Published 11/13/2020 • Updated 10/26/2023
Potatoes + cheese = the comfort food side dish that always disappears first. There’s something magical about this flavor and texture combination that keeps people coming back for more, and today’s cheesy scalloped potatoes are no exception!
Featuring thinly sliced potatoes and a from-scratch cheese sauce, these scalloped potatoes are the perfect holiday side. Slice the potatoes into even rounds, make the cheesy sauce on the stovetop, combine it all in a casserole dish, and bake in the oven to golden brown, bubbly perfection.
You’ll notice in the recipe below that we use plain Greek yogurt instead of cream cheese. We love the tartness and creaminess that yogurt adds, but you’re welcome to replace the yogurt with cream cheese if you prefer. We tested these potatoes both ways and you can’t go wrong!
What You Need for Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
There are 2 parts to these cheesy scalloped potatoes – perfectly sliced potatoes and a homemade cheese sauce (and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese to top it all off!). Here’s what you need for each:
Potatoes
Yukon gold potatoes are our favorite kind of potato for scalloped potatoes. Leave the skin on or peel them, it’s up to you! For perfectly round potatoes, you have two options: you can use a mandoline or a very sharp knife. We prefer to use a mandoline because it creates perfect potato rounds every time. If using a knife, work slowly and try to cut potato rounds that are about the same thickness.
Cheese Sauce
The homemade cheese sauce is what sets this scalloped potato recipe apart from the rest. Made with milk, cheddar cheese, and Greek yogurt, the sauce is creamy, cheesy, ultra thick, and bakes up beautifully. We also use olive oil, garlic, salt, onion, and flour to create the white roux.
Variations of Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
Our recipe for cheesy scalloped potatoes is pretty simple. However, there are plenty of ways to mix up this traditional side dish. Here are some fun options:
Partially cook some ground Italian sausage and sprinkle it all over the potatoes before adding the cheese sauce. Sprinkle bacon bits on top of the baked cheesy scalloped potatoes before serving. Sauté some peppers and onions and add them to the baking dish along with the potatoes before adding the cheese sauce.
Storage
Once the scalloped potatoes are completely cool, transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until warmed through.
Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes
Looking for more healthy Thanksgiving recipes to fill your holiday table with? Check out all of our best turkey day recipes in one spot! We don’t recommend freezing scalloped potatoes. The texture and consistency of the potatoes becomes grainy and not that tasty. Cheesy scalloped potatoes are best enjoyed fresh (or reheated as refrigerated leftovers).
Make Ahead Scalloped Potatoes
This is a great holiday side dish to prepare ahead of time! Make the recipe as instructed through pouring the cheese sauce on top of the potatoes. Store the baking dish (covered) in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you are ready to bake the potatoes, continue with the recipe – you may need to add a few minutes to the first bake time as the potatoes will be cold straight from the fridge.
Serving Suggestions
These cheesy scalloped potatoes pair wonderfully with just about anything! Traditionally a holiday side dish, we love them year-round. Enjoy them as part of a weeknight dinner or add them to your holiday menu alongside roasted turkey tenderloin or smoked ham. They always disappear quickly!
Holiday Side Dishes
Mashed Sweet Potatoes From Scratch Cornbread Dressing Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon Crockpot Mashed Potatoes Healthy Green Bean Casserole
