Sometimes you just really need a hearty dish, and we guarantee this cheesy potato pie will do the trick. This recipe adds a modern twist to the classic potato bake by adding loads of cheese and turning it into a pie – yes, it really does taste as good as it sounds. Plus, you can have this delicious recipe ready and on your kitchen bench in one hour. If you’re cooking for a large group, why not make some extra vegetable side dishes to accompany the mouth-watering potato pie.

Ingredients

• 1 kg of desiree potatoes
• Fresh thyme leaves, to sprinkle

Cheese sauce

• 60g butter
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 40g (1/4 cup) plain flour
• 125ml (1/2 cup) white wine
• 500ml (2 cups) milk
• 80g (1 cup) coarsely grated gruyere
• 200g (2 cups) coarsely grated mozzarella

Method

1. Preheat oven to 200C. Line a baking tray with baking paper.
2. Use a sharp knife to carefully slice the potatoes into 2mm-thick slices.
3. Scatter the potato slices in a single layer over the prepared tray. Spray lightly with olive oil and bake for 30 minutes.
4. To make the cheese sauce, place the butter and garlic in saucepan over medium heat until the butter is foaming.
5. Add the flour and cook, stirring, for 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
6. Add the wine and stir to smooth. Gradually stir in the milk. Stir over medium heat for 2 minutes.
7. Stir in cheeses and stir until smooth. Season.
8. Lightly grease a large baking dish. Spread half of the cheese sauce over the base of the dish. Reserve about 20 of the potato slices.
9. Place the remaining slices, slightly overlapping, on top of the sauce. Spread with remaining sauce.
10. Arrange the reserved potato slices around the edge of the dish. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Top with fresh lyme leaves.