Scalloped potatoes are a creamy, baked potato dish made with thin slices of potato layered in a rich milk or cream sauce, then baked until soft and golden on top. It’s a classic comfort side dish for dinners and holidays.
🥔🧀 Scalloped Potatoes (Classic Creamy Bake)
Ingredients
- 4–5 medium potatoes (thinly sliced)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk (warm)
- 1 cup shredded cheese (optional but recommended)
- 2–3 cloves garlic (minced, optional)
- 1 tsp salt (to taste)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme or oregano (optional)
- Pinch of nutmeg (optional, classic touch)
🍳 Instructions
1. Prep potatoes
- Peel and slice potatoes thin (about 2–3 mm thick)
- Keep them in water to prevent browning
2. Make creamy sauce
- Melt butter in a pan
- Add flour and cook 1–2 minutes (roux)
- Slowly whisk in warm milk
- Stir until smooth and slightly thick
- Add garlic, salt, pepper, and herbs
- Stir in cheese if using
3. Layer the dish
In a baking dish:
- Layer potatoes
- Pour some sauce
- Repeat until all potatoes and sauce are used
4. Bake
- Cover with foil
- Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 45–60 minutes
- Remove foil last 10–15 minutes to brown top
5. Rest
Let it sit 10 minutes before serving so it sets properly.
💡 Tips for best scalloped potatoes
- Slice potatoes evenly so they cook at the same rate
- Warm milk helps prevent lumpy sauce
- Cover while baking so potatoes become soft
- Cheese makes it richer (but traditional versions don’t always use it)
🍽️ Variations
- 🧀 Cheesy scalloped potatoes (extra cheddar or mozzarella)
- 🥓 Bacon version (crispy bacon layers)
- 🧄 Garlic herb version (stronger seasoning)
- 🥛 Cream-only version (no flour, just cream sauce)
🍽️ Serving ideas
- Roast chicken or steak
- Grilled fish
- Slow cooker meats
- Holiday-style dinner plates
If you want, I can give you a gratin-style crispy top version, a quick stovetop scalloped potatoes, or a restaurant-style ultra-creamy baked version.
