Thanksgiving is closing in and I’m all about the sides. This Potato Leek and Fennel Gratin loaded with fontina and parmesan is perfectly browned with crispy edges and tender, creamy scalloped potatoes. A favorite holiday side dish you can prep ahead and can easily be halved for smaller gatherings.
Remember to PIN THIS to save the recipe for later!
How to Make Potato Leek and Fennel Gratin
Leeks and fennel team up perfectly here layered between the thinly sliced potatoes and handfuls of cheese.
To kick things off, fennel is topped with fennel fronds, fresh parsley, salt and pepper in a casserole dish.
Next, half of the potatoes join in and are topped with half of the sautéed leeks and cheese.
Then repeat the layering of fennel, herbs, potatoes, leeks, and cheese. Using a mandolin to slice the potatoes makes that task a breeze. There are several models out there from elaborate to simple. I’ve found the simpler, handheld version the easiest to use and clean.
Once the second layer is complete, hot chicken broth and cream is poured over top before popping the assembled gratin into the oven.
In a little over an hour, most of the liquid will be absorbed and the top will become a deep golden brown. The full recipe is perfect for feeding a crowd, but as we know things are a bit different this year so you can easily halve the recipe and make in a smaller pan. Enjoy and stay safe! xx, Kim
More Show-Stopping Sides!
- Winter Citrus Salad w/ Avocado & Goat Cheese
- Balsamic Roasted Root Vegetables
- Cider Glazed Sweet Potatoes & Squash
- Balsamic Roasted Green Vegetables
- Mushroom Stuffed Portobellos
- Broccoli Kale Apple & Cranberry Slaw (by Joyous Apron)
Essential Kitchen Tools
Before you go, be sure to stay in touch on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook and become part of our email community for all the latest updates!
Potato Leek and Fennel Gratin
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 large leeks, white and pale green parts only sliced into ¼-inch half moons
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 large fennel bulbs with fronds, trimmed, cored, thinly sliced, 2 tablespoons fronds reserved
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 3 pounds red-skinned potatoes, peeled, cut into ¼-inch thick slices
- 2 cups shredded fontina cheese
- 1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1 cup whipping cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Butter 13x9x2-inch baking dish.
- Melt 2 tablespoons butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add leeks and cook until tender, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook 2 minutes more, stirring frequently. Remove from heat.
- Arrange half of sliced fennel in a single layer in prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon fennel fronds, half of the parsley, and season with salt and pepper.
- Arrange half of sliced potatoes overlapping slightly on top of the fennel and herbs. Top potatoes with half of leek mixture. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with half of fontina and grated parmesan cheese.
- Repeat layering with remaining fennel, fennel fronds, parsley, potatoes, leek mixture, and cheeses. Sprinkle assembled gratin with salt and pepper.
- Bring chicken stock and whipping cream to a boil in a medium saucepan. Pour mixture over gratin.
- Bake uncovered until vegetables are very tender, liquid is almost absorbed and top is deep golden brown, about 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes.
- Can be prepared 3 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature covered in foil. Rewarm covered in 375°F oven 20-30 minutes. Enjoy!
Notes
*Adapted from Bon Appétit, November 1999
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?
Don’t forget to leave a comment and give it a star rating below! Love to hear from you! AND Tag @giveitsomethyme on Instagram and hashtag it #giveitsomethyme
This page contains affiliate links. Meaning, whenever you purchase an item after clicking an Amazon link through this website, we receive a small percentage from Amazon. It doesn’t cost anything extra to you! It simply helps maintain the blog. Thanks so much!
Who can refuse a good potato gratin loaded with cheese? I cannot! Love the addition of leeks and especially fennel – that’s a new twist for me. What can I say more? Delicious!
Leeks, fennel, fontina cheese… wow. Just wow. The ingredients in this potato gratin sound incredible together! I can just taste it. Definitely going on my to make list!
Thanks Chelsey! This is always a hit!
I don’t think I’ve had scalloped potatoes with different flavors in there before. Sounds delicious!
Thanks so much!! They really do work well together. 🙂