Description
Irresistible Scalloped Potatoes bring classic comfort to your dinner table with layers of tender potatoes and rich, cheesy sauce. Guests will savor each luxurious bite of this hearty side dish that promises warmth and satisfaction.
Ingredients
Scale
Potato Base:
- 4 large russet potatoes, thinly sliced
Dairy Components:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
Seasoning and Aromatics:
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Fresh herbs (like thyme or chives) for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the culinary workspace by heating the oven to a precise 375F (190C), ensuring an optimal cooking environment.
- Generously coat a 9×13 inch baking vessel with butter, creating a non-stick surface for the potato layers.
- Construct the first foundational layer of delicately sliced potatoes across the dish’s bottom, creating an even landscape.
- Distribute thinly sliced onions and fragrant minced garlic over the potato base, seasoning thoroughly with salt and freshly ground pepper.
- Cascade a luxurious stream of heavy cream across the initial layer, followed by a generous sprinkle of sharp cheddar cheese.
- Methodically repeat the layering sequence – potatoes, onions, garlic, seasoning, cream, and cheese – building intricate flavor dimensions.
- Conclude the stratification with a final potato layer, lavishly topped with remaining cream and a crowning cheese blanket.
- Shield the dish with aluminum foil, then immerse in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, allowing ingredients to meld and potatoes to soften.
- Uncover the dish, returning it to the oven for an additional 30-40 minutes until the surface transforms into a golden, crispy landscape.
- Allow the creation to rest and settle for 10 minutes, permitting flavors to harmonize before serving, optionally adorned with fresh herb confetti.
Notes
- Choose waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold for the creamiest, most luxurious texture that holds shape perfectly during baking.
- Slice potatoes uniformly (about 1/8 inch thick) using a mandoline for consistent cooking and an elegant presentation.
- Rinse potato slices in cold water to remove excess starch, ensuring a cleaner, more defined layering and preventing a gummy consistency.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half or whole milk instead of heavy cream, reducing overall calorie content without sacrificing richness.
- Experiment with cheese varieties like Gruyère or fontina for a more complex, nutty flavor profile that elevates the classic dish.
- Add crispy bacon bits or diced ham between layers for a protein-packed variation that transforms the side dish into a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 80 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg