The holiday season is synonymous with warmth, joy, and, most importantly, incredible food! While the main course often steals the spotlight, a truly memorable feast is built upon show-stopping side dishes. And this year, we’re inviting you to elevate your holiday table with a side that’s both effortlessly chic and utterly delicious: our Easy Holiday Blue Cheese Gratin.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Get ready to fall head over heels for this creamy, dreamy potato dish. Here are four irresistible reasons why our Easy Holiday Blue Cheese Gratin will become your new festive favorite:

Unforgettable Flavor Fusion: Imagine perfectly tender potatoes bathed in rich cream, accented by the sharp, savory tang of blue cheese and a fresh whisper of chives. It’s a symphony of flavors that’s both comforting and sophisticated, guaranteed to impress every palate.
Effortless Elegance: Despite its gourmet taste and appearance, this gratin is surprisingly simple to put together. With minimal prep and straightforward layering, you’ll achieve a dish that looks like it took hours of effort, leaving you more time to enjoy the festivities.
A Holiday Crowd-Pleaser: Potatoes are a universally beloved side, and this luxurious take elevates them to holiday status. It’s the perfect accompaniment to roasted meats, poultry, or even a vegetarian spread, making it versatile for any holiday gathering.
Make-Ahead Magic: While best served fresh, parts of this gratin can be prepped in advance, making your holiday cooking less stressful. It’s a fantastic way to ensure a fresh, hot side dish without last-minute scrambling.

Forget the complicated culinary acrobatics! This holiday season, embrace the magic of simplicity with a dish that delivers maximum impact with minimal fuss. Our Easy Holiday Blue Cheese Gratin is here to prove that festive food can be both luxurious and wonderfully straightforward. Picture this: layers of thinly sliced Russet potatoes, bathed in rich heavy cream, generously studded with savory blue cheese and fresh chives, all baked to golden, bubbly perfection. It’s a side dish that not only looks incredible but also tastes like a dream, bringing a touch of gourmet flair to your table without breaking a sweat. Perfect for Christmas dinner, New Year’s Eve, or any cozy winter gathering, this gratin is poised to become your new go-to recipe. Let’s get cooking!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gather these simple yet powerful ingredients to create your show-stopping Easy Holiday Blue Cheese Gratin:

🥔 1¼ pounds Russet Potatoes, unpeeled and thinly sliced (about 3 medium-large)
🥛 1½ cups Heavy Cream
🌿 ¼ cup Fresh Chives, minced
🧀 1 cup Blue Cheese, crumbled (use a milder variety if preferred)
🧂 Pinch of Kosher Salt
🌶️ Pinch of Ground Black Pepper

Step-by-Step Directions to Gratin Glory

Ready to create a holiday masterpiece? Follow these detailed steps for your perfect Easy Holiday Blue Cheese Gratin:

Preheat Your Oven: Start by setting your oven to a cozy 375°F (190°C). This ensures your gratin bakes evenly and develops that beautiful golden crust.
Perfectly Slice Your Spuds: Grab your Russet potatoes. Using a mandoline is highly recommended here for consistent, paper-thin ¼-inch rounds – this is key for even cooking and a beautiful presentation. If you don’t have a mandoline, a very sharp knife and a steady hand will do the trick. Remember, you can leave the skin on for extra nutrients and a rustic touch, or peel them if you prefer a smoother texture.
Prepare Your Baking Dish: Lightly coat a 2-quart casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray, or butter it generously. This helps prevent sticking and makes for easier cleanup.
First Layer Foundation: Arrange about one-third of your thinly sliced potatoes in a single, even layer at the bottom of the prepared dish. Give them a light sprinkle of kosher salt and ground black pepper. Then, scatter one-third of your fragrant minced chives and one-third of the crumbled blue cheese over the potatoes.
Second Layer Ascent: Repeat the layering process! Add another third of the potato slices, season lightly with salt and pepper, and top with another third of the chives and blue cheese. This builds up the delicious flavors throughout the dish.
Final Layer & Creamy Finish: Place the last third of potato slices on top, season with a final pinch of salt and pepper, and finish by scattering the remaining blue cheese over this layer. Now, carefully and evenly pour the heavy cream over everything, making sure it seeps down into all the layers. Gently press down on the potatoes with the back of a spoon to ensure they are mostly submerged in the cream – this helps them cook perfectly tender.
Bake to Golden Perfection: To catch any potential overflow, place your casserole dish on a baking sheet (lining it with foil or parchment paper is a smart move for easy cleanup). Transfer it to your preheated oven and bake for approximately 1 hour. You’ll know it’s ready when the top is beautifully golden brown, the cream is bubbly, and the potatoes are wonderfully tender when pierced with a fork.
Garnish & Serve Immediately: Once baked, carefully remove the hot dish from the oven. For a final flourish and a burst of fresh color, sprinkle the last bit of fresh chives on top. Serve your magnificent Easy Holiday Blue Cheese Gratin immediately and watch it disappear!

