Description
This easy and delicious Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes recipe features thinly sliced russet potatoes and onions layered in a creamy cheddar cheese sauce, baked to perfection and finished with a golden broiled topping. Perfect as a comforting side dish for family dinners or holiday feasts.
Ingredients
Potatoes and Onions
- 4 russet potatoes, peeled and sliced into ¼-inch slices (about 2 pounds)
- 1 yellow onion, sliced into rings
Cheese Sauce
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 cups whole milk, room temperature
- 1 ½ cups mild cheddar cheese, shredded
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare dish: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Lightly spray an 8×8-inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Arrange potatoes and onions: In the prepared baking dish, layer the peeled and sliced potatoes and onion rings by staggering them, alternating between potato slices and onion rings to build your layers evenly.
- Cook cheese sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in the all-purpose flour and kosher salt, stirring constantly for about one minute to cook out the raw flour taste and form a roux.
- Add milk and thicken: Gradually stir in the room temperature whole milk, continuing to whisk until the mixture thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Add the cheese: Stir in the shredded mild cheddar cheese all at once. Continue stirring until the cheese has fully melted and the sauce is smooth, approximately 30 to 60 seconds.
- Pour sauce over potatoes: Pour the hot cheese sauce evenly over the layered potatoes and onions in the casserole dish. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil to trap steam during baking.
- Bake the potatoes: Bake in the preheated oven for 85 to 90 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Broil for crisp topping: Remove the foil, change the oven setting to broil, and broil the scalloped potatoes until the top is golden brown and bubbly, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Season and serve: Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste before serving your creamy, cheesy scalloped potatoes.
Notes
- For best results, slice potatoes uniformly to ensure even cooking.
- Using room temperature milk helps to prevent lumps in the cheese sauce.
- Covering with foil while baking helps the potatoes cook evenly and stay moist.
- Watch the potatoes closely while broiling to avoid burning the cheese topping.
- This dish pairs well with roasted meats and steamed vegetables.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.