🧄🧀 Cheesy Garlic Scalloped Potatoes: The Ultimate Comfort Food Classic

When it comes to soul-warming comfort food, few dishes rival the rich, indulgent flavor of Cheesy Garlic Scalloped Potatoes. Creamy, garlicky, loaded with bubbling cheese, and layered to perfection—this dish is a show-stopping side worthy of weeknight dinners and holiday spreads alike.

Whether you’re pairing it with roasted chicken, grilled steaks, or a festive ham, these scalloped potatoes shine as the ultimate savory companion. Made with three types of cheese, a creamy garlic-onion roux, and perfectly sliced Russets, every bite is bursting with flavor and coziness.

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🥔 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

There’s scalloped potatoes—and then there’s these scalloped potatoes. What makes this version stand out?

• ✅ Three cheeses: Cheddar, pepper jack, and Parmesan make a dynamic, melty trio.
• ✅ Garlic-forward flavor: Thanks to 6 cloves of minced garlic sautéed with onions.
• ✅ Creamy texture: The sour cream and heavy cream combo creates unmatched richness.
• ✅ Hearty layers: Each bite gives a mix of tender potatoes, savory cheese, and bold seasoning.
• ✅ Feeds a crowd: Perfect for gatherings, holidays, or Sunday suppers.

This is a dish designed to impress—yet it’s surprisingly easy to prepare, even for beginners.

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📋 Ingredients You’ll Need

Let’s break down what goes into this cheesy, garlicky masterpiece:

🧀 Core Ingredients:

• 5 lbs Russet potatoes, peeled and sliced into ⅛-inch rounds
• 2 cups onions, finely chopped
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ cup butter (½ stick)
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 1½ cups vegetable broth
• 1½ cups heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 2 teaspoons pepper
• 2 teaspoons Slap Ya Mama® seasoning (or your favorite Cajun blend)
• 8 oz sour cream
• 3 cups grated cheddar cheese, divided
• 1 cup pepper jack cheese, grated
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

🧂 Tip: You can adjust the spice level by using less seasoning or substituting with smoked paprika or garlic powder.

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👨‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prep Your Baking Dish & Oven

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Lightly spray a 14 x 11½ x 2¼-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set it aside.

🥘 Alternative dish sizes: You can divide the mixture into two smaller baking dishes if needed.

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2. Prepare the Potatoes

Peel and thinly slice the potatoes to ⅛-inch thickness using a mandoline or a sharp knife. Place them in a large bowl of cold water to prevent browning while you prep the sauce.

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3. Sauté Onion & Garlic

In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onions and garlic and sauté for 4–5 minutes, stirring frequently, until softened and fragrant.

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4. Make the Creamy Cheese Sauce

Sprinkle the flour over the onion-garlic mixture. Stir well and cook for 2 minutes to create a roux.

Gradually pour in the vegetable broth, followed by the heavy cream, stirring constantly. Add salt, pepper, and Slap Ya Mama® seasoning.

Let the sauce thicken over medium heat, but do not let it boil. Once thickened, turn off the heat and stir in 2 cups of cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.

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5. Layer the Potatoes

Begin building your casserole by layering:

• ⅓ of the sliced potatoes
• ⅓ of the sour cream, dotted over the potatoes
• ⅓ of the cheese sauce, spread gently over the top
• Sprinkle with ⅓ Parmesan, ⅓ pepper jack, and ⅓ remaining cheddar

Repeat the process for three total layers, ending with cheddar cheese on top for that iconic golden finish.

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6. Bake

Cover the dish with foil and place in the preheated oven. Bake for 1½ to 2 hours or until the potatoes are fork-tender.

About 15–20 minutes before the end, remove the foil to allow the cheese to crisp and brown on top.

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7. Cool & Serve

Remove from the oven and let rest for 15 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to thicken and makes serving easier.

🔪 Pro Tip: Use a slotted spoon or spatula for clean layers on the plate.

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⏱️ Recipe Summary

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours
• Servings: 10 generous portions
• Calories per serving: ~638 kcal

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🥄 Storage & Reheating Tips

Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Reheat: Warm in a 350°F oven (covered with foil) for about 20 minutes, or microwave individual portions for 2–3 minutes.

Freeze: You can freeze cooked scalloped potatoes for up to 2 months, but the texture may soften slightly upon reheating.

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🔄 Customization Ideas

Want to make it your own? Here are a few fun twists:

🥓 Bacon Lovers:

Add cooked crumbled bacon to each layer or sprinkle it on top before the final bake.

🌿 Vegetarian Boost:

Fold in sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or kale for added flavor and nutrition.

🔥 Spicy Kick:

Use jalapeño jack cheese instead of pepper jack and add a dash of cayenne.

🧀 Extra Cheesy:

Swap cheddar for Gruyère, Monterey Jack, or sharp white cheddar for deeper flavor.

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🍽️ What to Serve With Scalloped Potatoes

These cheesy scalloped potatoes are a natural sidekick to:

• 🐔 Herb-roasted chicken
• 🍖 Smoked ham
• 🥩 Grilled or baked steak
• 🌽 Creamed corn or green beans
• 🥗 A crisp green salad to balance the richness

Or, enjoy them as the main dish with a glass of white wine and a crusty baguette!

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📝 Final Thoughts – The Ultimate Crowd Pleaser

This Cheesy Garlic Scalloped Potatoes recipe is more than just a side dish—it’s an experience. Each forkful delivers creamy layers, melty cheese, and bold flavor, all brought together in a comforting casserole that tastes like a hug in a dish.

Perfect for potlucks, Sunday dinners, holidays, or just when you’re craving something indulgent and delicious. Once you try it, you’ll keep coming back to this one again and again.

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