This extra creamy, easy scalloped potatoes recipe is the easiest side dish ever. Thick velvety sauce surrounds perfectly cooked potatoes. Ideal for entertaining because you can make them ahead and just warm them to serve them.
Creamy Scalloped Potatoes have been a staple in our family entertaining for years. It’s one of those recipes I don’t even have to look at the recipe to make it. The fact that this recipe is a make-ahead potato recipe is just icing on the cake!
A recipe that is great for holiday meals like Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter but casual enough for Halloween. I’ve taken it to potlucks over the years and every single time I do, someone asks for the recipe.
And what could be better than a recipe like this one that answers the call for these needs: scalloped potato recipe, easy and quick.
Actually I have a vague memory of making it from a cookbook when I first had to make a dish for a family holiday.
I tried to go back and source it for you but after looking through at least a dozen cookbooks I couldn’t find it. I haven’t used an actual recipe in years for it so when I made this I had to actually figure out what the quantities actually were.
I love recipes which are so good, you think of them as the best ever…. in this case, the best-scalloped potatoes recipe.
They become natural to make and you don’t have to be at home to follow the recipe and they come out perfect every single time.
What Kind of Potato should you use?
The best potatoes to use for scalloped potatoes are either a russet potato or Yukon gold potatoes. They both have a higher starch content and will give you a creamy potato.
Russet potatoes can break down and fall apart if you boil them too long, but this recipe accounts for that by boiling, then baking for short times.
Need more ideas for what to serve along side your meal? Find all the SIDE DISH recipes you need here!
How to make the best-scalloped potatoes?
This is the easiest recipe ever. Basically only three ingredients. Potatoes, Cream and seasoning. Seriously, can it be any easier than that?
- The trick to success is cutting the potatoes evenly and thick. 1/4″ thick. This allows for the potatoes to cook evenly.
PRO TIP: If you are making lots of potatoes you can save a lot of time by using a Mandoline to cut them! Don’t stress, a mandoline is a fancy word for a gadget that cuts vegetables. This vegetable slicer works really well to get the potatoes even every time!
- Once cut you’ll just cover the potatoes with the cream and seasonings and parboil them for 15 minutes.
- Then they get lined up in your baker and then pour the cream over the top to bake. Seriously that’s the whole recipe? Can it be any easier than that?
How can you make these easy potatoes with a thicker extra creamy sauce?
Before adding the potatoes I have added an optional method for thickening the sauce with a little flour and butter. I do this if I am making the potatoes and not reheating them. It guarantees that the sauce will be thick, velvety and extra creamy.
What is the Difference Between Au Gratin Potatoes and These Thick & Creamy Potatoes?
Scalloped Potatoes are made with cream/milk in the sauce. Au Gratin has cream/milk AND cheese in the sauce. You can vary them by the kind of cheese you use in them. I have an au gratin potato recipe you might enjoy here!
Can You Make Scalloped Potatoes ahead of Time?
Yes! This creamy scalloped potato recipe can be made a day ahead or even just earlier in the day. Make them ahead, let them completely then place covered in the refrigerator. When you are ready to warm them, allow them to come to room temperature then reheat them, uncovered at 325° for 20-30 minutes.
Ham & Potatoes
Add some diced ham pieces to make this recipe a main course option! Also a great recipe to use with any leftover prime rib pieces! Toss chopped ham or beef right in at the time you are putting the potatoes into the baking dish before pouring the milk over the top.
SERVING/PAIRING SUGGESTIONS: These pair well with these Fall of the Bone BBQ ribs, the Rack of Lamb or this simple parmesan crusted pork chops. I’ve also served them the second day when making Prime Rib Sandwiches from the Prime Rib Recipe here! (Did I mention that Prime Rib Recipe is also 4 ingredient and the easiest Fancy meal you will ever make for company?)
More Easy Side Dishes you might enjoy:
- Green Chili Au Gratin Potatoes ~ give these zesty potatoes a try!
- Garlic Sugar Snap Peas
- Healthy Cauliflower Puree
- Mushroom Rice Pilaf
Easy Creamy Scalloped Potatoes
This extra creamy, easy scalloped potatoes recipe is the easiest side dish ever. Thick velvety sauce surrounds perfectly cooked potatoes. Ideal for entertaining because you can make them ahead and just warm them to serve them.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds russet potatoes, peeled
- 1 quart heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon tarragon
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon butter, optional, for extra thick creamy sauce
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour, optional for extra thick creamy sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°
- Take the peeled potatoes and cut them to 1/4 inch thick rounds. Pay attention that all potatoes are cut on the same diagonal so the potatoes are all similar in shape. (Either cut them as coins or across more diagonally -- Both are pictured in the post just so all potatoes are cut the same.)
- Place potatoes into a large stockpot. Then pour heavy cream until they are just covered. Add salt pepper and tarragon over the top. Use a large stock pot so they don't boil over, using too small of a pan will boil over and create a big mess on your stove.
- Turn burner onto high and cook for 15 minutes. Turn off heat, remove pan from burner. The potatoes will not be all the way cooked at this point, they will continue to cook when they go into the oven.
- Scoop out carefully the potatoes and place them in a baking dish. Then pour the leftover cream mixture over the top.
- Bake at 350° for 15-20 minutes until bubbly and golden top brown.
- This dish is even better if made early in the day or a day ahead. If you make It ahead, let it cool completely then cover and store in fridge. Remove from fridge 1 hour before you are ready to bake it. Bake at 325° for 20-30 minutes until heated throughout.
- OPTIONAL: If you want extra thick creamy sauce. Melt one tablespoon of butter on medium heat in the pot you will boil the potatoes in. Once it is melted, add the flour and stir to incorporate completely. Let the flour cook for 90 seconds to cook out the flour taste. Add 1/4 of heavy cream and keep stirring until flour/butter cream mixture starts to thicken. Then add the balance of cream and whisk until all mixed completely. Then add potatoes and continue from step number 3 above.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
8 ServingsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 543Saturated Fat: 27gCholesterol: 162mgSodium: 53mgCarbohydrates: 34gFiber: 2gSugar: 1gProtein: 6g
CN
Tuesday 3rd of November 2020
Thanksgiving is always about the sides and side conversations ... then straight dessert ... these look delicious and enjoyable beyond the day.
Kayla Utsunomiya
Wednesday 20th of November 2019
Eagerly awaiting kitchen renovation completion. This will be one of the first recipes tried in the new oven. Looks fantastic!
Molly
Monday 12th of November 2018
Thanks for this recipe!! I was wondering if this dish freeezes well?
Michele
Sunday 18th of November 2018
I have tried freezing it, but for the most part the dairy changes texture in a way that isn't very pleasant. I don't recommend it.
Madi
Monday 26th of March 2018
These potatoes sound absolutely perfect! I was planning on making scalloped potatoes for Easter, I'll have to give this recipe a try!
Deanna
Monday 26th of March 2018
I love potatoes! These look so yummy! There is nothing like creamy potatoes in my book!