Meat and Potato Skillet Gratin

This hearty, wintry dish is a cross between a shepherd’s pie and potato gratin. It’s got a layer of browned ground beef spiked with onions, sage and spinach on the bottom, with a luscious, cheese- and cream-slathered root vegetable topping that turns golden and crisp-edged in the oven. If you aren’t a rutabaga fan, you can use all potatoes, or a combination of white and sweet potatoes. This gratin reheats very well, so feel free to make it ahead and reheat it uncovered in a 350-degree oven. And although it qualifies as a one-pan meal (with meat, green vegetable and starch altogether), a fresh and tangy green salad on the side would round things out nicely.

Ingredients

• 4 garlic cloves
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 thyme branches
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh sage
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, more as needed
• 1 pound ground lean beef
• ¾ teaspoon kosher salt, more as needed
• Black pepper, as needed
• 1 cup thinly sliced onion
• 3 ounces baby spinach (3 packed cups)
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• ½ pound rutabaga
• ½ pound russet potatoes
• 4 ounces Gruyère, grated (1 cup)

• Nutritional Information

  • Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

    586 calories; 39 grams fat; 21 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 14 grams monounsaturated fat; 2 grams polyunsaturated fat; 23 grams carbohydrates; 3 grams dietary fiber; 6 grams sugars; 37 grams protein; 187 milligrams cholesterol; 809 milligrams sodium

  Note: Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available data.
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4 to 6 servings

Preparation

1. Crush and peel 2 garlic cloves. In a small pot over medium heat, combine cream, the crushed garlic, the thyme and 1/2 tablespoon sage. Bring to a simmer; cook until reduced to 1/2 cup, about 30 minutes. Strain and cool.
2. While cream cools, heat oil in an ovenproof 10-inch skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium-high heat. Add half the beef and brown well, crumbling with a fork as it cooks. Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper; transfer meat to a paper-towel-lined plate. Repeat with remaining meat, 1/4 teaspoon salt and the pepper.
3. Add onion to pan drippings (drizzle with oil if pan seems dry). Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are tender and golden, about 10 minutes. Peel and chop remaining 2 garlic cloves; add to pan with remaining sage. Return meat to skillet. Toss in spinach, a handful at a time, until wilted. Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt, the Worcestershire and pepper to taste.
4. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Peel rutabaga and cut in half. Slice each half crosswise into 1/8-inch-thick slices. Peel potatoes and cut into 1/4-inch-thick rounds. Layer half the rutabaga and potato slices over meat, alternating between rutabaga and potato, with slices overlapping one another. Season lightly with salt and pepper; top with half the cheese. Repeat with remaining vegetables and cheese. Spoon reduced cream evenly over top.
5. Cover pan tightly with foil and bake until vegetables are very tender, 60 to 75 minutes. Uncover and cook until golden brown, about 10 minutes more. Cool 10 minutes before serving.

2 1/2 hours