Dreamy, Golden Creamy Scalloped Potatoes Recipe for Comfort

Layers of thinly sliced potatoes bathed in a rich, creamy scalloped potatoes sauce create a decadent side dish that melts in your mouth.

Cheese and tender potato slices form a comforting harmony of flavors that dance across your palate.

Each bite promises a silky, golden-edged experience with perfectly cooked potatoes nestled in a velvety cream base.

The aroma of baked potatoes and melted cheese fills the kitchen, signaling a meal worth savoring.

Hearty and indulgent, this classic recipe transforms simple ingredients into a crowd-pleasing masterpiece.

Warm, bubbling, and irresistibly delicious, these scalloped potatoes will steal the spotlight at any dinner table.

Prepare to be transported to a world of pure culinary comfort with every forkful.

How to Bake Scalloped Potatoes to Golden Perfection

• Fire Up The Oven

Blast your oven to a toasty 375°F and give your baking dish a quick butter massage.

• Whip Up The Dreamy Sauce

Melt butter in a pan, dance some garlic around until it becomes fragrant, then sprinkle flour and create a silky base. Pour in milk and cream, whisking like a pro. Season with salt, pepper, and a hint of nutmeg. Stir until the sauce transforms into a luxurious, creamy dream. Fold in some cheese until it melts into pure magic.

• Layer Your Potato Masterpiece

Create a delicious landscape of potato slices, drizzling each layer with your heavenly sauce. Shower generously with Parmesan and cheddar, building flavor mountains.

• Bake To Golden Perfection

Shield your creation with foil for the first 45 minutes, then unveil and let it bronze for another 25 minutes. Watch as it bubbles and turns into a golden-crusted wonder.

• Rest And Serve

Allow your masterpiece to settle for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with fresh parsley if you’re feeling fancy, then dive into creamy, cheesy potato heaven.

Creative Spins on Traditional Scalloped Potatoes

• Prep the entire dish up to a day in advance and refrigerate. Simply add an extra 10-15 minutes to baking time when cooking directly from the cold refrigerator.
• Choose starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold for the creamiest, most tender results. Slice them uniformly (about 1/8 inch thick) to ensure even cooking throughout the dish.
• Swap dairy milk with unsweetened almond or oat milk. Replace cheese with nutritional yeast or dairy-free cheese alternatives for a plant-based version that still delivers incredible flavor.
• Experiment with fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or chives mixed into the cream sauce. These aromatic additions elevate the classic recipe and bring surprising depth to every bite.
• Replace potatoes with thinly sliced cauliflower or turnips for a lower-carbohydrate option that maintains the creamy, cheesy essence of the original scalloped potato experience.

Serving Scalloped Potatoes to Impress Guests

• Protein Pairing Paradise: Complement the creamy potatoes with roasted chicken, grilled steak, or baked ham for a hearty and satisfying meal that balances the rich, cheesy side dish.
• Veggie Harmony Haven: Add a fresh green salad or steamed asparagus on the side to cut through the richness and provide a crisp, nutritious contrast to the indulgent scalloped potatoes.
• Wine and Dine Delight: Pair with a crisp Chardonnay or a medium-bodied Pinot Noir to enhance the creamy texture and cheesy flavors, creating a restaurant-worthy dining experience at home.
• Brunch Brilliance Boost: Transform this dish into a weekend brunch star by topping with a poached egg or serving alongside crispy bacon for a decadent morning meal that will impress family and friends.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 4

What You’ll Need for Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

• Potatoes: Creamy white potatoes work best, choose firm ones without green spots or sprouts for even cooking and smooth texture.
• Milk: Whole milk provides rich depth and helps create silky sauce consistency.
• Heavy Cream: Adds luxurious richness and helps thicken the sauce for indulgent results.

• Garlic: Fresh minced garlic brings aromatic warmth and depth to the dish, select plump and firm cloves.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile, use fine sea salt for even seasoning.
• Black Pepper: Freshly ground provides vibrant, sharp undertones that complement creamy potatoes.
• Nutmeg: Optional but adds sophisticated complexity to cream sauce, use sparingly.

• Cheddar Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Sharp cheddar offers tangy richness while Parmesan provides nutty, aged complexity, select high-quality block cheeses and grate fresh for best melting.

Tools That Make Scalloped Potatoes Easier

• Sharp Knife: Essential for thinly and evenly slicing potatoes.
• Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for potato preparation.
• Mandoline Slicer (optional): Helps create uniform potato slices quickly.
• Medium Saucepan: Perfect for making the creamy cheese sauce.
• Whisk: Crucial for creating smooth, lump-free sauce.
• 9×13-inch Baking Dish: Ideal size for layering potatoes and sauce.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
• Aluminum Foil: Used to cover dish during initial baking.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Helps stir sauce and spread ingredients.

How to Store and Reheat Scalloped Potatoes Smoothly

• Refrigerate leftover scalloped potatoes in an airtight container for up to 4 days, maintaining delicious flavor and texture.
• Wrap tightly in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil, storing frozen dishes for 2-3 months without compromising taste quality.
• Warm individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or restore original crispy top by baking in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, covering with foil to prevent excessive browning.
• Prepare the entire recipe in advance, keeping unbaked dish covered in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking, which allows flavors to meld and simplifies dinner preparation.

Creamy Scalloped Potatoes Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Creamy, cheesy scalloped potatoes offer pure comfort on cold nights. Layers of thinly sliced potatoes baked with rich cream and sharp cheddar cheese create a luxurious side dish you cannot resist.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3 lbs Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional, for extra flavor)
• ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preparation: Warm the oven to 375°F (190°C) and generously coat a 9×13-inch baking vessel with butter or cooking spray.
2. Sauce Creation: In a saucepan, melt butter and sauté garlic until aromatic. Introduce flour to build a smooth roux, whisking continuously. Gradually pour milk and cream, eliminating potential lumps. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Simmer until sauce reaches a silky consistency, then fold in cheddar cheese until fully incorporated.
3. Layering Technique: Construct alternating layers of potato slices and cream sauce, ensuring even distribution. Dust each stratum with Parmesan cheese. Crown the final layer with remaining cheddar, creating a tempting golden surface.
4. Baking Process: Shield the dish with aluminum foil and roast for 45 minutes. Uncover and continue baking until potatoes become tender and the surface transforms into a crisp, bronzed landscape with bubbling edges, approximately 20-25 minutes.
5. Serving Presentation: Allow the dish to rest and settle for 10 minutes. Optional: Sprinkle fresh parsley for a vibrant finishing touch. Serve while warm, revealing layers of creamy, cheesy potato perfection.

Notes

• Cut potatoes to equal thickness (about 1/8 inch) for consistent cooking and texture, ensuring every layer cooks evenly and looks professionally prepared.
• Whisk milk and cream gradually into roux while stirring constantly to create smooth, lump-free sauce that holds together without breaking or becoming grainy.
• Pat potato slices dry with paper towels before layering to remove excess moisture, helping sauce adhere better and preventing watery final dish.
• Select starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold which absorb cream beautifully and provide creamy, tender texture without falling apart during baking.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Side Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 35 mg