If you love cozy, comforting sides that feel a little bit fancy, then this Creamy Potato Stacks Recipe is about to become your new best friend. Picture delicate layers of thinly sliced Yukon Gold potatoes soaked in a luscious mixture of heavy cream, butter, garlic, and thyme, all topped with a golden crust of Parmesan cheese. These individual potato stacks are baked to tender perfection, offering a melt-in-your-mouth experience that balances richness and subtle herbs in every bite. Whether you’re planning a holiday feast or a casual dinner, this recipe turns simple ingredients into something truly special and unforgettable.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is the first step toward potato stack heaven. Each component plays a crucial role in creating the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and aroma. From creamy heavy cream to fragrant thyme, every ingredient is essential to make your stacks sing.
- Yukon Gold potatoes: Their buttery flavor and creamy texture shine when sliced thin and baked.
- Heavy cream: Adds rich moisture and creates a velvety layer that tenderizes the potatoes as they bake.
- Unsalted butter: Melts into the cream mixture for extra indulgence and golden color.
- Garlic: Minced for a subtle punch of savory flavor that complements the potatoes perfectly.
- Fresh thyme leaves: Brings a lovely herbaceous note that balances richness with earthiness.
- Salt: Essential for enhancing all the flavors in the dish.
- Black pepper: Adds a mild kick and warmth to the stacks.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Provides a crispy, nutty topping that melts beautifully over the potatoes.
- Cooking spray: Prevents sticking and helps achieve those golden edges.
How to Make Creamy Potato Stacks Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Mix the Cream Sauce
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) and greasing a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray to ensure your stacks come out effortlessly. In a large bowl, whisk together heavy cream, melted butter, minced garlic, thyme, salt, pepper, and half of the Parmesan. This rich, flavorful mixture will soak into the thinly sliced potatoes, bringing moisture and seasoning throughout every layer. It’s the heart of the Creamy Potato Stacks Recipe and truly what makes these so delicious.
Step 2: Slice and Toss the Potatoes
Peel your Yukon Gold potatoes and slice them very thinly—about 1/8 inch thick—to ensure they cook evenly and mingle beautifully with the cream mixture. Gently toss the potato slices in the bowl until each slice is coated with that luxurious cream and herb blend. This careful step guarantees every bite is packed with flavor and silky smooth texture that is signature to this dish.
Step 3: Build the Stacks
Now for the fun part: layering. Place the potato slices into each muffin cup, stacking them just above the rim to create neat, individual towers. Pour any leftover cream mix evenly over the stacks to seep down into the layers during baking. Finally, sprinkle the remaining Parmesan on top for that irresistible crust. These little stacks will look stunning once baked and golden.
Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection
Cover the muffin tin loosely with foil to keep the moisture inside while baking, and place it in the oven. Bake for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and continue baking for another 15 to 20 minutes. This step crisps up the Parmesan and browns the tops beautifully, while the potatoes beneath become tender and silky. Use a knife to check tenderness—if it slides in easily, you’re good to go!
Step 5: Cool and Serve
Allow the stacks to cool in the tin for about 5 minutes before gently removing them with a spoon or an offset spatula. This brief rest lets the layers set just enough to hold their shape but keeps them warm and inviting. Your Creamy Potato Stacks Recipe is now ready to wow your family and friends with every delectable bite.
How to Serve Creamy Potato Stacks Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a sprinkle of fresh herbs like parsley or extra thyme on top not only brightens the look of your potato stacks but also adds a fresh, herbal lift to balance the richness. A light drizzle of olive oil or a small pat of butter melting on top just before serving can amplify the flavor and shine.
Side Dishes
This recipe shines as a side dish next to roasted meats, like herb-crusted chicken or beef tenderloin, but it also pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad to lighten the meal. For a vegetarian feast, serve alongside sautéed mushrooms or blistered green beans to complement the creamy texture.
Creative Ways to Present
For a party or special occasion, arrange the potato stacks on a rustic wooden platter with scattered fresh thyme sprigs for a charming farmhouse vibe. You could also add a thin slice of Gruyère between layers before baking for a gooey, cheesy surprise. Serve in individual ramekins or petite baking dishes to keep things elegant and easy to portion.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover creamy potato stacks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The potato layers continue to absorb flavors overnight, so the leftovers taste even better the next day!
Freezing
You can freeze individual potato stacks by wrapping each one tightly with plastic wrap and then placing them in a freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. This makes for a convenient, delicious side you can bake fresh whenever you want.
Reheating
To reheat, thaw frozen stacks overnight in the fridge if possible. Warm them in a preheated 350°F oven for about 15-20 minutes until heated through and crispy on top again. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep that perfect texture.
FAQs
What type of potatoes work best for this recipe?
Yukon Gold potatoes are ideal due to their creamy texture and buttery flavor that hold up well during baking, helping create tender yet structured stacks.
Can I use low-fat cream instead of heavy cream?
For best results, heavy cream is recommended since it provides the richness needed for creamy and tender layers. Low-fat cream may result in a less silky texture.
Is it necessary to peel the potatoes?
Peeling helps achieve uniform soft layers and a smooth texture, but leaving the skins on is fine if you prefer a more rustic feel and added fiber.
Can this recipe be made vegan or dairy-free?
Absolutely! Substitute heavy cream and butter with plant-based alternatives like coconut cream and vegan butter, and use a nut-based or dairy-free cheese for a tasty vegan version.
How can I make the cream potato stacks more cheesy?
Try adding layers of shredded Gruyère or sharp cheddar cheese between the potato slices before baking for melted, gooey surprises in every bite.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Potato Stacks Recipe is a stunning side that blends simplicity with elegance. It’s perfect for turning everyday potatoes into a dish that feels like a celebration. Warm, tender, and bursting with flavor, these stacks have become a beloved staple for my gatherings, and I’m sure they’ll bring joy to your table too. Give it a try and watch everyone swoon over this incredibly delicious, easy-to-make treat!
Print
Creamy Potato Stacks Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 12 stacks
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Creamy Potato Stacks are individual gratins made from thinly sliced Yukon Gold potatoes layered in a muffin tin with a rich mixture of heavy cream, butter, garlic, thyme, and Parmesan cheese. Baked until golden and tender, these stacks make an elegant and delicious side dish perfect for holidays or dinner parties.
Ingredients
Potatoes
- 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced (about 1/8 inch thick)
Cream Mixture
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Additional
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Tin: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix Cream and Seasonings: In a large bowl, combine the heavy cream, melted butter, minced garlic, thyme, salt, pepper, and half of the grated Parmesan cheese. This mixture will coat the potatoes, infusing them with flavor.
- Coat Potato Slices: Add the thinly sliced potatoes to the cream mixture and gently toss to ensure all slices are evenly coated with the cream and seasoning blend.
- Layer Potato Slices: Place the coated potato slices into each muffin cup, stacking them until the stacks rise just above the rim of each cup for an attractive presentation.
- Add Remaining Cream Mixture: Spoon any leftover cream mixture evenly over the stacked potatoes in each muffin cup to keep them moist during baking.
- Sprinkle Parmesan Cheese: Top each stack with the remaining Parmesan cheese for a golden, cheesy crust.
- Bake Covered: Loosely cover the muffin tin with foil and bake for 30 minutes. This initial baking allows the potatoes to cook through gently.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for another 15 to 20 minutes, or until the tops of the stacks are golden brown and the potatoes are tender when pierced with a knife.
- Cool and Serve: Let the stacks cool for 5 minutes in the tin before carefully removing them with a spoon or offset spatula. Serve warm as a delicious side dish.
Notes
- For extra richness and flavor, add a layer of shredded Gruyère or sharp cheddar cheese between the potato layers.
- These potato stacks reheat well and can be prepped ahead of time and baked just before serving.
- This dish is excellent as a side for holidays, dinner parties, or any special occasion.
