Green Chile au Gratin Potatoes: a Sassy Thanksgiving Side Dish!

Au Gratin Potatoes are a creamy, satisfying dish everyone loves. This comfort food recipe includes green chilies for a Southwestern twist!

Green Chile au Gratin Potatoes

This cheesy, creamy au gratin potato recipe with a Southwestern twist was originally shared as a ‘sassy Thanksgiving side dish’.

Thanksgiving recipes tend to be filling with a tamer flavor profile.

I love to throw something spicy in the mix. I find it’s a welcome surprise.

I secretly think it helps with a person’s digestion when eating a huge meal like Thanksgiving dinner.

Green Chile au Gratin Potatoes are easy to prepare and have a Southwestern flavor from the green chilies. It’s not a super spicy recipe.

This potato recipe makes a delicious side dish recipe choice with any meal, not just Thanksgiving!

Difference between Scalloped Potatoes and Au Gratin Potatoes

There are similarities between scalloped and au gratin potatoes.

Both recipes use thinly sliced potatoes layered in a baking dish and cooked with a creamy sauce.

Au Gratin Potatoes (pronounced ‘oh grah-tin’)  or Potatoes au Gratin, include grated cheese in the recipe.

It can also have a browned breadcrumb crust on top too.

Scalloped potatoes do not include cheese.

Potatoes au Gratin Ingredients

One great thing about this potato recipe is it doesn’t take many ingredient to make a creamy, luscious dish.

The flavor is fantastic and the texture irresistible.

• Russet Potatoes
• Heavy Whipping Cream
• Roasted Green Chilies (canned or home roasted)
• Mild Cheddar Cheese
• Monterey Jack Cheese
• Red Onion
• Unsalted Butter
• Salt and Pepper

Using Purchased Grated Cheese

Normally I’d suggest using grated cheese available for purchase in the dairy section of the grocery store to speed up a recipe preparation. 

This type of cheese does not always melt the same as hand grated cheese due to added ingredients that prevent the grated cheese from clumping together.

For this potato recipe I recommend grating the cheese yourself for the best recipe results.

Green Chilies

This Au Gratin Potato recipe can be made as spicy or mild as desired.

Canned fire roasted Green Chilies are available in mild, medium or hot ‘heat’.

Any heat level works great. It’s really a personal choice how hot to make it.

To be safe choose mild or medium heat level.

How to Roast Chilies (optional)

Home roasted chilies can be used too.

Anaheim chilies is the type of chilies to use if roasting them at home. They are widely available at most grocery stores.

Here is an easy way to roast the Anaheim Chilies:

STEP 1: Place the Anaheim chilies on a rimmed baking sheet under a preheated broiler

STEP 2: Using tongs, turn the chilies as soon as they turn black on the side facing the heat. Continue until the entire chile is blackened.

STEP 3: Place the charred chilies in a plastic zipper top bag and seal. Alternatively place them in a metal or glass bowl and cover the top of the bowl tightly with plastic wrap.

STEP 4: Allow to sit for 15 minutes.

STEP 5: Remove chiles and rub the charred skin off (discard charred skin). NOTE: if skin is resistant to come off the chilies can be run under the faucet and rubbed off. Then pat dry with paper towels.

STEP 6: Remove the stems and seeds. Chop chilies.

NOTE: Always rinse hands after working with chilies.

Best Way to Slice Potatoes for au Gratin Potatoes

Having uniformly thin potatoes makes a big difference both in the way the au Gratin recipe cooks but also in creating a pleasing end texture.

Au Gratin Potatoes should be 1/8-inch to ¼-inch thick (at the most). With slices this thin, large sharp cooking knives are key.

Use a Mandoline Slicer

The best way to slice the potatoes is with a Mandoline.

A mandoline is a slicer that allows setting the desired thickness of what is being sliced.

A mandoline slices very quickly and is easier than trying to hand slice the potatoes by hand.

PRO TIP: use a mandoline that has a guard. The guard goes over the food being sliced making it easy to push the item AND protecting your hands from the mandoline blade.

Mandolines are available at cooking stores, department stores, Asian grocery stores and ONLINE. 

How to Make Green Chile Au Gratin Potatoes – Step-by-Step

Putting this potato recipe together is easy. All the ingredients are layered to create a creamy, cheesy end result!

For a detailed printable recipe refer to the recipe card at the end of the blog post.

STEP 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 12-inch by 9-inch casserole or baking pan.

STEP 2: Layer one third of the potatoes in the prepared pan. Drizzle on one third of the cream. Follow with one third of the cream, chilies, cheese, onion, salt and pepper (exact measurements in the recipe card).

STEP 3: Repeat Layer One. 

STEP 4: Repeat Layer One a third time (minus the onions).

STEP 5: Bake for 40-50 minutes until top is golden brown.

TIP: Make it a Main Dish Recipe

Layer cooked chorizo or other ground meat to turn this potato recipe into a hearty main dish!

What to Serve with Potatoes au Gratin

• Lemon Roast Chicken
• Instant Pot Turkey Breast
• Spicy Cumin-Lime Pork Tenderloin
• Easy Salmon Recipes
• Fast and Easy Coleslaw Recipe
• Cheesy Mexican Frittata

More Thanksgiving Recipes You’ll Love

• Easy Roast Turkey recipe
• Chipotle Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
• Fresh Cranberry Orange Sauce
• Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes with Sour Cream and Garlic
• Twice Baked Potato Casserole
• Balsamic Roasted Fall Vegetables with Sumac
• Cranberry Salsa
• Mini Pumpkin Pie Cheesecakes in Mason Jars
• Crustless Pumpkin Pie

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Originally published: November 17, 2012