French Onion Potato Bake: A Warm, Cheesy, and Irresistible Side Dish
Potatoes and caramelized onions are the perfect comfort food combination. This French Onion Potato Bake is a recipe that is so good and filling that it will blow your mind. It blends the rich, slow-cooked onions, melty cheese, and savory broth from French onion soup with delicate, golden potatoes.
This cheesy, onion-infused potato bake is great for holiday parties, Sunday dinners, or a warm side dish. It’s easy to make and looks great. You may serve it with roast chicken, steak, or just eat it on its own. It’s a recipe that the whole family will love.
Why You’ll Love This French Onion Potato Bake
- The rich, caramelized onions, melty cheese, and herby potatoes make every bite taste great.
- Warm, cheesy, and filling—just what you need for a supper in the winter.
- Simple to Make: All you need are a few simple ingredients to make this dish stand out.
- Works as a festive side, a potluck dish, or a weeknight comfort food.
- Customizable – Swap cheese, add bacon, or make it extra creamy!
What is a French onion potato bake?
This baked potato dish is based on classic French onion soup and has:
- Potatoes cut into thin slices and stacked with buttery, caramelized onions.
- A hearty beef or vegetable broth that adds flavor to every bite.
- Gruyère or Swiss cheese that melts, making it gooey and hard to refuse.
- Adding fresh thyme and garlic to give it more flavor.
This dish is like a potato gratin and French onion soup mixed together, and it’s very good!
This recipe keeps things simple but packs in the flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional; it helps the onions caramelize faster)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 teaspoon fresh thyme)
- ½ cup beef broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian variant)
- 4 large Yukon Gold potatoes, cut ¼-inch thick
- 1 tablespoon butter (for greasing)
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese (or Swiss, cheddar, or mozzarella)
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 cup heavy cream or whole milk
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- Fresh thyme sprigs
- Extra Parmesan cheese
- Crispy fried onions (optional, for extra crunch!)
Instructions
1. Caramelize the Onions
- Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat.
- Add the chopped onions, salt, pepper, sugar, garlic powder, and thyme.
- Cook slowly, stirring periodically, for 20-25 minutes, until onions are deep golden brown.
- Pour in ½ cup beef broth, stir, and simmer for 5 more minutes, until onions are mushy and jammy.
- Remove from heat and set aside.
(Pro Tip: The slower you cook the onions, the sweeter and richer they get!)
2. Prepare the Potatoes
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with 1 tablespoon butter.
- Slice the Yukon Gold potatoes into ¼-inch thick rounds.
- Toss the potatoes with heavy cream, salt, pepper, and fresh thyme.
3. Assemble the Bake
- Arrange half of the potatoes in a single layer in the baking dish.
- Spread half of the caramelized onions over the potatoes.
- Sprinkle with ½ cup Gruyère cheese and ¼ cup Parmesan.
- Repeat with the remaining potatoes, onions, and cheese.
- Pour the remaining cream over the top.
4. Bake the Dish
- Put foil over it and bake it for 40 minutes.
- Take off the cover and bake for another 20 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown and bubbling.
- At the end, broil for 2–3 minutes to make the top extra crispy.
5. Enjoy and serve!
- Let the bake rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with fresh thyme and crispy fried onions (optional).
- Serve warm and enjoy the cheesy, oniony delight!
How to Make the Best French Onion Potato Bake
- Use Yukon Gold Potatoes – They stay creamy and tender without getting mushy.
- Low & Slow for Onions – The longer you caramelize onions, the richer the flavor!
- Broth Adds Flavor – A little beef or veggie broth increases the richness.
- Use High-Quality Cheese – Gruyère, Swiss, or sharp cheddar work best.
- Don’t skip the cream; it makes the texture smooth and rich.
Delicious Variations
Want to shake things up? Try these fun variations:
- Cheesy Bacon French Onion Potatoes
Add ½ cup cooked, crumbled bacon between the layers.
Use smoked Gouda cheese for an extra flavorful kick. - French Onion Sweet Potato Bake
Swap Yukon Golds for sweet potatoes for a sweet-savory twist.
Use goat cheese instead of Gruyère for added acidity. - Creamy Garlic Parmesan Potatoes
Add 2 minced garlic cloves to the cream mixture.
Use Parmesan and mozzarella for a more cheesy variation. - Vegan French Onion Potato Bake
Use vegan butter and coconut cream instead of dairy.
Substitute vegan cheese or nutritional yeast for cheesy flavor.
How to Store & Reheat
Refrigeration:
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes.
Freezing:
Put together but don’t bake. Wrap firmly and freeze for up to 2 months.
Thaw overnight, then bake as directed.
Reheating:
Oven: Reheat at 350°F for 10-15 minutes until heated.
Microwave: Heat in 30-second increments, stirring in between.
What to Serve with French Onion Potato Bake
This hearty, cheesy side dish pairs well with:
- Grilled steak or roast chicken
- Garlic butter salmon
- Crispy Brussels sprouts or green beans
- French bread with a crust to soak up the sauce
Serve it with French onion soup and a fresh salad for a comforting meal.
Questions that are often asked
- Is it possible to prepare this dish in advance?
Yes! Assemble the bake up to 1 day in advance and refrigerate. Follow the directions for baking. - What’s the finest cheese for this recipe?
Gruyère is classic, but Swiss, cheddar, or provolone also work well. - Can I make this without cream?
Yes! Substitute milk or additional broth for a lighter version. - Can I use canned French fried onions?
Absolutely! Sprinkle them on top during the last 5 minutes of baking.
This French Onion Potato Bake is rich, creamy, and full with caramelized onion flavor. Whether you’re making it for a holiday dinner, potluck, or weeknight supper, this dish is sure to steal the stage.
So grab your potatoes, caramelize those onions, and enjoy this tempting comfort cuisine now!