Buttery Bliss: The Best Scalloped Potatoes Recipe You’ll Ever Try

Creamy scalloped potatoes have been my secret comfort food since childhood.

Layers of tender potato slices nestled between rich, velvety cheese sauce create pure culinary magic.

My grandmother’s classic recipe inspired this delightful version that guarantees smiles around the dinner table.

Delicate potato rounds absorb incredible flavors from herbs and seasoned cream.

Perfectly golden and bubbling, this dish promises a warm embrace of deliciousness.

Each bite delivers a harmonious blend of soft potatoes and melted cheese that feels like a gentle culinary hug.

Trust me, you’ll want to savor every single forkful of this irresistible comfort classic.

Fun Takes On Best Scalloped Potatoes

• Dairy-Free Potato Gratin: Swap heavy cream and milk with coconut milk or almond milk, use nutritional yeast instead of cheese, and add roasted garlic for depth.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Gratin: Replace potatoes with thinly sliced cauliflower, keep the cream sauce, and use aged cheddar for extra flavor intensity.
• Herb-Infused Mediterranean Gratin: Incorporate rosemary, oregano, and crumbled feta cheese, using olive oil instead of butter for a Greek-inspired version.
• Vegan Root Vegetable Gratin: Combine sliced sweet potatoes, parsnips, and turnips with cashew cream sauce, nutritional yeast, and herb-infused seasoning.

Top Matches With Best Scalloped Potatoes

• Elevate Potato Gratin with Perfect Pairings
• Uncork Bold Red Wine: Select a robust Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah to complement the creamy, rich potato dish with its tannic structure and deep fruit notes.
• Match Protein Companions: Serve alongside roasted herb-crusted chicken or succulent beef tenderloin, allowing the gratin's creamy texture to balance the meat's savory profile.
• Create Crisp Veggie Contrast: Prepare a light, refreshing green salad with arugula, lemon vinaigrette, and toasted almonds to cut through the dish's richness and provide textural balance.
• Embrace Seasonal Garnish: Add quick-pickled radishes or cornichons as a bright, acidic side that helps cleanse the palate between each decadent potato bite.

How To Store Best Scalloped Potatoes Right

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to a sealed container to prevent moisture loss.
• Carefully wrap the potato gratin in freezer-safe plastic wrap and aluminum foil, storing flat in the freezer for up to 2 months. Ensure complete coverage to prevent freezer burn and maintain texture.
• Preheat oven to 350°F, remove from refrigerator 30 minutes prior to reheating. Place in a baking dish, cover with foil to prevent drying, and warm for 20-25 minutes until heated through. Remove foil for the last 5 minutes to crisp the top.

Answers To Common Best Scalloped Potatoes Questions

• What kind of potatoes work best for this recipe?

Russet and yukon gold potatoes are ideal because they have different textures that create a creamy and substantial potato dish. Russets are starchy and help absorb the cream, while yukon golds provide a buttery, smooth consistency.

• Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the potato gratin up to a day in advance. Assemble the layers, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. When ready to bake, remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking and follow the original baking instructions.

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

Generously grease the 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray before layering the potatoes. This creates a non-stick surface and helps easily remove servings without breaking the layers.

What Makes Best Scalloped Potatoes So Good

• Minimal Prep Magic: Slice potatoes, mix cream sauce, and layer – no complex techniques required for stunning results.
• Crowd-Pleasing Potential: Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, and gatherings where everyone craves creamy, cheesy goodness.
• Adaptable Culinary Canvas: Customize with different cheese varieties or add bacon bits for personalized flavor variations.

Everything You Need For Best Scalloped Potatoes

• Russet Potatoes: Classic starchy potatoes that provide a hearty base for the dish.
• Yukon Gold Potatoes: Creamy potatoes that add a buttery texture and rich flavor.

• Heavy Cream, Whole Milk: Create a luxurious, smooth sauce that binds the potatoes together.
• Cheddar Cheese: Offers a sharp, tangy flavor and melts beautifully throughout the dish.
• Parmesan Cheese: Provides a crispy, golden crust with a nutty, salty finish.
• Unsalted Butter: Enhances richness and promotes golden browning.

• Garlic: Adds a pungent, aromatic flavor to the cream sauce.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and enhance the overall taste.
• Dried Thyme: Introduces an earthy, herbal note to the dish.
• Nutmeg: Offers a subtle, warm background flavor.
• Fresh Chives: Provides a bright, fresh garnish with a mild onion-like taste.

