For the best scalloped potatoes recipe we’ve suggested using Yukon Gold potatoes, as their creamy texture and buttery flavor make them perfect for an indulgent dish like these cheesy scalloped potatoes. Alternatively, you could use another variety, such as russet potatoes, which will add more starch to the dish as they cook and help the sauce to keep its thickness. And for any leftover potatoes there’s no end of dishes or ways you can cook them to make sure none go to waste.
Traditional scalloped potatoes actually don’t feature cheese and use only milk or cream sauce instead, but we like the added creaminess and indulgence the cheese brings to this dish. We’ve used Cheddar cheese in the recipe above as it’s not too dominating, but you could switch this for Parmesan if you want to introduce nuttier flavors.
Our top tip for this dish is to make sure you slice your potato slices as evenly as possible, partly so they cook at the same rate, but also for the presentation. Aim for ⅛-inch thick slices and, if you have a mandoline at home, then it’s best to use this for precision. Try overlapping the slices as you arrange them in the dish to create the signature scalloped visual presentation.
How to Get the Perfect Texture
To achieve that delicious, perfectly tender texture of scalloped potatoes, this comes down to your choice of potatoes. As above, we’ve recommended varieties including Yukon Gold or russets. But if you’d like a little crispiness in the dish, you could use red potatoes. Taking the time to slice them thinly and evenly will also help to create the best end texture for your dish. Lastly, poke your potatoes with a fork when you think the dish is ready to come out of the oven. If they’re still tender then it’s time to remove it from the heat and leave to cool.
Reheating and Storage
It’s safe to reheat scalloped potatoes, and some chefs will actually cook this dish ahead of time and reheat it when they’re ready to serve guests. This allows more time for the flavors to combine and deepen. When you’re ready to enjoy the scalloped potatoes, simply remove the dish from the fridge to let it come up to room temperature and reheat at 350°F covered for 30 minutes. Any leftovers should be stored in an airtight container and will keep for up to four days in the fridge.
