Party Potatoes

By cindygwest

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 teaspoon ground mustard
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups whole milk
• 12 ounces sharp cheddar cheese (in block form), shredded and divided
• 4 ounces Monterrey Jack cheese (in block form), shredded
• 3 pounds medium russet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
• 3/4 cup dry bread crumbs
• Minced chives, optional

Details

Servings 10
Preparation time 40mins
Adapted from tasteofhome.com

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350°. In a Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion, mustard, salt and pepper; cook until onion is tender, 6-8 minutes. Add garlic; cook until fragrant. Whisk in flour; continue whisking 3-5 minutes.
Whisk in milk; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until thickened slightly, 8-10 minutes. Gradually stir in 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese; stir in Monterey Jack cheese. Add potatoes and toss to coat. Simmer 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
Transfer potato mixture to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Top with remaining cheddar cheese. Bake, uncovered, for 1 hour. Top with bread crumbs; return to oven until potatoes are tender, 10-15 minutes. Let stand 15 minutes before serving. If desired, sprinkle with chives. Yield: 10 servings.

To make dry bread crumbs: Preheat oven to 350°. Tear 3-4 slices day-old hearty bread into pieces. Pulse, covered, in a food processor or blender until coarse crumbs form. Spread in a single layer over a 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake until lightly browned, 15-20 minutes. Remove from pan to cool until ready for use.
Freeze option: Continue simmering potatoes in cheese sauce on stovetop an additional 5-10 minutes, stirring frequently. Transfer mixture to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Cool; cover and freeze. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350°. Bake as directed, increasing initial time to 1-1/4 hours. Top with bread crumbs; return to oven and bake 10-15 more minutes. Let stand 15 minutes. If desired, sprinkle with chives.
Slow cooker option: Continue simmering potatoes in cheese sauce on stovetop an additional 5-10 minutes, stirring frequently. Transfer mixture to a greased 6-qt. slow cooker. Place 4 layers of paper towels under the lid; cover and cook on high 2 hours. Remove lid and paper towels; sprinkle potatoes with bread crumbs. Let stand 15 minutes. If desired, sprinkle with chives.