Easy Leek and Potato Bake (So Creamy!)
Made with just eight ingredients, this Leek and Potato Bake comes together quickly. This creamy dish with potatoes and leeks is perfect for a holiday meal or family get togethers!
This recipe for Artichoke, Potato and Leek Casserole and its accompanying photos are a guest post from Julie of The Little Kitchen. It has been edited since its original publishing to include additional information.
Creating This Leek and Potato Casserole Recipe
I was so honored when Katie asked me to guest post. I love her site; I adore her recipes and photography.
This recipe for Artichoke, Leek and Potato Casserole appeared in the October 2011 Everyday Food magazine. When I first saw this recipe, I thought the potato was the star but in actuality, the artichokes and leeks were.
I have never cooked with Neufchatel cheese before (which is a lower fat cream cheese) so I was really excited to try it. This won’t be the last time I cook with it, it added a nice flavor to the casserole and didn’t taste at all like it was lower in fat.
Is it okay to admit that I cleaned this plate as soon I shot the last picture? I love the tanginess of the Neufchatel cheese along with the lemon juice. If you like a little less tartness, use less lemon juice.
This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.
Ingredients for Artichoke, Potato and Leek Casserole
The name of this recipe gives away the three main ingredients. Here’s what else you’ll need to make this scalloped potato casserole:
- Olive oil
- Leeks
- Celery
- Canned artichokes
- Low-sodium chicken broth
- Neufchatel cheese
- Lemon juice
- Russet potatoes
- Salt
- Black pepper
For the complete ingredient list and detailed instructions, scroll to the bottom of this post for the FREE printable recipe card.
Can I Make This Leek and Potato Bake Recipe Vegetarian?
If you want to make the leek casserole vegetarian, make it with vegetable broth rather than chicken broth.
What Can I Substitute for Neufchatel Cheese in this Leek and Potato Bake?
Yes, in a pinch you can also use a basic brick of cream cheese or even a light cream cheese.
How to Make Artichoke, Potato and Leek Casserole
This easy potato casserole with artichokes and leeks takes a little extra time to prep, but each step is so simple.
- Add oil to a cast iron skillet or other large skillet and bring to medium-high.
- Add the cleaned leeks (see tips below) and celery. Cook until softened and a little browned.
- Add artichokes, chicken broth, and cheese to the cooked leeks. Stir until combined. Take skillet off heat and add the lemon juice.
- Grease a 1 or 1 1/2 quart gratin or baking dish with a paper towel.
- Arranged potato slices in a single layer. Season with salt and pepper and add all of the artichoke-leek mixture on top of the potatoes.
- Arrange the rest of the potato slices on top in the same manner.
- Season the top potato layer with salt and pepper and brush with the remaining 2 teaspoons of oil.
- Bake until the sauce is bubbling and the potatoes are tender and golden brown.
The above is simply a quick summary of this recipe. Check out the full recipe in the free printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for all the detailed instructions.
How to Clean Leeks
I love, love leeks especially in potato leek soup. They are a member of the onion family, have a delicate flavor, and look like a giant green onion, but they can be rather dirty.
The best way to clean leeks is to rinse them as thoroughly as possible on the outside and peel any outer layers that are wilting like you would a green onion.
Fill a bowl with cold water and slice the leeks as directed. Add them to the bowl as you’re slicing the leeks (rub any dirt off of the leeks as needed) and allow them to sit for a few minutes.
Allowing the leeks to sit floating in the bowl will allow the dirt to settle at the bottom of the bowl. Carefully remove the leeks and shake off excess water.
Tips to Make the Best Leek and Potato Bake
Give the potatoes a good rinse before slicing them. Potatoes are often very dirty on the outsides.
Slice potatoes in thin slices and arrange them in even layers in the dish for best results. You can use a sharp knife, but I prefer to use a mandoline slicer.
Only use the white and light green part of the leeks in this leek and potato au gratin recipe. The dark green part should be discarded.
Bake these cheesy leeks and potatoes in a shallow baking dish, such as a gratin dish. This helps the layers cook all the way through so the potatoes get done enough. A deep baking dish will make the potatoes take longer to bake
What to Serve with Leek and Potato Bake
This is a great little side dish for steak or grilled chicken. If serving as a vegetarian main dish for Meatless Monday, pair it with a green salad or soup. Some main course ideas to serve alongside this potato and leek casserole include:
I’m adding this casserole to our Thanksgiving menu this year, I can’t wait to have the rest of the family try it alongside our other side dishes! You can’t have too many potato dishes at Thanksgiving.
