Easy Scalloped Potatoes: A Classic Comfort Food Made Simple

Looking for a creamy, cheesy, and utterly satisfying side dish? Look no further than easy scalloped potatoes! This classic comfort food is surprisingly simple to make, perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions. This guide will walk you through each step, ensuring perfectly tender potatoes bathed in a rich, cheesy sauce every time. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting out, you’ll find this recipe easy to follow and incredibly delicious.

Understanding the Appeal of Scalloped Potatoes

Scalloped potatoes, also known as potatoes au gratin in some variations (though technically au gratin includes breadcrumbs), are beloved for their creamy texture, rich flavor, and comforting warmth. The thinly sliced potatoes become meltingly tender as they bake in a creamy sauce, while a generous topping of cheese adds a golden-brown crust and extra layer of flavor. This dish pairs perfectly with a variety of main courses, from roasted chicken and ham to steak and even vegetarian options.

Gathering Your Ingredients: Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor

This easy scalloped potatoes recipe uses simple, readily available ingredients:

• 4 to 6 Medium Size Potatoes (Russet or Yukon Gold): Russet potatoes are ideal for their high starch content, which creates a creamy texture. Yukon Golds are a good alternative for a slightly waxier potato.
• 1 Cup Heavy Cream: Heavy cream provides richness and creates the luxurious sauce.
• 1 Cup Chicken Stock (or Vegetable Stock): Chicken or vegetable stock adds depth of flavor to the sauce. You can use low-sodium stock to control the salt content.
• 1 Cup Cheddar Cheese, Shredded: Cheddar cheese adds a sharp, tangy flavor and melts beautifully.
• 1/2 Cup Monterey Jack Cheese, Shredded: Monterey Jack contributes a mild, creamy flavor and enhances the cheesy texture.
• 1/2 Cup Parmesan Cheese, Shredded: Parmesan cheese adds a salty, nutty flavor and creates a delicious crust.
• 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt: Salt enhances the flavors of all the ingredients.
• 1/4 tsp Black Pepper: Black pepper adds a subtle warmth and spice.
• 1/4 tsp Garlic Powder: Garlic powder provides a hint of savory garlic flavor.

Pro Tip: If your potatoes are excessively rounded to the point they are difficult or dangerous to cut, trim a section out of the potato long ways enough to create a flat, even surface so you can cut your potato accordingly without cutting yourself!

Step-by-Step Instructions: Creating Your Easy Scalloped Potatoes

Here’s a detailed guide to making these delicious scalloped potatoes:

1. Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Potatoes: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Thoroughly scrub the potatoes to remove any dirt. Using a sharp knife or mandolin slicer, cut each potato into thin slices (about 1/8 inch thick), resembling large coins. Evenly sized slices are crucial for even cooking.
2. Arrange Potatoes in Baking Dish: Place the sliced potatoes in a single layer in a 9×9 inch baking dish. It’s okay if they slightly overlap, but avoid overcrowding the dish.
3. Prepare the Cream Sauce: In a separate bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the heavy cream, chicken (or vegetable) stock, kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic powder until well combined.
4. Pour Sauce Over Potatoes: Pour the cream mixture evenly over the potatoes in the baking dish. The potatoes should be mostly covered by the cream mixture, but it’s okay if the top layer is partially exposed. This allows for some browning on the top layer.
5. Cover and Bake: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. This traps the steam and helps the potatoes cook evenly and become tender. Do not vent the foil. Bake for 45 minutes.
6. Test for Tenderness: Carefully remove the baking dish from the oven and remove the foil. Test the potatoes for tenderness by inserting a fork into a few slices. The fork should glide in smoothly without resistance. If the potatoes are still firm, replace the foil and continue baking in 10-minute intervals until tender.
7. Add the Cheese: Once the potatoes are tender, sprinkle the shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Parmesan cheeses evenly over the entire dish.
8. Bake Until Cheese is Melted and Bubbly: Return the uncovered baking dish to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown.
9. Cool and Serve: Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for a minimum of 5 minutes before serving. The dish will be very hot! Use a large spoon or spatula to serve the scalloped potatoes. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.

Tips, Variations, and Serving Suggestions for Perfect Scalloped Potatoes

• Potato Variety: While Russet potatoes are commonly used, Yukon Gold potatoes offer a slightly creamier and waxier texture.
• Spice Variations: Feel free to experiment with different spices. Onion powder, smoked paprika, or a pinch of nutmeg can add interesting flavor notes.
• Adding Roasted Garlic: Roasted garlic adds a deep, mellow flavor to the dish. Simply roast a head of garlic and squeeze the cloves into the cream sauce before pouring it over the potatoes.
• Cheese Substitutions: You can substitute your favorite cheeses. Gruyere, Swiss, or even a blend of different cheeses would work well.
• Loaded Scalloped Potatoes: For a heartier dish, top the baked scalloped potatoes with cooked bacon bits, sour cream, and fresh chives after they come out of the oven.
• Make-Ahead Option: You can assemble the scalloped potatoes up to the point of adding the cheese a few hours ahead of time. Cover and refrigerate. When ready to bake, add the cheese and bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time if necessary.
• Serving Suggestions: Scalloped potatoes are a versatile side dish that pairs well with many main courses, including roast chicken, ham, steak, pork chops, and fish. They also make a great addition to holiday meals.

These easy scalloped potatoes are a delicious and comforting dish that’s perfect for any occasion. With their creamy texture, cheesy topping, and simple preparation, they’re sure to become a family favorite.

Serve with large spoon or spatula. Dish will be very hot so please be careful and patient for food to cool. Let me know how you liked the dish in the comments or over on social!