If you don’t want ooey gooey cheese covering every single nook and cranny of your scalloped potatoes then look away. These Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes are perfection! If you happen to want an easy Crock-Pot Scalloped Potato, I’ve got ya covered. You may also love my Potatoes Au Gratin with Smoked Sausage.
Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
For this recipe, I take a cream sauce and smother it over thick-cut potato rounds. I like to use a mandolin so that our potato slices come out the same every time. This is seriously the most amazing cheesy scalloped potato recipe that I have ever had.
Scalloped Potatoes vs. Au Gratin Potatoes
Why is there so much confusion about scalloped potatoes versus Au Gratin Potatoes? Well, they are very similar. So, we are calling our dish cheesy scalloped potatoes, and let me explain why we can do that. We are basically combining the best parts of both dishes.
A traditional scalloped potato dish consists of sliced potatoes layered in a casserole dish and baked with heavy cream and lots of herbs. A traditional Au Gratin Potato dish, on the other hand, has grated cheese sprinkled between the layers, resulting in a cheesy, more decadent dish. In both dishes, the potatoes are cut into rounds, but the potatoes used in scalloped potatoes are often cut a bit thicker than those in au gratin potatoes.
What Potatoes are Best for Scalloped Potatoes?
When choosing a potato for scalloped potatoes, I recommend a Russet potato (like I used for this recipe) or Yukon Gold potatoes. These two kinds of potatoes are starchy enough to help thicken the sauce and they will also turn out soft and tender. If you choose a more waxy potato, they may not soften up. Also, slice the potatoes as evenly as you can (which is why I recommended a mandoline earlier). Keep the thickness from 1/8 of an inch to 1/4 of an inch to ensure the potatoes are cooked evenly.
Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes and Ham
So many people have asked if this could be combined with Ham. Without a doubt. This would be amazing with the addition of ham! I would maybe cube it and put it in between the rows of potatoes. Really, all you need to do is add it to the ingredients list, it will incorporate with the rest of the recipe just fine. That would take this from a side dish to a knock out the main course!
No matter which way you decide to prepare this cheesy scalloped potatoes dish, you will not be disappointed! Neither will anyone at your dinner table. Seriously? What is there not to love!?
I love to pair this with other holiday favorites like the worlds WORST stuffing, roasted carrots, creamy mashed potatoes and herb butter roasted turkey!
More Side Dishes
Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
Ingredients
- 4 russet potatoes, peeled and sliced into ¼-inch slices (about 2 pounds)
- 1 yellow onion, sliced into rings
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 cups whole milk, room temperature
- 1 ½ cups mild cheddar cheese, shredded
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly spray an 8×8-inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Arrange the potatoes and onions in the prepared baking dish, staggering potato and then onion.
- In a medium-size saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Mix in the flour and salt, and stir constantly with a whisk for one minute. Stir in milk. Cook until mixture has thickened.
- Stir in cheese all at once, and continue stirring until melted and smooth, about 30-60 seconds.
- Pour the cheese sauce over the potatoes, and cover the dish with aluminum foil.
- Bake for 85-90 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
- For a crisp topping, change the oven setting to broil after the potatoes are baked. Broil until golden brown.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.
Did you make this recipe?
Thank you for making my recipe! You took pictures, right? Well go ahead and post them on Instagram! Be sure to mention me @iambaker and use the hashtag #YouAreBaker.
You save my marriage! (OK… Not really, but this is a great recipe.) My wife enjoys scalloped potatoes, but growing up, I did not. Nevertheless, I tried making them throughout the years but they never turned out well, usually not cooked thoroughly and the flavour was also bland. But after finding your recipe, I can now say my wife is happily married again, and I actually enjoy scalloped potatoes now! Great thanks to you and here’s to many good years of marriage. And scalloped potatoes!
i made it and used smoked salt. Was amazing. And topped with smoked pepper when cooked it as well
Can you prepare ahead of time? Thank you!
I’m wondering the same thing?? How far ahead of time that I can prepare it? I’d love to have the kitchen cleaned up before company arrives.
Going to make this recipe x2 for my Easter dinner right now !
Did you use four pounds of potatoes to double the recipe?
Me too!
I am also making this for Easter!!!
I’m doing the same thing today!!! Hope yours turned out wonderful!!!
Very easy and the BEST cheesy scalloped potatoes EVER!
Keeping this recipe.
Making it right now too!! I left the skins on so I hope it doesn’t change the outcome.
Yes, I also would like to know if there is anything I can do to prepare this ahead of time and still have it come out perfect and fresh. Can I make the cheese sauce ahead of time or cook the whole thing partially then throw on more fresh sauce and cook the rest of the way?
Can this be made the night before?
Its still in the oven but I tasted the cheese sauce and I think its going to be amazing. However, it took considerably longer than 15 minutes to prepare. It was about two hours. Granted, I doubled the recipe by half but peeling and cutting potatoes and onions alone took close to 15 minutes.
Try using a mandolin next time… way faster for the slicing (and if you use Yukon gold/new white potatoes you can skip peeling!)
I’m in charge of the Easter dinner scalloped potatoes to star next to the yummy ham my Mom will be making….. just a tad bit of pressure. lol 😁
Wish me luck and even baking time! 🤞🏻
I was never a fan of scalloped potatoes and my Mom made them a lot. A white sauce just sort of seems…bland. Adding cheese is a game changer! To save myself prep and cooking time, I peeled, sliced and boiled the potatoes. Once cooked, I used a slotted spoon to transfer them onto a cookie sheet to cool. I made the cheese sauce and added a dash of paprika, nutmeg, and mustard powder. Amazing! I assembled the dish and put extra grated cheddar on top. Baked for about 20 minutes until cheese melted and then placed under the broiler for a minute to brown the top. Wonderful recipe!