01 -
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with unsalted butter or nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
02 -
Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the flour, whisking constantly for 2 minutes to develop a smooth pale roux.
03 -
Reduce heat to medium-low. Gradually add the milk, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Cook, stirring gently, for 4–6 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken and coats the back of a spoon.
04 -
Remove saucepan from heat. Whisk in chicken bouillon powder or kosher salt, additional sea salt to taste, and freshly ground black pepper until fully dissolved.
05 -
Arrange half of the sliced Yukon Gold potatoes in an even layer on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
06 -
Pour half of the cream sauce evenly over the potatoes. Sprinkle with half the mozzarella and half the parmesan cheese.
07 -
Layer remaining potato slices over the cheese. Top with remaining sauce, then sprinkle the rest of the mozzarella and parmesan over the surface.
08 -
Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes, allowing the potatoes to soften thoroughly.
09 -
Remove foil and continue baking for 30 minutes until cheese is golden and the sauce bubbles. For a crisper surface, broil on high 2 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
10 -
Let rest a few minutes to allow the sauce to thicken. Scatter chopped fresh chives across the bubbling top and serve warm.