When I think about comfort food recipes, scalloped potatoes always win a place at the table. The best scalloped potatoes recipe isn’t fancy or complicated, it’s just warm, creamy, and full of flavor. Layers of tender potato slices baked in a velvety cheese sauce feel like a hug you can eat. I remember my mom pulling a dish like this from the oven on Sunday afternoons, and the smell would travel through the whole house. We’d hover near the kitchen like hungry little satellites waiting for that first gooey spoonful. This recipe scalloped potatoes version leans into simplicity but doesn’t skimp on taste. The cheesy scalloped potatoes recipe is the kind that disappears before you can blink, and if you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, they taste even better the next day. It’s hearty without being heavy, rich without overwhelming your plate, and it makes ordinary dinners feel a little more special. The best food recipes always have a way of bringing people together, and this one is no exception. So if you’ve been scrolling through scalloped potato recipes, searching for that one dish that feels both familiar and a little indulgent, this might be it. Simple ingredients, easy steps, and a cheesy finish that earns its spot in your rotation of Best Food Recipes.
Table of Contents
- 1) Key Takeaways
- 2) Easy Ultimate Scalloped Potatoes Recipe
- 3) Ingredients for Ultimate Scalloped Potatoes
- 4) How to Make Ultimate Scalloped Potatoes
- 5) Tips for Making Ultimate Scalloped Potatoes
- 6) Making Ultimate Scalloped Potatoes Ahead of Time
- 7) Storing Leftover Ultimate Scalloped Potatoes
- 8) Try these Side Dish recipes next
- 9) Ultimate Scalloped Potatoes
- 10) Nutrition
1) Key Takeaways
I keep this dish simple and cozy. Tender potato slices rest in a creamy sauce that bakes until the edges turn golden. The flavor leans savory with a soft garlic note and a mellow cheddar finish.
Elena at Elena Cooks built this method for weeknight ease. The prep stays friendly, the steps stay clear, and the baking time fits a family evening. Serve it beside roast chicken or a crisp salad.
We aim for comfort food recipes that warm the table and calm the room. This pan does that with pantry staples, steady heat, and a creamy bite that never feels heavy.
2) Easy Ultimate Scalloped Potatoes Recipe
When I reach for comfort food recipes, I start here. Comfort food recipes live in our house for nights that ask for gentle flavors and easy cleanup. Comfort food recipes also help me slow down and share a quiet plate with the people I love.
I slice russet potatoes thin. I whisk butter with flour, then milk and cream, to build a smooth sauce that hugs each layer. Cheddar brings a mellow tang that melts clean and pulls into soft strands when you lift the first spoonful.
Short keywords arrive right here in ways that feel natural. You get scalloped potatoes with a tender bite. You get cheesy potatoes with a creamy pull. You get a potato bake that smells like home as it bubbles in the oven. Longtail flavor lines land too with best scalloped potatoes recipe and cheesy scalloped potatoes recipe and recipe scalloped potatoes folded into the story we cook together.
3) Ingredients for Ultimate Scalloped Potatoes
Russet potatoes Thin slices cook even and hold shape. The starch helps the sauce cling and set into soft layers that slice clean for serving.
Butter A small knob melts in the pan and lays the base for a roux. It adds a gentle richness that carries the cheese and garlic.
All purpose flour A spoon bonds with butter to thicken the sauce. The texture turns silky and coats each slice without lumps.
Milk Warm milk loosens the roux and keeps the sauce light. The flavor stays mild and lets the cheese shine.
Heavy cream A splash deepens body and gives that spoonable feel we crave from classic pans like this.
Cheddar cheese I grate it fresh so it melts smooth. The taste sits sharp yet friendly and brings the golden top we love.
Garlic powder A pinch wakes the sauce. It sits quiet in the back and rounds the dairy without taking over.
Kosher salt and black pepper Season in layers. Taste the sauce, then taste again at the table.
Fresh parsley A little green on top brings color and a clean note right at the end.
4) How to Make Ultimate Scalloped Potatoes
Step one Heat the oven to three seven five Fahrenheit. Grease a medium baking dish. Slice the potatoes thin so they cook at the same pace.
Step two Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook one minute to form a smooth paste.
Step three Stream in warm milk and cream while you whisk. Keep the whisk moving until the sauce turns glossy and lightly thick.
Step four Stir in most of the cheddar with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. The cheese melts and the sauce turns silky.
Step five Layer half the potatoes in the dish. Pour half the sauce over the top. Repeat with the rest so every slice gets a coat.
Step six Scatter the last handful of cheese. Cover with foil and bake thirty minutes. Remove the foil and bake twenty five minutes more until the edges bubble and the top looks golden.
Step seven Rest the pan ten minutes. Sprinkle parsley. Serve warm with a crisp salad for balance.
5) Tips for Making Ultimate Scalloped Potatoes
Slice for even cooking. A sharp knife or a mandoline makes quick work and keeps every piece thin. Even slices mean tender layers from edge to center.
Warm the dairy before it hits the roux. The sauce comes together fast and stays smooth. No lumps, no fuss, just a gentle pour over the potatoes.
Reach for flavor add ins that fit your table. A pinch of nutmeg brings depth. A little Gruyere mixes with cheddar for a richer pull. Keep the spirit of comfort meals in mind and let the pan match the mood.
6) Making Ultimate Scalloped Potatoes Ahead of Time
I often build the dish in the morning. I cover it and keep it chilled. At dinner time, I bake it fresh so the top keeps its gentle crunch.
For a full make ahead path, bake until the sauce sets and the top shows pale gold. Cool to room temp. Cover and chill. Reheat covered until warm, then uncover for a few minutes to refresh the top.
This plan fits busy weeks. It leaves space for a roast or a simple salad. It also feeds a crowd of friends who lean toward cozy dinner ideas when the weather turns cool.
7) Storing Leftover Ultimate Scalloped Potatoes
Store leftovers in a tight container in the fridge for three to four days. The slices hold together and the sauce stays creamy.
Reheat in a warm oven so the top regains a light crust. A splash of milk in the corner of the dish can loosen the sauce if it looks too thick.
For the freezer, wrap portions well. Thaw in the fridge. Warm in the oven until hot and steamy, a steady path that keeps the texture close to fresh. Hearty family dishes like this one reheat with grace.
8) Try these Side Dish recipes next
9) Ultimate Scalloped Potatoes
Comfort Food Recipes Ultimate Best Scalloped Potatoes
Ingredients
- 4 large russet potatoes, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk, warmed
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F and lightly grease a baking dish.
- Melt butter in a saucepan, whisk in flour, and cook for one minute.
- Gradually add milk and cream while whisking until smooth and thickened.
- Stir in 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until melted.
- Layer half of the sliced potatoes in the dish, pour half of the sauce over them.
- Repeat with remaining potatoes and sauce.
- Sprinkle the top with the remaining cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake another 25 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Let rest 10 minutes before serving, garnish with parsley.
10) Nutrition
A modest serving offers about four hundred calories with a balance from potatoes, dairy, and cheese. Protein lands near twelve grams. Carbs land near thirty six grams with a few grams of fiber when you keep the peel. Fat lands near twenty five grams with a good share from dairy.
I write this as guidance, not a medical source. If you track exact values, use a trusted calculator with your brand choices and serving size. The spirit stays the same. Warm plate, steady fuel, calm table.
Author Elena at Elena Cooks
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