Delicious Creamy Scalloped Potatoes Recipe for Comfort Food Recipe
This delicious creamy scalloped potatoes recipe is a comforting classic perfect for family dinners or special occasions. Tender slices of starchy potatoes baked in a rich mixture of cream, sautéed onions, garlic, and sharp cheddar cheese create a creamy, cheesy, and flavorful side dish that everyone will love.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes
- 4–5 medium starchy potatoes (russets or Yukon Golds)
Cream Mixture
- 2 cups heavy cream (or half-and-half, whole milk, coconut milk, or almond milk)
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Fresh thyme or rosemary (or other herbs like parsley or sage)
Cheese and Aromatics
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese (or Gruyère or mozzarella)
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced (or garlic powder)
Other
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the scalloped potatoes.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray to prevent the potatoes from sticking during baking.
- Slice Potatoes: Wash and peel the potatoes, then slice them thinly to about 1/8 inch thick for even cooking and layering.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: In a skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook until they become soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Prepare Cream Sauce: In a saucepan, combine the heavy cream, salt, pepper, and your choice of fresh herbs. Heat over medium-low heat until warm but do not let it boil. Stir in the sautéed onions and garlic to blend the flavors.
- Assemble Layers: In the greased baking dish, spread half of the sliced potatoes evenly. Pour half of the warm cream sauce over the potatoes, then sprinkle half of the shredded cheese on top. Repeat the layering process with the remaining potatoes, cream sauce, and cheese.
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes to allow the potatoes to cook through and absorb the flavors.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Rest and Serve: Once baked, remove from the oven and let the scalloped potatoes rest for about 10 minutes. This resting time helps to set the dish for easier serving and enhances the flavors.
Notes
- You can substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half, whole milk, coconut milk, or almond milk for a lighter or dairy-free option, but this may affect the creaminess.
- Using starchy potatoes like russets or Yukon Golds ensures the best texture for scalloped potatoes.
- Feel free to experiment with different cheese varieties such as Gruyère or mozzarella for varied flavor profiles.
- If you don’t have fresh herbs, dried herbs like thyme or rosemary work well too.
- Make sure not to boil the cream mixture to prevent curdling or breaking the sauce.
- To save time, you can prepare the dish ahead of time and refrigerate it before baking.
Keywords: scalloped potatoes, creamy potatoes, baked potatoes, comfort food, cheesy potatoes, side dish, Thanksgiving side, holiday recipe
