Creamy Scalloped Potatoes Recipe
This Creamy Scalloped Potatoes recipe features thinly sliced Yukon gold potatoes baked in a rich, garlicky Parmesan cream sauce flavored with fresh thyme. The potatoes are arranged upright and baked to a golden, bubbling perfection with a cheesy crust. Perfect as a comforting side dish for any meal.
- Author: Luna
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Potatoes
- 5 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, thinly sliced
Sauce
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup heavy cream (or whole milk/half & half)
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (plus extra for topping)
- 1 tsp fresh thyme
- 0.5 tsp kosher salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a ceramic baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Slice Potatoes: Peel and thinly slice the Yukon gold potatoes using a mandoline or a sharp knife for even cooking.
- Cook Garlic in Butter: In a large pot over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Make Roux: Stir in the all-purpose flour and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly to form a roux that will thicken the sauce.
- Add Cream and Thicken Sauce: Gradually whisk in the heavy cream and cook for 5 minutes until the mixture slightly thickens, stirring occasionally to prevent lumps.
- Incorporate Cheese and Seasonings: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, fresh thyme, kosher salt, and black pepper until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Coat Potatoes: Add the sliced potatoes to the sauce and gently toss to evenly coat each slice with the creamy mixture.
- Arrange in Baking Dish: Arrange the coated potato slices vertically in the prepared baking dish. Pour any remaining sauce over the top.
- Add Topping: Sprinkle extra grated Parmesan cheese on top to create a golden, crispy crust during baking.
- Bake Covered and Uncovered: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for an additional 30 minutes until the potatoes are tender and the top is golden and bubbling.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the scalloped potatoes to cool for 10 minutes before serving to let the sauce set slightly and make serving easier.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute half & half or whole milk for heavy cream, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Using a mandoline ensures uniform potato slices for even cooking.
- Fresh thyme adds a subtle earthy flavor, but dried thyme can be used in a pinch (reduce quantity to ½ tsp).
- Make sure to cover the dish during the first half of baking to prevent excessive browning.
- Letting the dish rest before serving helps the sauce thicken and improves texture.
Keywords: scalloped potatoes, creamy potatoes, parmesan potatoes, baked potatoes, side dish, comfort food