Best Scalloped Potatoes
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)
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
- 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