Description
Sizzling loaded bacon + roasted garlic potatoes blend savory comfort with irresistible flavor profiles. Rich potato wedges topped with crispy bacon bits and golden roasted garlic promise a memorable side dish that satisfies deep cravings and delights dinner companions.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 45 medium yukon potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
- 6 strips of bacon
- 56 cloves of roasted garlic
Cheese and Dairy:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) Tillamook Sharp Cheddar, shredded
- 6 ounces (170 grams) Tillamook Sharp White Cheddar, shredded
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cups whole milk
Seasonings and Other Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 375°F and coating a 9×13 inch baking vessel with a thin layer of grease.
- Render bacon in a large skillet until achieving a perfectly crisp texture, then extract and crumble the meat, preserving 2-3 tablespoons of rendered fat within the pan.
- Introduce butter to the reserved bacon drippings, then incorporate flour to construct a smooth, golden roux by whisking continuously for approximately 1-2 minutes.
- Incrementally stream milk into the roux, maintaining constant motion to develop a velvety, uniform sauce that thickens progressively.
- Infuse the sauce with roasted garlic, aromatic herbs, and seasonings, blending thoroughly to distribute robust flavors throughout the mixture.
- Gradually fold in both sharp and white cheddar cheeses, stirring until achieving a luxuriously creamy consistency with no visible cheese lumps.
- Arrange potato slices uniformly across the prepared baking dish, then cascade the cheese sauce over the layers, ensuring complete and even coverage.
- Distribute crumbled bacon across the potato surface as a crunchy, savory garnish.
- Shield the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes, allowing potatoes to soften and absorb the rich, creamy sauce.
- Uncover the dish, sprinkle additional sharp cheddar on top, and return to the oven for a final 15-20 minutes until the surface transforms into a golden, bubbling masterpiece.
- Allow the potato gratin to rest briefly, permitting flavors to settle and sauce to slightly firm before serving this decadent side dish.
Notes
- Roast garlic ahead of time to deepen the flavor and develop a sweeter, mellow taste without sharp intensity.
- Choose waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold or red potatoes for a creamier, smoother texture that holds together during baking.
- Cut potatoes uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent tenderness throughout the dish.
- Drain excess bacon fat if you prefer a lighter version, but keep some for incredible depth of flavor.
- Experiment with different cheese combinations like Gruyère or smoked Gouda for unique taste profiles.
- Use low-sodium bacon and reduced-fat cheese to create a more diet-friendly option without sacrificing taste.
- Allow the dish to rest after baking to help the sauce set and make serving easier.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg