The Best Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
If you love creamy potatoes, smoky bacon, and a golden layer of melted cheese, these cheesy scalloped potatoes are hard to beat.
This is a rich, comforting potato casserole made completely from scratch without relying on a can of condensed soup. Yukon Gold potatoes are layered with a creamy homemade cheese sauce, bacon, sweet onion, and garlic, then finished with a generous layer of melted Fontina.
The secret is the cheese sauce. A simple roux gives the sauce enough structure to coat the potatoes, while evaporated milk adds richness without making the dish as heavy as one made entirely with cream.
Fontina melts beautifully into the sauce and over the top, while smoked paprika, thyme, mustard, white pepper, and nutmeg add layers of flavor without overpowering the potatoes.
This is the kind of side dish that works just as well alongside a holiday roast, ham, or turkey as it does with a simple weeknight comfort-food dinner.
Why You'll Love These Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
Creamy and Cheesy
The homemade cheese sauce creates a rich, creamy texture throughout the potatoes, while the Fontina topping melts into a golden layer over the top.
Made From Scratch
There's no condensed soup or packaged sauce needed. The creamy cheese sauce starts with a simple roux and comes together with evaporated milk, whole milk, and cheese.
Smoky Bacon Flavor
Crispy bacon adds a savory, smoky flavor to the potatoes and gives the dish an extra layer of richness.
Great for Holidays
These cheesy scalloped potatoes make an excellent side dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or any meal centered around a roast.
Comfort Food at Its Best
Creamy potatoes, melted cheese, bacon, and a rich homemade sauce are pretty much everything you want in a classic comfort-food side dish.
Ingredients You'll Need
Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Ingredients
3 lbs (1.4 kg) Yukon Gold potatoes, sliced ⅛ inch (0.3 cm) thick
3–6 slices bacon, chopped
1 tablespoon (15 mL) neutral oil
1 medium sweet onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
Cheese Sauce
3 tablespoons (42 g) unsalted butter
3 tablespoons (24 g) all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon white pepper
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon ground mustard
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
½ teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
1½ cups (12 oz / 354 mL) evaporated milk
1 cup (250 mL) whole milk
Salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
½ cup (50 g) Fontina or white cheddar, shredded
Topping
1 cup (100 g) Fontina, shredded
Serves: 6–8
Why Use Yukon Gold Potatoes?
Yukon Gold potatoes are a great choice for cheesy scalloped potatoes because they have a naturally creamy texture while still holding their shape during baking.
Their buttery flavor also works particularly well with the rich cheese sauce.
Russet potatoes can also be used if that's what you have available, but whichever potato you choose, try to slice them as evenly as possible.
Consistent slices help the potatoes cook at the same rate and give the finished casserole a more even texture.
What Makes the Cheese Sauce So Creamy?
The foundation of this scalloped potatoes recipe is a simple roux.
Butter and flour are combined to create the base that thickens the milk and turns it into a creamy sauce.
Instead of using heavy cream as the main liquid, this recipe uses evaporated milk along with whole milk.
Evaporated milk has had some of its water removed, giving it a naturally richer consistency. That makes it a great ingredient for creating a creamy cheese sauce without making the dish overly heavy.
Fontina then melts into the sauce, adding richness and a smooth, creamy texture.
The additional Fontina on top gives the potatoes that golden, melted cheese layer that makes this casserole so hard to resist.
How to Make Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
Cook the Bacon
Start by cooking the chopped bacon until crisp and golden. Reserve the bacon and use the rendered fat as part of the flavor base for the dish.
Cook the Onion and Garlic
Add the onion and cook until tender, then add the garlic briefly until fragrant.
Make the Cheese Sauce
Build a simple roux with butter and flour, then add the seasonings and gradually incorporate the evaporated milk and whole milk.
Cook until the sauce thickens, then stir in the cheese and cooked bacon.
Layer the Potatoes
Arrange the sliced potatoes in the prepared baking dish, layering them with the cheese sauce so the sauce reaches throughout the casserole.
Add the Cheese Topping
Finish with the remaining shredded Fontina spread evenly over the top.
Bake Until Tender
Bake the casserole covered first, then finish it uncovered until the potatoes are tender and the cheese is melted and golden brown.
Let It Rest
Allow the potatoes to rest for several minutes before serving. This gives the sauce and potato layers time to settle.
For the full step-by-step recipe, measurements, cooking times, and detailed instructions, Sauce Boss members can access the printable recipe.
Why You Don't Need to Rinse the Potatoes
There's no need to rinse the sliced potatoes before assembling this casserole.
