The Creamiest Cheesy Garlic Scalloped Potatoes Recipe Ever

Crispy layers of golden potato slices swimming in a rich, creamy garlic sauce make this cheesy garlic scalloped potatoes recipe a total comfort food dream.

Melted cheese blankets each tender potato round with irresistible flavor.

Fragrant garlic weaves its magic through every delectable bite.

Perfect for dinner parties or cozy family meals, this dish brings warmth to your table.

Slicing potatoes thin ensures a luxurious, melt-in-your-mouth texture that everyone will adore.

Cheese lovers and potato enthusiasts unite, this recipe promises pure culinary bliss.

You won’t be able to resist seconds of this decadent, soul-satisfying side dish.

Tasty Add-Ons For Cheesy Garlic Scalloped Potatoes

• Vegan Potato Gratin: Swap heavy cream and milk with coconut milk or cashew cream. Use nutritional yeast instead of cheese and add smoked paprika for depth.
• Herb-Infused Potato Casserole: Incorporate fresh thyme, rosemary, and sage into the cream mixture. Experiment with different herb combinations for a fragrant twist.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Gratin: Replace potatoes with thinly sliced cauliflower. Maintain the same creamy sauce and cheese layers for a keto-friendly alternative.
• Greek-Inspired Potato Bake: Add crumbled feta cheese, sprinkle dried oregano, and use olive oil instead of butter. Incorporate roasted garlic for Mediterranean flavors.

Pairing Picks For Cheesy Garlic Scalloped Potatoes

• Elevate Cheese Potato Harmony: Perfect Pairings
• Savor Robust Red Wine Complement: A bold Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah perfectly cuts through the rich, creamy potato layers, balancing the dish's decadent cheese and creating a luxurious dining experience.
• Match Crisp Green Salad Partner: Prepare a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette, adding tangy brightness that contrasts the potato gratin's heavy creaminess and cleanses the palate between bites.
• Serve Herbed Roasted Protein Side: Select a simple roasted chicken or herb-crusted pork tenderloin that complements the potato's richness without competing, providing a lean protein balance to the cheesy, creamy dish.

How To Keep Cheesy Garlic Scalloped Potatoes Good

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture loss and maintain flavor.
• Transfer cooled potatoes to a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 2 months without compromising texture or taste.
• Preheat oven to 350°F, place potatoes in a baking dish, cover with foil to prevent drying, and warm for 20-25 minutes. Uncover for the last 5 minutes to restore crispy top.
• Place portion in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture.

Cheesy Garlic Scalloped Potatoes FAQ Section

• What makes the cream mixture special in this recipe?

The cream mixture combines heavy cream, whole milk, garlic, salt, pepper, and nutmeg, creating a rich, flavorful base that infuses the potatoes with depth and creaminess while enhancing overall taste.

• How do the layering techniques impact the final dish?

The overlapping, shingled potato arrangement and strategic layering with cream and cheese ensure even cooking, consistent flavor distribution, and a perfectly textured potato gratin with crispy edges and creamy interior.

• Why is using a mandoline or sharp knife important for slicing potatoes?

Uniform 1/8-inch potato slices guarantee consistent cooking, allowing each potato slice to absorb the cream mixture evenly and preventing some pieces from being undercooked or overcooked.

Why Cheesy Garlic Scalloped Potatoes Stand Out

• Conquer Complexity with Ease: This recipe transforms seemingly intricate potato layers into a straightforward cooking adventure that looks impressive but requires minimal culinary expertise.
• Customize Your Comfort: Adaptable ingredients like cheese varieties and optional herbs let home cooks personalize the dish to match family preferences or pantry availability.
• Create Crowd-Pleasing Perfection: Guaranteed to impress at potlucks, holiday gatherings, and family dinners with its rich, creamy texture and golden-brown crispy top that appeals to all ages.
• Master One-Dish Wonder: Delivers a complete side dish with minimal cleanup, combining potatoes, cheese, and cream into a single baking dish that goes directly from oven to table.

What You’ll Need For Cheesy Garlic Scalloped Potatoes

• Russet Potatoes: Starchy potatoes that provide a creamy texture and absorb the rich sauce beautifully.

• Heavy Cream, Whole Milk: Create a luxurious, velvety sauce that coats the potatoes with rich, smooth flavor.
• Cheddar Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Add depth of flavor and create a golden, melty cheese crust that enhances the dish's richness.
• Butter: Adds a golden crispness to the top layer and provides additional richness.

• Garlic: Releases an aromatic essence that infuses the cream sauce with deep, savory flavor.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Enhance and balance the overall taste of the potato gratin.
• Nutmeg: Provides a subtle, warm undertone that complements the creamy sauce.
• Chives: Offer a fresh, bright garnish that adds a pop of color and mild onion-like flavor.

• Aluminum Foil: Used to cover the dish during initial baking to prevent excessive browning.

