Scalloped Potatoes (2024)

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by Annalise Sandbergon Dec 19, 2018 (updated Jun 14, 2023)

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5 from 2 reviews

Super creamy and flavorful scalloped potatoes are the ultimate side dish!

Scalloped Potatoes (1)

This post is sponsored by Challenge Butter.

The main dish may be the star of the meal, but more often than not in my opinion the side dishes end up stealing the show. Particularly if potatoes are involved. Whether they’re mashed, baked, orgrilled, what can I say? I’m a fan!

And for me scalloped potatoes— or potatoes au gratin as they’re sometimes called— are unsurpassable as the most decadent and indulgent side dish. These potatoes are rich and creamy, and have a crisp cheesy topping with melt-in-your-mouth potatoes underneath. It’s a casserole that can be dressed up for a dinner party or dressed down for a casual weeknight dinner.

Scalloped Potatoes (2)

These scalloped potatoes are the best I’ve ever had, thanks to a homemade white sauce flavored with butter, milk, cheese, shallots and fresh thyme. It’s simple, but so creamy and flavorful, and it pairs very well with the potatoes. Don’t miss my tips below for making the best ever scalloped potatoes.

One tip I have is to use good butter!Challenge Butter is my favorite brand of butter to use for recipes like this where it really matters. Did you know that Challenge Butter goes from the farm to the fridge in just TWO days? And butter is ready for shipping just 24 hours after the cows have been milked. Plus, Challenge cows are never treated with growth hormones, which makes for healthier and better tasting butter.

Scalloped Potatoes (3)

How to make the best scalloped potatoes

  • Yukon gold potatoes have the best flavor and creamiest texture and are my favorite for this potato dish.
  • There are several ways you can thinly slice the potatoes. You can slice by hand with a sharp knife, with a food processor, or a mandoline slicer. For even cooking, make sure they are the same thickness, with a max of 1/4-inch wide.
  • This is definitely a dish where you want to start with salted butter. Again, I like to use Challenge Butter!
  • You can use whatever kind of milk you want, but I recommend 2% or whole. More fat = more flavor.
  • If possible, let this dish rest for 15 minutes before serving. This time will set all of the ingredients, making for clean and stable slices. Don’t worry, it will still be hot!
  • These scalloped potatoes can be made ahead. You can assemble the dish and refrigerate for about 8 hours before baking, or you can bake it and refrigerate for about 24 hours before serving. To reheat, cover with foil and warm in a 350°F oven for about 20 minutes. Unfortunately, this dish does not freeze well.

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Scalloped Potatoes (4)

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Scalloped Potatoes (5)

5 from 2 reviews

Scalloped Potatoes

Servings: 6 -8 servings

Prep Time: 30 minutes mins

Cook Time: 1 hour hr

Total Time: 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Super creamy and flavorful scalloped potatoes are the ultimate side dish!

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Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons salted Challenge Butter
  • 1 shallot , finely chopped
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups milk , preferably 2% or whole
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme , or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 4 lbs Yukon gold potatoes , 1/4-inch slices
  • 8 ounces about 2 cups shredded white cheddar cheese, divided

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.

  • Melt butter in a large skillet over medium low heat. Add shallot and cook until soft, 3-4 minutes.

  • Add flour and whisk until incorporated with the butter and shallots.

  • Gradually add milk to the pan while whisking constantly. Once all the milk has been added, increase heat to medium high and bring to a boil, continuing to stir regularly. Add salt, pepper, and thyme.

  • Cook for a few minutes until thick. Add 1 1/2 cups of the cheddar cheese and stir until smooth. Taste and add more salt and pepper if needed. Remove from heat.

  • Add enough of the sauce to the prepared baking dish so that it coats the bottom. Add one third of the sliced potatoes to the dish, then pour one third of the sauce over the potatoes, trying to cover as many potatoes with the sauce as possible. Repeat with remaining potatoes and sauce.

  • Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup of cheese on top and cover with aluminum foil.

  • Bake for 30 minutes, then remove foil and bake for an additional 35-40 minutes until potatoes are cooked through and cheese has started to brown.

  • Let sit for about 15 minutes before serving.

Notes

Make ahead: Can be assembled and stored in the fridge up to about 8 hours in advance before baking. Baked scalloped potatoes can be stored in the fridge for at least 24 hours in advance. To reheat, keep covered and warm in a 350°F oven for about 20 minutes.Unfortunately, this dish does not freeze well.

Calories: 492kcal, Carbohydrates: 49g, Protein: 22g, Fat: 24g, Saturated Fat: 15g, Cholesterol: 72mg, Sodium: 772mg, Potassium: 1461mg, Fiber: 8g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 825IU, Vitamin C: 35mg, Calcium: 503mg, Iron: 10mg

Cuisine: French

Course: Side Dish

Author: Annalise Sandberg

Have you tried this recipe?I’d love to hear about it! Leave a rating and review below, or take a photo and tag it on Instagram @completelydelicious with #completelydelicious.

Disclosure: This recipe was created in partnership with Challenge Dairy, Inc. Thank you for supporting partnerships with brands I love and believe in, which make Completely Delicious possible. All opinions are always 100% my own. To learn more about Challenge Dairy, you can visit their websitehere. You can also find them onfacebook,instagram,youtube, andpinterest.

originally published on Dec 19, 2018 (last updated Jun 14, 2023)

7 comments Leave a comment »

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7 comments on “Scalloped Potatoes”

  1. homemade beauty recipes Reply

    Nice post…….I am glad to be a part of your blog

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  3. Christina Moore Reply

    Your write-up and the whole presentation are the best for now. The scalloped potatoes are just timely for our annual gathering. Both adults and children would love to try it. Keep sharing extraordinary recipes to share with the foodies out there.

