Mashed Potato Gratin with Minced Meat – Hachis Parmentier

Atsuko

August 28, 2023

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Atsuko

Founder of @Umami Sans Frontières

Hachis Parmentier is a classic French comfort food made with layers of creamy mashed potatoes, savory minced meat, and melted cheese. Loved in French homes for generations, this hearty casserole is simple to make, satisfying, and perfect for family meals. Created in the 18th century by the French agronomist and nutritionist Antoine Parmentier, this beloved dish was named in his honor. In French, *hachis* means minced meat, making the name a perfect description of this comforting recipe. Try it with our Homemade Mashed Potato Recipe and enjoy the perfect harmony of creamy potatoes, flavorful meat, and golden melted cheese. ❤️

Expense

💵

Preparation

40 mins

Baking time

20 mins

Rest Time

Ingredients

Cooking time: about 60 minutes

Ingredients:

Yield: One 30 × 20 cm (12 × 8 inch) baking dish (4 servings)

mashed potatoes – Check out our separate recipe for Creamy, Silky & Buttery Mashed Potatoes.
500 g minced meat
1 onion
2–3 cloves garlic
Parsley, a pinch
1 tbsp olive oil
1–2 tsp butter
100 ml water + ½ tsp beef bouillon (to make stock)
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, a pinch
50–100 g shredded cheese (optional)
3 tbsp bread crumbs (optional)

How to make it:

1. Prepare the Mashed Potatoes:

Refer to the recipe for Creamy Mashed Potatoes.👉 Creamy, Silky & Buttery Mashed Potatoes

2. Chop the Ingredients:

Finely chop the onion, garlic, and parsley.

3. Make the Beef Stock:

Boil water or heat it in the microwave, then stir in the beef bouillon until dissolved.

4. Sauté the Aromatics:

Heat olive oil and butter in a frying pan, add the garlic and onion, and sauté until the onion becomes translucent.

5. Cook the Minced Meat:

Add the minced meat, sauté, and season with salt and pepper.

6. Simmer with Beef Stock:

Pour in the beef stock and let it simmer for 10–15 minutes until most of the liquid has evaporated. (This is a key step!)

7. Add the Parsley:

Once the liquid has reduced, stir in the parsley.

8. Assemble the Gratin:

Spread the cooked minced meat evenly in a baking dish.

9. Layer the Mashed Potatoes:

Spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the meat.

10. Add the Finishing Touches:

Top with shredded cheese and sprinkle with bread crumbs.

11. Bake to Perfection:

Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (356°F) for 20–30 minutes, until golden and bubbling.

⭐️Hachis Parmentier: Tips for the Best Flavor⭐️

⭐ Keep it juicy!
The key to tender, flavorful meat is simmering it with beef stock after frying. This prevents dryness and allows the flavors to meld perfectly when layered with mashed potatoes.

⭐ Choose your cheese!
This recipe uses Emmentaler, but you can also try Gruyère or any cheese you love. Experiment to find your favorite!

⭐ Breadcrumbs or no breadcrumbs?
If you love the pure taste of melted cheese, feel free to skip the breadcrumbs!

⭐ A hearty dish on its own!
This gratin is filling enough by itself, but it also pairs beautifully with a refreshing green salad.

⭐ Adjust baking time as needed!
Oven performance varies, so keep an eye on your gratin and adjust the baking time accordingly

⭐ A taste of French school days!
For my French husband, Hachis Parmentier brings back memories of school lunches. It seems our kids, who attend a French school, feel the same! No wonder it’s a cafeteria classic—it’s a dish loved by everyone. 😄