Au gratin potatoes are a classic side dish that never fails to impress. The creamy, cheesy layers of potatoes are always a crowd-pleaser and a staple at holiday dinners.
However, traditional au gratin potatoes can be heavy and calorie-laden, making it a less-than-ideal option for those trying to maintain a healthy diet.
But fear not, because I have a solution for you! In this blog post, I will show you how to make a lightened up version of au gratin potatoes that is just as delicious and decadent as the original, but without all the guilt.
What Are Au Gratin Potatoes?
Au gratin potatoes are a beloved comfort food that combines thinly sliced potatoes with a rich, creamy sauce and a crispy cheese topping.
The name “au gratin” refers to the golden crust that forms on top during baking. This dish is typically baked until the potatoes are tender and the cheese is melted and bubbling.
The result is a decadent, satisfying side dish that is perfect for special occasions or simply as a comforting addition to any meal.
Lightening Up Au Gratin Potatoes:
Traditional Au Gratin Potatoes typically have a lot of butter and cheese.
Limiting the amount of both helped to lighten it up and save WW points. But don’t worry, these potatoes are still full of flavor.
I used reduced-fat cheddar cheese that I added to the sauce, but also saved some for the top of the potatoes.
How to Make Lightened Up Au Gratin Potatoes:
One of the most important parts of this recipe is slicing the potatoes to the same size. I used a mandolin to make sure they were all 1/8″ thick.
Peel 2 lbs. of russet potatoes and slice them evenly. Add half of the potatoes to a 2 quart casserole dish that has been sprayed with nonstick spray.
Chop half of a small onion. Melt butter in a medium saucepan and add the onion. Cook for 3 minutes, then add minced garlic and cook an additional minute.
Stir in the flour, then gradually whisk in the milk. Make sure there are no clumps of flour or it will ruin the sauce.
Heat the sauce until it starts to simmer, then add half of the cheese. Whisk until the cheese is melted.
Remove the sauce from the heat and add half of it to the potatoes. Make sure to spread it evenly over the potatoes.
Top the creamy sauce with the second half of the potatoes, then top with the remaining sauce.
Cover the dish with foil, then bake for 30 minutes.
Remove the foil, then top with the remaining cheese. Place it back in the oven for an additional 30 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and the potatoes are cooked through.
Click here to track the points on your WW app.
Here are some things I used for this recipe:
Yield: 8 servings
Click here to track the points on your WW app.
- 2 lbs. russet potatoes
- 1 tablespoon light butter
- 1/2 cup yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 2 cups fat free skim milk
- 3/4 cup reduced-fat cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 2-quart casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
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Peel the potatoes and slice them evenly to 1/8" thickness. Using a mandolin works best. Add half of the potatoes to the casserole dish.
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Melt the butter in a saucepan, then add the onion. Cook for 3 minutes, then add the minced garlic. Cook for 1 minute.
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Stir in the flour, then gradually whisk in the milk. Make sure there are no clumps of flour.
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Heat the sauce until it starts to simmer, then add half of the cheese. Whisk until the cheese is melted.
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Remove the sauce from the heat and add half of it to the potatoes. Make sure to spread it evenly over the potatoes.
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Top the creamy sauce with the other half of the potatoes, then top with the remaining sauce.
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Cover the dish with foil, then bake for 30 minutes.
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Remove the foil, then top with the remaining cheese. Place it back in the oven for an additional 30 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and the potatoes are cooked through.
Here are some more WW friendly side dishes:
If you’re looking for some zero point recipes, check out my post 20 Zero Point Recipes or my post 20 (More) Zero Point Recipes. Both are filled with delicious recipes that won’t cost you a single point! They’re perfect for days when you’re running low on points, or trying to save up points for a night out.
If you’re looking for dessert recipes you can visit 50 Weight Watchers Freestyle Desserts. It’s filled with delicious desserts perfect for Weight Watchers!
Are you looking for a meal plan that’s Weight Watchers friendly? I have over 100 meal plans that you can choose from and I post a new one each week. Click here to check them out!
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