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Scalloped Potatoes

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My favorite cheesy, creamy, garlicky, always-delicious scalloped potatoes recipe.

Scalloped Potatoes Recipe

Anyone else out there still have yet to plan your menu for Easter Sunday this coming weekend?

Well, good news: 1) you’re not alone and 2) I’ve gotcha covered!

We have all sorts of delicious recipes here on our Easter section of the blog that are sure to please a crowd. If you’re feeling those brunch vibes, there’s everything from my favorite 1-hour cinnamon rolls, to the world’s best sour cream coffee cake, to a classic breakfast casserole, to nearly every way to prepare eggs, to mimosas and more. Or, if you’re going more of the Easter dinner route, our family’s favorite salad, classic deviled eggs, these perfectly roasted Brussels sprouts, an easy fruit salad, these quick 1-hour soft and buttery dinner rolls might be calling your name. Of course, carrot cake (or this vegan, gluten-free carrot cake) is also a must around here every Easter.

But the other non-negotiable for me each Easter, Christmas, Thanksgiving and — let’s be real — any night of the year that I’m craving some creamy, garlicky, cheesy comfort food?

Scalloped potatoes. ♡

Specifically, these scalloped potatoes (which are technically potatoes au gratin). In my humble opinion, they are simply the best. And in the years since I originally posted this recipe here on the blog, thousands of you have also tried them and agreed! So today, I thought I’d bump this recipe back to the top of the stack for those of you who might be new to the blog and looking for a tried and true recipe to make this weekend. As someone who has made these dozens and dozens of times, I can vouch — they won’t let you down.

Scalloped Potatoes Recipe | 1-Minute Video

Scalloped Potatoes Ingredients:

The ingredients to make this classic scalloped potatoes recipe are pretty simple. You’ll need:

  • Yukon gold potatoes: I prefer these to Russets because of their nice creamy texture and buttery flavor. Be sure to slice them uniformly — about 1/4-inch thick — so that they will cook evenly.
  • Shredded cheese: It’s important to have a good melty cheese for these. I have always preferred a nice sharp cheddar (not one that has been aged, since those don’t melt as well). But I have also made these with mozzarella, gouda, fontina and gruyere, and all have been delicious. So feel free to pick your favorite, or use a mix! Plus, some freshly-grated Parmesan is also a must.
  • Sliced onion: For extra flavor. I always cook the onion in the sauce, and then strain it out and add it to the middle layer of the potatoes, so that there aren’t a bunch of onion slices sitting on the top layer.
  • Garlic: If you ask me, the more the merrier. The recipe calls for 4 cloves, but I’ve used up to 8 before. :)
  • Fresh thyme: I’ve always used fresh thyme as my main seasoning for scalloped potatoes, but you could also use a teaspoon of dried thyme instead. Or any other favorite fresh herbs or dried seasoning blends! (I occasionally love adding a teaspoon of Cajun seasoning to my sauce — it’s delicious.)
  • Cream sauce: In lieu of heavy cream, my sauce for this recipe calls for a roux with butter and flour, whole milk and chicken stock (or vegetable stock).

Yukon Gold Potatoes for Scalloped Potatoes

How To Make Scalloped Potatoes:

To make this scalloped potatoes recipe, simply…

  1. Make the cream sauce. Sauté onion and garlic in butter until softened. Then stir in the flour to form a roux and help to thicken the sauce, followed by the stock, milk, salt, pepper and thyme. You want to cook the sauce until it just reaches a simmer. (Don’t let it boil, otherwise it can “break” and become watery once baked.)  Then remove it from the heat until you’re ready to put it to use.
  2. Layer the potatoes. Spread half of the sliced potatoes in an even layer on the bottom of the pan. Top evenly with half of the cream sauce. (I usually strain out all of the onions and add them here too.)  Then sprinkle evenly with 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese, and all of the Parmesan cheese. Top evenly with the remaining sliced potatoes, the other half of the cream sauce, and the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese.
  3. Bake: Cover the pan lightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the sauce is all bubbly around the edges. Remove the foil and bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until the potatoes are cooked through and the cheese on top is nice and golden. (If the cheese starts to get too brown on top, just lightly cover the top with a sheet of foil again until the potatoes are ready to go.)
  4. Cool. Transfer the pan to a wire cooling rack and sprinkle with the remaining teaspoon of thyme and extra Parmesan.
  5. Serve. This casserole is definitely best fresh out of the oven, so dive in while it’s nice and warm!

