Traditional Baked Scalloped Potatoes

🕒 Prep: 20 min
🔥 Cook: 1 hour 15 min
🍽 Serves: 8
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Baked scalloped potatoes are the ultimate comfort food, combining tender layers of potatoes with a creamy, cheesy sauce. Perfect for holidays or a cozy family dinner, this dish brings warmth and flavor to any table.

Ingredients for Traditional Baked Scalloped Potatoes

Russet potatoes are ideal for this recipe because they hold their shape well and soak up the creamy sauce perfectly. Butter adds richness and helps create the base of the sauce. When you melt it with the onions and garlic, it forms the aromatic foundation of the dish. Flour thickens the sauce, while whole milk makes it creamy. Sharp cheddar cheese brings a bold, tangy flavor, and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on top offers a deliciously crisp finish. The salt, black pepper, and nutmeg enhance the flavors, while a bit of fresh parsley adds a pop of color at the end.

Tips & Tricks

  • Use a mandoline for evenly sliced potatoes, which helps them cook uniformly.
  • Let the dish rest for 10 minutes before serving; this helps the sauce set and makes serving easier.
  • If you want a bit of extra crunch, add breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter on top before the final bake.

Serving Suggestions

This scalloped potato dish pairs beautifully with roasted meats like chicken, turkey, or beef. For a vegetarian meal, you can serve it alongside a crisp green salad with a zesty vinaigrette to balance out the richness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare it up to the baking step, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking straight from the fridge.
Can I use a different type of cheese?
Absolutely! Gruyère or fontina are great alternatives that melt well and add unique flavors.
What if I don't have fresh parsley?
You can substitute with a sprinkle of dried parsley or chives for a similar touch of color.

Traditional Baked Scalloped Potatoes Recipe Walkthrough

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and butter a 9x13 inch baking dish. This will prevent the potatoes from sticking and make for easy cleanup. Next, grab a large saucepan and melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until the onion turns translucent. This takes about 3-4 minutes, and the kitchen will start smelling amazing.

Now, sprinkle in the flour, stirring continuously for 1-2 minutes until it turns a light golden color. This step cooks out the raw flour taste. Gradually whisk in the milk, ensuring there are no lumps. Keep stirring as the sauce thickens, which should take about 5 minutes.

Once thickened, remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Keep stirring until the cheese melts into the sauce, creating a smooth, cheesy mixture.

Layer half of your sliced potatoes in the prepared baking dish, then pour half of the cheese sauce over them. Repeat with the remaining potatoes and cheese sauce, ensuring even coverage. Finally, sprinkle the Parmesan cheese on top to add a golden, crisp finish.

Cover the dish with foil and bake it in the oven for 45 minutes. This allows the potatoes to cook through and become tender. After 45 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 30 minutes. This step gives the top a lovely golden-brown crust. Once done, garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Rich, creamy layers of cheesy goodness.
  • Simple ingredients you probably already have on hand.
  • Perfect balance of flavors with a hint of nutmeg.
  • A crowd-pleaser that pairs well with many main dishes.

Ingredients

4 lbs Russet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups whole milk
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Butter a 9x13 inch baking dish and set aside.
3. In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
4. Add onions and garlic, sauté until onions are translucent.
5. Stir in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, until lightly golden.
6. Gradually whisk in milk, ensuring no lumps remain.
7. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until sauce thickens.
8. Remove from heat and stir in cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, and nutmeg until cheese is melted.
9. Layer half of the sliced potatoes in the prepared baking dish.
10. Pour half of the cheese sauce over the potatoes.
11. Repeat with remaining potatoes and cheese sauce.
12. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top.
13. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
14. Remove foil and bake an additional 30 minutes, or until potatoes are tender and top is golden brown.
15. Garnish with parsley before serving.

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