French Onion Potato Bake

How to make these potatoes

Whenever you make a potato dish like this, the important step is to get evenly sliced potatoes. If you have a mandolin, this is a good time to use it. (please watch your fingers!) Even better if you have a food processor – that’ll make very short work of the job!

In a large bowl, mix together the sour cream, half and half and soup mix. Add in the potatoes and a little shredded cheese. Give it all a good stir to evenly coat those potato slices.

Transfer to a casserole dish. I use a 2.5-quart dish but anything up to a 9x13 will work. Cover and bake for 50-55 minutes. Then uncover, sprinkle with more shredded cheese, and bake another 10-15 minutes (uncovered). The potatoes should be warm and bubbly and the top a beautiful golden brown.

Allow the potatoes to rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Variations/ideas

Feel free to play with this recipe and make it your own. Here are a few ideas:

• Potatoes – I typically use russet potatoes for this but most any variety will work.
• Dairy – you can substitute heavy cream or even milk for the half and half, just ensure you have a total of 2 cups of “dairy”, including the sour cream.
• Cheese – oh, lots of possibilities here! Try sharp cheddar, or other cheese blends. I’m a big fan of Mexican cheese blend and will probably try that my next time I make this.
• French onion soup mix – not always easy to find. I have made this with plain old Lipton onion soup mix and it was just fine. Not really sure what makes the other one “French” anyway. . .
• Onion - feel free to slice up an onion and add it to the potato mix before baking. That will really "UP" the onion factor!
• Baking dish – as mentioned above, I use a 2.5 quart casserole for this. However, it will work just fine in a 9x13 pan. And I actually think that type of pan might have some advantages. With the potatoes more spread out, they will likely cook faster. And, more importantly, these dimensions will result in more top crust. Therefore, more golden- brown cheesy goodness. Need I say more?

You will love this French Onion Potato Bake with so many different meals!

Meal ideas to serve with these potatoes

• Pork tenderloin
• Chicken legs
• Meatloaf