Scalloped Potatoes Recipe – Easy Cheesy – The Best!

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food, and perfect side dish, with our creamy and cheesy scalloped potatoes recipe! Whether you’re planning a special occasions, holiday meal, a weeknight dinner, or a gathering with friends and family!

These scalloped potatoes are the perfect addition to your table! This easy recipe is made with russet potatoes, heavy cream, and whole milk, and will impress and satisfy any big family dinner. Enjoy the perfect blend of comfort and flavor with each bite. Your taste buds will thank you!

The magic begins by simmering sliced russet potatoes in a large Dutch oven, allowing them to soften and release their starch, resulting in tender potatoes that are simply irresistible. The combination of heavy cream and whole milk creates a luscious and creamy sauce that blankets each layer of potatoes, ensuring a creamy, cheesy, and golden brown top that’s a truly decadent potato casserole.

Our easy homemade cream sauce is infused with fragrant fresh thyme and a touch of black pepper, elevating the flavor to perfection. The final layer of potatoes is generously sprinkled with shredded cheddar cheese, giving your scalloped potatoes that irresistible, golden cheesy crust everyone loves.

Whether you’re serving this as a main course or as a side dish, these scalloped potatoes will steal the spotlight at your holiday table, next to your roast pork chops or prime rib. Plus, they’re just as delightful the next day, making them a great option for leftovers.

So, gather your ingredients, grab your casserole dish, and let’s make this creamy, cheesy, and utterly delicious scalloped potatoes recipe.

Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Recipe Ingredeints

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 medium onion, minced

2 medium cloves garlic, minced

3 cups heavy cream

1 cup whole milk

1 teaspoon fresh thyme

​1 teaspoon onion powder

2 bay leaves

2 teaspoons salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

4 pounds of potatoes cut into 1/4 inch thick slices, russet or yukon gold potatoes.

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, you can also use parmesan cheese. You can use pre-shredded cheese, but I like to grate my own! 

How to Make Easy Scalloped Potatoes Recipe

1. Mince onion and garlic. 

2. Wash, peel if desired, and slice potatoes. 

3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

4. Melt butter in a large dutch oven over medium high heat. 

5. Add minced onion and saute for 4 minutes till soft.

6. Add minced garlic, saute for 1 minute

7. Add cream, milk, thyme, onion powder, bay leaves salt and pepper.

8. Add potatoes then bring the mixture to a simmer, and cover (part-way if needed) to maintain simmer. Covering the pot helps the cream to not reduce prematurely! 

9. Simmer the potatoes, with a lid on for 15 minutes till potatoes are almost tender. Cooking potatoes by simmering in a dutch oven or large pot before baking them allows them to soften and release starch that thickens the creamy sauce! 

10. Transfer potato mixture to a 9×13 casserole dish.

11. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over top.

12. Place into preheated oven, and Cook at 350 degrees F for about 20 minutes, till golden brown on top, sauce is thickened and bubbling around sides.

13. Cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Enjoy! 

Serve Scalloped Potatoes Recipe With

Tender Rump Roast Recipe

Fall-Apart Boston Butt Roast recipe

Sirloin Tip Roast

Savory Picnic Ham Roast

Tender Fresh Ham Roast

Savory Top Round Roast

Glazed Smoked Salmon

Green Goddess Salad

Strawberry Walnut Salad

Best Scalloped Potatoes RECIPE CARD

Tips for Best Results

Select the Right Potatoes: Use starchy potatoes like russet potatoes for the creamiest texture. They release starch that helps thicken the sauce as they cook.

Slice Uniformly: Slice the potatoes evenly, about 1/4 inch thick, to ensure they cook uniformly and have a consistent texture.

Prevent Browning: Place sliced potatoes in cold water as you work to prevent them from browning due to oxidation.

Simmer Before Baking: Simmer the potato slices in the cream and milk mixture before baking. This pre-cooking step helps soften the potatoes and allows them to absorb the flavors of the sauce.

Season Well: Season the sauce generously with salt, pepper, and any other desired herbs or spices to enhance the flavor of the dish.

Layer Evenly: When layering the potato slices in the casserole dish, make sure to distribute them evenly to ensure even cooking and flavor distribution.

Cover While Baking: Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil or a lid during the initial baking period. This helps the potatoes cook through without drying out.

Check for Doneness: After the initial simmer and baking, check the potatoes for doneness. They should be tender when pierced with a fork but not mushy.

Add Cheese at the Right Time: If using cheese, sprinkle it over the top of the potatoes during the final minutes of baking to allow it to melt and create a golden-brown crust.

Rest Before Serving

Allow the scalloped potatoes to rest for a few minutes after removing them from the oven. This helps the sauce thicken slightly and makes it easier to serve.

Customize: Feel free to customize your scalloped potatoes with additional ingredients like sautéed onions, garlic, or your favorite herbs and spices for a unique flavor.

Reheating: If reheating leftovers, add a little extra cream or milk to maintain the creamy texture, and cover with foil to prevent drying out.

