Root Vegetable Gratin

A luxurious layered gratin featuring tender sliced parsnips, celery root, sweet potatoes, and russet potatoes in a creamy sauce flavored with garlic, nutmeg, and black pepper. Perfect as a comforting side dish.

8 servings
1 hr 40 min

Ingredients

  • 1 lb parsnips (about 4 medium)
  • 1 medium celery root
  • 1 lb sweet potatoes
  • lb russet potatoes
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • 1⅞ cups heavy cream
  • equipment

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Put oven rack in upper third of oven and preheat oven to 400°F.

    10 min

  2. 2.

    Peel parsnips and cut crosswise into 3-inch lengths with a knife, then cut lengthwise around core into 1/8-inch-thick slices with slicer (discard core). Transfer to a large bowl.

    15 min

  3. 3.

    Peel celery root and all potatoes (prepare russet potatoes last to avoid discoloration) and halve lengthwise, then cut crosswise into 1/8-inch-thick slices with slicer. Add to parsnips along with salt, garlic, pepper, nutmeg, broth, and 1 3/4 cups cream, tossing to combine. Transfer to gratin dish, spreading evenly.

    20 min

  4. 4.

    Cut out a piece of parchment or wax paper to fit just inside gratin dish, then butter 1 side of parchment. Cover vegetables directly with parchment, buttered side down, then put dish in a shallow baking pan (to catch any drips). Bake until gratin is bubbling all over and vegetables are tender when pierced with a knife, about 50 minutes. Discard parchment.

    50 min

  5. 5.

    Just before serving, preheat broiler. Drizzle top of gratin with remaining 2 tablespoons cream and broil 4 to 6 inches from heat until browned, 2 to 3 minutes.

    5 min