Sweet Potato and Butternut Gratin

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Yield

8 servings (serving size: about 1/2 cup)

Pancetta is Italian cured pork, similar to cured bacon, which you can substitute, if necessary. Smoked bacon will also work, if you prefer the flavor.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 ounce pancetta, chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped shallots
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1.38 ounces all-purpose flour, divided (about 5 tablespoons)
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
• 2 cups 2% reduced-fat milk
• 3/4 cup (3 ounces) grated fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
• 1 pound baking potato, peeled and cut into 1/8-inch-thick slices
• 8 ounces sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1/8-inch-thick slices
• 8 ounces butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1/8-inch-thick slices
• Cooking spray
• 1/3 cup (1 1/2 ounces) shredded Gruyère cheese

Nutritional Information

• Calories 220
• Fat 8.7g
• Satfat 5.2g
• Monofat 2.2g
• Polyfat 0.3g
• Protein 9.7g
• Carbohydrate 26.2g
• Fiber 2.6g
• Cholesterol 25mg
• Iron 1.3mg
• Sodium 418mg
• Calcium 259mg

How to Make It

Step 1

Preheat oven to 375°.

Step 2

Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Add pancetta; cook 1 minute. Add shallots and garlic; cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Weigh or lightly spoon 1.1 ounces (about 1/4 cup) flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Add to pan; cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly with a whisk. Stir in thyme. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly with a whisk; cook over medium heat until slightly thick (about 3 minutes), stirring constantly. Stir in Parmigiano-Reggiano; cook 3 minutes or until cheese melts. Stir in salt and peppers. Remove from heat.

Step 3

Cook baking potato in boiling water 4 minutes or until almost tender; remove with a slotted spoon. Cook sweet potato in boiling water 4 minutes or until almost tender; remove with a slotted spoon. Cook butternut squash in boiling water 4 minutes or until almost tender; drain. Sprinkle vegetables evenly with remaining 1 tablespoon flour. Arrange potatoes and squash in alternating layers in a broiler-safe 11 x 7-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray; spoon sauce over potato mixture. Top with Gruyère. Bake at 375° for 40 minutes.

Step 4

Preheat broiler. Broil 3 minutes or until golden. Let stand 10 minutes.