How To Make Scalloped Potatoes

Possible Recipe Variations:

There are all sorts of delicious ways that you can customize these homemade scalloped potatoes if you would like. For example, feel free to…

  • Add bacon or ham: Diced cooked bacon or ham would be a delicious addition here! (Or go for the gold and make scalloped potatoes with ham and bacon!)
  • Add greens: Fresh kale or baby spinach would also be delicious. Just stir a large handful to the sauce before layering the potatoes.
  • Add pesto: For an extra herby twist, feel free to stir 1/4 cup of basil pesto into the sauce.
  • Use half sweet potatoes: I also love making a version of this dish with half Yukon gold and half sweet potatoes. The sweet/savory combo is such a winner.
  • Use a different cheese: Mozzarella, gouda, fontina or gruyere would also be delicious in place of the sharp cheddar. Or you could also sprinkle some extra crumbled/diced brie, goat cheese, or feta into the casserole.
  • Use cream: Feel free to sub in heavy cream for half of the milk for an even creamier dish.
  • Make it gluten-free: Just use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend (in place of the standard AP flour). Or whisk 2 tablespoons of cornstarch into the cold milk before adding it to the sauce.

Scalloped Potatoes

Make-Ahead Instructions:

Over the years, I’ve had lots of you ask if you can prep this recipe in advance — and the answer is yes! For make-ahead scalloped potatoes, just bake the scalloped potatoes and let them cool completely to room temperature. Then cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 3 days. And on the day you are ready to serve them, bake the pan covered (with foil) at 350° for 30 minutes, or until the potatoes are warmed through.

Scalloped Potatoes

More Potato Recipes:

If you love this recipe, be sure to check out some of my other potato faves including:

Enjoy, everyone!

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Scalloped Potatoes Recipe

Scalloped Potatoes

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.7 from 389 reviews
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 55 minutes
  • Total Time: 80 minutes
  • Yield: 10 -12 servings 1x

Description

My favorite recipe for garlicky, cheesy, perfect scalloped potatoes.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1 small white or yellow onion, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 4 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup chicken stock or vegetable stock
  • 2 cups whole milk (or half and half)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, divided
  • 4 pounds Yukon Gold Potatoes, sliced into 1/8-inch rounds
  • 2 cups freshly-grated sharp cheddar cheese*, divided (feel free to add more cheese if you’d like)
  • 1/2 cup freshly-grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving

Instructions

  1. Prep oven and baking dish: Heat oven to 400°F.  Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray, and set it aside.
  2. Sauté the onion and garlic. Melt butter in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat.  Add onion, and sauté for 4-5 minutes until soft and translucent.  Add garlic and sauté for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.  Stir in the flour until it is evenly combined, and cook for 1 more minute.
  3. Simmer the sauce. Gradually pour in the stock, and whisk until combined.  Add in the milk, salt, pepper, and 1 teaspoon thyme, and whisk until combined.  Continue cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes until the sauce just barely begins to simmer around the edges of the pan and thickens.  (Avoid letting it reach a boil.)  Then remove from heat and set aside.
  4. Layer the potatoes.  Spread half of the sliced potatoes in an even layer on the bottom of the pan.  Top evenly with half of the cream sauce.  (I usually strain out all of the onions and add them here too.)  Then sprinkle evenly with 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese, and all of the Parmesan cheese.  Top evenly with the remaining sliced potatoes, the other half of the cream sauce, and the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese.
  5. Bake: Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.  The sauce should be nice and bubbly around the edges.  Then remove the foil and bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until the potatoes are cooked through.
  6. Cool. Transfer the pan to a cooling rack, and sprinkle with the remaining teaspoon of thyme and extra Parmesan.
  7. Serve. Serve warm.

Notes

Shredded cheese: As always when melting shredded cheese into a recipe, it’s best if you grate the cheese yourself just before adding it to the recipe.  Store-bought shredded cheese usually contains a coating that prevents it from melting smoothly.

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952 comments on “Scalloped Potatoes”

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  1. I ADORE potatoes of the scalloped variety, but I haven’t eaten them in SO long due to the general unhealthiness….so I am PUMPED about this lighter version.  I wasn’t even planning Easter dinner (I’m moving on Easter) But I might need a potato break now! Pinned :D

    • Thanks Taylor! I know, aren’t they the best? I had to make a lighter version so I could eat more! ; ) Good luck with your move!

  2. I LOVE lighter classic recipes, this has to be wonderful.

  3. These look amazing! I won’t have time on Easter Sunday to put them together, but I’d like to bring them to my in-laws. How do you think they’d be if made the night before and reheated Sunday evening?

    • Thanks Candice! And I think they’d redhead just fine (just cover them with foil and heat at a lower temp). Enjoy!

  4. This looks heavenly! Is the thyme overwhelming? I have some picky unsophisticated eaters to please.

  5. Potatoes with sharp cheddar? Yes please! These look like the perfect holiday side! Plus, I’m loving the fact that it’s lighter (so that I can eat more of it…).

