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Perfect Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes: Easy Holiday Side Dish

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These Perfect Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes are a creamy, cheesy, and forgiving holiday side dish that comes together in about 15 minutes of active prep. It’s the underdog that always wins, using simple ingredients like Yukon Gold potatoes, heavy cream, and sharp cheddar for a luscious, crowd-pleasing result.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, sliced into ⅛-inch rounds (about 4–5 medium potatoes)
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for greasing the dish
  • 1 teaspoon salt (Diamond Crystal kosher salt; reduce to ¾ teaspoon if using table salt)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated if possible
  • 1 sprig fresh thyme (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Position a rack in the middle of the oven. Butter your 9×13-inch baking dish generously.
  2. Wash the potatoes well (peeling is optional). Slice them into rounds about ⅛-inch thick using a mandoline or sharp knife.
  3. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the heavy cream, minced garlic, butter, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Add the thyme sprig if using. Warm until the butter melts and the mixture is hot but not boiling, about 3-4 minutes. Remove the thyme sprig if used.
  4. Arrange a single layer of potato slices in the bottom of the buttered dish, overlapping slightly. Pour about ¼ of the warm cream mixture over the top. Sprinkle with about ¼ of the cheddar and a little Parmesan. Repeat layering (potatoes, cream, cheese) until all ingredients are used, ending with a generous layer of cheese on top. You should have about 4-5 layers.
  5. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 40 minutes.
  6. After 40 minutes, carefully remove the foil. Check if potatoes are tender when pierced with a knife. If still firm, re-cover and bake for another 10 minutes. Once tender, bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
  7. Let the dish rest for at least 10 minutes before serving. This allows the cream to set and the layers to settle.

Notes

Let the dish rest for at least 10 minutes before serving to prevent a soupy mess. If the top browns too quickly, tent loosely with foil for the last 10 minutes of baking. For extra crispy top, broil for the last 2-3 minutes. To make ahead, assemble completely, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking; add about 15 minutes to covered baking time. Leftovers keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes covered with foil.

Nutrition

Keywords: scalloped potatoes, cheesy potatoes, holiday side dish, easy side dish, creamy potatoes, cheddar potatoes, Yukon Gold potatoes, comfort food

Find it online: https://dinadishes.com/perfect-cheesy-scalloped-potatoes-easy-holiday-side-dish/