Scalloped Potatoes

Scalloped Potatoes – A cheesy and creamy dish made with slices of potato. First simmered in a flavorful cream mixture, then baked to perfection with cheeses on top. It’s the perfect side dish for your Thanksgiving spread! Creamy, flavorful, and saucy!

Contents… Easy Scalloped Potatoes Recipe Recipe Ingredients and Substitutes Recipe Variations Tips and Tricks Serving and Storage Instructions FAQs What Goes with Scalloped Potatoes? More Potato Recipes to Try How to Make Scalloped Potatoes Watch How To Make It

Scalloped potatoes are hands down my favorite American comfort food. Especially when I’m feeling the blues and craving something creamy. This dish will give me instant solace and uplift my spirit in no time with its comforting goodness.

Easy Scalloped Potatoes Recipe

I adapted this recipe from the Cooks Illustrated version, and it has become my standard recipe since then. Aside from the usual ingredients like onions, garlic, thyme, cream, and milk, you can also include bacon or ham, if desired. It’s even better if the bacon is as crunchy and crispy as my Oven Baked Bacon.

It’s the milk and heavy cream that certainly makes our scalloped potatoes so rich and creamy. And, of course, the CHEESE! The added ooey-gooey goodness is just beyond compare. 👌

Recipe Ingredients and Substitutes

Our potato recipe here is such convenient food and a cinch to make, too. And the best part is, most of the ingredients are usually found in your fridge or pantry – so no need to rush to the grocery store.

• Bacon – Bacon for the win! Need I say more? I mean, it’s B-A-C-O-N! What’s not to love? 😁 You can also use leftover ham instead. Yum!
• Garlic and Onion – Oh, our scalloped potatoes wouldn’t be as delicious without these two aromatic veggies. Aside from their lovely aroma, their savory flavors are unbeatable as well. Sometimes I go crazy and add more garlic and onion more than what the recipe calls for. Oops!
• Butter – Regular cooking oil works fine, too. I just prefer butter because it adds a luscious buttery flavor to our dish.
• Thyme – Adding herby notes from thyme makes our dish fancier and on par with the one you get at famous restaurants. Don’t have fresh thyme? Dried thyme works, and I’ll share the best thyme substitutes with you here. Furthermore, you can also add basil and oregano to our potato recipe to give it a touch of Italian flair.
• Milk and Heavy or Whipping Cream – The creamier, the better, of course. However, if you find it too creamy, you can thin out the white sauce by adding a little broth or water.
• Salt and Pepper – Kitchen must-haves. Without these two seasonings, any dish will just taste meh. Both are needed to give savory dishes a flavor boost.
• Nutmeg – This one is optional, though I really wouldn’t skip it if I were you. It amps up the flavor of our potato dish by adding a subtle sweet and earthy flavor profile in the background.
• Potatoes – I used Russet potatoes for this recipe, but Yukon gold potatoes work, too. In fact, they are a good choice because they can hold their shape well. Also, you’ll definitely enjoy their natural creamy and buttery taste.
• Cheese – But, of course, the cheese topping is the highlight of our potato recipe here. Not only does cheese add delectable goodness to our dish, but it also makes it aesthetically pleasing. Oh yes! Feel free to add any combination of your favorite cheeses like sharp cheddar, Parmesan, mozzarella, Gouda, etc. Yum!

Recipe Variations

• Creamy and Spicy – YES! A dash of cayenne pepper and pepper flakes will do the trick instantly. 😉
• Other Seasonings – I’ve tried adding Creole Seasoning before and my family loved it. The complex burst of flavors from paprika, thyme, and other spices is simply wonderful.
• Add Veggies – Make it healthier by adding veggies like bell peppers, spinach, and kale. Try adding some sweet potatoes, too, and you’ll genuinely love the added sweetness in the mix.
• Make it Vegan – Enjoy it vegan with a few vegan-approved ingredient swaps such as olive oil, almond milk, cornstarch or arrowroot flour, and vegan cheese. Yaaay!
• Slow Cooker Version – Don’t want to heat up the oven? No problem! Instead of baking it, make the sauce, and then layer it with the potatoes and bacon in your slow cooker. Then cook on low for 4-5 hours. Talk about super easy!

