Creamy and Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

This recipe for Creamy and Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes is the ultimate indulgent side dish, perfect for holidays, family dinners, or any time you’re craving pure comfort. It features thinly sliced potatoes layered in a rich, velvety, homemade cheese sauce, then baked until golden brown, bubbly, and perfectly tender. This is a classic, crowd-pleasing dish that will have everyone coming back for seconds.

Forget the boxed stuff—making this dish from scratch is surprisingly simple and the results are infinitely more delicious. The secret is a simple roux-based sauce and freshly shredded cheese, which creates a smooth, creamy texture without any curdling. It’s a show-stopping side that’s destined to become a family favorite.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Ultra Creamy & Cheesy: A rich, homemade cheese sauce makes this dish incredibly decadent.
• The Perfect Comfort Food: The ultimate hearty, warm, and satisfying side dish.
• Show-Stopping Holiday Side: An elegant and impressive addition to any Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter table.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: Can be assembled ahead of time to make holiday cooking easier.

Ingredients

• 3 lbs Yukon Gold or Russet Potatoes, peeled and sliced 1/8-inch thick
• 4 tablespoons Unsalted Butter
• 1/4 cup All-Purpose Flour
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 2 1/2 cups Whole Milk, warmed
• 1 cup Heavy Cream
• 2 cups Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
• 1 cup Shredded Gruyère or Parmesan Cheese
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg
• Fresh chives or parsley, for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. Make the Cheese Sauce (Roux): In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
3. Build the Sauce: Gradually whisk in the warm milk until the mixture is smooth. Stir in the heavy cream. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently, until it has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon (about 5-7 minutes).
4. Melt the Cheese: Remove the saucepan from the heat. Gradually stir in 1 1/2 cups of the cheddar and all of the Gruyère cheese until completely melted and smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
5. Layer the Dish: Arrange half of the sliced potatoes in an even, overlapping layer in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Pour half of the cheese sauce over the potatoes.
6. Second Layer: Arrange the remaining potatoes on top. Pour the rest of the cheese sauce over them, ensuring all the potatoes are covered.
7. Bake: Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese on top. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes.
8. Brown and Serve: Remove the foil and bake for another 20-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly, and the potatoes are fork-tender. Let the dish rest for 10-15 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set. Garnish with fresh chives.

Tips & Variations

• Pro Tip: For perfectly uniform potato slices, use a mandoline slicer. This ensures the potatoes cook evenly.
• Shred Your Own Cheese: For the creamiest, smoothest sauce, always shred cheese from a block. Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can make the sauce grainy.
• Add Ham or Bacon: Layer in diced cooked ham or crumbled crispy bacon between the potato layers for a heartier main course.
• Herbed Version: Add 1 teaspoon of fresh thyme or rosemary to the cheese sauce for an aromatic flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• How do I prevent my sauce from becoming grainy?
  • The key is to use freshly shredded cheese and to remove the sauce from the heat before stirring in the cheese. This gentle melting prevents the cheese from separating.
• Can I make scalloped potatoes ahead of time?
  • Yes. You can assemble the entire dish, cover it, and refrigerate it for up to 2 days. You may need to add 10-15 minutes to the covered baking time.
• How do I store leftovers?
  • Store leftovers tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave.

Serving Suggestions

• These cheesy scalloped potatoes are the quintessential side dish for a holiday ham, roasted turkey, or a beautiful beef roast. They also pair wonderfully with pork chops or steak for a special weeknight dinner.

Abby

Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

This easy Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes recipe is creamy, crispy, and loaded with rich, cheesy flavor. Perfect as a comforting side dish for Christmas, Thanksgiving, or any special dinner, it pairs beautifully with chicken, beef, or fish.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 36 minutes mins

Servings: 5 people

Course: Christmas, Dinner, Side Dish

Cuisine: French

Calories: 1266

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 kg potatoes (enough to fill the dish)
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese
• 3/4 cup cheddar cheese
• 1 cup cream
• 1.5 cups milk
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• 2 tbsp flour
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• salt, to taste
• black pepper, to taste
• parsley or dill, for garnish

Equipment

• Baking dish
• Knife or mandolin
• Saucepan
• Whisk

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 375°F/190°C (gas mark 5) and butter a baking dish.
2. Peel and slice the potatoes thinly, then layer them into the baking dish.
3. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and whisk in flour. Cook, stirring, until smooth. Gradually add milk and cream, whisking to avoid lumps.
4. Season with onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then simmer until thickened.
5. Add cheese and stir until melted. Pour half the sauce over the potatoes. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
6. Remove foil and pour the rest of the sauce over the potatoes. Bake for another hour or until golden and tender.
7. Garnish with parsley and serve hot or warm.

Notes

Slice potatoes evenly with a knife or mandolin for best texture. Soaking slices in cold water helps remove starch. Try layering with bacon, mushrooms, or broccoli for variety. Swap cheeses like gruyere or parmesan for a deeper flavor, or add mustard powder for a subtle kick.