Golden Garlic Crispy Scalloped Potatoes Recipe for Dinner Joy
Layers of thinly sliced potatoes bathed in a creamy garlic sauce create this irresistible crispy garlic scalloped potatoes delight.
Cheese melts seamlessly between each delicate potato slice, promising a mouthwatering experience.
The golden-brown edges hint at the crispy texture waiting to tantalize your taste buds.
Sharp cheddar and rich cream blend perfectly to elevate this classic side dish.
Garlic infuses every bite with incredible depth and warmth.
Each forkful promises a comforting blend of textures and flavors that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Prepare to savor a dish that transforms simple ingredients into a spectacular culinary masterpiece.
Make Garlic Scalloped Potatoes With Ease
Prepare the Oven Warmup a cozy cooking environment by heating the oven to 375F. Grab a baking dish and give it a quick spray or butter rub to prevent sticking.
Slice Potatoes with Precision Grab your sharpest knife or mandoline and create paper-thin potato slices that will melt in your mouth.
Craft the Cheesy Sauce Melt butter in a pan and dance some minced garlic around until it releases its magical aroma. Sprinkle flour and whisk like a pro, creating a silky base for your sauce.
Transform Sauce into Liquid Gold Pour milk slowly, whisking away any potential lumps. Let the mixture simmer and thicken, then pull it off the heat and stir in your cheese blend until it becomes a smooth, dreamy concoction.
Layer and Assemble Create a delicious potato landscape by alternating potato slices and cheese sauce. Make sure every slice gets a loving coating of the cheesy goodness.
Bake to Perfection Cover your masterpiece with foil and slide it into the oven. After 40 minutes, reveal the dish and let it crisp up for another 20-25 minutes until the top turns golden and bubbly.
Rest and Serve Let your creation rest for a few minutes, allowing the flavors to settle. Sprinkle some fresh parsley on top for a pop of color and freshness.
Tips to Make Potatoes Even Better
Perfect Potato Slicing: Use a sharp mandoline or chef's knife to create uniform 1/8-inch potato slices, ensuring even cooking and a professional-looking dish.
Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire casserole up to 24 hours in advance, refrigerate, and bake when ready. Add 10-15 minutes to baking time when cooking directly from the refrigerator.
Low-Carb Alternative: Swap potatoes with thinly sliced cauliflower or turnips for a lower-carbohydrate version that maintains the creamy, cheesy goodness.
Dairy-Free Adaptation: Replace milk with unsweetened almond milk or vegetable broth, and use dairy-free cheese alternatives like nutritional yeast or cashew cheese for a lactose-free option.
Herb Boost: Experiment with fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or chives mixed into the cheese sauce for an extra layer of flavor and aromatic complexity.
Serving Garlic Scalloped Potatoes for Any Crowd
Rustic Family Dinner Star: Serve alongside roasted chicken or grilled steak for a hearty, comforting meal that brings everyone together.
Elegant Brunch Companion: Pair with a light quiche, fresh green salad, and mimosas for a sophisticated weekend gathering that impresses guests.
Festive Holiday Side Dish: Perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, complementing turkey, ham, or prime rib with its rich, creamy texture.
Veggie Lover's Delight: Top with extra sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions, or crispy bacon bits to add more depth and flavor for adventurous eaters.
Store and Reheat Scalloped Potatoes Smoothly
Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Seal tightly to prevent moisture loss and maintain optimal texture.
Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire dish up to the baking stage, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. This technique allows flavors to meld and saves precious cooking time during busy days.
Freezer-Friendly Approach: Wrap the cooled dish securely in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven at 350F for 20-25 minutes until warmed through.
Reheating Wisdom: Revive cold scalloped potatoes by covering with foil and warming in the oven at 350F for 15-20 minutes. Add a splash of milk to restore moisture and prevent drying out, ensuring the dish tastes just as delicious as when first prepared.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Calories: 335 kcal
Servings: 6
Cheesy Garlic Potato Ingredient List
For Potatoes:
Russet Potatoes: Starchy variety perfect for creating creamy, tender layers with ideal texture and absorption of cheese sauce.
Yukon Gold Potatoes: Buttery alternative with smooth texture that holds shape during baking, offering rich flavor profile.
For Cheese and Dairy:
Cheddar Cheese: Sharp, melty cheese providing robust flavor and golden color to the sauce.
Parmesan Cheese: Adds nutty, salty depth and helps create crispy golden top during baking.
Whole Milk: Creates smooth, silky base for cheese sauce with perfect creamy consistency.
Preparation: Preheat oven to 375F (190C) and grease a rectangular baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
Potato Processing: Slice potatoes into uniform, translucent rounds using a mandoline or sharp knife, maintaining 1/8-inch thickness.
Sauce Foundation: Melt butter in a saucepan, sauté minced garlic until fragrant, then whisk in flour to create a golden roux.
Sauce Development: Gradually incorporate milk, stirring continuously to create a smooth, velvety sauce without lumps.
Cheese Integration: Remove from heat, blend cheddar and Parmesan cheeses into the sauce, seasoning with salt, pepper, and optional paprika.
Layering Technique: Arrange first layer of potato slices in baking dish, pour half the cheese sauce, ensuring complete potato coverage.
Final Assembly: Add remaining potato slices, cover with remaining cheese sauce, creating a uniform, luxurious potato gratin.
Initial Baking: Cover with aluminum foil, bake for 40 minutes to ensure potato tenderness and flavor infusion.
Finishing Touch: Remove foil, continue baking until surface turns golden brown and develops a crispy, bubbling crust.
Serving Presentation: Rest for 5 minutes, garnish with fresh chopped parsley, and serve as a decadent side dish.
Notes
Slice Potatoes Uniformly: Use a mandoline slicer for consistent 1/8-inch thick potato rounds, ensuring even cooking and perfect texture throughout the dish.
Prevent Sauce Lumps: Whisk continuously while adding milk to the roux, creating a smooth, silky sauce without any unwanted clumps or grainy texture.
Cheese Melting Technique: Remove sauce from heat before adding cheese to prevent separation, ensuring a glossy, creamy consistency that coats potatoes perfectly.
Dietary Adaptations: Substitute dairy milk with almond or oat milk for lactose-free version; use gluten-free flour for a celiac-friendly alternative without compromising the recipe’s rich, comforting flavor profile.
Oregon Culinary Institute Diploma in Culinary Arts Focus: Emphasis on farm-to-table cooking, sustainable practices, and the fusion of global flavors with traditional grilling methods.
Emily Lawson is the content creator at Daves Grill, turning tasty ideas into clear, easy recipes. Based in Portland, she trained at the Oregon Culinary Institute and loves cooking with fresh, seasonal ingredients, especially grilled veggies and global flavors.
Emily mixes food writing with hands-on cooking to bring you recipes that feel fun, not stressful. Her goal is to make every dish simple, flavorful, and worth coming back to. Together, she and Dave serve up real food, one recipe at a time.
Emily Lawson
Content Creator & Culinary Specialist
Expertise
Education
Oregon Culinary Institute
Diploma in Culinary Arts
Focus: Emphasis on farm-to-table cooking, sustainable practices, and the fusion of global flavors with traditional grilling methods.
Emily Lawson is the content creator at Daves Grill, turning tasty ideas into clear, easy recipes. Based in Portland, she trained at the Oregon Culinary Institute and loves cooking with fresh, seasonal ingredients, especially grilled veggies and global flavors.
Emily mixes food writing with hands-on cooking to bring you recipes that feel fun, not stressful. Her goal is to make every dish simple, flavorful, and worth coming back to. Together, she and Dave serve up real food, one recipe at a time.