Cozy Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Recipe: A Dreamy Comfort Dish

Creamy scalloped potatoes dance with unexpected flavors that will make you smile.

Layers of thinly sliced potatoes nestle between rich, velvety cheese sauce.

Sharp cheddar and subtle herbs create a mouthwatering combination that breaks traditional recipe boundaries.

Comfort food gets a delightful upgrade with this innovative approach.

Each forkful promises a delectable journey through textures and tastes.

Cheese lovers and potato enthusiasts will find themselves captivated by this irresistible dish.

Your next weekend meal just became something to seriously anticipate.

Why These Scalloped Potatoes Steal the Show

• Crush Comfort Food Cravings: Dive into a decadent potato dish that wraps you in warmth and cheesy goodness, perfect for satisfying deep hunger pangs.
• Master Simple Gourmet Cooking: Create a restaurant-quality side dish with basic kitchen skills, impressing family and friends without needing professional chef training.
• Customize Your Culinary Experience: Swap cheeses or herbs to match your taste preferences, making this recipe flexible for different flavor profiles and dietary needs.
• Crowd-Pleasing Party Favorite: Serve this show-stopping potato casserole at potlucks, holiday gatherings, or family dinners where everyone craves a hearty, delicious side dish.

What’s in Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

• Potatoes: Starchy vegetables that form the hearty base of this comforting dish.
• Heavy Cream: Creates a rich and luxurious sauce that coats the potatoes perfectly.
• Cheese: Provides a melty, golden topping that adds incredible flavor and texture.

• Fresh Thyme, Salt, Pepper: Classic herbs and spices that enhance the overall taste profile of the dish.
• Garlic: Adds a deep, aromatic flavor that complements the creamy potato base.

• Butter: Used for greasing the baking dish and creating a flavorful base for the sauce.
• Aluminum Foil: Helps to control the cooking process and prevent excessive browning.

How to Make Scalloped Potatoes That Melt in Your Mouth

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to a toasty 375°F. Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and give it a quick butter massage to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 2: Create Flavor Base

Drop butter into a saucepan and let it melt over medium heat. Toss in minced garlic and dance it around until your kitchen smells amazing and the garlic becomes fragrant.

Step 3: Build Creamy Sauce

• Heavy cream
• Fresh thyme leaves
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir the mixture gently and let it simmer, creating a luxurious sauce that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Step 4: Layer Potato Magic

Slice potatoes super thin.

Arrange them in the buttered baking dish, slightly overlapping like delicate potato shingles.

Step 5: Build Delicious Layers

• Pouring cream sauce over potato layers
• Sprinkling a mix of cheeses
• Repeating the layering process

Finish with a glorious cheese crown on top.

Step 6: Bake with Foil Cover

Wrap the dish in aluminum foil and slide it into the oven. Bake for 40 minutes, letting the potatoes get tender and absorb all those incredible flavors.

Step 7: Final Golden Touch

Remove the foil and return the dish to the oven. Bake for another 20 minutes until the top turns golden brown and the cheese bubbles with pure deliciousness.

Step 8: Rest and Serve

Let the dish rest for a few minutes after removing from the oven. This helps the layers set and makes serving easier.

Scoop out generous portions and watch everyone’s eyes light up!

Tips for Perfectly Creamy Scalloped Potatoes

• Choose waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold for the best creamy texture and even cooking.
• Let the dish rest for 10-15 minutes after baking to help the sauce set and make slicing easier.
• Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk for a lighter version if desired.
• Add crispy bacon bits or sautéed mushrooms between layers for extra flavor and depth.
• Prepare the dish ahead of time and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve for maximum convenience.

Fun Additions to Try in Your Scalloped Potatoes

• Herb-Infused Potato Gratin: Replace thyme with a blend of rosemary, sage, and parsley for an aromatic herb-packed version.
• Bacon and Cheddar Potato Bake: Sprinkle crispy bacon bits between layers and use sharp cheddar as the primary cheese for a smoky, rich flavor.
• Spicy Jalapeño Scalloped Potatoes: Add diced jalapeños and pepper jack cheese to give the dish a zesty, spicy kick.
• Mediterranean-Style Potato Casserole: Incorporate crumbled feta cheese, sliced kalamata olives, and dried oregano for a Greek-inspired variation.

What to Serve with Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

• Elevate Protein Pairings: Serve with roasted herb-crusted chicken or tender slow-cooked beef roast to complement the creamy potato dish's rich flavors.
• Wine Harmony: Select crisp white wines like Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc that cut through the dish's richness and provide a refreshing contrast.
• Vegetable Balance: Add roasted green vegetables like asparagus or brussels sprouts to introduce a fresh, slightly charred element that brightens the creamy potato layers.
• Rustic Side Companion: Pair with a light mixed green salad dressed in a tangy vinaigrette to provide a zesty counterpoint to the potatoes' creamy, cheesy texture.

How to Keep Your Scalloped Potatoes Fresh

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container, covering tightly with plastic wrap or lid. Keep refrigerated for up to 4 days, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor preservation.
• Freezing: Wrap the cooled scalloped potatoes securely in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months, maintaining optimal taste and texture.
• Reheating Oven Method: Preheat oven to 350°F, cover the dish with foil to prevent drying, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Remove foil for the last 5 minutes to crisp the top.

Scalloped Potato FAQs You’ll Love

• Why use multiple types of cheese?

Different cheeses like cheddar and gruyère provide complex flavor layers and richer, more dynamic taste profile with varying melting points and textures.

• How thin should potato slices be?

Slice potatoes about 1/8 inch thick using a mandoline or sharp knife to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.

• Can I substitute heavy cream?

While heavy cream creates the richest result, you can use half-and-half or whole milk, though the sauce will be slightly less creamy and decadent.

• What's the best way to prevent potatoes from sticking?

Generously grease the baking dish with butter and ensure each potato layer is evenly coated with the cream mixture to prevent sticking and promote easy serving.

Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes with a Creamy Twist Recipe

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4.7 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Creamy scalloped potatoes deliver pure comfort with layers of sliced potatoes, rich cheese, and silky sauce. Delightful harmony of flavors promises a hearty side dish that brings warmth and satisfaction to your dinner table.

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Ingredients

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Cheeses:

• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup grated Gruyère cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Dairy and Cream:

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Herbs and Seasonings:

• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter, ensuring complete coverage.
2. Create a flavor base by melting butter in a saucepan over medium heat, then infuse with minced garlic until aromatic.
3. Develop a luxurious cream sauce by combining heavy cream, fresh thyme, salt, and pepper, gently simmering to meld flavors.
4. Expertly arrange potato slices in the prepared dish, creating overlapping layers that ensure even cooking and maximum flavor absorption.
5. Drizzle the herbed cream sauce generously over the initial potato layer, then sprinkle a harmonious blend of cheeses to create depth of flavor.
6. Continue building layers of potatoes, cream, and cheese, alternating methodically until all ingredients are incorporated, ensuring the top layer is lavishly covered with cheese.
7. Shield the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes, allowing potatoes to steam and soften.
8. Uncover the dish and return to the oven for an additional 20 minutes, creating a golden, crispy cheese crust and ensuring potatoes are perfectly tender.

Notes

• Slice potatoes uniformly using a mandoline for consistent cooking and elegant presentation.
• Rinse potato slices in cold water to remove excess starch, ensuring a creamier and less gummy texture.
• Experiment with different cheese combinations like Gruyère, Parmesan, or sharp cheddar for unique flavor profiles.
• Make this dish vegetarian-friendly by using plant-based butter and dairy-free cream alternatives without compromising rich taste.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Dinner, Side Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 485
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 37 g
• Saturated Fat: 23 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg