Creamy scalloped potatoes are rich, cheesy, and irresistibly golden on top, making them the star of any Christmas dinner table. With tender layers inside and crispy edges, this dish feels festive and comforting. It’s simple to prep, customizable, and guaranteed to impress family and guests alike.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
The perfect holiday side dish
Christmas dinner feels incomplete without a comforting potato dish, and Creamy Scalloped Potatoes deliver just that. This Creamy Scalloped Potatoes recipe balances richness and simplicity, perfect for holiday gatherings. They’re rich yet balanced, cozy yet elegant, and they bring everyone back for seconds.
Flavor and texture highlights (creamy inside, crispy edges)
The magic happens in the contrast. Each bite brings tender, creamy centers paired with golden, crispy edges that crunch ever so slightly. Garlic and thyme add an herby depth, while Parmesan creates a savory finish.
Family-friendly and customizable
You can easily adapt this recipe for different tastes. Swap cheeses, adjust creaminess with milk or half and half, or add extra herbs for flair. It works beautifully alongside ham, roast beef, or turkey, making it a family favorite every year.
Scalloped Potatoes vs. Potatoes Au Gratin
Key differences between the two dishes
Scalloped potatoes and potatoes au gratin often get confused. The main difference is cheese. Traditional scalloped potatoes feature potatoes baked in a creamy sauce, while au gratin adds plenty of cheese in every layer.
Why this recipe works as a “creamy scalloped potato”
This recipe takes the classic scalloped potato base and gives it a creamy upgrade with Parmesan. It’s not as heavy as au gratin but still delivers richness.The result is Creamy Scalloped Potatoes that feel indulgent yet balanced, making this recipe perfect for festive gatherings.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Potatoes – best types for this recipe
Yukon gold potatoes are ideal because they’re waxy and hold shape while baking. They cook into tender layers without turning mushy. Red potatoes also work well, but avoid starchy russets since they fall apart easily.
Cream vs. milk – richness and substitutions
Heavy cream brings the most luscious texture. However, you can use half and half or whole milk for a lighter version. Just remember, richer cream means silkier sauce and deeper flavor.
Cheese options – Parmesan, Gruyere, or Swiss
Parmesan adds a sharp, salty note that complements thyme beautifully. If you want a nuttier profile, Gruyere is an excellent swap. Swiss gives a milder flavor while still melting into a creamy base.
Herbs and seasoning – thyme, garlic, salt, pepper
Fresh thyme and garlic are the flavor backbone here. Use kosher salt for even seasoning, but reduce slightly if using table salt. Black pepper adds a subtle kick that balances the cream.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Creamy Scalloped Potatoes
Step 1 – Slice the potatoes thinly
Thin slices are the key to even cooking. Use a mandoline if possible to achieve consistent 1/16-inch slices. Stack them upright in the dish for crispy, golden edges.
Step 2 – Make the garlic cream sauce
Melt butter in a pan, add garlic, and cook until fragrant. Stir in flour to make a roux, then whisk in cream slowly. Simmer for a few minutes until the sauce thickens. Add Parmesan, thyme, salt, and pepper.
Step 3 – Coat and arrange the potatoes upright
Toss sliced potatoes in the sauce until fully coated. Arrange them upright in the baking dish, which helps the tops brown beautifully. Pour any remaining sauce over the potatoes before baking.
Step 4 – Bake covered, then uncover for crisp edges
Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Then uncover and continue baking for another 30 minutes. This two-step process allows the potatoes to soften first and crisp up later.
Step 5 – Rest and serve for best texture
Let the Creamy Scalloped Potatoes rest for 10 minutes before serving. This step allows the creamy sauce to thicken slightly and makes slicing easier. It’s worth the wait, especially for Christmas dinner.
Recipe Notes & Tips
Why upright stacking creates crispy edges
Stacking potatoes vertically instead of laying them flat increases surface exposure. This technique gives you that irresistible crispy top while keeping the centers tender and creamy.