Tips and Tricks

• I really don’t recommend using pre-shredded cheeses in this recipe because they don’t melt as well. Aside from cheddar or Parmesan, you can also use Monterrey Jack, Gruyere, and Fontina cheeses. The more, the merrier.
• Make your dish more flavorful by adding seasonings like Creole Seasoning and Italian Seasoning.
• Russet and Yukon potatoes are the best choice for scalloped potatoes as they are starchy, and the sauce clings to them better.
• Use a mandolin if possible to achieve even slices for even cooking.
• You can also cook this recipe on a stove if you don’t want to heat the oven. Awesome!

Serving and Storage Instructions

Storing Make-Ahead Scalloped Potatoes and Leftovers

This easy scalloped potato recipe is a great Thanksgiving make-ahead side dish. And honestly, they actually taste better on the next day. Do everything up to when you stick it on the oven. Cover and refrigerate. The next day, take it out of the fridge about half an hour before proceeding with the baking instructions.

• Store – Simply bake the dish as directed, then allow it to cool before covering it with a cling wrap or foil.
• Refrigerate – for up to three or four days.
• Freeze – You can also freeze it for up to three months.

Reheating

• If frozen, thaw it overnight in the fridge.
• Oven – cover the baking dish with foil and pop it in a 350℉/177℃ oven for about 30 minutes.
• Microwave – You can opt for the microwave when heating smaller portions.

FAQs

What Goes with Scalloped Potatoes?

Potatoes are such a versatile food that you can easily pair with pretty much anything. Any of these mouthwatering dishes below paired with our scalloped potatoes will surely make your dining experience more impressive.

• Oven Fried Chicken
• Bacon-Wrapped Chicken
• Spicy Grilled New York Steak
• Smothered Pork Chops
• Marinated Pork Chop with Rosemary and Garlic

More Potato Recipes to Try

• Cream Cheese Mashed Potato
• Fondant Potatoes
• Roast Potatoes and Carrots
• Twice Baked Potatoes
• Southern Style Fried Potatoes

See my epic list of Thanksgiving Potato Dishes HERE.

How to Make Scalloped Potatoes

Cook the Bacon

• Preheat the oven to 350℉/177℃.
• Cook the Bacon – If using bacon, add in a large skillet and cook the bacon until crisp. (About 3-5 minutes)
• Set Aside – Remove bacon from pan and set aside.

Make the Creamy Sauce

• Drain – the oil and leave about 2 tablespoons or more of bacon drippings in the skillet.
• Add Butter and Aromatics – Then add butter, followed by onions, garlic, and thyme.
• Sauté – for about a minute or more until fragrant. Be careful not to let the garlic burn. (Photo 1)
• Pour – in the cream and milk followed by salt, pepper, and nutmeg. (Photo 2)
• Boil and Simmer – Bring the cream mixture to a boil and simmer over medium heat, occasionally stirring for about 5 minutes.
• Let it Cool – Remove from heat and let it cool down a little.

Cook the Potatoes in Creamy Sauce

• Transfer – You may discard the onions and thyme if desired. (use a sieve for this process). Transfer cream mixture into a Dutch oven. (Photo 3)
• Cook – Add sliced potatoes into the creamy mixture. Cover Dutch oven and adjust heat temperature to a simmer. Cook for about 10-15 minutes until potatoes are almost tender when pierced with a fork. (Photo 4)

Bake the Scalloped Potatoes

• Transfer and Bake – Then transfer to a baking dish, sprinkle with cheese if desired. Bake until the potato mixture is bubbling around the sides and the top is golden brown. Remove and immediately sprinkle with bacon. (Photos 5-6)
• Serve – Sprinkle with cheese and bacon and let it cool before serving.

Watch How To Make It

This blog post was first published in November 2016 and has been updated with new photos, an additional write-up. and a video.