Description
Creamy “Easy Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes” reveal comfort food magic from grandma’s kitchen. Layers of tender potatoes, melted cheese, and rich cream promise a hearty side dish you’ll crave at every family gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 5 large russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish:
- Fresh rosemary or thyme
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 375°F (190°C) and generously coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Create the first foundation layer by arranging delicate potato slices across the bottom of the dish, ensuring even coverage.
- Sprinkle minced garlic and finely chopped onions uniformly over the potato base, providing an aromatic flavor profile.
- Generously distribute a layer of shredded cheese across the seasoned potatoes, followed by a delicate dusting of fresh herbs.
- Craft a rich cream mixture by whisking whole milk, heavy cream, salt, and freshly ground black pepper until smoothly combined.
- Methodically pour a portion of the cream mixture over the initial potato layer, allowing it to seep between the potato slices.
- Repeat the layering process: arrange another set of potato slices, then cascade garlic, onions, cheese, and herbs, creating delectable stratified textures.
- Continue building layers, alternating potatoes and creamy ingredients, ensuring each stratum is generously coated with the milk mixture.
- Crown the dish with a final lavish layer of shredded cheese and a sprinkle of herbs for visual appeal and enhanced flavor.
- Securely cover the baking dish with aluminum foil, creating a seal that traps moisture and promotes even cooking.
- Bake covered for 45 minutes, allowing potatoes to become tender and absorb the creamy essence.
- Remove the foil and return to the oven, baking an additional 15-20 minutes until the top transforms into a golden, bubbling masterpiece.
- Once removed from the oven, let the dish rest for 10 minutes, allowing the layers to settle and flavors to harmonize.
- Serve warm, revealing the luscious, cheese-laden potato layers with each carefully portioned scoop.
Notes
- Use a mandoline or sharp knife to slice potatoes uniformly thin, ensuring even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
- Experiment with cheese varieties like gruyère, cheddar, or a blend for more complex flavor profiles and added depth.
- Make the recipe gluten-free by substituting regular milk with lactose-free or plant-based alternatives like almond or oat milk.
- Enhance nutritional value by adding thinly sliced vegetables like spinach, zucchini, or leeks between potato layers for extra nutrients and color.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg