Randy Chandler
Scalloped potatoes are a delicious and comforting dish, perfect for any occasion. But do you put cheese in scalloped potatoes? The answer is not necessarily. While some recipes call for shredded cheese, such as cheddar, mozzarella, gouda, or gruyere, to be layered between the potatoes, scalloped potatoes can also be made without cheese. In fact, a classic scalloped potato recipe traditionally uses a white sauce or roux, made with flour, butter, milk, and seasonings, without any cheese. However, adding cheese can enhance the flavor and make the dish even more indulgent. Ultimately, whether or not to include cheese in scalloped potatoes is a matter of personal preference, and both options can result in a tasty dish.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of dish | Side dish |
| Main ingredient | Potato |
| Other ingredients | Cheese, onion, garlic, butter, milk, flour, salt, cayenne, paprika, breadcrumbs |
| Potato type | Yukon gold, Russet |
| Potato preparation | Thinly sliced, soaked in cold water |
| Cheese type | Cheddar, mozzarella, gouda, fontina, gruyere, parmesan |
| Baking time | 45 minutes to 2 hours |
| Baking temperature | 350°F to 400°F |
| Baking dish | Casserole dish |
| Serving suggestions | Ham, turkey, salad, asparagus, broccoli |
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What You'll Learn
Scalloped potatoes with cheese
Scalloped potatoes are a delicious classic side dish that can be served at Easter, Christmas, Thanksgiving, or any night of the week! The dish consists of thinly sliced potatoes layered in a casserole dish and baked with milk or cream until tender.
While a classic scalloped potato recipe doesn't include cheese, there are many variations of the recipe that do. These are often referred to as "cheesy scalloped potatoes" or "potatoes au gratin".
To make scalloped potatoes with cheese, you'll need the following ingredients:
- Potatoes (Yukon Gold or Russet)
- Cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, gouda, fontina, gruyere, parmesan, or a mix)
- Milk
- Butter
- Flour
- Salt
- Cayenne
- Paprika
- Onion
- Garlic
- Fresh thyme or other herbs
First, preheat your oven to 350-400°F. Slice the potatoes thinly, using a mandoline if you have one, and soak them in cold water for 30 minutes. Then, melt butter in a saucepan and stir in flour. Slowly whisk in the milk and season with salt and cayenne. Cook the sauce on low heat until smooth and boiling, then reduce the heat and stir in shredded cheese until melted.
Next, grease a baking dish and layer half of the sliced potatoes. Pour half of the cheese sauce over the potatoes, then repeat with another layer of potatoes and sauce. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top, along with some paprika for color.
Finally, bake uncovered for about 1 hour at 350°F, or 85-90 minutes at 400°F, until the cheese is golden brown and the potatoes are tender. For a crisp topping, change the oven setting to broil for the last few minutes of baking.
And that's it! You now have a delicious, cheesy scalloped potato dish to enjoy as a side or main course.
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Scalloped potatoes without cheese
Scalloped potatoes are a classic side dish that can be made without cheese. While many recipes do include cheese, a traditional scalloped potato dish consists of sliced potatoes layered in a casserole dish and baked with heavy cream and herbs.
To make scalloped potatoes without cheese, start by preheating your oven to 400°F. Grease a medium-sized casserole dish with butter and set it aside. You can use a 9 x 9-inch dish for three layers of potatoes or a slightly larger 9 x 13-inch dish for two layers.
Slice the potatoes into 1/8-inch thick rounds using a mandoline or a chef's knife. You'll need about 3 pounds of potatoes, which is approximately 9 large potatoes. Blot the sliced potatoes dry to avoid soggy results. Peel and dice an onion, and mince some garlic cloves to taste.
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent and softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute. Then, whisk in flour and continue cooking for 1-2 minutes until it turns light brown. Gradually whisk in milk, salt, and pepper, and cook until the mixture thickens and bubbles.
Layer the potatoes in the prepared baking dish, seasoning each layer with salt and pepper. Pour the sauce over the potatoes, making sure to cover all the layers. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45-60 minutes, checking every 15 minutes, until the milk comes to a boil. Reduce the heat to 375 degrees F and bake for an additional 45-60 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
For a crisp topping, remove the foil and change the oven setting to broil for the last few minutes of baking. Your scalloped potatoes will be golden brown, crispy on the outside, and buttery soft on the inside. Serve them as a comforting side dish with steak, chicken, pork, or your favorite main course. Enjoy!
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Scalloped potatoes with different types of cheese
Scalloped potatoes are a classic side dish for holidays like Easter, Christmas, and Thanksgiving. They are made by layering sliced potatoes with a creamy sauce and cheese, and then baking them until tender. While traditional scalloped potatoes are made with a milk or cream sauce without cheese, many modern variations include cheese in the recipe.
Different types of cheese can be used to make scalloped potatoes, depending on your preference and what you have on hand. Here are some popular options:
- Cheddar: Cheddar cheese is a popular choice for scalloped potatoes as it melts well and has a sharp, tangy flavor. It pairs well with other ingredients such as garlic, thyme, and onions.
- Colby Jack: Colby Jack cheese, also known as Cojack, is a blend of Colby and Monterey Jack cheeses. It has a mild, slightly sweet flavor and melts easily, making it a good option for scalloped potatoes.