  6. I love that you lightened up a classic side dish! Looking forward to trying these potatoes. They are mouthwatering!

  7. I’ve been searching for another perfect side dish for our Easter dinner. I think I’ve found it. Thanks! Happy Easter!

  8. This is gonna sound nuts, but do you think I can use a bit of the chicken stock and add the onion/garlic mixture to a blender and THEN add the flour to make the roux? I am feeding people who don’t like onions, but if I hide them they don’t mind them…just don’t want them to be visible (I do this all the time with my tomato sauces). Thanks.

  9. I’m not sure I’ve had scalloped potatoes before – if I did it was only once.  That’s pretty amazing for a person of my age.  I am not cooking a special Easter dinner (We’re spending a good part of our day guiding a pictograph tour at our local state park where we volunteer), but I am definitely keeping this recipe for the day when I decide I can live no longer without scalloped potatoes.  I’m sure they’ll make my husband happy, too.  :-)  Happy Easter!

  10. This looks every bit as indulgent as the crazy fattening version of scalloped potatoes, therefore I wouldn’t feel bad hogging the entirety of the dish. (Ok maybe I’d share a TEENSY bit) ;)

  11. I remember a time when Betty Crocker potatoes au gratin were the stuff of my dreams. What?! Those days are gone. This, though…this looks so creamy, cheesy, and amazing! Shared with my readers :)

  12. I just got so excited whenI saw this recipe! Scalloped potatoes are my FAV!

  13. I have to say when you posted this blog two days ago, I could not get if off my mind. When I was invited to a small dinner gathering, I knew exactly what dish I wanted to bring. HUGE HIT!!!! Everyone kept raving about the potatoes and wanted to know what all was in them. Unfortunately, no leftovers. The hubs has made it a house rule that I now make them once a month (not sure if its good for my waist line). The simplicity of the garlic, onion, and thyme were just the right amount! Will post with pictures the next time I make it. Thanks again!

  14. It is in the Oven now,  it smels  realy  good.

  15. Mine are in the oven right now! Thanks for the recipe!

  16. Made these today for Easter dinner,  and they were a HIT! Before I put them in the oven, I was afraid there wasn’t enough sauce, but once it started cooking, it was perfect!! 

  17. Ali, made them again for dinner tonight. However, tweeked the recipe and added bacon. It was my husbands birthday so, he got them for his special dinner. Photo is on Instagram with your hashtag. Thanks again!!!

  18. They were  heaven!!!! Thnx so mutch  for this recepie 

  19. Interesting, I always make my potato gratin dishes with heavy cream, never with chicken stock and milk. Gotta try this one out myself, thanks for sharing!

  20. Amazing recipe, adorable!

  21. I made these today for Mother’s Day dinner and they were a huge hit! Thank you so much for such a gem of a recipe, I will be putting this into my normal rotation :)

  22. I LOVE this recipe. Have probably made it three or four times now. My boyfriend is super picky and he loves it too. Tastes much better with fresh thyme than dried, I tried both. Great job, this one is a keeper for sure!! 

  23. This looks delicious! If I were to halve this recipe and bake it in an 8×8 baking dish, would the cooking times remain the same?

    • Thanks, Sarah! It might be the same, but it could be a little less. I would just set a timer for 30 minutes, and bake like it says. Then I would remove the foil, and set the timer for like 15 minutes, and then check it, just to make sure it doesn’t over-bake. I hope that helps, let me know how it turns out for you!

  24. delicious and mouthwatering recipe

  25. These look delicious, but please post measurements for the sauce ingredients!  Thanks.

  26. Sounds amazing!  Have you ever tried assembling the night before and popping in the oven the next day?  Thanks!

  27. Great recipe! Made this a couple days ago and it tasted great! Thank you!! 

  28. Man, I never even imagined chicken stock/broth being in this. So amazing – I snuck out a spoonful of the sauce after it was done. It makes me think of my next favorite thing – chicken pot pie. Chicken pot pie meets scalloped potatoes. Somewhere, angels are singing.

  29. Vegetarian with vegetable broth!! NOT vegetarian with chicken broth!

  30. these are Au Gratin potatoes  true scalloped potatoes don’t have cheese in them. 

  31. I am going to make this tonight for supper :) I was wondering what would be the cal count (apprx) per serving?

    Thanks!

    • Hey Shelley! We’re sorry but we are unsure of the nutrition facts/amount of calories in this recipe. We currently are not publishing nutrition facts on the site, as the nutrition calculators available are not 100% accurate, and we never want to publish anything that might be misleading. However, a lot of our readers love the My Fitness Pal nutrition calculator, so feel free to try that for an estimate. We hope that helps!

