Cheese And Scalloped Potatoes: A Match Made In Heaven

Scalloped potatoes are a delicious, comforting, and rich holiday side dish. While traditionally, scalloped potatoes are baked in a milk or cream sauce without cheese, many recipes include cheese, making them technically potatoes au gratin. The best cheeses for scalloped potatoes are those that melt well, such as sharp cheddar, Colby Jack, mozzarella, gouda, fontina, gruyere, and provolone. Freshly grated Parmesan is also a must. For a smoky flavour, add smoked gouda, or for a spicy kick, add Pepper Jack.

Cheddar

When making scalloped potatoes with cheddar, it's best to grate the cheese yourself. Pre-shredded bagged cheeses don't tend to melt as smoothly as freshly grated cheese. It's also important to choose a nice sharp cheddar, as aged cheddar doesn't melt as well.

For a classic scalloped potato recipe with cheddar, you'll need:

• Butter and flour to create a roux that thickens the sauce
• Vegetable broth and whole milk for the sauce's base (using all milk can make the dish too rich)
• Garlic and onion for a savoury depth of flavour
• Fresh thyme for a fresh, unexpected note (dried thyme also works)
• Salt and pepper to make the flavours pop

To make the dish, simply melt the butter in a medium skillet, add the flour and whisk to make a roux. Then slowly add the milk and broth, whisking continuously. Add the garlic, thyme, salt and pepper, and cook until the sauce thickens.

Next, layer half the potatoes and onions in a baking dish. Top with half of the sauce and 1 cup of cheddar cheese. Repeat the layers with the remaining potatoes, onion, sauce, and cheese.

Cover and bake at 400°F for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake for a further 35-40 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the cheese is browned.

Let the dish stand at room temperature for 20 minutes before serving. This recipe is even better as leftovers, so feel free to make it ahead of time and reheat when needed!

Gruyere

When preparing scalloped potatoes with Gruyere, it is important to shred your own cheese, as pre-packaged shredded cheese often contains an anti-caking agent which can make it difficult to melt smoothly.

Parmesan

Scalloped potatoes are a delicious, comforting, and rich holiday side dish. While traditionally, scalloped potatoes are made with sliced potatoes layered in a casserole dish and baked with heavy cream and herbs, some variations include cheese, resulting in a more decadent dish.

Ingredients:

• Butter
• Garlic
• Flour
• Milk
• Salt
• Pepper
• Potatoes (Yukon Gold or Russet)
• Parmesan Cheese
• Optional: Additional cheese (Mozzarella, Gruyere, or Cheddar)

Instructions:

• Preheat your oven to 400°F.
• Peel and slice the potatoes to a thickness of about 1/8-1/4 inch. The even thickness ensures uniform cooking.
• Prepare a baking dish by greasing it with butter or cooking spray.
• Create a layer of potatoes in the baking dish.
• If desired, sprinkle additional cheese, such as mozzarella or cheddar, over the potatoes.
• Prepare a sauce by melting butter in a saucepan and adding garlic.
• Whisk in flour and gradually add milk to create a roux or béchamel-style white sauce.
• Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
• Pour the sauce over the potatoes in the baking dish.
• Repeat the layering process with the remaining potatoes and sauce, creating multiple layers.
• For an extra crispy topping, sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top layer of potatoes.
• Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for about 40 minutes.
• Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15-30 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly.
• For an even crispier top, broil the potatoes on medium heat for 2-3 minutes.
• Let the dish cool for a few minutes before serving.

Tips:

• Starchy potatoes, such as Russet or Yukon Gold, work best for scalloped potatoes as they help thicken the sauce and become soft and tender during baking.
• If you want to make the dish ahead of time, assemble it and store it in the fridge for a few days or even freeze it. Then, bake it when needed.
• To enhance the flavor, you can add herbs such as thyme or garlic, or even try different types of cheese combinations.

Mozzarella

Scalloped potatoes are a delicious, comforting, and cheesy dish that can be served as a side during holidays or as a weeknight comfort food. While the classic recipe does not include cheese, you can easily add some to make the dish even more indulgent.

Ingredients:

• Mozzarella cheese
• Potatoes (Russet or Yukon Gold)
• Butter
• Flour
• Milk or cream
• Garlic
• Onion
• Salt & pepper
• Fresh herbs (optional)

Method:

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.

For the sauce, melt butter in a medium-sized pan, add minced garlic, and sauté until fragrant. Sprinkle in flour and whisk to create a roux. Gradually add milk or cream, whisking continuously. You can also add some chicken or vegetable broth to make the sauce less rich. Season with salt and pepper, and add fresh or dried herbs like thyme if desired.

Slice the potatoes into thin, even slices, about 1/8-inch thick. You can use a mandoline slicer or a sharp knife for this step.

Now, it's time to assemble the dish! Start by layering the potatoes and onions in the prepared baking dish. Pour the sauce over the potatoes, making sure to cover them evenly. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top. Repeat the layers until the dish is full, ending with a layer of cheese.

Cover the dish with foil and bake for about 40 minutes to 1 hour, until the potatoes are tender. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 30 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.

For an extra crispy topping, you can broil the dish on medium heat for a few minutes after baking.

Your mozzarella scalloped potatoes are now ready to be served! This dish is best enjoyed fresh, but you can also store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and reheat in the oven or microwave.

Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese, such as Parmesan, Cheddar, or Colby Jack, to find your favorite combination. Enjoy the cheesy goodness!

Provolone

The Recipe

For scalloped potatoes with provolone, you will need the following ingredients:

• Potatoes (Yukon Gold or frozen)
• Butter or non-stick spray
• Garlic (thinly sliced)
• Salt and pepper
• Cheddar cheese
• Provolone cheese
• Parmesan or Romano cheese

Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Grease a casserole dish with butter or non-stick spray. Layer half of your potato slices in the dish, dot with butter, and add half of the garlic slices. Pour in half of the heavy cream, then sprinkle with cheddar cheese and season with salt and pepper. Repeat this layering process, then top with provolone slices and season again.

Bake for 30 minutes, then sprinkle Parmesan or Romano cheese over the top to create a semi-hard cheese crust. Continue baking, uncovered, for another 30 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.

Variations

Some recipes suggest adding ingredients such as sour cream, onions, or ham to create a heartier dish. You can also experiment with different types of provolone, such as smoked provolone, to add a unique flavour to your scalloped potatoes.

Tips

When preparing the potatoes, use a mandoline slicer to get uniform slices that will cook at the same rate. If you don't have a mandoline, you can carefully use a sharp knife to slice the potatoes thinly and evenly.

If you're making this dish in advance, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to two days before baking. Simply cover and refrigerate after assembling the layers, then bake according to the recipe instructions when you're ready to serve.

Frequently asked questions