Root Vegetable Gratin Recipe (2024)

By Martha Rose Shulman

Root Vegetable Gratin Recipe (1)

Total Time
1 hour 30 minutes
Rating
4(304)
Notes
Read community notes

Use turnips, rutabagas, kohlrabi or a mix of these vegetables in this delicate winter gratin.

Featured in: Winter Root Vegetables

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Ingredients

Yield:Serves four

  • pounds turnips, kohlrabi, rutabaga, large parsnips or a combination, peeled and sliced thin (see note)
  • Salt
  • freshly ground pepper
  • ½teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
  • ¾cup grated Gruyère cheese (3 ounces)
  • cups low-fat milk (1 or 2 percent)

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

256 calories; 8 grams fat; 5 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 3 grams monounsaturated fat; 0 grams polyunsaturated fat; 36 grams carbohydrates; 9 grams dietary fiber; 13 grams sugars; 12 grams protein; 660 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Root Vegetable Gratin Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Butter a 2-quart gratin or baking dish. Place the sliced vegetables in a large bowl, and season generously with salt and pepper. Add the thyme, and toss together.

  2. Step

    2

    Arrange the vegetables in the gratin dish. Add the milk, season with more salt and pepper if you wish, and place in the oven on the middle rack. Bake 45 minutes; every 15 minutes, press the vegetables down into the milk with the back of your spoon.

  3. Step

    3

    Add the cheese, and stir in carefully to incorporate. Return to the oven, and bake another 30 to 45 minutes, stirring or pressing the vegetables down with the back of your spoon every 10 minutes until the gratin is nicely browned and most of the liquid is absorbed. Remove from the heat and serve, or allow to settle and serve warm. (You can make this several hours ahead of serving, and reheat in a medium oven.)

Tip

  • If the rutabagas are very large, cut them in half and slice in half-moons; slice the turnips and kohlrabi into rounds; quarter and core the parsnips, then slice them.

Ratings

4

out of 5

304

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Sarah

I didn't get a cheesy crust at all -- I ended up with delicious vegetables with stringy, tough cheese throughout. Any ideas as to what I might have done wrong? Much appreciated!!

Jim

The instruction to use low fat milk is no good - separated into a goopy mess. Will probably try again with proper heavy cream. Acidic root vegetables and 2% milk are not a fit.

Kirsten

I confess I used cream.

Sojourn Heart

This is was tasty -- I really liked the cheesy crust that forms on top. However, it wasn't as good the second day after being in the fridge and reheated...so, it's best eaten immediately.

quincy

We made this exactly as it says, using a mix of rutabaga, parsnip, delicata squash and carrot. The only thing I changed was that I had to use emantaller cheese instead of gruyere. It looked great coming out of the oven but the milk never thickened. When you scoop the vegetables out, it’s a milky soupy sea surrounding your veggies. I did achieve a nice crust of cheese but the leftover liquid over powered the dish. I won’t make again.

Julie Buckley

I made this with my CSA kohlrabi that I wasn’t quite sure what to do with. Fresh thyme from my own garden worked great. This was delicious and I would make it again!,

Tamar M.

400F might be too hot. Milk/Cream separated. Try 375F next time.

Stephanie

I always make the mistake of not reading the notes before I start cooking. This time was no different. When I read the notes after I was well underway, I was sure that I was going to be in for a disappointment. But no, it turned out well. I used skim milk, too. The top was nice and brown, too, just like in the picture!

BW

Used whole cream. Delicious and no regrets.

PeggyD.

I have to agree, lowfat milk is a mistake - thin liquid with melted cheese was what I got. Tasted good, looked terrible. Use cream.

Kelly

I used cream and whole milk, comté cheese, and rutabaga and parsnip. It did separate, but it was so delicious, we didn't care! We will definitely make it again.

