Nana’s Recipes

Delmonico Potatoes

My recipe for Delmonico Potatoes is a combination of Béchamel sauce (white sauce), potatoes and cheese. Béchamel sauce is from France in the 17th century. They refer to it as one of their "mother sauces."

Ingredients

Béchamel Sauce

4 to 6 servings6 to 8 servings12 to 16 servings1
butter4 tbsp12 tbsp16 tbsp
all purpose flour4 tbsp12 tbsp16 tbsp
half & half2 cups6 cups8 cups
saltto tasteto tasteto taste
white pepperto tasteto tasteto taste

optional
cream sherry1 tbsp3 tbsp4 tbsp
cayenne pepperto tasteto tasteto taste

Potatoes

4 to 6 servings6 to 8 servings12 to 16 servings
Yellow/Gold
Yukon or Russet		4 to 6 lbs6 to 8 lbs10 to 12 lbs

  • It is important not to use regular white or red potatoes. Yellow/Gold Yukon or Russet potatoes are sturdy and hard to break.

Cheese

4 to 6 servings6 to 8 servings12 to 16 servings
Velveeta6 oz8 oz16 oz
cheddar8 oz12 oz16 oz

  • No substitutions for the Velveeta!

  • I use Kraft Sharp Cheddar Cheese, but you can use any fine cheddar cheese that you like.

Optional

breadcrumbs (buttered)

1 Note from Tim: I discovered that Nana's serving estimates are a bit on the generous side. The "12 to 16 servings" amounts are perfect for two casserole dishes, which should be enough for at least 20 people.

Directions

Cook the Potatoes

  1. Carefully place the potatoes in a large pot of water.

  2. Bring the water to a gentle boil.

  3. Simmer until tender.

  4. Cool, peel and slice.

Prep the Sauce

  1. In a heavy sauce pan, melt the butter slowly, bringing to bubbling.

  2. Slowly add flour, stirring constantly for 3 to 5 minutes.

  3. Slowly add warm/hot (never boiling) half & half, stirring until very smooth.

  4. (optional) If you would like a thinner sauce, add more warm half & half.

  5. (optional) Add cream sherry.

  6. Add salt and white pepper.

  7. (optional) Add cayenne pepper.

Add Cheese to Sauce

  1. Dice cheese.

  2. Slowly add cheese to sauce.

  3. Simmer for 5 to 10 minutes after all cheese has melted.

Prep Casserole

  1. Butter the casserole dish.

  2. Add a thin layer of sauce to the bottom of the dish

  3. Alternate adding three layers of potatoes and sauce.

  4. (optional) Top with breadcrumbs and butter.

Bake

  1. Bake at 350°F for 1 hour.

  2. You may want to brown the top a little more by baking at 375° for 10 to 15 minutes.

  3. If keeping in the oven before serving, the temperature should be on low.