The Best Spinach Gratin Recipe Ever - Everyday Dishes (2024)

FAQs

Can you make Ina Garten spinach gratin ahead of time? ›

This spinach gratin, from her fabulous 2001 “Barefoot Contessa Parties!” cookbook (Clarkson Potter), is perfect for the Thanksgiving table. Make it a day ahead, cover, refrigerate and bake while the turkey is resting. Garten told me she keeps Thanksgiving as traditional as possible.

The Au Gratin dish is typically used for making gratins, roasting, and baking. The dish's oval base and stoneware construction ensure that ingredients are consistently exposed to the heat source. This ensures that dishes retain heat longer and maintain their flavour well after it reaches the table.

Try using russets. Some potatoes, like Yukon Gold, have more water in them. Try letting the dish rest for 10 minutes or so to let the water get absorbed and let the sauce thicken.

Spinach releases a lot of water as it cooks. So my father's trick is to drain and dry the spinach leaves as well as you can, using a salad spinner if need be, before cooking them.

A “gratin” is any dish that is topped with cheese or breadcrumbs mixed with butter, then heated in the oven or under the broiler until brown and crispy, according to The Food Lover's Companion. The term “au gratin” or “gratinée” just refers to anything prepared in that manner.

Scalloped potatoes also won't be as crispy in texture as au gratin. Both are golden brown and creamy, but if it's crispiness and crunchiness you're after, au gratin will probably be your best bet. Either one is sure to be a hit with your dinner guests, but it just depends on what sort of vibe you're going for!

Casseroles and gratins are the same dish.

Yes, there actually IS a difference between a casserole and a gratin. Both are baked in the oven, but a gratin is a special form of a casserole. When cooking it, you will layer the ingredients instead of just adding them all together.

Garten recommends letting the gratin sit for 10 minutes before serving it hot. She also notes that the gratin can be cooked a day ahead and reheated at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, a helpful tip if you want to save some time on Thanksgiving or Christmas.

You can absolutely make these cheesy au gratin potatoes up to three days ahead of time! Simply pour the sauce over the potatoes as directed, then cover the pan with foil and instead of baking, place in the fridge until ready to bake.

Both versions of the featured Mac & Cheese recipes here can be made the day before, taken out of the fridge an hour before baking, cooked and serve! This allows you to make the mess the day before and really enjoy it yourself.

How long can you refrigerate gratin? ›

Potato Gratin is one of the easiest potato sides to make ahead! Cook it as per the recipe, cover with baking paper (to stop the cheese sticking), followed by foil and refrigerate it for up to 48 hours. To reheat, keep it covered and heat it in a 200°C/400°F (180°C fan) oven for 45 minutes or until warmed through.