These scalloped potatoes are the ultimate comfort food dish! This recipe is bubbly, creamy, cheesy, and incredibly flavorful. This holiday favorite is great for Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, and more. The potatoes become so tender and soft. The cream sauce is thick, creamy, cheesy, and hearty. Make this cozy side dish for any occasion!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- This recipe results in rich, creamy, scalloped potatoes and indulgence.
- The combination of thinly sliced potatoes, cheese, and a velvety sauce creates a luxurious texture.
- These cheesy scalloped potatoes do not last long on a table as they are so delicious.
- This recipe can be customized with other tasty additions. This is a fun way to experiment with herbs and spices.
- These easy potatoes are comfort food deluxe.
- They are perfect for cold winter evenings. Serve alone some Crispy Chicken Thighs for a comfort food dinner.
- The layers of potatoes and cheese turn out bubbly, golden, and tender.
- This recipe requires basic ingredients found in most kitchens. Potatoes, cheese, milk, butter, and some seasonings are needed.
- While it may seem fancy, this recipe simplifies the process. In reality, scalloped potatoes are super simple to whip up.
- Scalloped potatoes not only taste amazing but are so pretty. The layers of tender potatoes with golden brown cheese on top create an appetizing and impressive presentation.
- This makes them perfect for a special Sunday dinner or a celebration, like Thanksgiving or Easter.
- Scalloped potatoes taste just as good, if not better, as leftovers.
- Check out these Smashed Potatoes or these Potato Pancakes for another fun potato side dish!
What are Scalloped Potatoes?
Scalloped potatoes are a classic dish made with thinly sliced potatoes layered in a dish and with a creamy sauce.
The potatoes are typically cooked until tender and then combined with milk, butter, cheese, and seasonings.
The dish gets its name from the scalloped or wavy appearance of the potato slices. The creamy sauce, often made with milk or cream binds the layers of potatoes together.
Scalloped potatoes are a super popular side dish. This is especially so during holiday meals or when serving a nostalgic dinner.
Ingredients & Substitutes
Scroll down to the recipe card for the full scalloped potatoes recipe.
Choose russets for their high starch content. This helps create a creamy texture when cooked. They have a mild, earthy flavor that is super delicious.
Use unsalted butter to control how salty the final dish is. Butter adds richness to both the sauce and the potato layers.
Chop or slice it thinly, depending on preference. For the easiest method, use a mandoline. Slice very thinly.
Garlic adds a savory and aromatic note to the scalloped potatoes. Use fresh garlic cloves and mince them finely for the best taste.
Flour acts as a thickening agent for the sauce. This helps to create a velvety texture. Use whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, or gluten-free 1 to 1 flour.
Whole milk provides a creamy base for the sauce.
Heavy cream dials up the luxuriousness of the scalloped potatoes. It makes them even creamier and richer.
Cheddar cheese is a classic choice for scalloped potatoes. Its sharp and tangy flavor pairs well with the potatoes.
Grated Parmesan cheese is often sprinkled on top to create a crispy and golden crust.
Dried thyme adds a deep, concentrated herby flavor.
Sprinkle fresh parsley over the scalloped potatoes before serving!
Taste & Texture
The main earthy flavors in scalloped potatoes come from the potatoes themselves. The creamy sauce infused with butter, milk, and cheese adds richness and tanginess. The cheese contributes a delicious flavor.
The taste is a yummy blend of creamy, savory, and slightly tangy notes. All this makes scalloped potatoes a dreamy and satisfying recipe.
Scalloped potatoes have a creamy texture with layers of tender potatoes. The thinly sliced potatoes are typically cooked until soft but retain some texture.
The creamy sauce envelops the potato layers. The top layer often develops a golden brown and crispy crust!
How to Make
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). Grease a 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
Step 2
In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until the onion becomes translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
Step 3
Sprinkle the flour over the onion and garlic mixture. Stir well to combine and cook for about 1 minute, until the flour is lightly golden.
Step 4
Gradually pour in the milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Cook for about 5 minutes, until the mixture thickens.
Step 5
Reduce the heat to low. Add the cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper to the sauce. Stir until the cheeses are melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Remove from heat.
Step 6
Arrange a single layer of sliced potatoes in the greased baking dish, slightly overlapping them. Pour a portion of the cheese sauce over the potatoes, spreading it evenly.
Step 7
Repeat the layering process with the remaining potatoes and cheese sauce, finishing with a layer of sauce on top.
Step 8
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes.
Step 9
Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
Step 10
Finally, remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley.
