French Onion Potato Bake

French Onion Potato Bake is a comforting and hearty dish that brings together the rich, savory flavors of French onion soup with tender potatoes. This easy-to-make casserole features layers of creamy, cheesy potatoes smothered in a rich French onion-inspired sauce. Topped with crispy cheese and baked to perfection, it’s a dish that’s both indulgent and satisfying. Whether you’re serving it as a side dish for a family meal or as a main course, French Onion Potato Bake is sure to be a hit at your dinner table.

INGREDIENTS:

For the casserole:

1.5 kg (3 lbs) potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced

1 medium onion, thinly sliced

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 cup sour cream

1 cup heavy cream

1 cup French onion soup (store-bought or homemade)

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)

For the topping:

1 cup French fried onions (store-bought)

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for extra cheese flavor)

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onion and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is caramelized and golden brown.

In a large bowl, combine the sour cream, heavy cream, French onion soup, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.

Add the caramelized onions and chopped thyme to the cream mixture, stirring to incorporate.

Layer the thinly sliced potatoes in the prepared baking dish, spreading them out evenly. Pour the cream and onion mixture over the potatoes, ensuring all the layers are covered.

Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses evenly over the top of the potatoes.

Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 45 minutes. After 45 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the top is golden and bubbly.

In the last 10 minutes of baking, sprinkle the French fried onions on top of the potatoes and bake uncovered until the onions are crispy.

Remove from the oven and let the dish rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.