Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

These Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes are a gorgeous side dish perfect for Christmas, Thanksgiving, and other special occasions. They are crispy, creamy, and cheesy and pair well with chicken, red meat, and fish. Serve this stunning dish as a side.

You will love these cheesy scalloped potatoes! The potatoes are sliced thinly and layered in a baking dish with a creamy and cheesy sauce. Then they are baked in the oven until golden and bubbly, with a crispy crust on top. Garnish them with some fresh herbs, such as parsley or dill, for a pop of color and flavor.

These cheesy scalloped potatoes pair well with any main course, such as Easy Marry Me Chicken, Salmon Stuffed with Ricotta and Spinach, Simple Beef Brisket Joint , and more. They are ideal for Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, or any other festive occasion where you want to impress your guests with a mouthwatering side dish.

Why This Recipe Works

• These cheesy scalloped potatoes are a delicious and stunning side dish.
• You don't need many ingredients to make it.
• Cheesy scalloped potatoes are easy to customize. Add less or more cheese to suit your preference. You can also add Parmesan,  mushrooms, or broccoli.
• These cheesy scalloped potatoes are budget-friendly and filling, as potatoes are an affordable and widely available staple food that can feed a large crowd.

Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Ingredients

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

• Potatoes: Select baking potatoes for the best results. Cut thinly with a knife or mandolin. You can also use a food processor with a slicing blade to make the process faster and easier.
• Mozzarella: Use shredded mozzarella for ease of mixing. You can also use fresh mozzarella, but make sure to drain it well and pat it dry with paper towels to avoid excess moisture.
• Cheddar: Add shredded cheddar or grate a block of cheese. You can also add red cheese too. You can combine different cheeses, such as gruyere, parmesan, or fontina for a more complex and sharp flavor.
• Half and half/heavy cream: Use full-fat cream for the best results. Low-fat cream may split. You can also substitute half and half with whole milk or evaporated milk to reduce the fat content.
• Milk: Select full-fat to make the creamy sauce. You can also use skimmed or semi-skimmed milk, but the sauce may be less rich and thick.
• Butter: Use unsalted or salted butter to make the roux. If you use salted butter, you may need to adjust the salt you add to the sauce.
• Flour: Use all-purpose flour to make the roux. Don't use self-raising flour because it includes leavening agents. You can also use gluten-free flour if you have a gluten intolerance or allergy.
• Onion powder: this will add a savory flavor to the sauce. You can also add thinly sliced onions instead. To enhance the onion flavor, sauté the onions in butter until soft and golden before adding them to the sauce.
• Garlic powder: Add for additional flavor. You can also use fresh grated garlic cloves instead. For a more intense garlic flavor, roast the garlic cloves in the oven until soft and caramelized, then mash them and add them to the sauce.
• Salt: To taste. For different flavors and textures, you can also use kosher salt, sea salt, or Himalayan pink salt.
• Black pepper: To taste. For different levels of heat and spice, you can also use white pepper, cayenne pepper, or nutmeg.
• Parsley: Or dill can be used to garnish and add color. Other fresh herbs, such as thyme, rosemary, or sage, can also be used for more aroma and flavor.

Tips and Substitutions

• Potato slices: The thinner the potatoes, the faster they cook and the crispier they will be. You can use a knife, a mandolin, or a food processor to slice the potatoes thinly and evenly. You can also soak the potato slices in cold water for about 15 minutes to remove some starch and prevent them from sticking together. You may also enjoy these classic French-inspired Dauphinoise Potatoes with Cheese.
• Arrangement: I arranged these cheesy scalloped potatoes standing up, but you can arrange them flat or in any way you like.
• Cheese: Feel free to add less or more cheese, depending on your preference. You can also use different types of cheese, such as gruyere, parmesan, or fontina, to create a more complex and rich cheese sauce. Add cayenne pepper or mustard powder to the cheese sauce for spice and warmth. You can also sprinkle some cheese between the layers for extra cheesiness.

How to Make Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

1. Heat the oven to 375°F/190°C/gas mark 5. Lightly grease a baking dish with butter and set aside.

2. Wash the potatoes (peel if you like), then cut them into thin slices using a knife or a mandolin.

3. Arrange them in an even layer on the prepared baking dish.

8. Remove the foil and pour the remaining sauce over the potatoes. Bake for another hour or until the potatoes are tender and the top is golden and crispy.

9. Sprinkle chopped parsley over the cheesy scalloped potatoes and serve hot or warm with Baked Salmon with Lemon and Pepper.

Recipe FAQs

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