When there’s not enough room in the oven to bake, learn how to cook homemade Easy Cheesy Stove Top Scalloped Potatoes from scratch in a cheddar cheese sauce.


scalloped potatoes on white plate

Growing up, we always had boxed scalloped or au gratin potatoes for the holidays. It doesn’t matter if it was Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter; there were potatoes as a side.

After cooking on my own for several years, I decided to make homemade Stove Top Scalloped Potatoes without all of the preservatives. It took me a few holidays to get it right, especially cooking it on the stovetop.

Cooking for the holidays, especially Thanksgiving Dinner For Two, Christmas Dinner For Two, and Easter For Two, means the oven is lined up to bake two, three, even four dishes.

When there’s no room left in the oven, you’re left cooking side dishes on the stove. That’s why I set out to make Easy Cheesy Stove Top Scalloped Potatoes as a way to avoid baking in the oven.

It’s a quick and easy scalloped potatoes recipe made with Russet potatoes, cheddar cheese, onion, and milk.

Although it’s often associated with holiday dinners, you can also make it for an easy weeknight side dish to serve alongside roasted chicken quarters or turkey tenderloin.


scalloped potatoes in a dutch oven

What does scalloped potatoes mean?

Scalloped potatoes means layering thinly sliced potatoes, usually in a casserole dish. With my stove top scalloped potatoes, you layer them in a Dutch oven.

What’s the difference between scalloped potatoes and au gratin potatoes?

After spending numerous hours researching and reading through recipes, nobody else knows either.

Some sources say scalloped potatoes don’t have cheese, but obviously my recipe does. The boxed scalloped potatoes I ate growing up definitely had a cheese sauce.

Another difference is au gratin has breadcrumbs on top, but most au gratin recipes I saw didn’t include breadcrumbs, including my Au Gratin Potatoes For Two.

In conclusion, the rest of the world doesn’t know the difference between scalloped and au gratin. They DO know anything with cheese and potatoes is a winner, no matter what you call it.


Close Up Of Scalloped Potatoes in Casserole Dish

What ingredients are in stove top scalloped potatoes?

The ingredients for Easy Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes are Russet potatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, and whole milk with additional flavors such as garlic. You can also add fresh herbs such as thyme or rosemary.

I highly recommend using whole milk due to the fat content. It makes the cheese sauce rich and creamy. Skim milk won’t have the same results.


scalloped potatoes in a dutch oven

Which potato is best for scalloped potatoes ?

I personally think Russet potatoes make the best potato for stove top scalloped potatoes because of their higher starch level, which results in a creamier sauce.

However, I’ve seen other scalloped potato recipes using Yukon gold, which better hold their shape. Whichever potato you choose, bake until the potatoes are fork tender.


scalloped potatoes on white plate

How do you finely slice potatoes?

The key to cooking easy cheesy stove top scalloped potatoes is to thinly slice the potatoes evenly using a handheld mandoline (affiliate link).

I reviewed my mandoline for my salt and vinegar chips and BBQ chips so you can see it in action.

My dad usually does this part during the holiday as I am busy preparing all of the other million dishes. He does a great job at it (especially since he can’t mince garlic – don’t ask).

How do you thinly slice potatoes without a mandoline?

If you don’t own a mandoline, slice them carefully and evenly with a knife. The key is making sure they’re the same thickness so they cook evenly.


Fork With Scalloped Potatoes On It

How To Make Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes On Stove Top

To cook scalloped potatoes from scratch on the stove top, you need to use a wide-bottomed pan, preferably a Dutch oven (affiliate link).

Because of the wider surface area, the potatoes will cook more evenly instead of stacking them thick on top of each other.

Next, you need to create a roux, which is a paste made of fat, flour, and liquid. This helps thicken the cheese sauce that’ll coat the potato.

Finally, you cook the thinly sliced potatoes in boiling milk. You will need to stir often because the potatoes may burn on the bottom if you don’t.

What To Serve With Stove Top Scalloped Potatoes

Now that you made easy cheesy stove top scalloped potatoes, what do you serve with it? Here are some dinner ideas:


Dish of Scalloped Potatoes

Items You May Need (Amazon affiliate links):

 

 


Photo Collage of Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
 

scalloped potatoes on white plate

Easy Cheesy Stove Top Scalloped Potatoes

Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour

When there's not enough room in the oven, learn how to cook homemade Easy Cheesy Stove Top Scalloped Potatoes from scratch.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup diced white or yellow onion
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt (preferably kosher)
  • 1 1/2 cups whole milk, room temperature
  • 1 pound (16 ounces) russet potatoes (roughly 2 large potatoes), peeled and thinly sliced (preferably with a mandoline for even, thin cuts)
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 tablespoon fresh herb, such as thyme, rosemary, or chive (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a Dutch oven, another wide-bottomed saucepan, or large deep skillet, melt the butter. Add the onion and a big pinch of salt and cook 5 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute.
  2. Stir in the flour and salt until a roux (thick paste) forms. Gradually whisk in the milk.
  3. Bring to a boil. Once boiling, turn the heat down to a simmer and add the potatoes. Cook covered with a lid for 15-20 minutes or until the potatoes are fork tender, stirring often to prevent burning on the bottom.
  4. Stir in the cheese and herbs until melted. Serve warm.

Notes

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