Fall Pear and Potato Gratin
Author Notes: This is a nice savory side with a hint of sweetness from the pears...great for a fall evening! - inpatskitchen
Serves 4 to 6
- 1 large onion, very thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, very thinly sliced and simmered in water for 5 minutes, drained and patted dry
- 2 Bartlett pears, peeled, cored and thinly sliced
- 1 cup half and half or light cream
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
- 5 or 6 gratings nutmeg
- 1 1/2 cups finely grated Swiss cheese (I used Gruyere) divided
- In a large saute pan, saute the sliced onion in the 2 tablespoons butter until lightly caramelized ( about 10 minutes over medium heat). Set aside.
- In a small sauce pan, heat the half and half to simmering and reduce by about 1/3. Add the salt, white pepper and nutmeg. Off the heat, stir in 1/2 cup of the cheese.
- In a well buttered baking dish ( I used a 9 x11 x2 inch oval), layer 1/3 of the potatoes, slightly overlapping. Layer 1/2 of the pears over the potatoes.
- Sprinkle the caramelized onions over the pear layer and then layer the second third of the potatoes followed by the rest of the pears. Layer the remaining potatoes over the top.
- Pour the cream and cheese mixture over the casserole followed by the remaining one cup of cheese.
- Bake, covered, at 350F for 1 1/2 hours. Uncover and continue to bake 15 to 20 minutes more.
- This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Root Vegetable Side
- This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Pears
Tags: Fall casserole, pears, potatoes , Savory with a slight sweetness



over 1 year ago buzymom
1 saute pan, 1 sauce pan, 1 pan to simmer potatoes, colander, mandolin, baking dish, cheese grater, 2 wooden spoons, knife... too much equipment to make on Turkey day unless you will be a guest a want a messy kitchen when you get home. Flavor was great much lighter than regular scalloped potatoes. Suggestion..grate cheese in advance and add before the 1/2 and 1/2 cools also find the right size pan. I had 12 x12 an 9 x 13 but no 9 x 11. I used Jarlsberg yum.
over 1 year ago inpatskitchen
You're right! A lot of pans, but remember you can always caramelize the onions the day before and refrigerate and have the cheese grated ahead... and since it bakes for about 2 hours, everything can go together quite early. I'm glad you enjoyed this though..thanks!
over 1 year ago wssmom
The Spouse ignored the Yukon Gold request and came home with some purple potatoes from the farmer's market today; the color scheme will be weird but going to do this tomorrow ....
over 1 year ago Bevi
Please take a photo!
over 1 year ago inpatskitchen
I agree with Bevi...please take a photo..BUT never trust the spouse!!
over 1 year ago EmilyC
This looks so good...potato gratin is one of my all-time favorites, and the addition of pear is a great twist.
over 1 year ago inpatskitchen
I really liked the addition of pear..a nice change up to a simple gratin..thanks!
over 1 year ago BlueKaleRoad
Ahh, what a lovely fall dish...makes me happy, and hungry!
over 1 year ago inpatskitchen
Thank you....makes me happy too!
over 1 year ago lapadia
Fantastic, IPK! Definitely perfect for a fall evening, and with a little vanilla bean, cut down (a bit) on the cheese, which needs to be Gruyere :) and omit the onion, I can taste this for a holiday breakfast w/sausage on the side, too!
over 1 year ago inpatskitchen
Thank you!! Your breakfast idea sounds fantastic!!
over 1 year ago TheWimpyVegetarian
What a fabulous idea! I love, love this and have bookmarked for Thanksgiving!
over 1 year ago inpatskitchen
Thanks! Let me know how you like it if you make it.
over 1 year ago Bevi
So nice - this looks like a great Thanksgiving side.
over 1 year ago inpatskitchen
Thanks Bevi...I've been thinking the same..
over 1 year ago AntoniaJames
AntoniaJames is a trusted source on Bread/Baking.
Mmmm, yum. Makes me love the turning of the seasons even more. Such a great recipe! ;o)
over 1 year ago inpatskitchen
Fall is my absolutely favorite season here in MI..pears, apples, Thanksgiving around the corner ( my favorite holiday!) Thanks so much!
over 1 year ago AntoniaJames
AntoniaJames is a trusted source on Bread/Baking.
So now I'm thinking . . . . a bit of fresh thyme and just the tiniest whisper of sage in this? And yes, definitely a good candidate for Thanksgiving!! ;o)
over 1 year ago inpatskitchen
Oh that sounds lovely!
over 1 year ago SKK
Amazing recipe! Pears and potatoes and cream and butter. I am loving this!
over 1 year ago inpatskitchen
Thanks SKK! And don't forget a little cheese...
over 1 year ago wssmom
Pears and potatoes, whoa, this is incredible!!
over 1 year ago inpatskitchen
Thanks wssmom!
over 1 year ago Ms. T
Yum! Great combo.
over 1 year ago inpatskitchen
Thank you...I agree!!
over 1 year ago boulangere
Cynthia is a trusted source on Bread/Baking.
So lovely.
over 1 year ago inpatskitchen
You are too kind! Thanks!
over 1 year ago aargersi
Abbie is a trusted source on General Cooking.
I absolutely love this idea, the pear potato combination sounds fantastic, and of course cheese is good on everything!!!!
over 1 year ago inpatskitchen
Oh thank you aargersi! I thought the whole combo was wonderful!!
over 1 year ago sdebrango
Suzanne is a trusted source on General Cooking.
I love this, I had the same idea and actually made one last night that was, well not so good so it went into the garbage. Yours looks beautiful. I followed my mothers recipe for scalloped potatoes. Beautiful!
over 1 year ago inpatskitchen
Thanks! This one stemmed from a a couple of recipes that I have and fortunately turned out very good!
over 1 year ago sdebrango
Suzanne is a trusted source on General Cooking.
I am going to try this recipe just with the potatoes I like it much better than the one I have always used. Thanks for posting this its terrific.
over 1 year ago inpatskitchen
And thank YOU again!