Cozy Cheesy Garlic Scalloped Potatoes Recipe For Winter Nights

Creamy layers of sliced potatoes smothered in a rich, cheesy garlic scalloped potatoes sauce promise pure comfort on a plate.

Tender potato slices nestle between waves of melted cheese and aromatic garlic.

Each forkful promises a delightful blend of crispy edges and velvety interior.

The golden-brown top hints at the delectable masterpiece waiting beneath.

Herbs sprinkled throughout add a fresh, vibrant touch to this classic side dish.

Simple ingredients transform into an irresistible crowd-pleaser that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Prepare to savor every decadent bite of this ultimate potato indulgence.

What Makes Cheesy Garlic Scalloped Potatoes Special

• Savor Ultimate Comfort: This scalloped potato dish delivers pure culinary joy with its incredible cheese-packed layers and rich flavors.
• Crowd-Pleasing Potential: Guaranteed to impress family and friends with its creamy texture, multiple cheese varieties, and irresistible golden-brown top.
• Versatile Meal Companion: Works wonderfully alongside roasted meats, holiday dinners, or as a hearty standalone vegetarian option that satisfies every palate.

Ingredients in Cheesy Garlic Scalloped Potatoes

• Potatoes: Starchy, creamy base that makes this dish a classic comfort food.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp and melty cheese that adds rich flavor.
• Parmesan Cheese: Salty and nutty cheese for extra depth.
• Pepper Jack Cheese: Spicy cheese that brings a little kick.

• Heavy Cream: Luxurious and smooth cream for richness.
• Sour Cream: Tangy and creamy addition for extra moisture.
• Butter: Smooth, rich base for sautéing.

• Onions, Garlic: Flavor-packed base that brings warmth and depth.
• Salt, Pepper: Classic seasonings that enhance overall taste.

• Vegetable Broth: Liquid base that adds subtle savory notes.
• Flour: Thickening agent for the creamy sauce.
• Non-Stick Spray: Helps prevent sticking in the baking dish.
• Foil: Covers dish during initial baking.

How to Prepare Cheesy Garlic Scalloped Potatoes

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish

Get your oven ready by heating it to 400°F.

Grab a large baking dish and give it a quick spray with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Slice Potatoes with Care

Carefully peel the potatoes and slice them into thin, delicate rounds about ⅛ inch thick.

Transfer these potato slices to a spacious mixing bowl and set aside.

Step 3: Sauté Aromatic Base

Warm up a large skillet over low heat.

• Diced onions
• Minced garlic

Let these ingredients dance together for 4-5 minutes until they become soft and fragrant.

Step 4: Create Magical Sauce Base

Sprinkle flour over the onion and garlic mixture.

Stir and cook for a couple of minutes to remove the raw flour taste.

Step 5: Build Creamy Sauce

Slowly pour in vegetable broth, stirring continuously.

• Salt
• Pepper
• Seasonings
• Heavy cream

Keep stirring until the sauce thickens beautifully.

Remove from heat just before it starts boiling.

Fold in cheddar cheese until smooth and melted.

Step 6: Layer Delicious Ingredients

• Spread ⅓ of potato slices
• Add ⅓ of sour cream
• Pour ⅓ of cheese sauce
• Sprinkle cheese blend

• Parmesan

• Pepper jack

• Cheddar

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Cover the dish with foil and slide it into the preheated oven.

Bake for 1½ to 2 hours.

Step 8: Final Cheese Crisp

About 15-20 minutes before finishing, remove the foil to let the cheese develop a golden, crispy top.

Step 9: Rest and Serve

Once out of the oven, let the dish sit for 15 minutes.

This allows the layers to set and makes serving easier.

Dive into your creamy, cheesy potato heaven!

Tips for Making Scalloped Potatoes Extra Creamy

• Use a mandoline or sharp knife to cut potatoes exactly ⅛
• Watch the cheese sauce carefully while stirring to prevent burning and achieve a smooth, creamy consistency without over-thickening.
• Mix different cheese types like cheddar, pepper jack, and Parmesan to create a more complex and rich flavor profile in the scalloped potatoes.
• Distribute potato slices, sour cream, and cheese sauce evenly in each layer to ensure every bite has balanced ingredients and maximum flavor.
• Allow the dish to sit for 15 minutes after baking to help the layers set and make cutting and serving easier without falling apart.

How to Store and Reheat Scalloped Potatoes

• Store leftover scalloped potatoes in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep chilled for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Cover dish with foil to prevent drying out. Warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through, checking internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Place portion in microwave-safe dish. Heat on medium power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly. Stop when potatoes are steaming hot.
• Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating to maintain texture and flavor.