How To Prepare Cheesy Garlic Scalloped Potatoes

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Warm up the oven to a cozy 375°F and lovingly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with a generous layer of grease to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 2: Slice Potatoes with Precision

Thoroughly cleanse potatoes and transform them into delicate, uniform slices about 1/8-inch thick. A mandoline or sharp knife will be your best friend for creating picture-perfect potato layers.

Step 3: Awaken Garlic’s Flavor

Finely chop garlic cloves, releasing their intense aroma and setting the stage for a mouthwatering sauce.

Step 4: Create Magical Cream Mixture

• Heavy cream
• Whole milk
• Minced garlic
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Nutmeg

Blend until the ingredients dance together in perfect harmony.

Step 5: Build First Potato Layer

Arrange half of the potato slices in the baking dish, creating an elegant overlapping pattern that promises even cooking and maximum deliciousness.

Step 6: First Cream Bath

Lovingly pour half of the cream mixture over the potato layer, ensuring every slice gets a luxurious coating.

Step 7: Add Cheesy Goodness

• Cheddar cheese
• Parmesan cheese

Creating a melty, golden foundation of flavor.

Step 8: Repeat Layering Magic

Duplicate the previous steps with remaining potatoes, cream mixture, and cheeses, building a tower of culinary excellence.

Step 9: Butter Finale

Dot the top layer with butter pieces, promising a crispy, golden crown.

Step 10: Initial Baking

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes, protecting the potatoes from harsh browning.

Step 11: Crisp and Golden

Remove the foil and continue baking for 30-35 minutes until potatoes are tender and the top transforms into a beautiful golden masterpiece.

Step 12: Rest and Settle

Allow the dish to rest for 10-15 minutes, letting the sauce set and flavors mingle and intensify.

Step 13: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle freshly chopped chives on top for a burst of color and herbal freshness. Serve piping hot and watch everyone’s eyes light up!

Helpful Tricks For Cheesy Garlic Scalloped Potatoes

• Slice Potatoes Perfectly: Use a mandoline or sharp knife to create uniform 1/8-inch thick potato slices, ensuring even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
• Layer Strategically: Arrange potato slices in a slightly overlapping, shingled pattern to maximize sauce coverage and promote thorough, even cooking.
• Cheese Distribution Matters: Sprinkle cheeses evenly across layers, creating a balanced flavor profile and ensuring every bite is rich and delicious.
• Rest and Settle: Let the potato gratin sit for 10-15 minutes after baking, allowing the sauce to thicken and flavors to meld together for a more cohesive dish.
• Enhance with Fresh Herbs: Garnish with chopped chives just before serving to add a fresh, bright note that cuts through the richness of the creamy potatoes.

Cheesy Garlic Scalloped Potatoes Recipe

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4.5 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 95-100 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Creamy cheesy garlic scalloped potatoes deliver comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen with layers of buttery potato slices and melted cheese. Hearty side dishes like this one connect families around warm dinner tables, inviting memories of home-cooked goodness you’ll savor with each delicious bite.

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Ingredients

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Potatoes and Main Ingredients:

• 4 large russet potatoes
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Seasonings and Aromatics:

• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg

Finishing Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp fresh chives (optional)

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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. Thoroughly wash potatoes and slice them uniformly thin, approximately 1/8-inch thick, using a mandoline or sharp knife for consistent thickness.
3. Mince garlic cloves finely, releasing their aromatic essence and creating a flavorful base for the creamy sauce.
4. Combine heavy cream, whole milk, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and nutmeg in a large mixing bowl, whisking until ingredients are completely integrated.
5. Layer half of the sliced potatoes in the prepared baking dish, creating an overlapping, slightly shingled arrangement for even cooking.
6. Pour half of the cream mixture over the first potato layer, ensuring thorough coverage and allowing liquid to seep between potato slices.
7. Sprinkle one cup of cheddar cheese and half of the parmesan cheese evenly across the first potato layer, creating a melty, flavorful foundation.
8. Repeat layering process with remaining potatoes, cream mixture, cheddar, and parmesan cheese, building a rich and decadent potato gratin.
9. Dot the top layer with butter pieces, which will help create a golden, crispy surface during baking.
10. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes, protecting the potatoes from excessive browning.
11. Remove foil and continue baking for an additional 30-35 minutes until potatoes are tender, edges are crispy, and top is beautifully golden brown.
12. Allow the scalloped potatoes to rest for 10-15 minutes, enabling the sauce to set and flavors to meld together.
13. Garnish with freshly chopped chives for a bright, herbal finish before serving hot.

Notes

• Slice potatoes evenly to ensure uniform cooking and prevent undercooked or overcooked sections.
• Use a mandoline or sharp knife for consistent 1/8-inch thick potato slices, guaranteeing perfect texture throughout the dish.
• Adjust cream mixture consistency by adding more milk if you prefer a lighter sauce or reducing liquid for a thicker, richer version.
• Experiment with cheese varieties like Gruyère or fontina for different flavor profiles and exciting taste variations.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 75-80 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 680 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg