The Ultimate Decadent Brie Potato Bake

The Ultimate Decadent Brie Potato Bake

It’s nearly Christmas time! Do you know what that means? It’s time to indulge! If you think that you’re going too far, think again! This meal isn’t for every night, but it is for every special occasion. This French classic, from the oozy and richness of Brie cheese through to the caramelised onions, showcases indulgence and comfort with every ingredient, but just a touch rich.

A French Classic

While this recipe isn’t a classic Tartiflette, it is indeed heavily inspired by it! Tartiflette, a French potato and cheese casserole, is a comfort food dish that has gained popularity worldwide for its rich and creamy flavors. This classic recipe, originating from the French Alps, is a perfect combination of sliced potatoes, caramelized onions, crispy bacon, and melted brie cheese. The gooey brie and the sweet, savory caramelized onions make this dish a standout, perfect for any special occasion or cozy night in.

Why Brie Cheese?

Cooking with Brie cheese adds a unique depth of flavor and texture to a variety of dishes. Here are a few reasons why you should think about using Brie in your cooking:

Creamy texture: Brie melts beautifully, becoming smooth and creamy when heated. This makes it perfect for dishes that require a rich, velvety cheese, such as sauces, pastas, or baked goods. The texture enhances the mouthfeel of dishes, giving them a luxurious quality.

Mild and buttery flavour: Brie has a soft, mild, and slightly tangy flavor with buttery undertones. When used in cooking, it can add richness without overwhelming the other ingredients. It’s a great cheese for balancing stronger or spicier flavors, and its subtle complexity can complement both sweet and savory dishes.

Versatile: Brie works in many types of recipes, from appetizers to main dishes, and even desserts. It’s delicious on charcuterie boards, in sandwiches, on pizzas, or incorporated into casseroles and quiches. It can also be baked whole with herbs, honey or tomatoes for an impressive appetizer.

Perfect for melting: The cheese’s high fat content allows it to melt smoothly, creating a luxurious texture often referred to as melty brie, which makes it ideal for fondues, grilled cheese sandwiches, or simply for drizzling over roasted vegetables, meats, or potatoes. The result is a gooey, indulgent treat.

Elevate a simple dish: Because Brie has a luxurious quality, it can elevate everyday meals. Whether you’re adding it to a simple omelet, a baked potato, or grilled vegetables, it adds an element of sophistication and flavor.

Ingredients and Preparation

To make a wonderful bake, you will need the following ingredients:

• Starchy potatoes: I like to use Sebago or russet potatoes for this recipe. 

• Garlic confit: I love to use garlic confit in any recipe that I can and it works so well in this recipe! If you want to save on time, you can simply omit the garlic confit! 

• Brie cheese: It has a creamy texture and will melt beautifully. 

• Brown onions: They make the best caramelised onions

• Balsamic glaze: Make sure you are using balsamic glaze to get that sticky sweetness throughout your onions. It will make all the difference! 

• White wine: Any white wine will work in this recipe! If you don’t want to use alcohol, it can easily be omitted. 

• Parmesan: A sharp tasting parmesan that is finely grated will work well. 

• Butter: We don’t need too much butter, just a little to grease the pan! You can always replace this with olive oil. 

• Olive oil: Extra virgin olive oil is always my go to! No matter what I am cooking. 

• Parsley: This is an optional ingredient but will add some lovely freshness throughout quite a heavy dish. 

What other cheese can I use?

Can’t find Brie cheese? There are some alternatives! Here are several options. Some might depend on the dish you’re making, but for The Ultimate Decadent Brie Potato Bake a soft and creamy cheese is ideal. Let’s explore other options.

Very similar to Brie, Camembert has a creamy, soft interior and a slightly stronger, more earthy flavor. It’s a good swap for Brie in most dishes, especially when you want a cheese that melts well.

Cream cheese has a smooth, rich texture but a milder flavor than Brie. It’s less buttery and doesn’t have the tanginess that Brie offers, but it’s still very creamy and soft when melted.

Goat cheese is tangier than Brie, but still soft and creamy. It adds a more distinctive flavor and works well in dishes where you want a little more zing or complexity.

Feta is crumbly and tangy compared to Brie’s soft and mild flavor. It won’t melt as smoothly, but it can still add a creamy texture if mixed with other ingredients (e.g., in sauces or dressings).

Caramelized Onions

Caramelizing onions is a slow-cooking process that transforms the onions’ natural sugars into a rich, sweet, and savory flavor. It takes some patience, but the results are well worth it! Here’s some tips about nailing the onions.

• Prepare the onions by peeling them and cutting them in half. Finely slice the halves so you have moon shapes. 

• Add onions to a buttery or oily pan after it’s melted.

• Season the onions with salt to draw out moisture but wait to do this step until the very end! Moisture is not our friend when we want to caramelise something. 

• Low and slow!  The key to caramelizing onions is to cook them slowly. This allows the sugars in the onions to caramelize without burning them.

• Stir the onions occasionally (every 5–10 minutes) to ensure they cook evenly. You’ll notice the onions start to soften and turn golden.

And, voila! Caramelised onions, coming right up!

Slicing Potatoes for Perfection

To achieve the perfect potato slices for your potato bake, follow these steps:

• Peel the potatoes and slice them into 1/8-inch thick rounds.

• Use a mandoline or sharp knife to slice the potatoes, as this will help you achieve even and thin slices.

• Place the sliced potatoes in a large bowl of cold water to remove excess starch.

• Drain the potatoes and pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.

Serving Suggestions

Baked Potato is a versatile dish that can be served as a main course or as a side dish. Here are some serving suggestions:

• Serve it hot, straight from the oven, with a side salad or some green vegetables to balance the richness.

• Pair with a glass of dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Gris.

• Use it as a side dish for roasted meats, such as chicken or lamb.

For a complete meal, serve the bake hot from the oven alongside a fresh side salad or roasted vegetables. A glass of dry white wine, like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Gris, pairs beautifully with the rich flavors of the dish. Decadent Brie Potato Bake also makes an excellent side dish for roasted meats, adding a creamy, indulgent touch. Have it alongside your favourite roasted meats for a filling and decadent meal.

Leftovers can be easily reheated in the oven or microwave, making for a quick and satisfying meal.

If you make this Decadent Brie Potato Bake, please tag me on Instagram, Tik Tok or Pinterest so I can see your wonderful creations from Daen’s Kitchen!

If you have any questions or would like to leave a review, please do so here! I always love answering your food and recipe related questions and hearing your feedback on my recipes.