Kicked Up Au Gratin Potatoes

Total Time: 50 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 6 medium potatoes (about 2 pounds)
• 1/4 cup margarine or 1/4 cup butter
• 1 medium onion, choped
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups milk (warmed)
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (i usually use mexican cheese blend)
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon dried chives
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne (or more to taste)
• 2 pinches red pepper flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon pickapeppa sauce (optional)

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven to 375 degrees. cut potatoes into thin slices to measure about 4 cups.
• 2 heat margarine/butter in a 2 quart saucepan over medium heat.
• 3 cook onion and garlic in margarine about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. stir in flour, and pepper. cook, stirring constantly, until bubbly; remove from heat. stir in milk and 1 1/2 cups of the cheese. add seasonings except paprika. heat to boiling, stirring constantly. boil and stir 1 minute.
• 4 spread potatoes in ungreased 1 1/2 quart casserole. (although i sometimes use a 9 x 13).
• 5 pour cheese sauce over potatoes. bake uncovered 1 hour. mix remaining cheese. sprinkle over potatoes; sprinkle with paprika.
• 6 bake 15 to 20 minutes longer or until top is brown and bubbly.