Creamy and cheesy scalloped potatoes with a generous layer of melted cheese on top! They’re a classic side dish and we’re taking a few shortcuts to make it even easier for you. Layers of potatoes in a cream sauce smothered in melty cheese make this the best scalloped potatoes recipe you’ll ever try!
This cheesy scalloped potatoes recipe is a cross between traditional scalloped potatoes and potatoes au gratin. It’s made with layers of thinly sliced potato rounds smothered in a thick, creamy herb and garlic-infused sauce, then topped with freshly grated mozzarella and baked until golden and bubbly.
You’re basically getting a 2 for 1 deal on this recipe! I’m only kidding, but I do love the addition of cheese to an otherwise classic dish that usually doesn’t have it.
The recipe for cheese scalloped potatoes is super easy and straightforward. There are only 8 ingredients that go into this simple cheesy comfort dish. Even still, it is elegant and impressive!
I’m always looking for new potato recipes. While I love Instant Pot mashed potatoes sometimes it’s nice to jazz up a side dish and these cheesy potatoes are exactly the way to do it.
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Top Cooking Tips
- Using a mandolin to slice your potatoes is a game changer! You’ll get even slices in seconds.
- Don’t overcook the potatoes. You may burn the top of the potatoes or they will become too tender and almost mushy! You don’t have to watch the oven like a hawk, but stay close by.
- If you love the idea of a potatoes Au gratin and scalloped potatoes mash up, you can even add some sliced onion to the layers of potatoes.
Ingredients Needed For Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
- Potatoes - Russet potatoes are perfect for this recipe. They contain plenty of starch will help to thicken the sauce to a nice rich consistency. You can also use Yukon Gold potatoes if you prefer. Slice them thin.
- Heavy whipping cream - This is the base of the creamy sauce. It contains more fat than milk which I like, but you can absolutely use milk if you want.
- Minced garlic cloves - The aromatic flavor of garlic adds so much to this sauce. Especially when combined with fresh thyme!
- Butter - Melts into the sauce giving it a smoother buttery flavor and texture. So good!
- Salt & pepper - To taste
- Fresh thyme leaves - Fresh herbs are used to brighten up the heaviness of the dish.
- Mozzarella - Freshly grated, please! Nothing pre-shredded as it doesn’t melt as nicely, or taste as good.
Ways to Ramp Up The Scalloped Potato's Flavor
This recipe is fantastic just the way it is but there are certainly optional add-ins you can include to have a flavor variation. Here are just a few ways.
- Add in diced ham or bacon crumbles.
- Use sweet potatoes instead of Russet potatoes, or do half and half!
- Try a different cheese or a blend. Cheddar is always classic, you could do Gruyere, Swiss, or all of the above.
How to Make Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
Step 1: We’re going to boil the sliced potatoes first to cut down on cook time. This will help get them started on their way to tender taters! You can do this one of two ways. First, you can fill a bowl with hot water and microwave sliced potatoes for 15 minutes. Or, you can boil sliced potatoes for 10 minutes on the stovetop. It’s up to you.
Step 2: Once boiled, drain the water, and carefully arrange the first layer of potatoes. Use either a skillet or baking pan. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Step 3: In a mixing bowl, whisk heavy whipping cream, minced garlic, and butter together, and microwave for a couple of minutes until the butter melts. Pour ⅓ of this mixture over top the first layer of potatoes, season with salt and pepper, and sprinkle with ⅓ of the shredded cheese.
Step 4: Repeat with the remaining 2 layers, but don’t add cheese at the end. Cover with foil and bake for 30-40 minutes. Uncover and sprinkle with remaining cheese and place it under the broiler for a few minutes until nicely browned and bubbly.
Recipe FAQs
Everyone’s oven is different, so the times may vary slightly, but the average cooking time is about 30-40 minutes. It also depends on how thin you’ve sliced your potatoes.
