Speed up dinner with this fast and simple side dish. Making Instant Pot Boxed Au Gratin Potatoes is as easy and quick. With just 7 minutes of cook time, this recipe is a fast way to get your favorite cheesy potatoes ready in no time.
We love our cheap boxed side dishes here and there, and one that we always agree on is au gratin potatoes or scalloped potatoes. With the cheesy potatoes on your plate, you'll always feel like a winner.
The downside to this wonderful side dish is that it often takes close to an hour in the oven, and it never cooks at the same temperature as my main dish. To fix this "little issue," I went ahead and made instant au gratin potatoes.
By cooking boxed au gratin potatoes in the instant pot, I can reduce time and oven space while still getting to enjoy our favorite foods.
For more instant pot recipes like this, check out my Instant Pot Kraft Mac and Cheese and Instant Pot Hot Dogs.
Why This Recipe Works
- It's fast! With just 7 minutes on the clock and no time to depressure, you can have your cheesy potatoes ready in less than half the time than it would take to make them traditionally.
- This recipe works with boxed scallop potatoes too! Au gratin and scallop potatoes are different but similar enough that you can swap them out in this recipe and have zero issues. I use them interchangeably.
- You can serve as-is or brown the top. Serve the potatoes straight from the pot or add them to a baking dish and broil the tops for a nice browned look. Either way, they'll be delicious.
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🥘 Ingredients
Water- You will need the specified amount of water listed on the back of the box. You do not need to use "hot water," as cool tap water works just fine.
Butter- Using butter adds a richer flavor and adds some fat to the dish too.
Milk- Usually, we don't advise adding milk to instant pots as it can curdle, but in this recipe, it's completely fine.
Au gratin potatoes- Use two boxes of au gratin potatoes for the best results. While this recipe can be halved, having twice as much means more liquids in the instant pot, which helps it to cook without burning.
For specific quantities, see the recipe card below.
🍽 Equipment Needed
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🔪 Instructions
Check out how to make Instant Pot Boxed Au Gratin Potatoes with these simple step-by-step instructions:
Add the water and sliced potatoes to the bottom of your instant pot.
Add in the cheesy powder. Mix well to combine.
Top with pads of sliced butter.
Close the lid and seal the vent. Cook on High Pressure for 7 minutes. Do a Quick Pressure Release once done.
Let the potatoes rest for a few minutes to thicken before serving OR place into a greased 2 quart baking dish. An 8x8 square pan works fine.
Broil on High in the oven for 2 minutes to brown the top.
Allow to cool and thicken before serving.
Serve warm, and enjoy!
🧾 Substitutions
Boxed potatoes- You can use boxed au gratin potatoes or boxed scalloped potatoes in this recipe. Any flavor variation will be fine. (Bacon, chive, etc.)
Butter- Swapping butter for margarine is fine.
🍴 Recipe Tips
You do not need to warm up the water before use.
You will need the amount of water, milk, and butter listed on the back of your boxes. If the amount in the recipe card differs from the box, use the measurements on the box but follow the recipe card assembly and cook time.
If you only cook one box of potatoes, you may get a burn warning as they cook, but using two boxes seems to avoid this issue entirely because there is more liquid in the pot.
🍳 Reheating
You can reheat leftover scallop potatoes in the microwave on a microwave-safe plate in about 1.5-3 minutes, depending on the size of the serving. I recommend stirring the potatoes about halfway through for even cooking.
👩🏻🍳 Storage
Store any uneaten leftover scallop potatoes in the fridge for up to 3-5 days.
💭 FAQs
You can use soy or almond milk in place of whole-fat dairy milk. It doesn't matter which brand of a boxed mix, whether it be Betty Crocker or Walmart, the potatoes will turn out fine. I do recommend unsweetened and unflavored milk choices.
From the delicious texture of the warm cooked potatoes to the thickened cheese sauce, these potatoes are delicious and worth every bite!
When you open the lid to the instant pot, the sauce will be thin and watery. This is because there isn't much evaporation happening inside the sealed container as they cook. Once the lid is opened, the liquid can evaporate and thicken. Wait 2-5 minutes, and the sauce will be much thicker.
More great instant pot recipes to check out soon
- Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup
- Instant Pot Asparagus
- Instant Pot Brussel Sprouts
- Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes
📖 Recipe
Instant Pot Boxed Au Gratin Potatoes
Equipment
- 8x8 Baking Dish *optional
Ingredients
- 4 cups Water ($0.00)
- 4 Tablespoons Butter ($0.38)
- 1 cup Milk ($0.19)
- 2 boxes (4.7oz) Au gratin Potatoes ($2.32)
Instructions
- Add the water and sliced potatoes to the bottom of your instant pot.
- Add in the cheesy powder. Mix well to combine.
- Top with pads of sliced butter.
- Close the lid and seal the vent. Cook on High Pressure for 7 minutes. Do a Quick Pressure Release once done.
- Let the potatoes rest for a few minutes to thicken before serving OR place into a greased 2 quart baking dish. An 8x8 square pan works fine.
- Broil on High in the oven for 2 minutes to brown the top.
- Allow to cool and thicken before serving.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
Substitutions
- Boxed potatoes- You can use boxed au gratin potatoes or boxed scalloped potatoes in this recipe. Any flavor variation will be fine. (Bacon, chive, etc.)
- Butter- Swapping butter for margarine is fine.
Recipe Tips
- You do not need to warm up the water before use.
- You will need the amount of water, milk, and butter listed on the back of your boxes. If the amount in the recipe card differs from the box, use the measurements on the box but follow the recipe card assembly and cook time.
- If you only cook one box of potatoes, you may get a burn warning as they cook, but using two boxes seems to avoid this issue entirely because there is more liquid in the pot.
Reheating
- You can reheat leftover scallop potatoes in the microwave on a microwave-safe plate in about 1.5-3 minutes, depending on the size of the serving. I recommend stirring the potatoes about halfway through for even cooking.
Storage
- Store any uneaten leftover scallop potatoes in the fridge for up to 3-5 days.
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