The best vegan comfort food recipe
These vegan au gratin potatoes are a dream come true! Tender potatoes layered with creamy sauce and vegan cheese are baked to perfection. This vegan recipe is rich, creamy and decadent. You would never guess this is dairy free. This is vegan comfort food at its best.
What are au gratin potatoes?
The term "au gratin" means and kind of food that has been mixed with cheese and/or butter, that has been baked or broiled until crispy on top. Sometimes people use breadcrumbs as well to achieve that desired crispy topping. I have skipped the breadcrumbs in this Vegan Au Gratin and opted for more of a cheesy focus.
What's the difference between Au Gratin and Scalloped potatoes?
Scalloped potatoes are potatoes baked with onions and a creamy sauce. It is quite similar to au gratin potatoes but omits the cheese. So in essence, we make scalloped potatoes but add cheese to transform them into au gratin potatoes.
Ingredients for Vegan Au Gratin Potatoes
The ingredient list for this recipe is pretty small. I like Yukon golds and red potatoes because they have a thin skin that is pleasant and makes peeling unnecessary. Please be sure to use unsweetened, canned coconut milk. Otherwise it will taste coconutty but I promise it will not if you use the correct milk. You may use unsweetened "light" coconut milk if you want to cut down on the fat. I always use GOODPLANetFoods when I use vegan cheese. I have been developing recipes with their products for some time and have been compensated for the endorsement. However, my opinion is all my own, and I really love their vegan cheeses. That being said, you may choose another brand if you prefer to substitute for the same amount in the recipe. I suggest you choose a smoked product because it does give the dish an amazing flavor.
- Yukon gold and red potatoes
- onion
- garlic
- vegan butter
- flour
- olive oil
- salt
- unsweetened coconut milk
- vegan Smoked Gouda cheese (I like GOODPLANetFoods Smoked Gouda Wheels)
- water
- nutritional yeast
How to Make Vegan Au Gratin Potatoes
This dish takes a little more effort than many of my recipes. However, with a mandolin, it is easy work. I will link my mini garlic mandolin that I love using for everything, below. This one is so easy to use and doesn't feel dangerous like a large mandolin. You will need to use care, but it comes with a guard and is much harder to cut your self than a classic. mandolin. This is an affiliate link, I will make commission from your purchase, thanks for supporting my work.
- In a medium skillet over medium heat add the olive oil and fry the garlic and onions and cook for 5 minutes stirring often until onions are translucent and starting to get some color
- Add vegan butter and cook for 2-3 minutes then add the flour and combine with the buttery onions and garlic. Cook for 2-3 minutes stirring constantly so that the flour doesn’t burn
- Add coconut milk, stir or whisk to avoid any lumps, add water, salt, nutritional yeast and pepper. Then cook stirring often until thick and creamy 2-3 minutes. Turn off the heat.
- Grate Smoked Gouda (or preferred vegan cheese) on a box grater.
- In a large oven safe pan layer the creamy sauce, smoked gouda and potatoes in 3 layers like a lasagna. Save the majority of the sauce for the top layer. Sprinkle with a little more nutritional yeast and black pepper. Then cover with tin foil and bake for 45 minutes
- Take foil off and bake an additional 15 minutes for some browning at the edges.
Other delicious vegan comfort food recipes
Vegan Au Gratin Potatoes
Ingredients
- 3 pounds Yukon gold and red potatoes cut thin
- 1 large onion sliced thin
- 3 cloves garlic sliced thin
- 4 tbsp vegan butter
- ¼ cup flour
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 ½ cups unsweetened coconut milk
- 7 oz vegan Smoked Gouda Wheels Cheese grated
- ½ cup water
- 3 tbsp nutritional yeast
Instructions
- In a medium skillet over medium heat add the olive oil and fry the garlic and onions and cook for 5 minutes stirring often until onions are translucent and starting to get some color
- Add vegan butter and cook for 2-3 minutes then add the flour and combine with the buttery onions and garlic. Cook for 2-3 minutes stirring constantly so that the flour doesn’t burn
- Add coconut milk, stir or whisk to avoid any lumps, add water, salt, nutritional yeast and pepper. Then cook stirring often until thick and creamy 2-3 minutes. Turn off the heat.
- Grate @goodplanetfoods Smoked Gouda Wheel on a box grater.
- In a large oven safe pan layer the creamy sauce, smoked gouda and potatoes in 3 layers like a lasagna. Save the majority of the sauce for the top layer. Sprinkle with a little more nutritional yeast and black pepper. Then cover with tin foil and bake for 45 minutes
- Take foil off and bake an additional 15 minutes for some browning at the edges.
Rebecca
I looked twice to be sure - but I don't see the affiliate link for the mandolin you like to use for this recipe. Just wanted to give a heads up about it. (I will get back to checking out that delicious looking recipe for au gratin potatoes now)
Sara Tercero
Hi Rebecca. I can see it below the How to make section. It is actually the garlic slicer that I use. It is a small mandolin. Thank you!