Maureen

At one time or another I think I have done all of the gratins by Martha Rose Shulman. This one was kind of in the okay range taste wise. I used 2% lactose free milk and got a fine crust but because of all the constant checking every 10 minutes or 15 minutes I will not make again. Better gratins by this writer, with better results.

Delia

Made this with a large rutabaga. At first it looked like too much vegetable, but it shrank with cooking. Substituted whole milk. It was a hit at our house.

DawnJM

I used parsnips, gold beets and fennel, and used heavy whipping cream. I stirred every 15 minutes (the liquid only came up halfway in the casserole and had veggies to the top), and at 45 min everything was tender, so then stirred in the cheese (I used a combination of gruyere, parmesan and comte), baked another 15. It was really delicious, creamy but not overly so. Needed more fresh herbs but I was short because it's winter here, and so made due. Paired with bison steaks - comfort dinner.

RPDX

Far too much liquid

Tyler

So good. I used half and half and added some bread crumbs on top.

Jenni

I used rutabaga, parsnip and celeriac as my base and subbed in heavy cream for the milk. It turned out great. Highly recommend heating up any leftovers in a skillet to get a nice crust and serving with a fried egg.

pattyinathens

Cut beef in half, add more spinach..tasty and down-to-earth

Kitsune

I used a mixture of homemade cashew milk and cashew yogurt (on the watery side, yogurt for tanginess) instead of milk. Separated at first but the cheese brought the milky broth together again. Subbed pecorino for Gruyère. Doubled the amount of cheese, sprinkled throughout, mixed in between each time, leaving a final layer on top. Despite doubling cheese perhaps because of non-dairy milk, the dish remained light. Added some nutmeg as well. Cooked extra 10 mins for super crispy top. Superbe.

PeggyD.

I have to agree, lowfat milk is a mistake - thin liquid with melted cheese was what I got. Tasted good, looked terrible. Use cream.

eg

Tried this with a mix of kohlrabi/turnips/potato, sliced paper thin on the mandolin. No milk, so I used a 50/50 mix of no fat green yogurt/water. No cheddar, so used a 50/50 mix of parm and goat cheese. Lots of fresh thyme and pepper.It got nice and crispy because I started it at 425 and made sure I used a gratin pan -- fairly shallow and very buttered. But the flavor and texture lacked something. The veggies were chewy, not soft and yielding. Flavor needed depth. Will try again.

Julie Buckley

I made this with my CSA kohlrabi that I wasn’t quite sure what to do with. Fresh thyme from my own garden worked great. This was delicious and I would make it again!,

BW

Used whole cream. Delicious and no regrets.

Nicole

My husband said this was the worst dish I’d made in years. I didn’t like it either (with rutabaga and parsnip). Maybe user error but the flavor and texture combos just didn’t work for me at all.

Stephanie

I always make the mistake of not reading the notes before I start cooking. This time was no different. When I read the notes after I was well underway, I was sure that I was going to be in for a disappointment. But no, it turned out well. I used skim milk, too. The top was nice and brown, too, just like in the picture!

Private notes are only visible to you.

Root Vegetable Gratin Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the best method of cooking root vegetables? ›

Roasting brings out the essential sweetness in root vegetables and creates a crispy brown exterior that's always welcomed. Plus it's easy. Try roasting rutabaga, beets, carrots, fennel, turnips or a variety of vegetables like this recipe for crockpot roasted vegetables.

Are root vegetables good for diabetics? ›

Vegetables with a low to moderate GI ranking, such as carrots, can help manage blood glucose levels. Nitrate-rich foods, such as beets, can help lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. Eating a range of vegetables can provide the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants the body needs to stay healthy.

What are the 10 root vegetables? ›

Root vegetables refer to any vegetable that grows underground. There are many of them, but the best ones to eat more often include sweet potatoes, carrots, celery root, onion, garlic, beets, turnip, rutabaga, horseradish, and radishes.

