The Best Scalloped Potatoes Recipe for Cozy Family Dinners

Scalloped potatoes craft ordinary ingredients into a culinary masterpiece that delights every palate.

Rich, velvety layers meld together in a harmonious dance of flavors and textures.

Creamy sauces embrace delicate potato slices, creating a comforting symphony of taste that speaks to traditional home cooking.

Family gatherings and special moments find their perfect companion in this soul-warming dish.

Subtle seasonings elevate the humble potato into something truly extraordinary, promising a memorable dining experience.

Each forkful carries the warmth of generations of cooking wisdom and love.

Prepare to fall in love with a recipe that turns simple ingredients into pure comfort.

Dishes That Go Great with These Classic Spuds

• Pair with Protein Power: Complement the rich, creamy scalloped potatoes with a classic roasted herb-crusted chicken or tender beef roast that balances the dish's decadent cheese sauce.
• Wine Wonderland: Select a crisp, medium-bodied white wine like Chardonnay or a light Pinot Noir to cut through the richness and enhance the cheesy potato flavors with its refreshing acidity.
• Veggie Vibrance: Add a bright, crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette or roasted seasonal vegetables like asparagus or Brussels sprouts to provide a fresh contrast to the heavy, creamy potato dish.
• Beverage Boost: Serve alongside a cold, light beer like a pilsner or a crisp apple cider that helps cleanse the palate between bites of the rich, cheesy potatoes.

Twists That Give These Potatoes a Modern Spin

• Rustic Herb Potato Gratin: Enhance the classic recipe by adding fresh thyme, rosemary, and chopped parsley to the cheese sauce. Sprinkle dried herbs between potato layers for an aromatic boost of flavor.
• Smoky Bacon Scalloped Potatoes: Crisp and crumble bacon between potato layers, mixing some pieces directly into the cheese sauce. This adds a savory, smoky dimension that elevates the traditional dish.
• Spicy Jalapeño Cheese Version: Dice fresh jalapeños and mix them into the cheese sauce for a zesty kick. Add some pepper jack cheese alongside the cheddar to intensify the heat and create a more complex flavor profile.
• Roasted Vegetable Loaded Potatoes: Incorporate roasted bell peppers, caramelized onions, and sautéed mushrooms between potato layers. These vegetables provide extra depth and nutritional value to the classic scalloped potato recipe.

Why These Potatoes Are Always the First to Go

• Savor Creamy Comfort: Dive into a luxurious potato dish that wraps you in warm, cheesy goodness with every single bite. The velvety sauce and tender potato layers create a mouthwatering experience that feels like a hug on a plate.
• Master Easy Gourmet Cooking: This recipe transforms simple ingredients into an impressive side dish that looks and tastes like it came from a professional kitchen. Home cooks can easily impress family and friends with minimal cooking skills and just a few straightforward steps.
• Customize Your Flavor Adventure: Experiment with different cheese varieties or add crispy bacon bits to make this classic dish uniquely yours. The flexible recipe welcomes personal touches while maintaining its delicious core, letting you play with flavors and textures without losing the essential comfort food magic.

The Creamy, Cheesy Ingredients You’ll Need

• Potatoes: Starchy, waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold work best for creamy, tender scalloped texture.
• Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Provides rich, tangy flavor and creates a creamy, melty coating for potatoes.
• Butter, Flour: Creates a smooth roux for thickening the sauce and building a rich flavor foundation.
• Milk: Helps create a creamy, smooth sauce that binds the potato layers together.
• Salt, Cayenne Pepper: Enhances overall flavor profile and adds a subtle spicy kick.
• Green Onions: Adds fresh, mild onion flavor and provides a pop of color to the finished dish.

How to Layer for the Ultimate Scalloped Texture

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure even cooking.

Step 2: Ready the Baking Dish

Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray to prevent sticking.

Step 3: Create the Roux

• Melt of butter
• Whisk in of flour
• Cook for 1-2 minutes until the mixture turns golden brown

Step 4: Develop the Creamy Sauce

• Slowly add 1½ cups of milk while whisking continuously
• Simmer for 5-7 minutes until the sauce thickens

Step 5: Enhance the Sauce with Cheese

• 1½ cups of grated sharp cheddar cheese
• Salt to taste
• Optional: Cayenne pepper for extra zest

Step 6: Layer the First Potato Level

Arrange half of the thinly sliced potatoes evenly in the baking dish, slightly overlapping each slice.

Step 7: Add First Sauce Layer

Pour half of the cheese sauce over the potato layer, ensuring complete coverage.

Step 8: Complete the Potato Layers

• Remaining potato slices
• Remaining cheese sauce

Step 9: Top with Extra Cheese

Sprinkle an additional ½ cup of grated cheese over the top for extra richness.

