Mashed potato gratin may not sound very fancy. I actually had to spend 1 hour researching the best way to call this recipe because I could not properly translate the italian version.
In Italy, a very common side dish or appetizer is Sformato. You can make it with any vegetable, blended with flour and eggs and baked until it comes out of its cocotte. The name Sformato literally means "removed from the mould". It's served warm or cold, by itself or with a cheese sauce.
The most common Sformato are made with artichokes, spinach or potatoes. The potato one is also called Gattò, from the french Gateau. It always has some stuffing, usually cheese and ham.
But since both Gattò and Sformato are not really common outside of Italy, I didn't know how to call this recipe. I though about Flan or Cake, but they both have different consistencies. So mashed potato gratin is the closest caption I could think of. Do you know a better name for this recipe? Let me know in the comments!
Check out also this guide on how to freeze Mozzarella cheese.
How to make Potato Gratin
A mashed potato gratin or Italian Potato Gateau, is simply a cake of mashed potatoes with a delicious filling of vegetables and cheese.
In a baking dish or cocotte, add half of the mashed potato mixture. Spread it well in an even layer, then add in the center all your stuffings. You can add sautèed vegetables, all kind of cheeses or Italian meats like ham or Prosciutto.
It's so versatile that you can try different combinations to have everytime a different dish.
The Recipe
📖 RECIPE
Mashed Potato Gratin with Artichokes and Buffalo Mozzarella
Ingredients
- 1 lb Potatoes
- 2 Eggs
- ⅓ cup Milk
- 3 tablespoon Parmigiano cheese, grated
- 1 Buffalo Mozzarella
- 3 Artichokes
- 1 Shallot
- Olive Oil
- Breadcrumbs
- Butter
- Salt
- Black Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven at 180°C (350°F).
- Peel and boil the potatoes until a fork can easily pierce them. Drain and mash them in a large bowl when they're still warm and set aside.
- Clean well the artichokes to get to the hearts and roughly chop them (be careful to also remove the flower bud in the center).
- Finely chop the shallot and sauté in a pan drizzled with olive oil. Add the artichokes, season with salt and pepper and cook at low heat until tender. Add some water if necessary.
- Combine the eggs, 2 tablespoons of Parmigiano cheese and the milk to the bowl with the potatoes. Mix well and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Butter the ramekins, cocottes or baking dish, then coat all sides with breadcrumbs.
- Divide the potato mixture in two and add one half on the bottom of the cocottes, flattening it with a spoon.
- Add the cooked artichokes and a few pieces of Buffalo Mozzarella in the center, then cover on top with the remaining potato mixture, again flattening with a spoon.
- Sprinkle some breadcrumbs and the remaining Parmigiano on top, then drizzle with olive oil and bake in the preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 15-20 minutes. Turn on the broiler for a couple of minutes until the tops are golden brown.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Katie Crenshaw | A Fork's Tale
Oh wow! The combination of cheese and artichokes over mashed potatoes sounds delicious. This will make a lovely dinner side dish.
Karyl Henry
Wow, you took mashed potatoes to whole new levels with this dish! I love everything in it, and there’s not much better than a warm, comforting bowl of potatoey, cheesy goodness. Looks fabulous
Veronika's Kitchen
This is a great way to use artichokes! It will be perfect for the Fall season! Definitely saving this recipe for later)
Anne Lawton
Yum! I would just eat these for dinner. I love all of the ingredients, the perfect bowl of comfort!!
Michelle
Oh, my word!! This is so goood, I’m seriouly drooling! I don’t think it matters too much what you call this recipe because all I’m going to do is make it and eat it a lot! Thank you for sharing this Xx
Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness
This looks amazing!! When you can see all of those cheese strings, you know it is going to be good!
Kiki Johnson
Look at this bowl of cheesy and creamy deliciousness! I could faceplant it! My hubby LOVES his artichokes and I am pretty sure he would inhale this one before I even got the chance to try! This one is bookmarked!
Kelly Anthony
Three of my favorite things: Potatoes, cheese, and artichokes! This is so perfect for a holiday dinner party! YUM!
Veena Azmanov
Oh, you had me at artichokes. I love the combination of artichokes and mozzarella. Then mashed potato gratin is my favorite. I have to try this soon.
Jessica - Cooking my Dreams
Thanks! Let me know if you try it!
georgie
I love the sound of this!! I’ve never had much success cooking real artichokes, could you substitute the artichoke for canned artichoke? This would be so perfect for a Thanksgiving, looks so cozy!
Jessica - Cooking my Dreams
Hi Georgie, artichokes are really tricky to use! Yes you can absolutely substitute with canned artichokes 🙂