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Old Fashioned Scalloped Potatoes Recipe Easy Creamy Comfort Side Dish

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A nostalgic, creamy scalloped potatoes recipe featuring a velvety sauce, tender russet potatoes, and a golden bubbly crust. Perfect for holiday dinners or cozy family meals, ready in about an hour with simple ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 pounds russet potatoes (about 6 medium potatoes)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (57g)
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (30g)
  • 2 cups whole milk (480ml)
  • 1 cup heavy cream (240ml)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (200g)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (optional)

Instructions

  1. Peel the russet potatoes and slice them evenly about 1/8-inch thick. Rinse the sliced potatoes under cold water to remove excess starch, then pat dry with paper towels.
  2. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds without browning.
  3. Sprinkle the flour over the onion and garlic mixture and whisk constantly for 1-2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste. Slowly whisk in the milk and heavy cream, ensuring no lumps. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook until thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 4-5 minutes. Stir in salt, pepper, and fresh thyme leaves.
  4. Layer half of the potato slices in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish, overlapping slightly. Pour half of the creamy sauce over the potatoes, then sprinkle with half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Repeat with remaining potatoes, sauce, and cheese.
  5. Cover the dish loosely with foil and bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes until the top is golden brown and bubbly. Potatoes should be tender but not mushy.
  6. Let the scalloped potatoes rest for about 10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken and flavors to meld.

Notes

[‘Rinse potatoes to remove excess starch and prevent gummy texture.’, ‘Use freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese for better melt and texture.’, ‘Simmer sauce gently to avoid curdling or scorching.’, ‘Do not overbake to prevent mushy potatoes and dry sauce.’, ‘Season sauce generously with salt and pepper before assembling.’, ‘If sauce is too thin, simmer longer or add a flour slurry to thicken.’, ‘Slice potatoes evenly about 1/8-inch thick for even cooking.’, ‘Rest dish 10 minutes before serving for better texture.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: scalloped potatoes, creamy potatoes, comfort food, holiday side dish, cheesy potatoes, old fashioned scalloped potatoes