Cheesy Potatoes Au Gratin (with Bacon)

Get prepped

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Peel the potatoes, and thinly slice as evenly as possible. I use a mandolin, but a good sharp knife will do just fine.

Cook the bacon

1. Heat a skillet over medium high, and cook the bacon pieces until crisp. Drain on paper towels. Set aside.

Make the sauce

1. In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat and cook the onion until softened.
2. Add garlic, and cook for a minute, be careful not to burn.
3. Sprinkle the flour into the butter/onion/garlic and mix (it will look like wet sand).
4. Cook the flour mixture until bubbling, then whisk in the milk and chicken stock.
5. Add salt, pepper and thyme.
6. Cook, whisking often, until thickened.

Assembly

1. Add ½ cup of sauce to the bottom of a 9x13 casserole dish. Spread as evenly as you can.
2. Add the potato slices, overlapping a little, in a layer.
3. Drizzle the sauce over the top, then sprinkle cheddar and a little bacon.
4. Repeat layers until you run out of ingredients.

Bake

1. Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour. Check potatoes are tender, and cook 10-15 minutes longer if necessary.
2. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before serving.
3. Devour.