- Mozzarella: Mozzarella is a classic melting cheese that can add a gooey, stretchy texture to your scalloped potatoes. It is mild in flavor and works well in combination with other cheeses.
- Gouda: Smoked gouda adds a smoky flavor to scalloped potatoes, while regular gouda has a mild, nutty taste. Both varieties melt well and can add a unique twist to the dish.
- Fontina: Fontina cheese has a creamy texture and a slightly nutty flavor. It melts extremely well, making it a great choice for scalloped potatoes.
- Gruyere: Gruyere is a Swiss cheese with a slightly sweet and nutty flavor. It melts beautifully and adds a rich, creamy texture to the dish, although it can be a bit more expensive than other options.
- Provolone: Provolone is an Italian cheese with a mild flavor. It melts well and can give your scalloped potatoes a stringy, gooey texture.
- Swiss Cheese: Swiss cheese has a mild, nutty flavor and melts easily, making it a good choice for scalloped potatoes.
- Parmesan: Parmesan cheese has a strong, nutty flavor and is often used as a topping or in combination with other cheeses. It adds a salty, savory note to the dish.
When making scalloped potatoes, you can choose a single type of cheese or combine multiple varieties to create a unique flavor profile. The key is to use cheeses that melt well and complement the other ingredients in the dish.
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Scalloped potatoes with meat
Scalloped potatoes are a comforting side dish for holidays like Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. They are usually made with thinly sliced potatoes, a creamy sauce, and cheese. However, some people choose to add meat to this dish, such as ham, to make it a more substantial main course. Here is a step-by-step guide to making scalloped potatoes with meat:
Ingredients
- Potatoes (Russet or Yukon Gold)
- Butter
- Flour
- Milk
- Cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, gouda, fontina, gruyere, parmesan, or a mix)
- Onion
- Garlic
- Fresh thyme or other herbs
- Meat of your choice (ham, bacon, sausage, or braised short ribs)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- Grease a baking dish with butter or non-stick cooking spray.
- Slice the potatoes thinly and evenly, preferably using a mandoline slicer.
- Saute the onion and garlic in a separate pan to build flavor.
- In a medium-sized saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
- Mix in flour and salt, stirring constantly for about a minute.
- Slowly stir in milk and cook until the mixture thickens.
- If using meat, cook it according to your preference and set it aside.
- Stir in the cheese and continue stirring until melted and smooth.
- Layer the potatoes, meat, and onions in the prepared baking dish, staggering the layers.
- Pour the cheese sauce over the layered potatoes and meat.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for about 85-90 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
- For a crisp topping, change the oven setting to broil and broil until golden brown.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.
Feel free to customize the recipe by using different types of cheese or adding more herbs and seasonings. You can also make this dish ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator, baking it directly before serving. Scalloped potatoes with meat is a hearty and flavorful dish that can be enjoyed on various occasions.
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Scalloped potatoes with herbs
Scalloped potatoes are a delicious and creamy dish that can be made with a variety of herbs and cheeses. Here is a step-by-step guide to making scalloped potatoes with herbs:
Ingredients:
- Potatoes (Yukon Gold or Russet)
- Butter
- Flour
- Milk
- Salt
- Cayenne Pepper
- Fresh or dried herbs (thyme, rosemary, or basil)
- Onion
- Garlic
- Cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, gouda, fontina, gruyere, parmesan, or a mix)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350-400°F, depending on your recipe.
- Slice the potatoes thinly and evenly, preferably using a mandoline for consistency. Soak the sliced potatoes in cold water for 30 minutes to prevent oxidation.
- In a small saucepan, melt butter and stir in flour. Slowly whisk in milk and season with salt and cayenne pepper. Cook on low heat until the mixture is smooth and boiling, stirring occasionally.
- Layer the potatoes, onions, and garlic in a greased baking dish. You can stagger the layers or mix them together.
- Pour the warm milk sauce over the potatoes until it reaches the top layer. You can also add chicken stock or breadcrumbs for extra flavor.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for about 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes. The baking time may vary depending on the thickness of your potatoes.
- Remove the foil and continue baking until the potatoes are tender and the sauce is bubbling with a golden brown crust.
- For a cheesy version, prepare your chosen cheese(s) by shredding or grating them. You can add cheese in various ways:
- Sprinkle grated cheese between the layers of potatoes for a traditional Au Gratin dish.
- Stir shredded cheese into the sauce before pouring it over the potatoes.
- Sprinkle shredded or grated cheese on top of the scalloped potatoes a few minutes before they finish baking for a crispy topping.
Allow the scalloped potatoes to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy as a side dish or main course!
Feel free to experiment with different herbs and cheeses to find your favorite combination. Scalloped potatoes are a versatile dish that can be made ahead of time and frozen for future enjoyment. They pair well with ham, turkey, or a green salad.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use any melty shredded cheese you like for scalloped potatoes. Some popular options include sharp cheddar, mozzarella, gouda, fontina, gruyere, and parmesan.
This depends on how cheesy you want your scalloped potatoes to be. Some recipes call for shredded cheese to be sprinkled between the layers of potatoes, while others use a cheese sauce. You can also add cheese on top of the scalloped potatoes before baking for a crispy topping.
Yes, a classic scalloped potato recipe does not include cheese and is made with a roux (white sauce) or milk or cream.