  4. Pamala Reply

    Annaliese, I wanted to write and tell you I had everything in my pantry, freezer and fridge to make your entire Easter dinner without leaving the house! The only thing I didn’t make was the coconut cake, but I will. Thanks for posting it, our dinner was perfect for the two of us. It was hard to be away from family, friends and church this holiday but our meal was lovely.

  5. JulieS Reply

    Best recipe out there!

  6. Kim Reply

    How much butter is used ? It’s not in the ingredients.

    • Annalise Sandberg Reply

      4 tablespoons or 1/4 cup. It’s the first ingredient in the ingredient list.

Leave a comment »

Scalloped Potatoes (2024)

FAQs

Why won't my scalloped potatoes get soft? ›

Potatoes or rice can remain rock-hard after prolonged cooking. Starch will not swell if it is acidic. If you have a lot of sour cream in your scalloped potatoes or add something acidic, your potatoes may not soften. You can cook the potatoes with heavy cream or milk and then, after they soften, stir in sour cream.

How to thicken up scalloped potatoes? ›

Flour: All-purpose flour helps thicken the sauce as the scalloped potatoes bake. You'll sprinkle flour over each layer of potatoes so the sauce thickens evenly. Butter: A generous amount of butter distributed on each layer of potatoes adds richness.

What is the difference between scalloped potatoes and au gratin potatoes? ›

The difference comes down to cheese. Scalloped potato recipes are usually baked in a basic cream sauce until soft and tender, with no cheese topping. Potatoes au gratin are a bit more decadent. They are made with lots of cheese sprinkled in between the layers of potatoes and also on top of the casserole.

How do you keep scalloped potatoes from being watery? ›

My sauce is watery

If you stored your potatoes in water to prevent discoloring, be sure to drain them well and pat them dry before adding to your casserole. Some of the waxier potatoes can release more water than starchier ones, so look for good baking potatoes like russet or Yukon golds.

What to do if potatoes aren't soft enough? ›

Microwave it for about 30-40 sec until they soften how you like them. Make sure to refrigerate after and cool before eating. Hope this helps, If you need anything else please feel free to ask. Receipt for mushroom onion potatoes smal ninja pressure ...

How do I cook my potatoes to be a little soft? ›

Place the potatoes in a 3- to 4-quart sauce pan and cover with cold water. Partially cover the pot and bring the water to a boil. Uncover, add 1 teaspoon of salt, and reduce the heat so that the water boils gently. Cook until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork, 10 to 12 minutes.

How to tell when scalloped potatoes are done? ›

They will be fully cooked when you can easily pierce them with a sharp knife or mush with the tines of a fork. I usually pull out a slice when I think they are done (typically 15-20 minutes) and let it cool enough to taste.

Should scalloped potatoes be runny? ›

Watery scalloped potatoes are not good, and is often caused by using the wrong type of potato. This recipe requires starchy potatoes, such as russets or Yukon golds, not waxy potatoes. Another cause is washing or holding the sliced potatoes in water (as outlined in the question above).

Why are scalloped potatoes called funeral potatoes? ›

Why are they called funeral potatoes? Funeral potatoes get their unique name from being a crowd-pleasing casserole served as a side dish at after-funeral luncheons (particularly in the culture of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints).

What is the best way to slice potatoes for scalloped potatoes? ›

Once you've chosen the right potatoes, grab a sharp chef's knife (or a mandoline, if you have one) and carefully slice them as thinly and evenly as possible—ideally one-fourth to one-eighth-inch thick. Potatoes that are too thick or thin will bake up unevenly, and you want the layers to cook up tender.

Why are my scalloped potatoes not creamy? ›

The curdling is caused by high heat, which is hard to avoid in an oven. So to keep the sauce together, tackle it before the dish goes in the oven. Instead of simply layering grated cheese and milk or cream with the potatoes, you need to make a smooth cheese sauce.

Will my scalloped potatoes thicken as they cool? ›

Finally, after baking, allow the dish ample time to rest. This resting phase is not merely a cooling period but also a crucial thickening stage.

How to keep potatoes from turning brown when making scalloped potatoes? ›

Do I have to blanch my potatoes, to make scalloped potatoes ahead of time? A: The short answer I recommend is yes, almost always. If sliced and then placed into a pot of cold water, bring to a boil for 1-2 minutes till the slices have a rubbery consistency, this blanching will help stop the oxidation process.

Why is my jacket potato not going soft? ›

Your baked potato may still be hard after an hour for a few reasons. Firstly, ensure you've baked it at a sufficiently high temperature (around 400°F/200°C). Secondly, make sure you've allowed enough time for baking—large potatoes may take longer.

What causes potatoes to stay hard? ›

During the growing season, unusually cold weather in a field may cause the potato matter to remain dense thru the length of the center of the potato. When baking, I have actually had it become stringy and resist even cooking it out in the microwave.

Why are my potatoes mushy after cooking? ›

The starch in potatoes is held together by pectin. When that pectin breaks down too quickly in the boiling process, mushy potatoes result.

Why is my potato still hard in the middle? ›

Potatoes need to cook all the way through, and the best way for that to happen is to make sure the hot air can get to the potato from all sides. If a potato bakes with one side touching a sheet pan, you'll get a hard spot and possibly uneven cooking.

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