This is a delicious spin on a classic recipe! Caramelized onions, sausage and fresh herbs swirled into cheesy potato slices. A topping of french fried onions ties this dish together!
We start this recipe by caramelizing the onions. Caramelizing is the slow process of sautéing the onions in olive oil. The extended process of slowly cooking makes the flavor more intense and sweet, as it breaks down the larger sugar molecules.
Next up, make the sauce! The gruyere cheese gives it a nutty, slightly sweet and slightly salty taste. If you are unable to locate gruyere or looking for a substitute, Swiss is always a good choice. Kerrygold Irish Dubliner is also recommended.
Layer the potatoes, cheese mixture, onions and cheese. Repeat.
Top with the French fried onions. Bake uncovered for 45 to 60 minutes. You always have the option to tent towards the end if it is getting a little to crispy or brown.
French Onion & Sausage Scalloped Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 sweet onions, thinly sliced
- 1 lb italian sausage, cooked and drippings discarded
- 4 tbsp butter
- ¼ cup white wine
- salt and pepper
- 1 tsp thyme, fresh or dried
- 3 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced (1/8-1/16")
- ½ cup french fried onions
- fresh parsley, for garnish
Sauce
- 4 tbsp butter
- 4 tbsp AP flour
- 3½ cups milk
- salt and pepper
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 2 cups shredded gruyere cheese (divided)
- ½ cup grated parmesan
Instructions
- Heat the four tablespoons of butter over medium heat in a cast iron skillet. Add the sliced onions and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are softened. Sprinkle in the thyme and reduce heat to medium-low and conintue cooking for 30-40 more minutes. *This is a good time to start cooking up the italian sausage. Brown and discard drippings.*
- Preheat oven to 375°. Heat the other 4 tbsp butter over low-medium heat in a saucepan. Whisk the flour with the butter to make the roux and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring, until golden and has a nutty fragrance. Slowly stream the milk in while constantly whisking the entire time. Whisk in salt, pepper and the nutmeg. Stir in 1/2 of the gruyere (1 cup) until melted. Season with more salt/pepper as needed.
- Grease a 9 x 13 baking dish. Layer half of the thinly sliced potatoes across the bottom of the dish, followed by half of the cheese sauce and then half of the caramelized onions. Then sprinkle 1/2 cup of the remaining gruyere cheese. Repeat this process, topping again with the gruyere and sprinkling with parmesan. Finally, top with the french fried onions.
- Bake uncovered for 45-60 minutes. If it is getting too browned and crispy, tent for the last 15-20 minutes. Let cool for 5-10 minutes