  32. These are not scalloped potatoes. You added cheese which makes them Au Gratin Potatoes

  33. I tried to make this for the first time, and my sauce ended up too little to cover up the first half of the potatoes. So I had to make more. At what texture of the sauce should I turn off the heat?
    Otherwise, the recipe was a success! My suitemates enjoyed the dish very much! Thank you!

    • Hi Alice! The sauce just needs to be brought to a simmer in order to thicken (which should happen pretty quickly), and then it will also thicken up a bit more while baking. Glad that you all enjoyed the dish!

  34. I have never made scalloped potatoes other than from the box. These were so easy to make, I feel I would have had to work hard to mess them up. So delicious but not overwhelmingly heavy. I made them with fingerling potatoes because a friend gave me a whole bag and they were not only tasty but adorable as well!!!

    • Thanks Lindsay, we’re glad you enjoyed these – homemade makes such a difference, doesn’t it?! :)

  35. Made these last night to go with my proscuitto wrapped pork loin.  Delicious.  My 80 year old mom, who eats like a bird had 3rds!!  I had to bake them an additional 20 minutes because they were still pretty wet.  Can’t wait to tackle the leftovers this evening!  Thanks for a great recipe!  I’ll make again.

    • Linde, that’s so awesome! We’re so happy they were a hit, and that prosciutto wrapped pork loin sounds amazing! :)

  36. These taste great, but they took almost twice as long as the recipe stated to cook.

    • Oh no, they shouldn’t have! Were your potato slices on the thicker side maybe? That could be the reason. Or was the sauce not thick enough? We’re glad they tasted good!

  37. You can skinny it up even more by using low fat evaporated milk. And I just sprinkle Wondra flour between the layers. Thickens things up nicely and never lumps or clumps.

  38. We made this potato recipe last evening and it was a huge hit at the dinner table. The ingredients are familiar and the recipe was easy to follow so I would highly recommend to everyone, the taste was just as good as heavy cream version which is what I would normally use in the dish.

  39. Made this tonight, it was totally delicious.  I love scallop potates and I have to say that I’ve tried many recipes but this one is probably the best.  Thank you for sharing

  40. I made this using 1/2 Potatoes 1/2 cauliflower. It was just wonderful!

  41. My husband LOVES scalloped taters !!! We’ve been together for 2 years and I have yet to make them as I’m so afraid after I eat them, I will never be able to wear jeans again !!! I stumbled upon this recipe today… I am printing this off at lightning speed and im going to bake a ham to accompany them. This is going to be Christmas supper for the 2 of us. Thank you :)

    • Yay, we hope you and your husband enjoy these! Ham sounds like the most amazing thing to eat them with too, good thinking! :D

  42. Delicious!! I made them on the spur-of-the-moment to go with grilled Kielbassa. The only change I made was to sub 1/2 cup of heavy cream, as I didn’t have quite enough 2% milk, and I used a bit of seasoned salt. Definitely pinning this one!

  43. This looks AMAZING! I can’t wait to make these, thanks for sharing!

  44. Do you think it would work if I made these a day ahead and then heated them up the day of serving?  I’m thinking about doing this instead of our traditional mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving.  Thanks for the great recipe!

    • We think that should work just fine Kris! We hope you enjoy these, and that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

  45. Somehow I was left with an entire freezer gallon bag of thin pototo slices, with a three pound bag of yukons, but it was delicious and the family loved it. First time doing scalloped potatoes and I think I’ll continue this recipe. I did use Gouda and Grurere (sp?) cause we were feeling fancy. Thanks very much for an easy and delicious recipe.

    • We’re glad you enjoyed this Deanne (and gouda and gruyere are both awesome cheeses, great idea)! :)

  46. I have these in the oven and boy do they smell wonderful! I didn’t have any parmesan so I used asiago instead which I think will give the dish another great layer of flavour. I also used 1 cup of 1% milk and 1 cup of cream (it had to be used up). Prep time is longer than 15 minutes but once everything is done the dish assembles fast.  Cannot wait until they are ready. Thanks for the recipe.

  47. Hi. Do you think i can make this with russet potatoes instead? 

    • We haven’t tried that Rajbir – we think it would probably be fine, but it would be better to use yukon or red potatoes. We hope you enjoy the recipe!

  48. Surprise! Another one of your recipes made it into a dinner party menu. (No surprise at all lol) I love that they take so little time to prep and that they are lightened up. Superb.

    • Awww we’re happy to hear that Amanda, thanks for sharing! We’re glad this was a hit! :D

  49. Is there any replacement for the chiken stock or vegetable stock ??

  50. Excellent dish. I used russet potatoes this time for some reason and heavy cream instead of milk. I also doubled up on the garlic, and threw in a teaspoon of rosemary to make the dish a little more “in your face”. It turned out great. 

    • Thanks Kiley, we’re so glad you liked it! That rosemary addition is an excellent idea too! :)