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Potato Cake with Cheese and Bacon

This savoury potato cake with cheese and bacon is a rustic, comforting dish that makes the most of simple ingredients. Inspired by traditional mountain cooking, it combines thinly sliced potatoes with smoky bacon lardons and the nutty richness of melted Gruyère or Cantal cheese. The result is a substantial meal with a beautifully crisp, golden exterior and a soft, cheesy centre that provides a satisfyingly high-protein option for any time of day.

Ideal for a hearty weekend lunch or a filling midweek supper, this one-pan wonder is easy to prepare and even easier to enjoy. Serving it hot straight from the frying pan ensures the cheese stays melty and the base remains perfectly crisp. Pair it with a fresh green salad tossed in a sharp vinaigrette to balance the rich, savoury flavours of the potatoes and bacon.

Continue reading below

Ingredients for Potato Cake with Cheese and Bacon

  • 140g /140-grams piece lean bacon, cut into lardons

  • 2 tablespoons /30 grams lard or vegetable oil

  • 900g /900 grams baking potatoes, thinly sliced

  • Salt and pepper

  • 230g /100 grams Cantal or Gruyère cheese, diced or cut into thin, narrow strips

  • 10-inch/25-cm nonstick frying pan

How to make Potato Cake with Cheese and Bacon

Heat the bacon lardons in a 10-inch/25-cm frying pan over medium heat until the fat runs, 2 to 3 minutes. Do not let them brown. Remove them with a draining spoon and set aside. Melt the lard in the pan, add the potatoes, and sprinkle them with pepper. The bacon may contribute enough salt. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in the lardons and continue to cook, uncovered, over low heat, tossing or stirring often, until the potatoes are tender and some are browned, 20 to 25 minutes. Don't worry if some of them are crushed, as they will help hold the mixture in a cake.

Stir in the cheese, taste, and adjust the seasoning. Press down on the potatoes to level them in the pan. Turn the heat to high and let them cook without stirring until the bottom is browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Press on the cake occasionally to hold it together. When done, it should be brown around the edges and starting to pull from the sides of the pan. Take the pan off the heat, run a knife around the edge to loosen the cake, and turn it out onto a warmed platter. Serve hot.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 17 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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