Experiment with Cheeses: While cheddar cheese is common, don’t hesitate to experiment with other cheese varieties like Gruyère, Parmesan, or Swiss for different flavor profiles.

Serving Suggestions: Serve scalloped potatoes as a side dish for various meals, such as roast chicken, pork chops, or ham. They are also a great accompaniment for holiday feasts.

Adjust Cooking Time: Cooking times can vary depending on the thickness of your potato slices and your oven’s temperature accuracy, so be flexible and adjust as needed.

​How to Store & Reheat

Leftover scalloped potatoes can be just as delicious as when they were freshly made, but it’s important to reheat them properly to maintain their creamy texture and flavor. Here’s how to handle and reheat leftover scalloped potatoes:

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1. Cool and Store Properly: Allow the leftover scalloped potatoes to cool to room temperature. Do not leave them out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Once cooled, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
2. Divide into Portions: If you have a large batch of leftovers, consider dividing them into smaller portions. This makes it easier to reheat only what you need and prevents repeated reheating.
3. Label and Date: If you won’t be consuming the leftovers within a few days, label the container with the date to help you keep track of freshness.

Reheating Leftover Scalloped Potatoes

There are a few methods you can use to reheat leftover scalloped potatoes, depending on your preference and available equipment:

1. Oven Method (Recommended for Best Results):
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
   • Place the leftover scalloped potatoes in an oven-safe dish.
   • Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
   • Heat in the preheated oven for about 20-30 minutes, or until they are heated through. You can remove the foil during the last 10 minutes to allow the top to crisp up, if desired.
2. Microwave Method (Quick but May Affect Texture):
   • Place a portion of the leftover scalloped potatoes in a microwave-safe dish.
   • Microwave on medium power (50%) for 1-2 minutes at a time, stirring in between, until heated through.
   • Be cautious with the microwave, as it can cause the sauce to separate or become uneven in texture if overcooked.
3. Stovetop Method (Maintains Creaminess):
   • Heat a non-stick skillet or pan over medium-low heat.
   • Add the leftover scalloped potatoes and gently stir.
   • Heat them slowly, stirring occasionally, until they are heated through. This method helps maintain the creaminess of the sauce.

Tips for Reheating

• To prevent the sauce from becoming too thick when reheating, you can add a small amount of cream or milk and gently stir until the desired consistency is reached.
• Do not reheat leftover scalloped potatoes more than once to avoid the risk of foodborne illness.

Scalloped Potatoes vs Au Gratin Potatoes

I live in Idaho…Where we grow A LOT of potatoes… They’re pretty cheap to buy from local farmers… And potatoes are east to grow in your home garden, so we end up eating them a couple times a week! my mom used to make Scalloped potatoes pretty regularly growing up, and we all grew excited for dinner when the smell started wafting through the house. These creamy cheesy potatoes are a favorite!

Scalloped potatoes and au gratin potatoes are both a popular potato side dish that are often confused due to their similar appearances, but they have distinct differences in terms of preparation, ingredients, and texture:

Ingredients

Scalloped Potatoes: Scalloped potatoes are made primarily with thinly sliced potatoes in a white sauce, cream, and sometimes milk. The potatoes are typically layered in a baking dish, and the cream and/or milk mixture is poured over them. Scalloped potatoes are seasoned with fresh herbs, spices, and sometimes cheese, but they usually don’t contain breadcrumbs or a crispy topping.

Au Gratin Potatoes: Au gratin potatoes are also made with thinly sliced potatoes, but what distinguishes them is the addition of a crispy, browned topping, often made with breadcrumbs, cheese (such as Parmesan or Gruyère), and butter. The creamy cheese sauce used in au gratin potatoes can contain cheese as well, giving it a rich and cheesy flavor.

Texture

Scalloped Potatoes: Scalloped potatoes have a creamy, tender, and slightly saucy texture. The potatoes absorb the creamy sauce as they bake, resulting in a soft and melt-in-your-mouth consistency.

Au Gratin Potatoes: Au gratin potatoes have a creamy cheesy sauce interior, but the defining feature is the crispy and golden brown top layer created by the breadcrumb and cheese mixture. This crispy contrast with the creamy interior adds a delightful texture to the dish.

Flavor

Scalloped Potatoes: Scalloped potatoes have a creamy and savory flavor, often with a hint of fresh or dried herbs and spices. The focus is on the creaminess and the natural flavor of the potatoes.

Au Gratin Potatoes: Au gratin potatoes have a richer and more intense flavor, thanks to the cheese in both the sauce and the crispy topping. The cheese contributes a savory and slightly nutty taste, making it a more decadent dish.

Both scalloped potatoes and au gratin potatoes share a base of thinly sliced potatoes and a creamy sauce, the main difference is the presence of a crispy topping with cheese and breadcrumbs in au gratin potatoes, giving them a distinct texture and flavor profile. Scalloped potatoes are simpler and focus on the creamy, tender potato layers without the added crispiness of a gratin topping. Both dishes are delicious and can be enjoyed based on your preference for texture and flavor.