Step 10: Bake to Perfection

• Cover the dish with foil
• Bake for 45 minutes
• Remove foil
• Bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until golden and bubbly

Step 11: Rest and Serve

• Remove from oven
• Let stand for 10-15 minutes
• Optionally garnish with sliced green onions
• Serve and enjoy your creamy, cheesy scalloped potatoes

Tips for Golden Tops and Buttery Layers

• Slice Potatoes Uniformly: Use a mandoline or sharp knife to cut potatoes into consistent, thin slices (about 1/8-inch thick) for even cooking and a perfect texture.
• Prevent Potato Browning: Soak sliced potatoes in cold water immediately after cutting to remove excess starch and prevent discoloration before assembling the dish.
• Create Silky Smooth Sauce: Whisk continuously while adding milk to the roux to avoid lumps and achieve a creamy, velvety cheese sauce that coats the potatoes perfectly.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Experiment with cheese varieties like gruyère, fontina, or a blend of cheeses to add complexity and richness to the classic scalloped potatoes.
• Achieve Golden Crust: Remove foil during the final baking stage to allow the top to brown beautifully, creating a crispy, slightly crunchy cheese topping that adds textural contrast.

Store Smart for Second-Day Deliciousness

• Refrigeration: Transfer any remaining scalloped potatoes into an airtight container or tightly wrap the baking dish with plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, keeping the dish's delicious flavors intact and preventing moisture loss.
• Reheating in Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the cold scalloped potatoes in an oven-safe dish, cover with aluminum foil to prevent drying out, and warm for 20-25 minutes. Remove the foil during the last 5 minutes to restore that crispy top layer and ensure even heating throughout.
• Microwave Method: When you need a quick reheat, use the microwave on medium power.

Scalloped Potatoes Recipe

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4.6 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Creamy scalloped potatoes deliver French-inspired comfort with layers of thinly sliced potatoes, rich cheese, and velvety sauce. Baked until golden and bubbling, this classic side dish promises to elevate any meal with its irresistible warmth and indulgent flavor.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 cups (960 milliliters) thinly sliced potatoes
• 1.5 cups (360 milliliters) grated sharp cheddar cheese
• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) butter
• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) all-purpose flour
• 0.5 cup (120 milliliters) milk

Seasoning and Spices:

• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• salt to taste

Garnish (Optional):

• 0.5 cup (120 milliliters) sliced green onions

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure even cooking temperature for the dish.
2. Generously grease a 9×13-inch (23×33 centimeters) baking dish with butter or non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
3. Create a smooth roux by melting of butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat, then whisk in of all-purpose flour until the mixture turns light golden.
4. Gradually pour 1½ cups (360 milliliters) of whole milk into the roux, whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming.
5. Simmer the sauce for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until it thickens to a creamy consistency that coats the back of a spoon.
6. Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in 1½ cups (150 grams) of grated sharp cheddar cheese until completely melted and smooth.
7. Season the cheese sauce with salt and optional cayenne pepper for a subtle heat.
8. Arrange a single layer of thinly sliced potatoes across the bottom of the prepared baking dish, slightly overlapping each slice to create an even coverage.
9. Drizzle half of the cheese sauce over the first potato layer, ensuring each slice is well-coated.
10. Repeat the layering process with the remaining potato slices and cheese sauce, creating a second complete layer.
11. Sprinkle an additional ½ cup (50 grams) of grated cheese over the top layer for extra richness and a golden crust.
12. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes.
13. 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.
14. Allow the scalloped potatoes to rest for 10-15 minutes after removing from the oven, which helps the layers set and makes serving easier.
15. Optional: Garnish with finely chopped green onions before serving for added freshness and color.

Notes

• Whisk butter and flour together quickly to build a golden, flavorful roux base that becomes the heart of your creamy sauce.
• Create a silky smooth cheese sauce by gradually adding milk while stirring constantly, preventing any unwanted lumps from forming.
• Layer thinly sliced potatoes carefully, ensuring each piece slightly overlaps to create a beautiful, uniform texture throughout the dish.
• Drench potato layers generously with rich, melted cheese sauce, making sure every slice gets coated for maximum flavor absorption.
• Bake covered initially to steam potatoes perfectly, then uncover to develop a stunning golden-brown crispy top that’ll make everyone’s mouth water.
• Let the casserole rest after baking, allowing ingredients to settle and flavors to meld together, creating a more cohesive and delicious final dish.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Dinner, Side Dish
• Method: Baking, Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 376 kcal
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 350mg
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 13g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 32g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 11g
• Cholesterol: 54mg