Cheesy Garlic Scalloped Potatoes

There’s something about cheesy, creamy potatoes that just feels like home. Whether it’s a holiday gathering, a cozy family dinner, or just a night when you’re craving something rich and indulgent, these Cheesy Garlic Scalloped Potatoes are the perfect side dish. They’re loaded with layers of thinly sliced Russet potatoes, a velvety cheese sauce infused with garlic, and just the right kick of seasoning to make every bite unforgettable.

This recipe takes scalloped potatoes to a whole new level, thanks to a blend of cheddar, pepper jack, and Parmesan cheese, plus a touch of Cajun seasoning for a subtle heat. It’s decadent, comforting, and guaranteed to steal the show at any meal. And the best part? Even though it looks fancy, it’s surprisingly simple to make!

Let’s dive into this irresistible, cheesy goodness and get started on making a dish that will have everyone coming back for seconds.

Getting Started: Preparing Your Ingredients

Before anything else, preheat your oven to 400°F and grease a 14 x 11½ x 2¼-inch baking dish with non-stick spray. This ensures the potatoes won’t stick and will come out beautifully layered and golden.

Now, let’s talk potatoes. Russet potatoes are the best choice for this recipe because they’re starchy and help create that creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Using a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer, cut the potatoes into ⅛-inch thick slices. This thinness is key—it allows the potatoes to cook evenly and absorb all that delicious sauce. To prevent them from turning brown while you prepare everything else, place the slices in a large bowl of cold water.

With the potatoes ready, it’s time to move on to the flavorful base of this dish: the onion and garlic-infused cheese sauce.

Making the Rich and Creamy Cheese Sauce

In a large frying pan over low heat, melt ¼ cup of butter. Once it’s sizzling, add in 2 cups of finely chopped onions and 6 cloves of minced garlic. Sauté them for about 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently until the onions become translucent and fragrant. This step is crucial because it builds a deep, savory flavor that will soak into every layer of the potatoes.

Next, sprinkle ¼ cup of flour over the onion mixture. Stir everything together, ensuring the flour coats the onions evenly. Let it cook for 1-2 minutes to get rid of any raw flour taste—this step helps thicken the sauce later on.

Slowly pour in 1 ½ cups of vegetable broth, stirring continuously. Then, add 1 ½ cups of heavy cream along with 1 tablespoon of salt, 2 teaspoons of black pepper, and 2 teaspoons of Cajun seasoning (or Slap Ya Mama® seasoning). Keep stirring until the sauce starts to thicken slightly. Be careful not to let it boil—just a gentle simmer is enough to bring out the flavors.

Now comes the best part: the cheese! Stir in 2 cups of grated cheddar cheese until it melts into a smooth, creamy sauce. At this point, your kitchen will be filled with the rich aroma of garlic, onions, and melted cheese—trust me, it’s hard not to sneak a taste.

With the sauce ready to go, it’s time to start assembling our layers of cheesy, garlicky goodness.

Layering the Potatoes for Maximum Flavor

Now that we have our rich, cheesy garlic sauce ready, it’s time to assemble everything in the baking dish. This step is where all the flavors come together, creating those irresistible layers of creamy, cheesy goodness.

Start by draining the sliced Russet potatoes from the cold water and patting them dry with a paper towel. This helps remove excess moisture, ensuring they bake up tender and not watery.

Now, in your greased 14 x 11½ x 2¼-inch baking dish, begin by arranging ⅓ of the potato slices in an even layer at the bottom. You don’t have to be perfect, but try to slightly overlap them to create a sturdy base.

Next, spread ⅓ of the sour cream over the potatoes. This adds extra creaminess and a slight tang that balances the richness of the cheese sauce. Then, pour ⅓ of the cheese sauce over the potatoes, making sure to cover them evenly.

To make this dish truly indulgent, sprinkle ⅓ of the Parmesan cheese, ⅓ of the pepper jack cheese, and ⅓ of the remaining cheddar cheese on top. This combination creates a gooey, flavorful melt with a slight kick from the pepper jack.

Repeat the layering process two more times, finishing with a final layer of cheddar cheese on top. This ensures a golden, bubbly crust that makes scalloped potatoes so irresistible.

Now that our dish is fully assembled, it’s time to bake it to perfection.

Baking Until Golden and Bubbly

Cover the dish tightly with foil and place it in your preheated 400°F oven. Bake for 1½ to 2 hours, or until the potatoes are fork-tender. The foil traps in the moisture, allowing the potatoes to soften while the flavors meld together beautifully.

About 15–20 minutes before the dish is done, remove the foil to let the top brown slightly. This step gives you that golden, cheesy crust that makes scalloped potatoes so delicious. If you want an extra crispy top, you can switch the oven to broil for the last 2-3 minutes, but keep a close eye on it to prevent burning.

Once the potatoes are done, remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for about 15 minutes before serving. This resting time allows the sauce to thicken and the layers to set, making it easier to scoop out perfect portions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Scalloped potatoes might seem simple, but there are always a few common questions that come up. Here are some helpful answers to ensure your dish turns out perfectly every time.

1. Can I make these scalloped potatoes ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble the entire dish, cover it, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. When ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before placing it in the oven.

2. What can I use instead of heavy cream?
If you want to lighten up the recipe, you can substitute half-and-half or whole milk for part of the heavy cream. The dish will still be creamy, but slightly less rich.

3. How do I store and reheat leftovers?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, cover the dish with foil and bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes, or until warmed through. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave.

4. Can I freeze scalloped potatoes?
Yes, but the texture may change slightly due to the dairy. To freeze, let the dish cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bake at 350°F for about 30 minutes until heated through.

5. What other cheeses can I use?
You can swap out the cheddar, pepper jack, or Parmesan for other cheeses like Gruyère, mozzarella, Colby Jack, or Swiss. Just make sure to use a good melting cheese for the best texture.

6. Can I add meat to this dish?
Absolutely! Crisp bacon bits, diced ham, or even cooked sausage make great additions if you want to turn this into a heartier meal. Simply layer the meat in with the potatoes for added flavor.

7. How do I make the top extra crispy?
For a crunchy topping, sprinkle buttered breadcrumbs over the top during the last 15 minutes of baking. You can also broil for 2-3 minutes at the end for an extra golden crust.

Final Thoughts

There’s no doubt that these Cheesy Garlic Scalloped Potatoes are the ultimate comfort food. They’re creamy, cheesy, and packed with layers of flavor that will have everyone at the table reaching for seconds. Whether you’re making them for a holiday dinner, a Sunday meal, or just because you’re craving something indulgent, this dish is sure to impress.

So go ahead, give this recipe a try, and let us know how it turned out! Do you have any favorite variations or secret ingredients you like to add? Share your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear from you!

Enjoy your cheesy, garlicky, absolutely irresistible scalloped potatoes!

Print