Cheesy Root Vegetable Gratin
A delightful dish featuring layers of sweet potatoes, parsnips, and beets, baked in a rich cream and cheese sauce, perfect for cozy dinners or holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Root Vegetables
- 1-2 pieces long sweet potatoes (about 2 inches thick), peeled
- 3-4 pieces large parsnips, ends trimmed and peeled
- 3-5 pieces small beets, peeled
Cream and Cheese
- 14 tablespoons heavy cream, divided Whole milk may be used but will not thicken as much.
- 4 ounces grated Parmesan, divided
- 1 ounce shredded gruyere
Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon fresh minced thyme, divided Plus more for garnish.
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Greasing
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened For greasing the baking dish.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 400˚F. Grease a 3 quart baking dish with butter.
- Slice sweet potatoes, parsnips, and beets into very thin rounds (using a mandoline is easiest) and transfer each vegetable to its own bowl.
- Pour 4 tablespoons cream over each sweet potato and parsnip bowl, and 2 tablespoons cream over the beets. Top each bowl with ½ ounce grated Parmesan and 1 teaspoon minced thyme. Season generously with salt and pepper and toss until well coated.
- Pour the remaining 1/4 cup cream into the bottom of the baking dish and sprinkle with ½ ounce Parmesan and minced garlic.
Cooking
- Line the bottom of the dish with a stack of sweet potatoes, followed by a row of parsnips, and then beets. Repeat until all vegetables are used, creating six layers.
- Season the top with salt, pepper, and the remaining Parmesan.
- Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes or until vegetables are soft.
- Uncover the gratin, add shredded gruyere, and bake uncovered for an additional 18 to 20 minutes, until fork-tender and lightly browned on top.
Serving
- Finish with a sprinkle of fresh thyme and serve warm.
Notes
To keep leftovers fresh, store the gratin in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. You can also freeze it for later enjoyment; just ensure it’s well wrapped to avoid freezer burn.