Presenting and Serving Your Gratin

Your Easy Holiday Blue Cheese Gratin is a star on its own, but with a few presentation tricks, you can make it truly shine! For a rustic, family-style appeal, serve it directly from the beautiful casserole dish you baked it in. A sprinkle of extra fresh chives or a few finely chopped parsley leaves on top adds a vibrant pop of color and freshness. To serve, simply scoop generous portions onto plates. If you’re feeling fancy, use a wide, flat spatula to lift out neat squares or wedges, ensuring each serving gets some of that glorious golden crust. This gratin pairs exceptionally well with roasted meats like turkey, ham, or beef tenderloin. It also complements rich poultry dishes and even stands as a hearty vegetarian option when served alongside a crisp green salad. Consider adding a side of cranberry sauce or a dollop of fig jam to create a delightful sweet-and-savory contrast that highlights the blue cheese.

Storage and Longevity

Got leftovers? Lucky you! This Easy Holiday Blue Cheese Gratin tastes almost as good the next day. To store, allow the gratin to cool completely to room temperature. Then, cover the casserole dish tightly with plastic wrap or transfer the gratin to an airtight container. Refrigerate promptly. It will last beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can warm individual portions in the microwave until heated through, or for a crispier top, reheat the entire dish (covered loosely with foil to prevent drying) in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 20-30 minutes, or until bubbling and hot. While technically possible, freezing is not recommended as the texture of the potatoes and cream can become somewhat mealy or separated upon thawing. Enjoy it fresh for the best experience!

FAQs About Your Easy Holiday Blue Cheese Gratin

Can I peel the potatoes for this gratin?
Absolutely! While leaving the skin on adds nutrients and a rustic look, you can certainly peel the Russet potatoes if you prefer a smoother texture.
What kind of blue cheese should I use?
For a milder flavor, opt for a creamy Gorgonzola dolce or a Danish blue. If you love a bolder, more pungent taste, go for Roquefort or a strong Stilton. The recipe suggests using a milder variety if preferred, so choose what suits your taste!
Can I make this gratin ahead of time?
Yes, you can! You can assemble the entire gratin up to 24 hours in advance, cover it tightly, and refrigerate. Let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking, and you might need to add an extra 10-15 minutes to the total baking time.
How do I know when the potatoes are cooked through?
The potatoes should be wonderfully tender when pierced with a fork. If they still feel firm, continue baking, checking every 10-15 minutes, until they reach the desired tenderness.
What if I don’t have a mandoline for slicing?
No problem! A very sharp chef’s knife and a steady hand can achieve thin, even slices. Just take your time and aim for consistent ¼-inch thickness to ensure even cooking.
Can I use a different type of potato?
Russet potatoes are ideal for gratins because their high starch content creates a creamy texture. Waxy potatoes like Yukon Golds or red potatoes can be used, but they might not absorb the cream as well and could result in a slightly firmer texture.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, this Easy Holiday Blue Cheese Gratin recipe is naturally gluten-free, as it contains no gluten-containing ingredients.
Can I make this gratin dairy-free?
Unfortunately, this recipe relies heavily on heavy cream and blue cheese for its signature flavor and texture, making a dairy-free version quite challenging to replicate authentically.
What if my gratin isn’t browning on top?
If your gratin is cooked through but lacks that beautiful golden crust, you can carefully place it under the broiler for a minute or two. Watch it very closely to prevent burning!
Can I add other ingredients to this gratin?
Absolutely! Feel free to experiment. A clove or two of minced garlic added to the cream, a sprinkle of fresh thyme, or even a layer of crispy cooked bacon bits between the potato layers would be delicious additions.