Cheesy Smoked Potatoes Au Gratin

Ingredients

• 4.5 lb yellow potatoes (thinly sliced)
• 6 strips bacon
• 4.5 cloves garlic (minced; source gives 4–5 cloves)
• 2 tbsp butter (plus enough to butter the skillet)
• 2 tbsp flour
• 1.5 cup whole milk
• 0.5 cup heavy cream
• 12 oz yellow cheddar (shredded)
• 6 oz white extra-sharp cheddar (shredded)
• extra cheddar (for topping; amount not specified)
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 0.5 tsp onion powder
• 0.5 tsp garlic powder
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 0.25 tsp paprika
• 0.25 tsp salt
• fresh parsley (amount not specified)
• 1 tbsp bacon grease (reserved from cooking the bacon)

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat the Traeger to 350°F (175°C). Butter a 12-inch cast-iron skillet, then arrange the thinly sliced potatoes upright in it.

2. 2

   Cook the bacon until crispy. Reserve 1 tablespoon of the bacon grease, and keep the crispy bacon for finishing.

3. 3

   Melt the butter in the reserved bacon grease in a pan.

4. 4

   Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.

5. 5

   Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute.

6. 6

   Whisk in the whole milk and heavy cream, continuing until the sauce is slightly thickened.

7. 7

   Add the thyme, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, paprika, and salt. Remove the pan from the heat.

8. 8

   Stir in the yellow cheddar and white extra-sharp cheddar until incorporated.

9. 9

   Pour the cheese sauce over the potatoes. Cover the skillet with foil and smoke at 350°F (175°C) for 60–90 minutes, until the potatoes are nearly fork-tender.

10. 10

    Uncover the skillet and top the potatoes with extra cheddar. Increase the Traeger temperature to 400°F (205°C) and cook for about 10 minutes, until the potatoes are tender and the top is bubbling.

11. 11

    Finish with the crispy bacon and fresh parsley. Rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

The amount of extra cheddar, fresh parsley, and butter used to butter the skillet is not specified. Servings are estimated; the source gives no yield.

Nutrition per serving

• side dish
• vegetarian-adaptable not vegetarian
• smoked
• holiday
• Thanksgiving
• cheesy
• gluten-containing