Pour alfredo sauce and these 2 ingredients over sliced potatoes into a casserole dish for a comforting staple people always return to

This creamy 4-ingredient potato gratin is my kind of weeknight comfort food: you literally layer sliced potatoes in a casserole dish, then pour store-bought Alfredo sauce, shredded cheese, and a little milk right over the top. That’s it. No making a roux, no babysitting a saucepan. It bakes up into a cozy, bubbly side dish that tastes like you spent way more time on it than you did. It feels like the kind of staple you can bring to family dinners, holiday tables, or just serve next to a simple roasted chicken on a Tuesday and know everyone will go back for seconds.

Serve this creamy potato gratin alongside roasted or grilled chicken, pork chops, or a simple seared steak. A crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette or some steamed green beans helps balance the richness. It also works well on a holiday buffet next to ham or turkey, and you can scoop leftovers into a bowl with some sautéed veggies for an easy lunch the next day.

Servings: 6

2 pounds russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, thinly sliced (about 1/8 inch)

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray or butter.

Wash and peel the potatoes if you like (peels on are fine too). Slice the potatoes as evenly as possible into thin rounds, about 1/8 inch thick, using a sharp knife or mandoline. Thinner slices cook more evenly and get creamier.

Spread the sliced potatoes evenly in the prepared casserole dish, separating any slices that are stuck together so they fan out a bit. Aim for an even layer so everything cooks at the same rate.

In a medium bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together the Alfredo sauce, milk, salt, and black pepper until smooth and pourable.

Pour the Alfredo mixture evenly over the sliced potatoes in the casserole dish, making sure the liquid seeps down between the layers. Gently shake the dish or nudge the potatoes with a spoon so the sauce distributes well.

Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the sauced potatoes.

Cover the casserole dish tightly with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes, until the potatoes are starting to soften and the sauce is hot and bubbly around the edges.

Remove the foil and continue baking for another 20–25 minutes, or until the top is golden and the potatoes are very tender when pierced with a fork or knife in the center.

Let the gratin rest for 10–15 minutes before serving. This helps the sauce thicken slightly and makes it easier to scoop neat portions.

To keep this a true 4-ingredient base, think of the Alfredo sauce, potatoes, shredded cheese, and milk as your essentials; the salt, pepper, and pan spray are just pantry helpers. You can swap the mozzarella for cheddar, Gruyère, or a pre-shredded Italian blend depending on what you have. For extra flavor without much effort, stir 1–2 teaspoons of garlic powder or Italian seasoning into the Alfredo before pouring it over the potatoes, or sprinkle a little paprika on top before baking. If you want some protein, fold in 1–1 1/2 cups of diced cooked ham, rotisserie chicken, or crumbled cooked bacon with the potatoes before adding the sauce. To lighten it slightly, use light Alfredo sauce and 2% milk, but keep in mind it may be a bit less rich. For make-ahead prep, you can assemble the dish up to a day in advance, cover tightly, and refrigerate; add about 10 extra minutes of covered baking time if it goes into the oven cold. Food safety tips: keep the sliced potatoes refrigerated if you prep them ahead, covered with cold water to prevent browning, and drain well before layering in the dish. If adding meat, be sure it is fully cooked before mixing it into the gratin, and refrigerate any leftovers within 2 hours of baking. Reheat leftovers thoroughly to at least 165°F (74°C) before serving.