Cozy Classic Scalloped Potatoes with Cheddar Cheese
Crispy golden edges and a creamy, cheesy center make these classic scalloped potatoes the perfect side dish for any holiday meal. After making this dish dozens of times, I’ve discovered the secret to preventing soggy potatoes. Keep reading to find out how. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Chimichurri Sauce Recipe for Grilling and Dinner and Cinnamon Sugar Churro Pancakes for Easy Weekend Brunch.
Why This Cozy Classic Scalloped Potatoes with Cheddar Cheese Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy golden edges and a creamy center
- Easy to make ahead and freeze
- Better than takeout and healthier too
What You'll Need for Cozy Classic Scalloped Potatoes with Cheddar Cheese
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 6 medium potatoes
- 1 medium onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- Optional: Chopped fresh parsley
- Optional: Crumbled bacon
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Potatoes: Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes work best.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Mandoline slicer — Ensures even slices for even cooking. → See on Amazon
- Food processor — Saves time and effort in slicing potatoes. → See on Amazon
How to Make Cozy Classic Scalloped Potatoes with Cheddar Cheese
- Prepare potatoes: Peel and slice potatoes thinly using a mandoline slicer or food processor. Soak in cold water for 10 minutes to remove excess starch.
- Sauté onions and garlic: Melt butter in a pan, add diced onions, and cook until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Layer potatoes: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a baking dish, layer half of the potatoes, followed by half of the onion mixture, half of the heavy cream, and half of the cheese. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
- Bake: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil, increase heat to 400°F (200°C), and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes until golden and crispy.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Cozy Classic Scalloped Potatoes with Cheddar Cheese
- Common mistake and fix: To prevent soggy potatoes, make sure to soak the sliced potatoes in cold water for 10 minutes to remove excess starch.
- Time-saving tip: You can prepare the potato slices and onion mixture up to a day ahead. Store separately in the fridge.
- Make-ahead tip: Assemble the dish up to a day ahead, cover tightly, and refrigerate. Bake as directed, adding an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time.
Storing & Reheating Cozy Classic Scalloped Potatoes with Cheddar Cheese
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Make-ahead tip: Can be assembled up to a day ahead. See pro tips for details.
Freezing Cozy Classic Scalloped Potatoes with Cheddar Cheese
Freeze assembled dish before baking. Thaw in the fridge overnight before baking as directed.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in a 350°F (180°C) oven for 15-20 minutes. Microwave: Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For extra flavor, you can add 1-2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard to the heavy cream.
- Best substitution: Heavy cream can be substituted with an equal amount of milk for a lighter version.
- Make-ahead: See storage section for make-ahead instructions.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If potatoes are still not tender after baking, cover the dish with foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality baking dish — Even heat distribution ensures perfectly cooked potatoes. → Check price on Amazon
Cozy Classic Scalloped Potatoes with Cheddar Cheese
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 6 medium potatoes
- 1 medium onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp butter
Seasonings
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
Optional Toppings
- Chopped fresh parsley
- Crumbled bacon
Instructions
- Prepare potatoes: Peel and slice potatoes thinly using a mandoline slicer or food processor. Soak in cold water for 10 minutes to remove excess starch.
- Sauté onions and garlic: Melt butter in a pan, add diced onions, and cook until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Layer potatoes: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a baking dish, layer half of the potatoes, followed by half of the onion mixture, half of the heavy cream, and half of the cheese. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
- Bake: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil, increase heat to 400°F (200°C), and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes until golden and crispy.
Notes
- Chef tip: For extra flavor, you can add 1-2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard to the heavy cream.
- Best substitution: Heavy cream can be substituted with an equal amount of milk for a lighter version.
- Make-ahead: See storage section for make-ahead instructions.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If potatoes are still not tender after baking, cover the dish with foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze assembled dish before baking. Thaw in the fridge overnight before baking as directed.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in a 350°F (180°C) oven for 15-20 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
- Make ahead: Can be assembled up to a day ahead. See pro tips for details.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 370
- Protein: 9g
- Fat: 25g
- Carbs: 35g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Cholesterol: 80mg
- Sat. Fat: 15g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Cozy Classic Scalloped Potatoes with Cheddar Cheese FAQs
Yes, you can assemble the dish up to a day ahead. See the storage section for details.
To prevent soggy potatoes, make sure to soak the sliced potatoes in cold water for 10 minutes to remove excess starch. See pro tips for more details.
Yes, you can freeze the assembled dish before baking. Thaw in the fridge overnight before baking as directed.
While you can make potatoes in the air fryer, the texture and presentation won't be the same as the traditional oven-baked version.
Scalloped potatoes are sliced thin and layered with cream and cheese, while au gratin potatoes are sliced thicker and topped with a breadcrumb mixture.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Cozy Classic Scalloped Potatoes with Cheddar Cheese and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
