The Creamiest Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Recipe You’ll Ever Make

Crafting the ultimate cheesy scalloped potatoes recipe demands creativity and a dash of culinary passion.

Layers of thinly sliced potatoes nestled between creamy, melted cheese create a comfort food masterpiece.

Russet potatoes work best for achieving that perfect, velvety texture.

Each bite promises a harmonious blend of crispy edges and smooth, rich interior.

Seasoned with thyme and black pepper, this dish elevates humble ingredients into something extraordinary.

Cheese lovers will swoon over the golden, bubbling surface that emerges from the oven.

You can’t resist the irresistible aroma filling your kitchen with warmth and anticipation.

Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Highlights

• Create Creamy Comfort: A rich, velvety cheese sauce transforms simple potatoes into a luxurious side dish that feels like a warm hug on a plate.
• Master Layered Flavor Techniques: Caramelizing onions and building a complex sauce demonstrates gourmet cooking skills without requiring professional chef training.
• Crowd-Pleasing Potential: Perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, and holiday meals where everyone craves a hearty, cheesy classic that appeals to all ages.
• Customize with Ease: Adaptable recipe allows for personal twists like adding bacon, switching cheese varieties, or incorporating different herbs to match your taste preferences.

Ingredients for Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

• Yukon Gold Potatoes: Starchy potatoes that provide a creamy texture and hold their shape well during baking.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheese that melts smoothly and adds rich, tangy flavor to the dish.
• Cream Cheese: Soft cheese that creates a velvety and luxurious sauce consistency.

• Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps create a smooth roux.
• Milk: Helps create a creamy base for the cheese sauce.
• Olive Oil: Assists in caramelizing onions and adds subtle flavor.

• Onions, Garlic: Provide depth and aromatic base for the dish.
• Dried Thyme: Adds earthy and herbal undertones to the caramelized onions.
• Mustard Powder, Salt, Black Pepper, Cayenne Pepper: Enhance and balance the overall flavor profile.

• All-Purpose Flour: Helps thicken the cheese sauce.
• Fresh Parsley: Optional garnish that adds a fresh touch.

Instructions for Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Turn your oven to 350°F and let it heat while you prepare the magical dish.

Step 2: Transform Onions into Golden Treasures

• Butter
• Olive oil
• Onions
• Dried thyme

Melt butter and oil in a large skillet.

Add onions and thyme, cooking slowly until they become deep golden and super soft. This process takes about 30 minutes of gentle love and attention.

Step 3: Build the Flavor Foundation

• Remaining butter
• Garlic
• Flour

Add butter to the skillet, toss in minced garlic, and cook briefly. Sprinkle flour and whisk energetically for one minute to eliminate any raw flour taste.

Step 4: Create Silky Sauce Magic

Slowly pour milk into the skillet, whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Bring the mixture to a gentle bubble, then remove from heat.

Step 5: Spice Up the Sauce

Stir in mustard powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne for a flavor explosion.

Step 6: Cheese Lovers’ Moment

• Cheddar cheese
• Cream cheese

Gradually add most of the cheddar to the sauce, stirring until smooth.

Fold in cream cheese and caramelized onions to create a velvety masterpiece.

Step 7: Potato Preparation

Peel Yukon Gold potatoes and slice them into thin, uniform pieces using a sharp knife or mandoline.

Step 8: Layer the Deliciousness

Grease a baking dish. Create alternating layers of potato slices and cheese sauce.

Top with remaining cheddar cheese.

Step 9: Bake to Perfection

Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes.

Remove foil and continue baking for 40 more minutes until potatoes are tender and top is golden brown.

Step 10: Optional Crispy Finish

Switch to broil at 400°F for 2-3 minutes to create a gorgeous crispy top.

Watch carefully to prevent burning.

Step 11: Rest and Serve

Let the dish sit for 5-10 minutes.

Garnish with fresh parsley and serve this creamy, cheesy potato masterpiece to your eager guests.

Pro Tips for Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

• Select starchy Yukon Gold potatoes for the creamiest, most luxurious texture in your scalloped potato dish.
• Slice potatoes uniformly using a mandoline or sharp knife to ensure even cooking and consistent layers.
• Caramelize onions slowly over low heat to develop deep, sweet flavor that enriches the entire casserole.
• Keep cheese sauce smooth by adding milk gradually and avoiding overheating when melting cheese to prevent separation.
• Allow the casserole to rest after baking, which helps the sauce set and makes serving easier while maintaining delicious creaminess.