Expert Tips for Success
Slice the potatoes uniformly. Use a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer. This helps the potatoes cook evenly.
Season each layer. Use enough salt, pepper, herbs, or spices. This will keep the scalloped potatoes from being bland.
Use a mixture of cheeses. Experiment with combining different cheeses, such as cheddar, Gruyère, Parmesan, or blue cheese.
Let the dish rest before serving. Allow the scalloped potatoes to rest for about 10 to 15 minutes after removing them from the oven. This allows the dish to be set.
Garnish with fresh herbs. Just before serving, sprinkle some freshly chopped herbs like parsley, thyme, or chives on top of the scalloped potatoes.
Adjust cooking time and temperature. Keep in mind that the cooking time and temperature may vary depending on the thickness of the potato slices and the size of the baking dish. It is important to watch the dish closely.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
Add crispy bacon or ham and grated Gruyère cheese to this scalloped potato recipe. The bacon is savory and salty, while the Gruyère cheese is creamy.
Infuse the scalloped potatoes with rosemary and the richness of Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle chopped fresh rosemary leaves and grated Parmesan cheese between the layers of potatoes.
Boost the flavor of scalloped potatoes by incorporating a blend of herbs and garlic. Mix in minced fresh herbs like thyme, parsley, and chives.
For a bold taste, crumble tangy blue cheese and layer it with caramelized onions in the potatoes.
Add a touch of freshness and a Mediterranean twist to your scalloped potatoes by incorporating sautéed spinach and crumbled feta cheese.
How to Serve & Store
These scalloped potatoes go really well with other holiday dishes, like the green bean casserole with French fried onions.
Check out this article about How to smoke your Thanksgiving turkey for added inspiration on what to serve. This chicken spaghetti is another creamy comfort food favorite!
If there are leftover scalloped potatoes, let them cool completely before storing them. Place the potatoes in an airtight container covered. Refrigerate the scalloped potatoes within two hours of cooking.
Scalloped potatoes can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
To freeze scalloped potatoes for longer storage, prepare them but do not bake them. Instead, assemble the dish and cover it tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil.
For other potato recipe options, try sweet potato casserole, crispy red potatoes, and easy potato skins. In addition, check out these healthy air fryer potatoes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Scalloped potatoes are layered with a creamy sauce, while au gratin potatoes are layered with a cheesy sauce and often topped with breadcrumbs or cheese.
Starchy potatoes like russet potatoes are great for scalloped potatoes because they become tender and creamy when cooked.
Yes, scalloped potatoes can be made and refrigerated before baking for convenience.
A mandoline is the easiest way to thinly spice potatoes. If needed, use a very sharp knife.
Equipment Needed
Mandoline: Thinly slice potatoes with this mandoline.
You May Also Enjoy
- Mashed Sweet Potatoes
- Baked Sweet Potato Fries
- Cheesy Mashed Potato Casserole
- Southern Potato Salad
- Duchess Potatoes
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Scalloped Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Russet potatoes (peeled and thinly sliced)
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 small onion (finely chopped)
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- ¼ cup flour (see note)
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
- In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until the onion becomes translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
- Sprinkle the flour over the onion and garlic mixture. Stir well to combine and cook for about 1 minute, until the flour is lightly golden.
- Gradually pour in the milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Cook for about 5 minutes, until the mixture thickens.
- Reduce the heat to low. Add the cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper to the sauce. Stir until the cheeses are melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Remove from heat.
- Arrange a single layer of sliced potatoes in the greased baking dish, slightly overlapping them. Pour a portion of the cheese sauce over the potatoes, spreading it evenly.
- Repeat the layering process with the remaining potatoes and cheese sauce, finishing with a layer of sauce on top.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes.
- Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley.
Notes
- Use a mandoline to easily slice the potatoes. Be very careful using the mandoline.
- This recipe can be made with whole wheat flour, gluten-free 1 to 1 flour, or all-purpose flour.
- For real food, use whole wheat flour.
- Do not skimp on the salt and pepper.
- The combination of cheeses really adds to the overall flavor.
- Thicker potato slices will take longer to cook.
- Scalloped potatoes are done cooking when the top is bubbly and cheesy and the potatoes are fork tender.
- If the potatoes are still firm, continue cooking.
Enjoy this scalloped potatoes recipe!
This is a warming dish with with creamy sauce, and a golden cheesy crust that will satisfy any potato lover’s cravings.
I love these scalloped potatoes! They’re creamy, cheesy, and so flavorful. They’re also comfort food at its best—I make them for my family every year during the holidays!