There’s something irresistible about that creamy, bubbling cheese and tender potatoes dance that makes this dish a total crowd-pleaser. I’m excited to share my Easy Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Recipe—it’s straightforward, comforting, and perfect for cozy nights or holiday dinners when you want a classic side that steals the show.

A white rectangular baking dish filled with multiple thin, round slices of golden-yellow potatoes arranged in overlapping layers. The top layer has a light golden brown crust with bubbly melted cheese and creamy sauce covering the potatoes. Small green herb leaves are scattered over the top for garnish. The edges of the dish show browned, slightly crispy spots. The dish is set on a folded gray cloth on a white marbled surface. In the background, a white plate with fresh green herb sprigs is partially visible. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Easy Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Easy Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This recipe is such a gem in my kitchen rotation. It’s got that perfect balance of creamy, cheesy goodness with just the right amount of spice to keep things interesting. Plus, it’s easier than you’d think to make homemade scalloped potatoes that taste like they came from a fancy restaurant!

Simple Ingredients: Most are pantry staples, no fancy stuff needed, making it super accessible.
Effortless Prep: Thinly slicing those potatoes and whisking a smooth cheese sauce is easier with a few tricks I’ll share.
Ridiculously Delicious: The combo of melty gruyere and cheddar creates a depth of flavor that keeps everyone coming back for more.
Versatile Comfort Food: Perfect as a side for weeknight dinners or that special holiday feast.

This close-up image shows a creamy potato dish with one main layer of thin, round potato slices, each cooked to a golden brown with slightly crispy edges and browned spots on top. The potato slices lay mostly flat and overlap slightly, sitting in a thick, smooth, pale yellow sauce with a creamy texture. Small green herb leaves are scattered on top, adding a bit of fresh color that contrasts with the warm tones of the potatoes and sauce. The overall look is rich and hearty, with the sauce filling the spaces between the potatoes, all set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

When I look at this ingredient list, I see the building blocks of comfort. Yukon Gold potatoes hold up beautifully while baking, and the cheese blend gives a perfectly rich and layered flavor. Here’s why each ingredient earns its spot:

Flat lay of thinly sliced Yukon Gold potatoes with golden skins, a small white ceramic bowl of whole milk, a small white bowl of shredded gruyere cheese, a small white bowl of shredded white cheddar cheese, a few pats of fresh butter, a small white bowl of flour, a small white bowl containing paprika powder, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and freshly cracked black pepper arranged separately, and a small sprig of fresh thyme placed delicately, all arranged with perfect symmetry in natural light, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p awthu7i m7354615311229779997

Yukon Gold potatoes: These are my go-to because they’re waxy enough to hold slices together without turning mushy, and their natural buttery flavor is a bonus.
Whole milk: For that rich creaminess in the sauce - you want it smooth but not too heavy.
Gruyere cheese: Adds a beautiful nuttiness and melts beautifully.
White cheddar cheese: Brings sharpness and depth to complement the gruyere.
Butter: Essential for our roux base—creates a velvety sauce.
Flour: Thickens the sauce just right so it hugs those potato layers.
Garlic powder & onion powder: Simple seasonings that bring savory warmth.
Paprika: Adds a subtle smoky note and color.
Freshly cracked black pepper & kosher salt: To balance and brighten every bite.
Fresh thyme (optional): A lovely herbal aroma for garnish if you have it on hand.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I like to swap out the cheeses depending on what’s in my fridge—sometimes a mix of mozzarella and sharp cheddar works wonderfully. Feel free to play with seasonings, too: a pinch of smoked paprika or even some nutmeg can take it in a fun new direction.

Variation: I once added caramelized onions to the layers for extra sweetness—it was a hit at family dinner!
Dietary Modifications: Swap whole milk with half-and-half for richer sauce, or use lactose-free cheese if needed.
Extra Crunch: Sprinkle panko breadcrumbs mixed with parmesan on top before baking for a golden crust.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Recipe

Step 1: Prep with Precision

First up, get your oven preheated to 350°F and grease a 9x13 baking dish generously with nonstick spray. Then, grab your Yukon Gold potatoes—slice them super thin, about ⅛ inch thick. I love using a mandolin here; it makes the slices uniform and speedy, which helps them cook evenly. Don't worry about peeling—the skins add texture and flavor that really elevate this dish.

