My mother-in-law served this at Easter brunch and my husband still talks about it weeks later.

This oven baked 4-ingredients crispy potato galette is the kind of simple, show-stopping dish that quietly steals the spotlight at a family gathering. My mother-in-law served a version of this at our Easter brunch one year—just thinly sliced potatoes, plenty of butter, a bit of salt, and black pepper—and my husband is still talking about how crispy and golden it was weeks later. It looks fancy on the table but is actually very straightforward, and it’s made from ingredients most of us already have in our kitchens. This is the kind of recipe you pull out when you want something special without a lot of fuss.

Serve this crispy potato galette hot or warm, sliced into wedges like a pie, on a simple white plate so the golden top really stands out. It’s perfect alongside baked ham, scrambled or poached eggs, a fresh green salad, or roasted asparagus for a holiday brunch. For everyday dinners, pair it with roast chicken, pork chops, or a simple pan-seared steak and some steamed green beans. A little sour cream or plain Greek yogurt on the side is lovely for dipping, and if you enjoy brunch cocktails, this goes nicely with a light mimosa or just a big pitcher of iced tea.

Servings: 6-8

2 1/2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place a 10-inch oven-safe nonstick or well-seasoned cast-iron skillet on the middle rack while the oven heats so the pan gets hot. This helps the bottom of the galette get extra crispy.

Peel the potatoes and rinse them briefly under cold water to remove any dirt. Pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel. Using a mandoline slicer or a very sharp knife, slice the potatoes into very thin rounds, about 1/16 to 1/8 inch thick. Try to keep the slices as even as you can so they cook at the same rate.

In a large mixing bowl, gently separate the potato slices with your fingers. Drizzle the melted butter over the potatoes, then sprinkle with the kosher salt and black pepper. Toss carefully with your hands or tongs until every slice is lightly coated and seasoned. This is where the flavor and crispiness start, so take a minute to work the butter and seasoning through.

Carefully remove the hot skillet from the oven (use oven mitts; the handle will be very hot) and brush or swirl a small extra pat of butter around the bottom and sides to be sure the potatoes don’t stick. If your skillet is not nonstick or very well-seasoned, you can also line the bottom with a round of parchment paper and butter the parchment.

Begin layering the potatoes in the hot skillet. Start in the center and work your way out, overlapping the slices in a circular pattern like shingles on a roof. This first layer will be the top when you flip and serve, so take a little extra care to make it look neat. Once the bottom is covered, continue adding layers of potatoes, still overlapping, until all the slices are used. Gently press down with your hands or the back of a spatula to compact the layers into a tight cake.

Cover the skillet tightly with foil and place it back in the oven. Bake covered for 25 minutes to let the potatoes steam and become tender in the center. This step ensures that the inside is soft while the outside can get nice and crisp later.

After 25 minutes, carefully remove the foil (watch out for steam). Use a spatula to press down on the potatoes again, helping everything stick together. Return the uncovered skillet to the oven and continue baking for another 25–30 minutes, or until the top is a deep golden brown and the edges look crisp and frilly.

To get the top extra crispy and beautifully browned, you can turn on the broiler for 2–4 minutes at the end, watching closely so it doesn’t burn. When the galette is evenly golden and you can easily slide a knife into the center with no resistance, it’s done.

Remove the skillet from the oven and let the potato galette rest for about 10 minutes. This resting time helps it set so it will slice neatly and hold together. Run a thin spatula or knife around the edge to loosen any bits that may be stuck.

Place a large round plate or serving platter (a simple white one looks especially pretty) upside down over the skillet. Using oven mitts, carefully flip the skillet and plate together so the galette inverts onto the plate. Gently lift off the skillet; the golden, buttery side should now be facing up. If any slices shift, you can nudge them back into place with a spatula.

Slice the potato galette into wedges, like a pie. Serve right away while the edges are still crisp and the center is tender. If you’re serving it for a holiday brunch like Easter, you can keep it warm in a low oven (around 200°F/95°C) for 15–20 minutes before bringing it to the table.

You can easily tweak this galette to fit your family’s tastes while still keeping the spirit of a simple, special holiday side. For picky eaters, you can cut back slightly on the black pepper or use a finer grind so they notice it less. If your crew loves a little extra richness, sprinkle a small handful of finely grated Parmesan cheese between the middle layers or over the top during the last 10 minutes of baking (this would technically add a fifth ingredient, but the base recipe works wonderfully with just the four listed). For a mild onion flavor without visible pieces, rub the skillet with a cut clove of garlic or a slice of onion before adding the potatoes. You can also swap russet potatoes for Yukon Golds if you prefer a creamier texture, though russets typically get the crispiest edges. To make this ahead for a busy holiday morning, you can slice the potatoes up to 2 hours in advance and keep them submerged in cold water in the fridge, then dry them very well before tossing with butter, salt, and pepper so they still crisp up nicely. For food safety, always refrigerate any leftovers within 2 hours of baking and reheat them thoroughly in a hot oven (around 375°F/190°C) until steaming in the center before serving again; avoid leaving the galette out at room temperature for more than 2 hours, especially during warm-weather gatherings. Use a sharp, clean knife or mandoline when slicing the potatoes, and always use the safety guard or a cut-resistant glove with a mandoline to protect your fingers. If anyone in your family needs to limit sodium, you can start with 1 teaspoon of salt and add more at the table as needed.