Step-By-Step For Best Scalloped Potatoes

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and coat it generously with cooking spray or butter to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 2: Prepare the Potatoes

Wash potatoes thoroughly. Peel both russet and yukon gold potatoes. Slice them super thin using a mandoline or a sharp knife. Aim for uniform thickness to ensure even cooking throughout.

Step 3: Chop Flavor Boosters

Finely mince garlic cloves. Chop fresh chives into delicate pieces for a bright garnish later.

Step 4: Create the Dreamy Cream Sauce

• Heavy cream
• Whole milk
• Minced garlic
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Dried thyme
• Pinch of nutmeg

Blend until the mixture becomes smooth and fragrant.

Step 5: Build the First Potato Layer

Arrange the first batch of potato slices in the baking dish. Overlap them slightly to create a solid base.

Step 6: Add Cream and Cheese

Pour a portion of the cream mixture over the potatoes. Ensure even coverage. Sprinkle a generous layer of shredded cheddar cheese.

Step 7: Continue Layering

Repeat the potato, cream, and cheese layers. Create multiple delicious strata until you’ve used all ingredients.

Step 8: Add Extra Richness

Dot the top layer with small cubes of unsalted butter. This helps create a golden, crispy surface.

Step 9: Create a Crispy Topping

Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese over the entire dish for an extra-crispy, savory crust.

Step 10: Bake to Perfection

Cover the dish with aluminum foil. Bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking for 30-35 minutes until potatoes become tender and the top turns golden and bubbly.

Step 11: Let It Rest

Remove from the oven. Allow the dish to rest for 15 minutes. This helps the sauce set and flavors to meld together.

Step 12: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle freshly chopped chives over the top. This adds a vibrant, herbaceous finish to your creamy potato masterpiece.

Best Tips For Best Scalloped Potatoes

• Slice Potatoes Uniformly: Use a mandoline or sharp knife to create thin, even potato slices that cook consistently and look professional.
• Boost Cream Sauce Flavor: Add a pinch of nutmeg to elevate the cream mixture, creating a more complex and aromatic base for the dish.
• Prevent Sticking Effectively: Generously grease the baking dish with butter or cooking spray to ensure easy serving and cleanup.
• Layer Strategically: Slightly overlap potato slices and distribute cream mixture evenly to create a compact, moist potato gratin with maximum flavor in every bite.
• Achieve Golden Perfection: Dot the top with butter cubes and sprinkle parmesan cheese to create a crispy, golden-brown crust that adds texture and rich flavor.

Best Scalloped Potatoes Recipe

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4.5 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 105-110 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Creamy scalloped potatoes deliver pure comfort with layers of tender potato slices bathed in rich, cheesy sauce. Crisp golden edges and hearty flavor make this classic side dish irresistible for you at any family gathering or holiday meal.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Potatoes:

• 4 lbs russet potatoes
• 1 lb yukon gold potatoes

Dairy:

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 0.5 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter

Seasonings and Other:

• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 cloves garlic
• 0.25 cup fresh chives
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 0.25 tsp nutmeg

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and generously grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
2. Meticulously wash and peel both russet and yukon gold potatoes, then slice them uniformly thin using a mandoline or sharp knife to ensure even cooking.
3. Mince the garlic cloves and finely chop fresh chives, preparing them for layering and garnishing.
4. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together heavy cream, whole milk, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, dried thyme, and a delicate hint of nutmeg to create a rich, aromatic sauce.
5. Arrange the first layer of potato slices in the prepared baking dish, slightly overlapping to create a compact foundation.
6. Drizzle a portion of the cream mixture over the potato layer, ensuring even distribution, then sprinkle a generous amount of shredded cheddar cheese.
7. Repeat the layering process with remaining potato slices, cream mixture, and cheeses, creating multiple delectable strata.
8. Dot the top layer with small cubes of unsalted butter to enhance richness and promote golden browning.
9. Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese over the surface for an additional crispy, savory crust.
10. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes, then remove foil and continue baking for an additional 30-35 minutes until potatoes are tender and top is beautifully golden and bubbling.
11. Remove from oven and let rest for 15 minutes to allow sauce to set and flavors to meld.
12. Garnish with freshly chopped chives before serving, adding a vibrant, herbaceous finish.

Notes

• Slice potatoes uniformly thin to guarantee consistent cooking and prevent uneven texture, using a mandoline for precision.
• Soak potato slices in cold water for 10 minutes before layering to remove excess starch, resulting in a creamier, smoother dish.
• Experiment with cheese varieties like gruyère or fontina for a more complex, nutty flavor profile that elevates the classic recipe.
• Make it lighter by substituting heavy cream with half-and-half or a mixture of milk and Greek yogurt, reducing overall calorie content without sacrificing richness.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 75-80 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 480
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg