The Ultimate Cheesy Garlic Scalloped Potatoes Recipe For Family Dinners
Creamy cheesy garlic scalloped potatoes bring comfort to every dinner table with their irresistible layers of flavor.
Crisp edges and soft centers create a magical side dish everyone craves.
Families adore this classic recipe passed through generations of home cooks.
Sliced potatoes nestled between rich cheese and aromatic garlic make magic happen in your kitchen.
Smooth cream blends with sharp cheddar for a decadent experience that feels like pure indulgence.
Skilled chefs and kitchen novices alike can master this simple yet impressive dish.
Come savor a recipe that promises to become your new favorite potato sensation.
FAQs About Cheesy Garlic Scalloped Potatoes
Use a mandoline or sharp knife to slice potatoes uniformly thin, about 1/8 inch thick. This helps all potato slices cook at the same rate and achieve consistent tenderness.
Yes, you can replace cheddar and gruyere with alternatives like monterey jack, gouda, or fontina. Just maintain a similar total cheese quantity for best results.
You can substitute with half-and-half or a combination of whole milk and sour cream. The key is maintaining a rich, creamy consistency for the sauce.
Why Cheesy Garlic Scalloped Potatoes Are Always A Hit
Ingredients List For Cheesy Garlic Scalloped Potatoes
For the Main Ingredients:For the Cheese Ingredients:For the Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:For the Cooking Ingredients:Instructions For Cheesy Garlic Scalloped Potatoes
Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish
Heat the oven to 375°F and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with generous butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Slice Potatoes with Precision
Carefully slice potatoes into thin, uniform rounds using a mandoline or sharp knife. Consistent thickness ensures even cooking and perfect texture.
Step 3: Sauté Aromatic Garlic
Finely chop garlic cloves and sauté in melted butter. Cook until the garlic becomes fragrant and develops a light golden color, releasing its rich flavor.
Step 4: Create Creamy Sauce
In a large mixing bowl, combine:Whisk the ingredients until the mixture becomes smooth and well-blended, creating a luxurious binding sauce.
Step 5: Build First Potato Layer
Arrange half of the potato slices in the prepared baking dish. Overlap the slices slightly to create an elegant, compact layer.
Step 6: Season First Layer
Distribute evenly over the potato layer:Ensure seasonings are spread across the entire surface for balanced flavor.
Step 7: Add First Cheese Layer
Sprinkle a generous mixture of:Cover the first potato layer completely with the cheese blend.
Step 8: Create Second Potato Layer
Repeat the layering process with the remaining potato slices, forming a second uniform layer.
Step 9: Pour Cream Mixture
Slowly and evenly pour the cream sauce over the potato layers. Allow the liquid to seep between the potato slices, ensuring complete coverage.
Step 10: Final Cheese Topping
Top the dish with:Create a rich, golden cheese crust that will become crispy during baking.
Step 11: Initial Baking
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes. The foil protects the top from excessive browning.
Step 12: Finish Baking
Remove the foil and continue baking for 30-35 minutes. The potatoes should become tender, and the top should turn a beautiful golden brown with crispy edges.
Step 13: Rest and Serve
Allow the scalloped potatoes to rest for 15 minutes before serving. This resting period helps the sauce set and allows flavors to meld together beautifully.
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Cheesy Garlic Scalloped Potatoes Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 45-50 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
Description
Creamy, indulgent cheesy garlic scalloped potatoes deliver pure comfort on a plate. Rich layers of thinly sliced potatoes meld with garlic-infused cream and melted cheese, promising a delectable side dish you’ll savor with every forkful.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 4 lbs russet potatoes
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded gruyere cheese
Dairy and Seasonings:
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 tbsp fresh thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Binding and Topping:
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and generously grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Thoroughly wash and thinly slice potatoes using a mandoline or sharp knife, ensuring uniform thickness for even cooking.
- Mince garlic cloves and sauté in melted butter until fragrant and lightly golden, releasing their aromatic essence.
- Whisk together heavy cream, milk, eggs, and flour in a large mixing bowl until smooth and well-incorporated, creating a rich binding sauce.
- Layer half of the potato slices in the prepared baking dish, slightly overlapping each slice to create an elegant, organized arrangement.
- Sprinkle half of the minced garlic, fresh thyme, salt, and black pepper over the potato layer, distributing seasonings evenly.
- Scatter a mixture of cheddar and gruyere cheeses across the first potato layer, ensuring comprehensive cheese coverage.
- Repeat layering process with remaining potato slices, creating a second uniform layer.
- Pour the cream mixture slowly and evenly over the potato layers, allowing liquid to seep between potato slices.
- Top the dish with remaining cheese blend and grated parmesan, creating a golden, crispy cheese crust.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes, protecting the top from excessive browning.
- Remove foil and continue baking for an additional 30-35 minutes until potatoes are tender and top is beautifully golden and crispy.
- Let the scalloped potatoes rest for 15 minutes before serving, allowing the sauce to set and flavors to meld.
Notes
- Slice potatoes uniformly using a mandoline for consistent thickness and even cooking, preventing undercooked or overcooked sections.
- Experiment with cheese varieties like smoked gouda or aged cheddar to create unique flavor profiles and enhance the dish’s complexity.
- Reduce calories by substituting heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, maintaining richness while lightening the recipe.
- Make the dish gluten-free by replacing wheat flour with cornstarch or potato starch in the cream mixture, ensuring smooth texture and proper thickening.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15-20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg
Mia Thompson
Pastry Chef & Content Creator
Expertise
Education
Portland Community College – Baking and Pastry Arts Program
Specialized in artisanal bread, seasonal desserts, and sustainable baking methods.
National University of Natural Medicine – Bachelor of Science in Nutrition (BScN)
Focused on “Food as Medicine” philosophy, with core threads in nutrition.
Mia’s love affair with baking began in her grandmother’s kitchen, where sneaking spoonfuls of batter first sparked her curiosity. She refined her skills through Portland Community College’s Baking and Pastry Arts Program and her expertise at the National University of Natural Medicine, earning a B.Sc. in Nutrition.
At The Scrumptious Pumpkin, Mia reimagines classics with effortless seasonal treats, healthier twists on old favorites, and playful confections that feel like pure joy. Beyond the oven, she nurtures her urban garden, forages local ingredients around Portland, and leads hands‑on nutrition workshops for her community.