🥔 Scalloped Potatoes 🧈🧄
Scalloped potatoes are the ultimate comfort food, with creamy, cheesy layers of tender potatoes. This recipe elevates your usual mashed potatoes to the next level. With Yukon gold potatoes, rich butter, garlic, and a velvety milk and cream sauce, every bite will melt in your mouth. Perfect for holiday gatherings, weeknight dinners, or whenever you’re craving a comforting side dish!
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 8-10):
3 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, sliced thin 🥔
½ onion, finely diced 🧅
½ cup salted butter 🧈
1 tablespoon minced garlic 🧄
½ cup all-purpose flour 🌾
1 teaspoon sea salt, or more to taste 🧂
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 🧑🍳
2 cups whole milk 🥛
1 cup heavy cream 🍶
📝 Instructions:
1. Prep the Potatoes:
Slice the Potatoes: Peel and slice the Yukon gold potatoes thinly. Aim for about 1/8-inch slices so they cook evenly and absorb the creamy sauce perfectly.
Soak the Potatoes: To prevent browning and ensure a creamy texture, place the sliced potatoes in a bowl of cold water until you’re ready to cook. Drain and pat dry with a clean towel before using.
2. Make the Creamy Sauce:
Cook the Onion and Garlic: In a large saucepan, melt ½ cup of salted butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the onion becomes soft and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
Create the Roux: Stir in the ½ cup of all-purpose flour, making sure to coat the onions and garlic evenly. Continue stirring constantly for about 2-3 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste.
Add the Milk and Cream: Gradually pour in the 2 cups of whole milk and 1 cup of heavy cream, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, and cook for 5-7 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth.
Season the Sauce: Add 1 teaspoon of sea salt and ¼ teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper, adjusting the seasoning to taste. Feel free to add more salt or pepper based on your preference.
3. Assemble the Scalloped Potatoes:
Layer the Potatoes: In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, begin layering the sliced potatoes. Arrange them in overlapping rows to cover the bottom of the dish completely.
Pour the Sauce: Ladle a generous portion of the creamy sauce over the first layer of potatoes. Spread it evenly to cover all the potatoes.
Repeat the Layers: Continue layering the potatoes and sauce until you’ve used up all the potatoes and sauce. Finish with a final layer of the creamy sauce on top.
4. Bake the Scalloped Potatoes:
Cover and Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 45 minutes.
Uncover and Finish Baking: After 45 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 20-30 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork and the top is golden brown and bubbling.
5. Rest and Serve:
Rest the Dish: Let the scalloped potatoes rest for about 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to thicken and ensures you get clean slices.
Serve and Enjoy: Scoop out the creamy scalloped potatoes and serve as a comforting side dish to your favorite main course, such as roast chicken, steak, or ham. Enjoy!
🍽️ Serving Suggestions:
Pair with Proteins: These scalloped potatoes go perfectly with roast chicken, grilled steak, or baked ham. The richness of the potatoes complements the savory flavors of the meat.
For a Vegetarian Meal: Serve these scalloped potatoes with a fresh green salad or a vegetable stir-fry for a light yet satisfying vegetarian meal.
Extra Cheese: If you love cheesy scalloped potatoes, sprinkle some shredded cheddar cheese, gruyère, or parmesan over the top of the potatoes during the last 10 minutes of baking. Let the cheese melt and become golden and bubbly for an extra indulgent touch.
🌟 Why You’ll Love This Scalloped Potatoes Recipe:
Rich and Creamy: The combination of butter, cream, and milk creates an irresistibly smooth and velvety sauce that coats each potato slice perfectly.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you’re making a Sunday dinner, celebrating a holiday, or hosting a family gathering, these scalloped potatoes are always a hit.
Simple Yet Delicious: With minimal ingredients and easy-to-follow steps, this recipe delivers maximum flavor with just a few basic pantry staples.
Crowd-Pleaser: The rich, comforting flavors of scalloped potatoes make them a great dish to serve to guests. It’s sure to be a favorite at every meal!
🧑🍳 Tips for Success:
Slice Evenly: Try to slice the potatoes as evenly as possible for uniform cooking. A mandoline slicer can be a helpful tool for achieving consistent slices.
Add Some Herbs: If you want to elevate the flavor even further, sprinkle in some fresh thyme, rosemary, or parsley for an herby twist. You can also add a little bit of nutmeg for a warm, subtle flavor.
Make Ahead: You can prepare this dish a day ahead and store it in the fridge. When you’re ready to bake it, let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes, then bake as instructed.
For Extra Crispness: If you like a crispy top, broil the dish for 2-3 minutes at the end of baking, but keep a close eye on it to avoid burning.
Cheese Variations: Mix up the cheeses in the sauce for added richness—gruyère, fontina, or cheddar all work wonderfully and add layers of flavor.
🍴 Final Thoughts:
This Scalloped Potatoes recipe is the definition of comfort food. The creamy sauce and tender potatoes meld together beautifully, creating a rich, satisfying dish that will have everyone reaching for seconds. Whether for a special occasion or a cozy dinner, these scalloped potatoes are sure to be a crowd favorite. You’ll love how easy it is to prepare, and how indulgent and delicious the final dish turns out!
Enjoy every creamy, cheesy bite! 😋