Try this Creamy Leek and Potato Gratin Recipe!
Colder weather means comfort food and casseroles. Next time you’re looking for a hearty side dish, give this Leek and Potato Bake a try! Did you think it was the perfect accompaniment to your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner?
Leave a comment below and give it a review for others to see what you thought of this great recipe. On Instagram? Share your photo and tag me with @goodlifeeats and #goodlifeeatsrecipes. I’d love to see your photo of this Potato Leek Gratin!
More Easy Leek Recipes:
These Roasted Cauliflower, Bacon, Leek, Mushroom Twice Baked Potatoes are a riff on the traditional twice baked potato.
If you’re looking for a new side dish recipe to add to your St. Patrick’s Day menu, you should give this Colcannon with Leeks and Kale a try.
Make this Artichoke, Leek, and Potato Frittata for a quick dinner or brunch!
Leek and Bacon Stuffing is a fun spin on the classic Thanksgiving side dish.
Keep this super simple Leek and Potato Soup tucked up your sleeve for busy weeknights!
What is your favorite potato dish for Thanksgiving?
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Artichoke, Potato and Leek Casserole
Made with just eight ingredients, this Artichoke, Potato and Leek Casserole comes together quickly. Perfect for holidays and family get togethers!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for baking dish
- 2 leeks (white & light-green parts only), sliced into thin half-moons and rinsed well
- 3 celery stalks, thinly sliced
- 14-ounce can of artichokes, drained and coarsely chopped
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 8 oz. Neufchatel cheese, room temperature
- 2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- salt & pepper
- 2 medium (or 1 large) russet potatoes, very thinly sliced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Add oil to a large pan or skillet and bring to medium-high.
- Add leeks and celery. Cook for 8 minutes, until softened and a little browned. Add artichokes, chicken broth, and cheese. Stir thoroughly until combined. Take skillet off heat and add the lemon juice.
- Rub oil on the inside of a 1 or 1 1/2 quart gratin or baking dish with a paper towel.
- Place half of the potato slices, allowing a little overlap, arrange in a single layer. Season with salt and pepper and add all of the artichoke-leek mixture on top of the potatoes. Arrange the rest of the potato slices on top in the same manner as the bottom layer.
- Season the top potato layer with salt and pepper and brush with the remaining 2 teaspoons of oil.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, until the sauce is bubbling and the potatoes are tender and golden brown.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes before serving.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 141Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 152mgCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 6gSugar: 3gProtein: 5g
GoodLifeEats.com offers recipe nutritional information as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although GoodLifeEats.com makes every effort to provide accurate information, these figures are only estimates.
About the Author:
Julie Deily, software engineer, blogs at The Little Kitchen where she shares her cooking and baking adventures. She’s the daughter of Vietnamese immigrants and resides in Florida.
Julie learned in college while she was living on her own that she shared her Mom’s love of feeding people. She also loves to volunteer and organize events.
Angie B says
Delicious and came out beautiful!
Keith says
Lemon is too much in this recipe…would be a lot better without it!
Stephanie says
This was a phenomenal recipe! I subbed camembert for the neufchatel and subbed white wine for the chicken broth and it was soooo good. With a nice side of a light white fish–absolutely AMAZING.
Meagan says
What would be a good replacement for the Neufchatel cheese? I am not able to find that here.
Tina says
I would use a basic brick of cream cheese, or even a light cream cheese.
Natalie says
I love that this casserole has leeks and artichokes, my fave.
Rachel @ Bakerita says
These look fantastic!!
Wonderful pictures and such a good flavor combo. I love artichokes and potato leek soup is my favorite, so I don’t know how this could go wrong!
Can’t wait to try making this.
Allison says
Yum! This sounds fantastic! And where do I get one of those cute yellow casserole dishes, too? 🙂
Heather says
This looks amazing! I don’t think I am going to wait for Thanksgiving to try it either. I just received a bunch of potatoes and leeks in my winter CSA basket, and would love a new potato dish to try!
Amy says
Looks delicious! Do you think I could assemble it a day ahead? Could I even cook it a day ahead and reheat/recrisp it the next day?
sara says
This looks fantastic! I am totally all about the mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving (I’m super traditional that way!) but I would totally love to make this on another day!! 🙂
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen says
Some of my favorite ingredients! I can’t wait to try this.