This classic comfort food features thinly sliced potatoes layered with a creamy cheese sauce and baked until tender and bubbly. It’s a perfect side dish for any occasion.
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds potatoes (Yukon Gold or Russet), peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese (or sharp cheddar, Swiss, etc.)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons butter, for greasing
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish (or individual foil containers as pictured) with butter.
- Prepare the Potatoes and Onions: Peel and thinly slice the potatoes. Thinly slice the onion.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Add the sliced onions and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Prepare the Cheese Sauce: In a large bowl, combine the heavy cream, Gruyère cheese, Parmesan cheese, thyme, salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
- Layer the Potatoes: Arrange a layer of potato slices on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Top with a layer of sautéed onions. Pour about 1/3 of the cheese sauce over the potatoes and onions. Repeat the layers, ending with a layer of potatoes and the remaining cheese sauce.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork. Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
- Cool Slightly and Serve: Let the scalloped potatoes cool slightly before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or chives, if desired.
Tips and Variations:
- Potato Variety: Use other types of potatoes like red potatoes or fingerling potatoes.
- Cheese Variations: Use different types of cheese like Monterey Jack, fontina, or a blend of cheeses.
- Vegetable Additions: Add other vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach to the layers.
- Bacon or Ham: Add cooked and crumbled bacon or diced ham to the layers.
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce for a spicy kick.
- Herbs: Experiment with different herbs like rosemary or oregano.
- Make-Ahead: You can assemble the scalloped potatoes ahead of time and refrigerate them until ready to bake. Add a few minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
- Individual Servings: Bake the scalloped potatoes in individual ramekins or foil containers for individual servings.
Enjoy your creamy and cheesy Scalloped Potatoes!