The natural starch on the surface of the potatoes can help contribute to the thick, creamy texture of the finished dish.
That starch works together with the roux-based cheese sauce to create the consistency you want between the layers.
Just make sure the potatoes are sliced evenly so they cook properly.
What Does Evaporated Milk Do in Scalloped Potatoes?
Evaporated milk is especially useful in this recipe because it provides richness without requiring a large amount of heavy cream.
Since some of the water has already been removed from the milk, it has a thicker and richer consistency than regular milk.
Combined with the roux and cheese, it creates a creamy sauce that coats the potatoes beautifully.
It's a simple ingredient that makes a noticeable difference in the finished casserole.
Why Add Bacon to Scalloped Potatoes?
Bacon isn't necessary for making scalloped potatoes, but it adds a lot of flavor.
The rendered bacon fat becomes part of the flavor foundation for the onions, while the cooked bacon adds smoky, savory pieces throughout the dish.
You can use anywhere from 3 to 6 slices depending on how much bacon flavor you want.
If you don't have bacon, diced ham or smoked sausage can also be used.
What Cheese Is Best for Scalloped Potatoes?
Fontina is an excellent choice for these cheesy scalloped potatoes because it melts smoothly and creates a creamy cheese sauce.
White cheddar is another good option, especially if you want a little more pronounced cheddar flavor.
You can also combine different cheeses as long as they melt well.
For the smoothest cheese sauce, shredding your own cheese is a good choice. Pre-shredded cheese can contain anti-caking ingredients that may affect how smoothly the cheese melts.
What to Serve With Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
These potatoes are versatile enough to work with just about any hearty main course.
Try serving them with:
Roast beef
Ham
Turkey
Roast chicken
Pork roast
Steak
Meatloaf
Salisbury steak
Grilled chicken
Roasted pork
Holiday roasts
They're especially good as part of a holiday dinner, where the creamy potatoes can sit alongside the main course and other traditional sides.
Tips for the Best Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
Slice the Potatoes Evenly
Consistent slices help the potatoes cook evenly and prevent some pieces from becoming overcooked while others remain firm.
Don't Burn the Roux
Keep the heat under control when making the cheese sauce. The flour needs to cook, but you don't want it to burn.
Shred Your Own Cheese
Freshly shredded cheese generally melts more smoothly than packaged pre-shredded cheese.
Don't Overload the Sauce With Cheese
The cheese sauce should be creamy and pourable rather than becoming one giant layer of melted cheese. The additional cheese on top provides plenty of cheesy flavor.
Layer the Sauce Properly
Make sure the cheese sauce gets between the potato layers. This is what helps create creamy potatoes throughout the casserole instead of concentrating all the sauce around the top.
Cover Before Uncovering
Starting the baking process covered helps the potatoes cook through before the cheese topping becomes too dark.
Let the Potatoes Rest
Give the casserole several minutes to rest after it comes out of the oven. This helps the sauce settle and makes the potatoes easier to serve.
How Do You Know When Scalloped Potatoes Are Done?
The potatoes should be tender enough to pierce easily with a knife.
The cheese sauce should be bubbling between the layers, and the cheese on top should be melted and golden brown.
If the top is getting too dark before the potatoes are tender, covering the dish again can help protect the cheese while the potatoes finish cooking.
The finished casserole should have tender potatoes, a thick creamy sauce between the layers, and a golden cheese topping.
Can You Make Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Ahead of Time?
These potatoes are well suited to holiday meals and other occasions when you want to prepare some of the food ahead of time.
If making them ahead, allow them to cool appropriately and refrigerate them until you're ready to reheat and serve.
When reheating, make sure the center is heated through and keep an eye on the cheese topping so it doesn't become overly dark.
Final Thoughts
These The Best Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes bring together everything that makes a great comfort-food side dish.
Creamy Yukon Gold potatoes, smoky bacon, sweet onion, garlic, a rich homemade cheese sauce, and a golden layer of melted Fontina all come together in one casserole.
The evaporated milk keeps the cheese sauce rich and creamy without relying entirely on heavy cream, while the roux gives the sauce enough structure to coat every layer of potatoes.
It's the kind of dish that feels right at a holiday table but is just as satisfying when you're making a comfort-food dinner at home.
Serve it alongside roast beef, ham, turkey, chicken, or pork, and you've got a side dish that can hold its own next to the main course.
Sometimes you don't need to complicate potatoes.
You just need bacon, cheese, and a really good sauce.
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