Substitutions for dairy and cheese
Dairy-free? Use a plant-based cream and omit the cheese or use vegan alternatives. Parmesan can also be swapped with Gruyere or Swiss for different flavor profiles.
Salt usage tips (kosher vs. table salt)
Always use kosher salt when possible since it’s less intense than table salt. If you only have table salt, cut the amount by about one-third to avoid oversalting.
Serving size and portion estimates
With five pounds of potatoes, you’ll have enough to serve 8 to 10 generous portions. It pairs perfectly with roasted meats, green vegetables, and even sides like southern green bean casserole.
Make Ahead, Storage & Reheating
How to prep the dish up to 2 days ahead
You can assemble the dish up to 2 days before baking. Keep it covered in the fridge, then bring it to room temperature before baking. This makes holiday cooking so much easier.
Best storage methods (fridge for up to 4 days)
Leftovers keep well. Store covered in the fridge for up to 4 days. The sauce may thicken slightly, but reheating restores its creaminess.
Reheating instructions for oven and microwave
For the best results, reheat in the oven at 350°F for about 20 minutes. If you’re short on time, microwave individual portions. Just cover them loosely to prevent drying out.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some common mistakes to avoid when making scalloped potatoes?
Avoid slicing too thick, rushing the sauce, or oversalting. Also, make sure to cover for the first bake to ensure tenderness.
How to know when scalloped potatoes are done?
They should be fork-tender and golden brown on top. If the fork slides through easily, they’re ready.
How do you keep cream from curdling in scalloped potatoes?
Cook the sauce gently, and don’t overheat the cream. Adding flour helps stabilize it.
Should scalloped potatoes be covered or uncovered?
Bake them covered first so they cook through, then uncover to get golden, crispy edges.
Related Recipes to try
- Cheesy root vegetable gratin
- Garlic mashed potatoes
- Cheese potato smoked sausage casserole
- Crockpot mashed potatoes
- Southern green bean casserole
- Bacon Brussels sprouts Christmas side dish
Conclusion
Recap of why this dish is perfect for Christmas dinner
Creamy scalloped potatoes are festive, comforting, and always a crowd-pleaser. With their tender layers and crispy edges, they’re the side dish that ties your holiday table together.
Encouragement to try and customize for family traditions
Whether you make them cheesy, herb-packed, or lighter with milk, this recipe is easy to adapt. Try it once, and it will become part of your Christmas tradition. For more cozy inspiration, visit my Pinterest boards.
Print
Creamy Scalloped Potatoes (Perfect for Christmas Dinner)
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 8–10 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Creamy scalloped potatoes are rich, cheesy, and golden on top with tender layers inside—perfect for Christmas dinner and family gatherings.
Ingredients
5 pounds Yukon gold potatoes
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 cup heavy cream (or whole milk or half and half)
½ cup Parmesan cheese (optional)
1 teaspoon fresh thyme
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 400°F and lightly grease a ceramic baking dish.
2. Slice potatoes very thinly, about 1/16-inch thick, using a mandoline or sharp knife.
3. In a pot over medium heat, melt butter with garlic until fragrant.
4. Add flour to form a roux and cook for 1–2 minutes.
5. Slowly stir in the cream and cook until thickened, around 5 minutes.
6. Mix in Parmesan, thyme, salt, and pepper until smooth. Let the sauce cool slightly.
7. Place sliced potatoes in a large bowl and coat them with the sauce.
8. Arrange potatoes upright in the baking dish and pour over any remaining sauce. Optionally sprinkle extra Parmesan on top.
9. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake uncovered for another 30 minutes, or until potatoes are golden and tender.
10. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Potatoes are stacked upright rather than layered flat, creating crispy edges and a creamy base.
You can customize the cheese or omit it entirely.
Parmesan can be swapped with Gruyere or Swiss.
Heavy cream can be replaced with whole milk or half and half.
Use kosher salt for best flavor; reduce quantity if using table salt.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Christmas Dinner Recipes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 376 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 274mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 53mg