What are the different ways to cook root vegetables? ›

There are many ways to add root vegetables to your diet. In addition to those iconic holiday side dishes, you can also chop them into soups and stews; as well as bake, boil, or microwave and then mash or hash them. Many roots are great as chips or fries, baked or air-fried without oil.

Which root vegetables take longest to cook? ›

Root vegetables like sweet potatoes, carrots and turnips take the longest, followed by hard squash and cruciferous vegetables like butternut squash, cauliflower and broccoli. Tender items like cherry tomatoes or zucchini come next, then cooking greens, which have the shortest roasting time.

What are 15 types of root vegetables? ›

Yams, beets, parsnips, turnips, rutabagas, carrots, yuca, kohlrabi, onions, garlic, celery root (or celeriac), horseradish, daikon, turmeric, jicama, Jerusalem artichokes, radishes, and ginger are all considered roots. Because root vegetables grow underground, they absorb a great amount of nutrients from the soil.

What are 4 types of root vegetables? ›

Many root vegetables can also be cooked whole (parsnips, carrots, beets, garlic, and potatoes) and saves a preparation step. Storage: Some root vegetables should be stored in the pantry, while others need to be refrigerated or frozen to maintain quality and freshness.

What is the number 1 vegetable to lower blood sugar? ›

1. Broccoli and broccoli sprouts. Sulforaphane is a type of isothiocyanate that has blood sugar-reducing properties.

Who should not eat root vegetables? ›

Strict Jains do not eat root vegetables, such as potatoes, onions, roots and tubers, as they are considered ananthkay. Ananthkay means one body, but containing infinite lives. A root vegetable, such as potato, though appearing to be a single object, is said to contain infinite lives.

What is the best vegetable to lower blood sugar? ›

The American Diabetes Association recommends filling half your plate with non-starchy vegetables at meals, such as asparagus, broccoli, green beans, squash and mushrooms. However, the association warns that if you buy frozen or canned veggies, buy the “no salt added” version or rinse the sodium off the produce.

What is the king of root vegetables? ›

Native to the Andes, Maca is a cruciferous root vegetable that looks like a cross between a radish and a turnip.

What is the healthiest vegetable? ›

Here are 14 of the most nutrient-dense veggies available.
  1. Spinach. This leafy green tops the chart as one of the most nutrient-dense vegetables. ...
  2. Carrots. Carrots are packed with vitamin A, delivering 119% of the DV in just 1 cup (128 g) . ...
  3. Broccoli. ...
  4. Garlic. ...
  5. Brussels sprouts. ...
  6. Kale. ...
  7. Green peas. ...
  8. Swiss chard.

What root vegetables are anti inflammatory? ›

For example, the orange pigmented vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes and yams offer high levels of vitamin A. The white root vegetables such as garlic and onions have great anti-inflammatory benefits.

What are the 2 best methods for cooking vegetables? ›

Here are our favourite methods of cooking vegetables, along with some simple yet tasty recipes that make the most of these techniques.
  • Boiling. Boiling is fast and easy to control. ...
  • Steaming. Steaming vegetables is the best way of retaining flavour, colour and vital nutrients. ...
  • Blanching. ...
  • Roasting. ...
  • Stir-frying. ...
  • Griddling.

Why do you boil root vegetables in cold water? ›

Root vegetables: larger starchy vegetables, such as potatoes, need more time in a gentle heat so their cores warm up before the outsides overcook and disintegrate. These vegetables should be started in cold water and then brought to the boil.

Should root vegetables be boiled? ›

However, root vegetables take longer to cook. Put them in boiling water, and you risk the outside becoming too soft before the inside is fully cooked. These vegetables benefit from slow heating, during which time an enzymatic reaction takes place, firming them up.

Should I boil root vegetables before roasting? ›

First, after peeling and halving any large ones, you need to partially cook your vegetables in salted boiling water. This is known as 'par-cooking'. This technique, combined with tossing in flavoured oil and roasting until delicious and crisp, is just about the same for any root vegetables.

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