There’s something about scalloped potatoes that instantly says home. This dish takes the classic, creamy scalloped potatoes you know and love, and levels it up with deeply caramelized onions that bring a subtle sweetness to every bite. It’s the perfect marriage of indulgent, cheesy richness and savory-sweet balance—basically, your new go-to for comfort food heaven. Whether you're serving it up for a Sunday dinner, a holiday spread, or just looking for solid meal ideas that feel like a hug, this scalloped potatoes with caramelized onions recipe is the kind of old fashioned scalloped potatoes dish that never goes out of style.
Scalloped Potatoes with Caramelized Onions
Prep Time 25 minutes mins
Cook Time 1 hour hr
Total Time 1 hour hr 25 minutes mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American, French
Mandoline slicer or sharp knife For evenly slicing potatoes. A mandoline gives you precise, uniform slices which is key for even cooking.
Large skillet To caramelize the onions slowly and evenly.
Medium saucepan For making the roux and creamy cheese sauce.
9x13-inch baking dish The perfect size to layer everything beautifully.
Whisk and wooden spoon For the sauce and stirring the onions.
- 4 large russet potatoes peeled and thinly sliced (about 1/8-inch thick)
- 2 large yellow onions thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk warm
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves or ½ tsp dried thyme
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Olive oil for sautéing
Caramelize the Onions
In a large skillet, heat a tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-low heat. Add the sliced onions with a pinch of salt and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until deeply golden brown—about 25–30 minutes. Set aside once they’re sweet and jammy.
Make the Cheese Sauce
In a saucepan, melt the remaining butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the flour to make a roux and cook for another minute. Slowly whisk in warm milk and cream until smooth. Simmer until slightly thickened, then stir in cheddar, Parmesan, thyme, salt, and pepper. Turn off heat once it’s creamy and cheesy.
Assemble the Dish
Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease your baking dish. Layer half of the sliced potatoes, then top with half of the caramelized onions and half of the cheese sauce. Repeat with remaining potatoes, onions, and sauce.
Bake
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 20 minutes until the top is golden, bubbly, and you can easily pierce the potatoes with a fork.
Rest and Serve
Let it sit for 10–15 minutes after baking to firm up. Sprinkle a little extra Parmesan or thyme on top if you’re feeling fancy.
Pairings
This scalloped potato recipe is a rich side dish that pairs well with simple proteins. Try it with roast chicken, glazed ham, or seared pork chops. If you're going vegetarian, it also shines alongside roasted Brussels sprouts or a crisp arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette. A dry white wine like Chardonnay or a lightly oaked Pinot Noir complements the creamy richness beautifully.
FAQs
1. What type of potato should I use?
Russet potatoes are ideal because they have a high starch content, which helps create that signature creamy scalloped texture. Yukon Golds are a close second and give a slightly buttery flavor.
2. Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely! Assemble the dish a day in advance and refrigerate. Just add 10–15 minutes to your bake time if starting from cold.
3. Is this different from boxed scalloped potatoes recipes?
Totally. While boxed scalloped potatoes recipes are convenient, this homemade scalloped potatoes easy recipe brings unmatched depth and freshness from the caramelized onions and real cheese sauce.
4. Can I make it extra cheesy?
Go for it. If you’re after the best scalloped potatoes experience, add a layer of mozzarella or Gruyère between the potato layers for that gooey stretch. This dish can easily become your favorite scalloped potatoes cheesy version.
5. Can this be a main dish?
Yes—add cooked bacon, ham, or even sautéed mushrooms between the layers to bulk it up. It’s one of those easy scalloped potatoes recipes that can go from side to main without much effort.