Step 2: Build That Creamy Cheese Sauce

Over medium heat, melt your butter in a skillet, then whisk in the flour constantly for about a minute to cook out that raw taste. Slowly pour in the whole milk while whisking vigorously to keep the sauce smooth and lump-free. Now here’s a trick: add the shredded cheeses gradually, whisking after each handful until fully melted before adding more. This gives you a silky, velvety sauce packed with cheesy goodness.

Step 3: Season & Layer

Once your sauce is luxuriously smooth, season it with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Pour it evenly over your arranged potato slices, making sure the sauce seeps down all sides for that perfect saucy bite.

Step 4: Bake with Love

Cover your dish tightly with aluminum foil and pop it in the oven for 30 minutes. This traps steam and allows the potatoes to soften nicely. Then remove the foil and bake uncovered another 30 minutes to get a gorgeous golden, bubbling top. When you see that crust, you know you’re in for a treat!

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Finish with a sprinkle of fresh thyme if you have it around. It adds a fresh herbal lift that brightens the rich, cheesy layers. Serve immediately and watch everyone dig in!

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few good tricks that take this Easy Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Recipe from good to unforgettable. These tips really help nail the texture and flavor every time.

Use a Mandolin Slicer: It saves so much time and you get perfectly thin, even slices that cook uniformly.
Shred Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese often has anti-caking agents that affect melting, so grab a block and shred away for a creamier sauce.
Don’t Skip the Roux: Cooking the butter-flour mixture well prevents lumps and creates that smooth sauce we all crave.
Cover Then Uncover: Covering traps steam for tender potatoes; uncovering gives you that golden, bubbly crust - both steps are musts.

How to Serve Easy Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Recipe

cheesy scalloped potatoes - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I almost always sprinkle fresh thyme on top—its bright, aromatic notes cut through the richness beautifully. Sometimes I throw on extra shredded cheddar or a little parmesan near the end of baking for that irresistible golden crust. Chopped chives also add a gentle pop of color and mild oniony flavor that’s lovely.

Side Dishes

This cheesy side pairs beautifully with roasted chicken or grilled steak. I often serve it alongside simple steamed green beans or roasted Brussels sprouts to keep the meal balanced but decadent.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday dinners, I’ve served it in individual ramekins for a fancy touch, garnished delicately with thyme and a dusting of paprika. It’s an elegant way to make a family favorite feel extra special.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After enjoying your Easy Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Recipe, store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When I do this, I find the flavors actually deepen overnight, giving the dish a different but equally tasty vibe.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this dish a few times by cooling it completely, then wrapping tightly in foil and plastic wrap before popping it in the freezer. It reheats pretty well, though the texture softens slightly. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers covered with foil in a 350°F oven until warmed through—about 20-25 minutes. This keeps the sauce creamy and prevents the potatoes from drying out, unlike the microwave which can toughen them up.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different type of potato for this recipe?

You can! Yukon Golds are ideal because they hold their shape while baking, but russets or red potatoes can also work. Just know that russets might be a bit softer and red potatoes retain more moisture, so your cook time may vary slightly.

What cheeses work best in Easy Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Recipe?

Gruyere and cheddar are classics because they melt well and have complementary flavors—nutty and sharp. However, you can experiment with mozzarella for creaminess or fontina for mild, buttery notes. Just avoid harder, aged cheeses that don’t melt smoothly.

How thin should I slice the potatoes?

About ⅛ inch thick is perfect for even cooking that’s tender but not mushy. Using a mandolin slicer helps ensure consistent thickness, which prevents some pieces from overcooking while others stay underdone.

Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can assemble the dish and keep it covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time since it will be cold from the fridge.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Recipe has truly become one of those dishes I make whenever I’m craving comfort food with a bit of wow factor. It’s reliable, cheesy, and surprisingly easy to pull off, even on busy days. I hope you enjoy making and sharing it as much as I do—it’s one of those recipes that feels like a warm hug on a plate.