinets and cherish for years to come. They are an investment in both style and durability, promising to be a staple for countless festive meals and everyday delights.

Le Creuset truly understands the desire to add a pop of color and individual charm to your holiday celebrations. These adorable little dishes are not just cooking vessels; they are an experience, turning a simple side dish into a memorable part of your meal. They’re perfect for gratin, but also wonderful for baking individual soufflés, crème brûlée, molten chocolate cakes, or serving dips and appetizers. Their versatility makes them an indispensable tool for any home entertainer.

As a little tip from me to you, keep an eye on my blog in December! I’ve got HUGE things coming up for you this holiday season that you won’t want to miss. In the meantime, dive into this incredible gratin recipe and let these individual portions transform your next gathering!

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This Recipe’s Must-Haves

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Le Creuset Signature Cast Iron Sauce Pan is my most reliable pan and I looooovvvve this blue color!
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Cheesy Herb Individual Potato Gratin

These cute little potato gratins are an even easier version of your favorite potato side dish, with fresh herbs and extra cheeeeeeese!

Prep Time: 5 mins

Cook Time: 40 mins

Additional Time: 10 mins

Total Time: 55 mins

Servings: 4

4.7 from 6 votes

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Ingredients

3 small russet potatoes, peeled and cut into thin slices
2 cups heavy cream
1 tsp freshly chopped thyme
1 tsp freshly chopped oregano
1 bay leaf
1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
4 oz. white cheddar cheese, shredded
3 oz. Gruyère cheese, shredded
Freshly chopped parsley, for garnish

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set 4 mini cocottes on the baking sheet.
Carefully divide the thinly sliced potato rounds evenly between the four mini cocottes. Layer them in a staggered, slightly overlapping circle, ensuring the slices lay as flat as possible for even cooking and a beautiful presentation.
In a medium saucepan, combine the heavy cream, freshly chopped thyme, freshly chopped oregano, bay leaf, kosher salt, and black pepper. Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Once simmering, remove the pan from the heat. Carefully remove and discard the bay leaf.
Stir 3 oz of the shredded white cheddar cheese and 2 oz of the shredded Gruyère cheese into the warm cream mixture. Continue stirring until both cheeses are completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Slowly and carefully pour the cheese and cream mixture over the layered potatoes in each of the 4 cocottes, dividing it evenly. Ensure that the potatoes are well-covered by the liquid.
In a small separate bowl, combine the remaining 1 oz of white cheddar cheese and 1 oz of Gruyère cheese. Sprinkle this cheese mixture evenly over the top of each cocotte. This will create a beautiful golden crust.
Place the baking sheet with the mini cocottes into the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 30 minutes, or until the potatoes are cooked through (test with a fork) and the top is golden brown and bubbling.
Once baked, remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the individual potato gratins rest for 10 minutes before serving. This allows the gratin to set and prevents it from falling apart. Garnish each cocotte with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately.

Nutrition

Category: Side Dish