Variations of Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

• Goat Cheese Lavender Potatoes: Replace cheddar with tangy goat cheese and add dried lavender for a sophisticated herbal flavor profile. Reduces traditional sharpness while introducing elegant aromatics.
• Vegan Potato Gratin: Swap dairy ingredients with cashew cream, nutritional yeast, and plant-based milk. Use russet potatoes and add nutritional yeast for cheesy undertones without animal products.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Version: Substitute potato slices with thinly sliced cauliflower rounds. Maintain original cheese sauce and seasonings for keto-friendly alternative that preserves creamy texture.

Best Pairings with Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

• Pair with roasted herb-crusted chicken or tender beef roast to complement the rich, creamy potato texture. The meat's savory profile balances the cheesy, indulgent casserole perfectly.
• Choose crisp Chardonnay or medium-bodied Pinot Noir to cut through the dish's richness. These wines offer refreshing acidity that cleanses the palate between creamy bites.
• Serve alongside bright green salad with light vinaigrette or roasted asparagus. The fresh, zesty vegetables provide a delightful counterpoint to the heavy, cheesy potatoes.

Storage Advice for Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

• Transfer cooled scalloped potatoes into an airtight container or cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap. Stash in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, ensuring the potatoes remain fresh and flavorful.
• Wrap the casserole securely in plastic wrap, then add a layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Label the container with the date to track storage time.
• Thaw frozen scalloped potatoes overnight in the refrigerator. Preheat oven to 350°F, cover with foil, and warm for 20-25 minutes. Remove foil during the last 5 minutes to restore crispy top.

FAQs

• What type of potatoes work best for this recipe?

Yukon Gold potatoes are ideal due to their creamy texture and ability to hold their shape while baking. They provide a smooth, buttery consistency that perfectly complements the cheesy sauce.

• Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the casserole up to a day in advance. Assemble the dish, cover it tightly with foil, and refrigerate. When ready to bake, remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking and add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time.

• How can I prevent the potatoes from sticking to the baking dish?

Lightly grease the baking dish with butter or cooking spray before layering the potatoes. This creates a non-stick surface and helps with easy serving.

Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Recipe

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4.7 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Creamy cheesy scalloped potatoes bring layered comfort from French culinary traditions. Russet potatoes, sharp cheddar, and heavy cream combine for a rich side dish you’ll savor with every delicious bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2.5 lbs (1.13 kg) Yukon Gold potatoes (peeled and thinly sliced to 1/8-inch thickness)
• 3 1/2 cups shredded sharp orange cheddar cheese
• 3 cups whole milk
• 6 tbsps unsalted butter
• 4 tbsps all-purpose flour
• 1 large yellow onion (thinly sliced)
• 2 tbsps cream cheese (softened)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp mustard powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), ensuring optimal temperature for baking the potato casserole.
2. Caramelize onions in a skillet with butter and olive oil over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until deeply golden brown, approximately 30 minutes. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, melt additional butter and sauté minced garlic for 1 minute. Whisk in flour, cooking until the raw flour scent disappears.
4. Gradually pour milk into the roux, whisking continuously to create a smooth base. Bring to a gentle boil, then remove from heat.
5. Season the sauce with mustard powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper, mixing thoroughly.
6. Melt most of the cheddar cheese into the sauce, stirring until smooth. Incorporate cream cheese to create a velvety texture, then fold in caramelized onions.
7. Peel and slice Yukon Gold potatoes into thin, uniform 1/8-inch rounds using a sharp knife or mandoline.
8. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Layer half the potato slices, cover with half the cheese sauce. Repeat layers, topping with reserved cheese.
9. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking for 40 minutes until potatoes are tender and top is golden brown.
10. Optional: Broil at 400°F for 2-3 minutes to achieve a crispy, deeply bronzed surface. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
11. Let the casserole rest 5-10 minutes before serving to allow sauce to set. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

• Slice potatoes uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
• Use a mandoline slicer for precise, thin potato slices that cook evenly and create a beautiful layered appearance.
• Select high-moisture Yukon Gold potatoes for creamy, tender results that hold their shape during baking.
• Experiment with cheese variations like gruyère or gouda to add depth and complexity to the classic cheddar flavor profile.
• Reduce baking time by 10-15 minutes if using pre-cooked or parboiled potatoes for a quicker preparation.
• Make it vegetarian by substituting vegetable broth for milk and using plant-based cheese alternatives.
• Prevent sauce separation by adding cheese off direct heat and stirring gently until smooth and fully incorporated.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 492 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 309 mg
• Fat: 34 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0.4 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 17 g
• Cholesterol: 74 mg