Cheesy Potato Bake is a delightful dish that perfectly combines the creamy goodness of potatoes with the savory richness of cheddar cheese, resulting in a culinary masterpiece that’s bound to become a family favorite. With a preparation time of just 15 minutes and a total cooking time of 1 hour and 15 minutes, this recipe strikes the ideal balance between convenience and flavor, making it an excellent choice for busy weeknights when you crave something comforting and satisfying.
To embark on this culinary adventure, you’ll need to gather the following ingredients:
- 4 baking potatoes
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 tablespoon margarine
- 1 small onion
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Once you’ve assembled these kitchen essentials, it’s time to dive into the cooking process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating your Cheesy Potato Bake masterpiece:
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Begin by preheating your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220 degrees Celsius) to ensure it’s nice and toasty when it’s time to bake your potatoes to golden perfection.
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Next, thinly slice the baking potatoes, ensuring uniformity in thickness to ensure even cooking. Arrange the potato slices in a greased shallow 2-quart baking dish, creating a visually appealing layer that promises deliciousness with every forkful.
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In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and margarine together until they form a luscious, golden pool of liquid goodness. To this buttery concoction, add the finely chopped onion, salt, dried thyme, and pepper, infusing the mixture with layers of aromatic flavors that will elevate your Cheesy Potato Bake to gourmet status. Stir the ingredients gently until they meld together, creating a tantalizing aroma that fills your kitchen with warmth and anticipation.
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Once the buttery onion mixture is ready, drizzle it generously over the arranged potato slices, ensuring each potato receives a flavorful kiss of seasoning that will transform it into a culinary delight. This step is crucial, as it ensures that every bite of your Cheesy Potato Bake is bursting with savory goodness from the inside out.
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Cover the baking dish with a lid or aluminum foil, sealing in the flavors and moisture as the potatoes bake to tender perfection in the oven. Allow the potatoes to cook undisturbed for approximately 45 minutes, or until they are fork-tender and infused with the irresistible aroma of buttery goodness.
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Once the potatoes are tender, it’s time to unleash the final flourish of flavor by sprinkling the shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the potatoes, creating a blanket of gooey, melty goodness that will tantalize your taste buds and delight your senses.
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Return the baking dish to the oven, leaving it uncovered this time, and allow the cheese to melt and bubble to golden perfection for approximately 15 minutes longer. This final step is crucial, as it ensures that the cheese achieves the perfect balance of crispiness and meltiness, transforming your Cheesy Potato Bake into a culinary masterpiece that’s as visually stunning as it is delicious.
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Once the cheese is beautifully melted and bubbling, remove the baking dish from the oven and garnish your Cheesy Potato Bake with freshly chopped parsley, adding a pop of vibrant green color and herbaceous flavor that elevates the dish to gourmet heights.
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Allow the Cheesy Potato Bake to cool slightly before serving, allowing the flavors to meld together and intensify, creating a taste sensation that will have your family and friends clamoring for seconds.
With its irresistible combination of creamy potatoes, savory cheese, and aromatic seasonings, Cheesy Potato Bake is a culinary triumph that’s sure to impress even the most discerning palates. Whether served as a comforting side dish or a satisfying main course, this recipe is guaranteed to become a staple in your culinary repertoire, bringing joy and satisfaction to every mealtime gathering.