A good rule of thumb is to check at the 30-minute mark. If they are still not quite there yet, leave them in for the remaining 10 minutes.
Serve warm on the side of my family's favorite 3 Ingredient Pot Roast Beef & Easy Italian Salad to complete your meal.
It also pairs well with Salibury steak, Stovetop Ribeye, or this Creamy Chicken Mushroom Recipe.
Not only does it make the process quicker, but it also ensures that all of the potatoes are cooked evenly in the end.
No one likes to bite into a tender potato one minute and an uncooked potato the next!
Keep leftovers stored in an airtight container in the fridge. They should be good for up to 3 days which is great for having some for lunch or dinner throughout the week!
If you have lots leftover, reheat in the oven until warmed through. If not, and you’re just reheating a single serving the microwave will do or a skillet on low heat.
You can! Although sometimes potatoes don’t freeze well, the texture once thawed may be different.
It’s a gamble! If you want to give it a go, wrap cooled leftovers in foil and place them in a freezer-friendly bag. Keep frozen for up to 1 month.
More Easy Potato Recipes
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📖 Recipe
Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 ½ - 3 lb russet potatoes thinly sliced
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 ½ teaspoon Kosher salt or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- 2 ½ cups mozzarella cheese grated
Instructions
- First, place sliced potatoes into a glass bowl, fill it with hot water and microwave for 15 minutes or until potatoes have almost soft texture, stirring few times (or boil sliced potatoes for 10 minutes). Then, pour the water out.
- Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl, whisk 2 cups heavy whipping cream, 3 minced garlic and 3 tablespoons butter, microwave for 1-2 minutes, until butter melts.
- Preheat the oven to 350F.
- Carefully arrange the first potato layer in your cast iron skillet or a baking pan. Now pour over ⅓ of the heavy whipping cream mixer, season with salt and pepper and ⅓ of tablespoon fresh thyme leaves. Finally, sprinkle ⅓ of mozzarella cheese. Repeat with other two layers except don't add cheese at the end.
- Cover with foil paper bake for about 30-40 minutes or until potato is cooked thru. Uncover, then sprinkle the rest of the cheese and broil on high for about minutes. Serve warm. Enjoy!
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Notes
- Using a mandolin to slice your potatoes is a fantastic idea that can save you time and effort in the kitchen! You can get perfectly sliced potatoes in just a few seconds, making your cooking experience easier and more enjoyable.
- Just a word of caution, make sure not to overcook the potatoes as they can turn out burnt or too soft. Don't worry though, you don't have to constantly watch the oven, just stay close by and keep an eye out.
- If you're a fan of potatoes Au gratin and scalloped potatoes, you'll love this tip! Adding some thinly sliced onions to the layers of potatoes can create a delicious flavor explosion that will have your taste buds dancing. Give it a try and see for yourself!
Kimberly Mikone
These potatoes are delicious. I used fat. Free half and half instead of heavy whipping cream.
Munchkin Time
Thank you, Kimberly! 😀
Michael Dean Looper
Is it better for the potatoes to be peeled or does it make any difference?
Munchkin Time
Hi Michael, I like to peel my potatoes, if you wish you can leave the skins on, hope this helps.
Trish Harrold
I've never made scalloped taters with mozzerella. Does it really get creamy? Im afraid of it being stringy.
Munchkin Time
Hi Trish! Thats a good questions. I liked it with mozzarella, it is creamy with a little bit of stringy to it, please feel free to use a deferent cheese for more creamy effect like American or cheddar cheese. Hope this helps!
Shadi Hasanzadenemati
This is absolutely delicious! I love that it’s such a crowd pleaser for the whole family
Munchkin Time
Thank you so much Shadi! I am so glad you liked this!
Chelsea
When I put it in my recipe builder it’s showing 23 points
wilhelmina
These potatoes were so delicious! They will be making many more appearances on our table!
Munchkin Time
Woohoo, I am so glad you enjoyed these scalloped potatoes, thank you so much for your recipe review!