Discover the best scalloped potatoes recipe—easy, creamy, and perfectly cheesy for a delicious side dish everyone will love. This classic comfort food combines tender, thinly sliced potatoes with a rich, velvety cheese sauce that bakes into a golden bubbly masterpiece. Every bite melts in your mouth, making it an unbeatable accompaniment for any holiday feast, family dinner, or cozy night at home.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple ingredients: Uses pantry staples that are easy to find and combine beautifully for maximum flavor.
Rich and creamy texture: Achieves a luscious consistency without being overly heavy or greasy.
Perfectly cheesy: Balances sharp and mild cheeses that compliment the potatoes wonderfully.
Customizable flavors: Easily adapted with herbs, spices, or extra ingredients to suit your palate.
Great for any occasion: Elegant enough for special dinners yet simple enough for weeknight meals.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe calls for a few basic ingredients, each playing an essential role in creating the smooth, flavorful dish you’ll love. The potatoes provide the hearty base, while the cheese and cream elevate the taste and richness.

Potatoes: Choose Yukon Gold or Russets for their creaminess and ability to hold shape when baked.
Butter: Adds depth and richness to the sauce while helping create a perfect golden crust.
All-purpose flour: Thickens the cheese sauce to the perfect consistency without lumps.
Milk and heavy cream: The combination makes the sauce luxuriously smooth and creamy.
Cheese blend: Sharp cheddar with mozzarella or Gruyere offers a perfect mix of melt and flavor.
Garlic and onion powder: Infuse the sauce with subtle savory notes that enhance every bite.
Salt and pepper: Essential seasonings to bring out all the natural flavors beautifully.

Variations for Best Scalloped Potatoes

One of the best parts about the best scalloped potatoes recipe is how easy it is to tweak based on what you have or prefer. Feel free to experiment and make it your own!

Herb boost: Add fresh thyme or rosemary to the sauce for an aromatic twist.
Bacon bits: Stir crispy bacon pieces into the layers for smoky crunch and extra savoriness.
Vegetarian swap: Use vegetable broth instead of cream for a lighter, vegetarian-friendly alternative.
Spicy kick: Mix in a pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika for subtle heat and depth.
Dairy-free: Substitute plant-based milk and vegan cheese to enjoy this dish without dairy.

How to Make Best Scalloped Potatoes

Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes

Start by washing and peeling your potatoes. Slice them evenly into about 1/8 inch thick rounds to ensure even cooking and tender texture throughout the bake.

Step 2: Make the Cheese Sauce

In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour to create a roux, then slowly add milk and heavy cream while stirring constantly until the mixture thickens. Stir in shredded cheese, garlic, onion powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.

Step 3: Assemble in a Baking Dish

Layer half of the sliced potatoes in a greased baking dish. Pour half of the cheese sauce over the potatoes. Add the remaining potatoes in a second layer, then cover with the rest of the cheese sauce.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Cover the dish with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 45 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes until the top is golden brown and bubbly. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

Pro Tips for Making Best Scalloped Potatoes

Uniform slices: Use a mandoline slicer for consistent potato thickness to avoid uneven cooking.
Layer carefully: Arrange potatoes slightly overlapping to hold the sauce and create creamy pockets.
Rest before serving: Letting the dish cool for 10–15 minutes helps it set and makes serving easier.
Use sharp cheddar: It melts well but brings flavor balance compared to mild cheeses.
Don’t skip the roux: Properly cooking the butter and flour makes the sauce silky without lumps.

How to Serve Best Scalloped Potatoes

Garnishes

Adding fresh herbs like chopped parsley, chives, or thyme on top immediately before serving adds a bright, fresh contrast to the creamy dish and visually elevates the presentation.

Side Dishes

Best scalloped potatoes pair beautifully with protein-rich options like roasted chicken, grilled steak, glazed ham, or even a hearty vegetable roast for a well-rounded meal.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve in mini ramekins for individual portions during Thanksgiving or potlucks, or layer it in a casserole dish topped with extra cheese or breadcrumbs for a crispy finish everyone will rave about.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Place leftover scalloped potatoes in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3–4 days. The flavors deepen after sitting overnight, making leftovers almost better than fresh.

Freezing

Freeze cooked scalloped potatoes in a freezer-safe dish for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating to preserve texture and flavor.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers covered in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes or until warmed through. Avoid microwaving to maintain creamy texture and avoid drying out the dish.

FAQs

Can I use other types of potatoes for best scalloped potatoes?

Yes! Yukon Gold and Russet potatoes are ideal for their texture and creaminess, but you can also try red potatoes or fingerlings for a slightly different bite.

Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free?

Absolutely. Substitute dairy milk and cream with unsweetened almond or oat milk and use vegan cheese to keep the creaminess and flavor without dairy.

How thin should I slice the potatoes?

Slice the potatoes about 1/8 inch thick for the best texture and cooking time; too thick slices may stay firm, while too thin might turn mushy.

Can I prepare this dish the day before?

Yes, you can assemble the dish a day ahead and keep it refrigerated. Bring it to room temperature before baking to ensure even cooking.

What’s the best cheese for the sauce?

A combination of sharp cheddar and Gruyere or mozzarella works well for meltability and flavor, but feel free to use your favorite melting cheese blend.

Final Thoughts

Once you try this Best Scalloped Potatoes recipe, it will quickly become a staple in your kitchen. The creamy, cheesy layers with tender potatoes are simply irresistible. Give it a go for your next gathering or cozy meal night—you’re going to love how effortlessly delicious it turns out!

Best Scalloped Potatoes

Print Recipe

Creamy, cheesy, and perfectly tender scalloped potatoes made with simple pantry staples and a luscious cheese sauce. This classic comfort side dish is ideal for holiday feasts, family dinners, or cozy nights, featuring a golden bubbly top and customizable flavors to suit any palate.

Author: Mary
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Category: Appetizers
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Contains Gluten and Dairy (can be adapted to dairy-free)

Ingredients

Scale

Potatoes

3 pounds Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes, peeled and sliced 1/8 inch thick

Sauce

4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
1 cup heavy cream
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella or Gruyere cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Prepare the Potatoes: Start by washing and peeling your potatoes. Slice them evenly into about 1/8 inch thick rounds to ensure even cooking and tender texture throughout the bake.
Make the Cheese Sauce: In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the all-purpose flour to create a roux, cooking for about 1-2 minutes. Slowly add the milk and heavy cream while stirring constantly until the mixture thickens. Stir in shredded sharp cheddar, mozzarella or Gruyere cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
Assemble in a Baking Dish: Grease a baking dish and layer half of the sliced potatoes evenly in the bottom. Pour half of the cheese sauce over the potatoes. Add the remaining potato slices in a second layer and cover with the rest of the cheese sauce.
Bake to Perfection: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 45 minutes. Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly. Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving to allow it to set.

Notes

Use a mandoline slicer for uniform potato slices to ensure even cooking.
Arrange potatoes slightly overlapping to hold sauce and create creamy pockets.
Let the dish rest 10–15 minutes before serving to help it set and make serving easier.
Choose sharp cheddar for optimal meltability and balanced flavor.
Do not skip making the roux with butter and flour to avoid lumps and achieve a silky sauce.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe
Calories: 350
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 480mg
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 13g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 28g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 10g
Cholesterol: 60mg

Keywords: scalloped potatoes, creamy potatoes, cheesy potatoes, comfort food, side dish, baked potatoes, holiday side, easy potato recipe