Creamy layered potatoes with buttery leeks
French Leek and Potato Gratin
Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 20 min
Servings
8
8 servings
Difficulty
Easy
Cost
Budget
$
French Leek and Potato Gratin
Creamy layered potatoes with buttery leeks
A rich potato gratin layered with buttery leeks and baked until tender inside and browned on top.
20m
Prep Time
60m
Cook Time
80m
Total Time
8
Servings
Easy
Difficulty
Budget $
Cost
Sarah Chen
(Updated )
A gratin should feel generous and a little old-fashioned in the best way. Leeks make this version softer and more elegant than a plain potato bake without making it fussy.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, thinly sliced
- 2 leeks, cleaned and sliced
- 1.5 cups cream
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 clove garlic
- Salt, pepper, and thyme
Instructions
- 1
Heat the oven to 375°F and butter a baking dish.
- 2
Cook the leeks in butter until softened.
- 3
Rub the dish with garlic and layer the potatoes and leeks.
- 4
Pour over the cream and milk mixture and season well.
- 5
Bake until the potatoes are tender and the top is deeply golden.
Serving Suggestions
Ways to Serve This Dish
Serve alongside a fresh baguette and salted butter
Pair with a crisp green salad with Dijon vinaigrette
Substitutions
CreamHalf-and-half
The gratin will be a little lighter but still creamy
ThymeNutmeg
A little nutmeg gives the dish a more classic gratin feel
DepthPantry
Test Kitchen Pick
Vanilla Extract
Helpful Pantry Staple
Why the vanilla matters
For baking and desserts, vanilla is often carrying more aroma than people expect. A better bottle gives the whole recipe a cleaner finish.
This is a small pantry move that usually makes baked goods taste more complete.
- Improves aroma in desserts and bakes
- Useful across cakes, cookies, and breakfast bakes
Vanilla extract is one of the easiest pantry upgrades to keep using.
Shop vanilla extract for this recipeTips & Storage
Pro Tips
Slice the potatoes evenly so the gratin cooks uniformly.
Let the gratin rest before serving so it slices more cleanly.
Storage
Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Reheating
Reheat in the oven until hot and crisp at the edges again.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (1 serving) · 8 servings
Calories280
LowModerateHigh
A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Protein5g
Carbohydrates26g
Fat18g
Fiber2g
Sugar3g
Sodium170mg
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I add cheese?
- Yes. Gruyere is excellent if you want a richer gratin.
- Can I assemble it ahead?
- Yes. Assemble it earlier in the day and bake when needed.
Explore More
About Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
View all recipes →Some product links on this page may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate RecipePool earns from qualifying purchases.
You Might Also Like
Mediterranean
Mediterranean Chickpea Stuffed Eggplant
Roasted eggplant halves filled with a Mediterranean chickpea mixture for a vegetarian dinner that still feels substantial.
55 min
Easy
French
French Radish Butter Tartines
A minimalist French tartine of good bread, soft butter, sliced radishes, and flaky salt that works as a snack, starter, or brunch component.
15 min
Easy
Cinnamon Swirl Donut Muffins
A baked breakfast treat with a tender crumb and cinnamon sugar finish that channels old-school donut shop flavor without frying.
33 min
Easy
Japanese
Japanese Miso Roasted Cabbage
Roasted cabbage wedges finished with a savory miso glaze that turns an inexpensive vegetable into a dinner-worthy side.
40 min
Easy
French
French Salmon en Papillote
A parchment-baked salmon dinner with lemon, shallots, and herbs that feels elegant without demanding much hands-on work.
33 min
EasyMediterranean
Mediterranean Baked Feta Rice
A one-dish bake with rice, tomatoes, feta, and herbs that lands somewhere between baked rice and a casserole.
1 hr
Easy