Loaded Au Gratin Potatoes

everything you love about a loaded baked potato in au gratin potato form.

bacon. 

cheddar cheese.

sour cream.

green onions.

i might not ever look at au gratin potatoes the same way again.

Loaded Au Gratin Potatoes

ingredients:
8 cups golden potatoes, sliced thin
6 tablespoons butter
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups half & half
1 cup 2% milk
1 clove of garlic, grated
salt & pepper to taste
1/8 teaspoon paprika
1 cup sour cream
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups cooked bacon, chopped
1/3 cup green onions, sliced thin

method:
in a large pot of boiling water, add potatoes and cook until tender 8-10 minutes.  drain and set aside.
in a large pot, melt butter over medium heat.  add flour and cook for 1 minute.  add half & half, milk, garlic, paprika and salt and pepper.  cook until the sauce comes to a low boil.  remove from heat and stir in sour cream and 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese.
preheat oven to 350F
spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
place 1/3 of the potatoes at the bottom of the dish.  layer 1/3 of the sauce, the cheese, the bacon and the green onions.  repeat process 2 more times.
cover with foil and bake for 45-50 minutes.  remove foil and return to the oven for 5-10 minutes more.
serve.

slightly adapted from