These Cheesy Potatoes are as delicious as they are easy to prepare. This cheesy side dish recipe is great with any meal and makes a perfect side for the holidays.
Jump to:
Over the years, I’ve made more than my share of potato sides! While mashed potatoes are high on my list, they’re followed closely by anything involving cheese, especially this super easy cheesy au gratin potatoes.
I love to make these cheesy scalloped potatoes for family dinners, potlucks, and holiday gatherings. They go so well with everything, that there’s never really a wrong time to make them. They’re also so delicious that I love being able to enjoy the leftovers the next day. I think after you give this recipe a try, you’ll be just as in love with it as I am.
Like all scalloped potato recipes, this one is easy to make, full of flavor, and uses real fresh potatoes. It starts with russet potatoes that are peeled and sliced thinly. Then, I make a delicious, creamy cheese sauce, add it all to a baking dish, and cook it until it’s hot, bubbly, and delicious.
That’s it. That’s all there is to it. It’s incredibly easy to make, but that doesn’t mean it’s not also full of flavor. If you love potatoes too you’ve got to try my cheesy funeral potatoes next or these loaded roasted potatoes!
Why You’ll Love These Easy Cheesy Potatoes
- So Creamy, Cheesy, and Delicious. Between the creamy cheese sauce and the zesty seasonings, this classic potato side dish explodes with flavor in each and every bite!
- An All-Purpose Side Dish Recipe. You can serve it with almost anything! And it works well for casual suppers or fancy get togethers!
- Always a Hit. Everyone loves these baked cheesy spuds! I know whenever I serve them up — everyone will leave 100% satisfied.
Ingredients
It only takes a few simple ingredients to make this dish. You’ll find everything you need easily at your local grocery store.
- Russet potatoes: These all-purpose potatoes are ideal for making this cheesy potatoes casseroles.
- Aromatics and Seasonings: The dish is flavored with chopped fresh onion, garlic powder, black pepper, and Slap Ya Mama seasoning. These all improve the depth of flavor and make the cheesy sauce that cooks the potatoes taste so good.
- All-purpose flour: Our thickener in this recipe.
- Whole milk: Combines with the cheese to make the sauce to cook the potatoes.
- Sharp cheddar cheese: I love the tangy, robust flavor of sharp cheddar cheese.
Variations
- Add Bacon: Sprinkled crumbled crispy bacon into the cheese sauce or you can add it just on top.
- Sausage or Ham: Add cooked breakfast, Italian sausage, or diced ham to the potatoes before adding the sauce.
- Richer Sauce: For extra flavor and richness, add a little sour cream to the sauce.
- Cheesier: Add an extra layer of cheese on top of your potatoes before baking.
How to Make Cheesy Potatoes
Making these cheesy potatoes in the oven is just as simple as the ingredient list. It only takes a few minutes and a few simple steps.
- Step 1: Prep. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and butter a 2 ½-quart baking dish or spray with a non-stick cooking spray.
- Step 2: Cook the Onions. Cook the onions, garlic powder, pepper, and Slap Ya Mama seasoning in melted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir and cook until the onions are translucent.
- Step 3: Make the Sauce. Sprinkle the flour over the onions and cook until smooth. Then, gradually pour the milk into the skillet, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil and cook until thickened. Finally, add the shredded cheese, and stir until melted.
- Step 4: Bake. Add the potatoes to the cheese sauce and spoon the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 60 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for another 20 to 25 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.
Expert Tips
- Even Sliced Potatoes. If you have a mandolin slicer, this recipe is the perfect time to use it so you can get thin, uniformly-sliced potatoes. If you don’t have a mandolin, use a very sharp knife to control the cuts precisely. Always watch your fingers! This step is key to even cooking!
- Whisk Constantly. Whisk the entire time that you’re making your cheese sauce so it doesn’t stick or burn.
How to Make Ahead, Store, and Reheat Leftovers
To make these potatoes ahead of time, simply make the recipe per the directions and then refrigerate it until ready to reheat and serve.
And, to store leftovers, place them in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days or freeze them in their original dish or an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
To reheat, place them in an oven-safe dish and bake for 20 to 30 minutes at 300 degrees. You can also microwave them at 50% power for 3 to 5 minutes. The oven makes for better potatoes, but the microwave is faster.
Serving Suggestions
Scalloped cheesy potatoes are such a great side dish because they go with almost anything. You can serve them with just about any main dish recipe you can think of, so there’s never a wrong time to put it on the table. Serve these potatoes with:
- Seve up any beef recipe with this cheesy potatoes casserole like my slow cooker flank steak and peppers or your favorite steak recipe.
- These baked cheesy potatoes are great with this air fryer smoked sausage or these juicy slow cooker pork ribs.
- In our house we love these potatoes with this thin sliced chicken breast for an easy weeknight dinner.
- It also pairs terrifically with seafood. Try it with all kinds of crab, shrimp, and lobster recipes like this shrimp and sausage sheet pan dinner or air fryer Cajun shrimp.
I’m not kidding even a little bit. You can literally serve these potatoes with anything you like!
Recipe FAQs
If you have questions about this recipe, then read on. The following FAQ answers the most commonly asked questions about scalloped potatoes.
Starchy potatoes like russet or Yukon Gold are best for this dish. Their high starch content helps thicken the sauce and allows the potatoes to bake up nice and tender.
Absolutely. Simply slice your potatoes the day before and leave them in a bowlful of water to prevent them from browning. Then, make your potatoes the next day. Alternately, you can fully bake the dish, and then reheat it the next day. This recipe reheats very well.
They freeze very well. Let them cool completely, then wrap the entire dish with a double layer of cling wrap and a layer of foil Freeze for up to 3 months!
Try This Delicious Cheesy Potato Casserole Recipe Today
These scalloped potatoes are as easy as they are delicious. Loaded with creamy cheese sauce over tender potatoes, it’s the kind of side that some would say is the star of any meal. It’s the perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas. Give this one a try, and I know you’ll fall in love with how easy and delicious it is just like my family has.
More Delicious Potato Recipes You’ll Enjoy
And, these Cheesy Garlic Scalloped Potatoes, from Great Grub, Delicious Treats, are a hearty, cheesy side dish you’ll enjoy too.
If you try this recipe and love it, please be sure to leave a 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below and comment! You can also pin it to save it for later. Also, you can follow us on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Remember to “like” or “follow” us on all social media.
Cheesy Potatoes
Ingredients
- 7-8 russet potatoes, peeled, sliced
- 1 cup onions, chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Slap Ya Mama seasoning, or any Cajun seasoning
- 3 tablespoon all purpose flour
- 1 ¾ cups whole milk
- 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° and butter a 2 ½ quart baking dish or spray with a non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large skillet, over medium heat, melt butter.
- Add onions, garlic salt, pepper and Slap Ya Mama. Stir and cook until onions are translucent.
- Sprinkle flour over onions and cook until smooth.
- Gradually pour milk into the skillet and stir constantly.
- Bring to a boil and cook until thickened.
- Add shredded cheese, stir until melted and add sliced potatoes.
- Spoon potato mixture into prepared baking dish.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 60 minutes.
- Remove foil and continue to bake until potatoes are tender, 20-25 minutes.
- Serve hot and season with salt and pepper, as desired.
Notes
- Even Sliced Potatoes. If you have a mandolin slicer, this recipe is the perfect time to use it so you can get thin, uniformly-sliced potatoes. If you don’t have a mandolin, use a very sharp knife to control the cuts precisely. Always watch your fingers! This step is key to even cooking!
- Whisk Constantly. Whisk the entire time that you’re making your cheese sauce so it doesn’t stick or burn.
