When you want a rich, hearty side dish but don’t want to work too hard for it, homemade scalloped potatoes can satisfy your cravings. The stunning, golden, crispy top makes it all worthwhile.
Now and again there comes a day where all I want is a rich and creamy dish like my baked mac and cheese or these homemade scalloped potatoes. Digging into a cheesy dish like this one is my idea of heaven. And the best part is that they’re a real crowd pleaser, so if I make a little extra, I get to share the joy that is this recipe.
Don’t be fooled. You absolutely do not need to be a master chef to make these gorgeous scalloped potatoes. They might look like they take some serious skill, but this dish comes together so easily. All you need is a handful of ingredients and 90 minutes to spare.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- This cheesy scalloped potato is my favorite potato recipe and it’s much simpler to make than you’d think.
- What could be better than thinly layered potato slices baked until tender in a rich, creamy cheese sauce?
- You only need a few simple Ingredients to make this delicious dish.
- Serve these scalloped potatoes on Easter, Christmas, or Thanksgiving to impress your family!
Ingredients
Time to utilize your pantry! All of these ingredients should be easy to find, and most you probably already have on hand.
- 1 cup potatoes, thinly sliced
- ½ tsp paprika powder
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup milk
- ¼ cup cream
How to Make Homemade Scalloped Potatoes – The Steps
Step 1: Wash and peel the potatoes. Slice them thinly and dry them completely. Set aside.
Step 2: In a bowl combine paprika powder, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, and season the potato slices with this mixture.
Step 3: Preheat the oven to 400° F and grease a casserole dish.
Step 4: In a medium pan melt the butter and whisk in the flour until completely combined.
Step 5: Whisk in the warmed cream and milk and boil for 1 minute. Add most of the cheddar cheese, reserving a little bit for later. Stir, and remove from the heat. Set aside.
Step 6: Add one layer of the seasoned potato slices to the casserole then cover it with the cheese sauce.
Step 7: Add another layer of potato slices and cover one more time with the cheese sauce.
Step 8: Top with remaining cheddar cheese. Bake covered in the oven for 30 minutes then remove the cover and bake for another 30 minutes until the cheese is melted and the potatoes are tender.
Step 7: Remove the casserole from the oven and cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Variations
If you think about it, this homemade scalloped potato recipe is actually pretty basic. You can give this recipe your own flourish by adding any ingredients you like. Here’s a few ideas:
- Garlic: Add a little garlic to your cheese sauce for an extra burst of flavor.
- Bacon: What’s cheese’s best friend? Bacon, of course. Cut some bacon into small pieces and fry it up, then sprinkle it over the top of your scalloped potatoes for a salty, meaty bonus.
- Sweet potatoes: Substitute the regular potatoes for their sweeter, healthier cousin, the sweet potato.
- Herbs: I would recommend adding a little bit of thyme, rosemary, or parsley to your cheese sauce if you really want to give your taste buds something to talk about.
- Make it vegan: Yes, this recipe is full of dairy. And yes, you can absolultely substitute any of these ingredients for your favorite plant-based alternatives.
Serving Suggestions
These homemade scalloped potatoes are only as good as the dish you serve them alongside. I like to make this recipe as a side dish for dinner, then make a protein like pork loin or braised beef ribs. For a healthier main, you can serve these potatoes with turkey meatballs or have a meat-free Monday and serve a simple salad alongside.
FAQs
Absolutely, feel free to experiment here. You can any cheese that melts. I like Monterey Jack cheese or a combination of mozzarella and Parmesan.
These two dishes are very similar. However, in a recipe for potato au gratin, we use grated cheese in between the layers and also top it with breadcrumbs. If you want a little more cheese and crunch, give it a go!
Make sure your potatoes are thin enough. Slice them on a mandolin to get uniform slices and be sure to dry them well enough before layering them in the casserole dish.
How to Store Homemade Scalloped Potatoes
If you’re planning on eating your leftovers within the next 3 days, you can keep them wrapped tightly in the refrigerator – just be sure the potatoes have cooled completely. If you want them to last even longer, they will keep well in the freezer for 3 months.
When it comes to reheating your scalloped potatoes, defrost the in the fridge overnight and then stick them back in the oven at 375° for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. Alternatively, you can stick them in the microwave for a couple of minutes.
Homemade Scalloped Potatoes
Ingredients
- 1 cup potatoes thinly sliced
- ½ tsp paprika powder
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup milk
- ¼ cup cream
Instructions
- Wash and peel the potatoes. Slice them thinly and dry them completely. Set aside.
- In a bowl combine paprika powder, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, and season the potato slices with this mixture.
- Preheat the oven to 400° F and grease a casserole dish.
- In a medium pan melt the butter and whisk in the flour until completely combined.
- Whisk in the warmed cream and milk and boil for 1 minute. Add most of the cheddar cheese, reserving some for the topping. Stir and remove from the heat. Set aside.
- Add one layer of the seasoned potato slices to the casserole then cover it with the cheese sauce. Add another layer of potato slices and cover one more time with the cheese sauce.
- Bake covered in the oven for 30 minutes then remove the cover and bake for another 30 minutes until the cheese is melted and the potatoes are tender.
- Remove the casserole from the oven and cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
Looks wonderful but in my family, these are au gratins! My scalloped have no cheese! Just white sauce. Not a problem tho. I make this and mine both.
Still Missing NJ breads and hardrolls!
Hey Linda! Looks like you’ve got a delicious au gratin potato recipe going on! For a traditional scalloped potato dish without cheese, simply skip the cheddar and adjust the sauce by using more milk or cream. It’s great that you can enjoy both versions! And I feel you – there’s nothing quite like those NJ breads and hard rolls. Happy cooking!
One CUP of potatoes? Even thinly sliced that doesn’t sound like much. Is that correct? Thank you. The recipe sounds yummy.
Hi there! Yes, you’re right – 1 cup of thinly sliced potatoes might not seem like much, but remember, the recipe is for 2 servings. If you desire a larger portion, feel free to double the recipe! It’s a flexible and delicious dish, so go ahead and enjoy it to your tastes. Happy cooking! 😊