What Goes Well with Cheesy Garlic Potatoes

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a chardonnay or sauvignon blanc with bright acidity to cut through the rich, creamy potato dish, balancing its heaviness with refreshing notes.
• Complement with Roasted Meat Sides: Serve alongside herb-crusted roast chicken, grilled pork tenderloin, or slow-roasted beef to create a hearty and satisfying meal that highlights the potato's decadent texture.
• Match with Fresh Green Salad: Toss a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette and toasted pine nuts to provide a crisp, tangy contrast that helps cleanse the palate between cheesy potato bites.
• Enhance with Craft Beer Pairing: Choose a hoppy IPA or a smooth amber ale that can stand up to the intense cheese flavors and provide a robust complementary drinking experience.

Flavor Twists on Scalloped Potatoes

• Vegetarian Scalloped Potatoes: Replace chicken-based broth with vegetable broth and use plant-based cheese alternatives like vegan cheddar or nutritional yeast for dairy-free protein.
• Herb-Infused Potato Casserole: Add fresh rosemary, thyme, and sage to the cheese sauce for an aromatic flavor profile that elevates the traditional recipe.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Option: Substitute potatoes with thinly sliced cauliflower to create a keto-friendly version that maintains the creamy, cheesy texture of the original dish.
• Spicy Southwest Potato Bake: Incorporate diced green chiles, jalapeños, and replace some cheddar with pepper jack cheese for a zesty southwestern-inspired variation.

FAQs

• Are the potatoes pre-cooked before layering?

No, the potatoes are sliced raw and layer directly into the baking dish. They will cook and become tender during the long baking process in the sauce.

• Can I use different types of cheese?

Yes, you can substitute cheeses. Pepper jack, cheddar, and Parmesan work well, but you can experiment with gruyere, monterey jack, or swiss cheese depending on your taste preferences.

• What's the purpose of adding flour to the onion mixture?

The flour helps thicken the sauce by creating a roux. It provides structure and helps the sauce coat the potatoes evenly, creating a creamy and rich texture throughout the dish.

• Is it necessary to use heavy cream?

Heavy cream creates a rich, luxurious texture and helps the sauce bind together. If needed, you can substitute with half-and-half or whole milk, but the sauce might be slightly less creamy and rich.

Cheesy Garlic Scalloped Potatoes Recipe

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4.6 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Creamy “cheesy garlic scalloped potatoes” offer a luxurious side dish that elevates comfort cooking with rich, layered flavors. Crisp potato edges and melted cheese create a memorable experience you’ll crave at every family gathering.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Potatoes and Dairy:

• 5 lbs (2.27 kg) russet potatoes, sliced 1/8 inch thick
• 3 cups cheddar cheese, grated
• 1 cup pepper jack cheese, grated
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 8 ounces (226 grams) sour cream
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 1/4 cup (113 grams) butter (1/2 stick)

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• 2 cups onions, chopped small
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 2 teaspoons pepper
• 2 teaspoons Slap Ya Mama seasoning

Liquid and Thickener:

• 1/4 cup flour
• 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 400° and coating a spacious rectangular baking vessel with non-stick spray.
2. Carefully transform potatoes into delicate, translucent rounds approximately ⅛” thick, then temporarily reserve in a generously sized mixing bowl.
3. Activate a large frying pan and melt butter using minimal heat, introducing diced onions and minced garlic to create a fragrant foundation.
4. Gently dust flour over the aromatic onion mixture, stirring and allowing ingredients to intermingle and develop depth for several minutes.
5. Cascade vegetable broth into the pan, incorporating salt, pepper, and preferred seasonings, then blend in heavy cream until the sauce reaches a luxurious, velvety consistency.
6. Remove sauce from heat just before boiling point and fold in shredded cheddar cheese until smoothly integrated.
7. Construct initial potato layer within baking dish, meticulously distributing sour cream and cheese sauce across the surface.
8. Elegantly sprinkle a harmonious blend of Parmesan, pepper jack, and cheddar cheese over the initial stratum.
9. Repeat layering process two additional times, ensuring each tier receives equal attention and culminating with a generous cheddar cheese crown.
10. Envelop the dish in aluminum foil and transfer to preheated oven, allowing potatoes to transform and meld for approximately 1½ – 2 hours.
11. During final cooking stage, unveil the foil to encourage a golden, slightly crisp cheese surface.
12. Extract from oven and permit dish to rest and settle for quarter-hour before serving, allowing flavors to harmonize and intensity to develop.

Notes

• Slice potatoes uniformly to ensure even cooking and a beautiful layered presentation.
• Pat potato slices dry with paper towels to prevent excess moisture and achieve a crispier top layer.
• Use room temperature ingredients like butter and cream to help them blend more smoothly and create a consistent sauce.
• Consider swapping heavy cream with half-and-half or milk for a lighter version without sacrificing richness.
• Experiment with different cheese combinations like Gruyère, fontina, or smoked gouda for unique flavor profiles.
• Add crispy bacon bits or chopped herbs like thyme or rosemary between layers for extra depth and complexity.
• For a vegetarian version, replace vegetable broth with mushroom broth to maintain rich umami flavor.
• Check potato tenderness by inserting a knife; it should glide through effortlessly when perfectly cooked.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Side Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg