There is an argument to be made that mashed potatoes are the most popular form for the spuds to take. And while they may be the favorite potato form of many, that does not necessarily mean that some variation would hurt every now and then. In fact, this variation of scalloped potatoes tastes amazing and is still relatively easy to cook. It is not some fancy, annual dish to be savored. It is a dish that is accessible and simple and can make everyone at the dinner table happy. You might end up converting some people to have their favorite kind of potatoes be scalloped.
Potatoes Au Gratin
There is something special about potatoes au gratin beyond the fact that they change up the routine flavors of potato-based dishes. It also happens to be a massive time-saver compared to many other potato-filled sides.
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It does take roughly an hour to cook and finish the scalloped potatoes, but in terms of the actual preparation time for the dish, it is exponentially shorter than other forms of potato, largely because you do not need to peel the spuds.
Because of the time you saved with the lack of peeling, you can spend the rest of your time making sure every other aspect of the food preparation process is undertaken swimmingly. And, not to mention, by keeping the skin on the potatoes, you are also adding a ton of nutritional benefits to your daily diet. Potatoes can be good for you if cook them right; this potatoes au gratin dish allows for this nutrition to seep into your meals, without sacrificing any of the taste.
This particular recipe is deliciously rich and incredibly creamy, practically begging for you to savor every ounce of its taste. Every ingredient is carefully curated to ensure that it belongs in the dish and is also expertly capable of bringing out the best flavors of the potatoes, while simultaneously checking that the potato is complimenting every other taste involved. From salt to onions to butter to pepper, the little touches make all the difference in seeing the potential of potatoes au gratin fully realized.
Scalloped Potatoes and Ham
Most holiday dinners will see potatoes called into action mashed or baked. Sweet potatoes also play a pivotal role in a number of dinners from Thanksgiving to Christmas to Easter, but regardless of the type of potato one prefers, there is no denying that it holds a major place on the plates and tables of many family-oriented holidays when they are gathered together annually. Many times, however, you may underestimate or overlook how many potatoes you will need, either running out of them too quickly or having way too many leftovers.
When you feel like changing up the way you eat and cook potatoes, then you should look no further than the design of scalloped potatoes. Not only does this allow for a somewhat out-of-the-box method of cooking potatoes, but it also allows for a grand change of pace in the way your taste buds collide with your tasty spuds.
Additionally, scalloped potatoes are also an excellent way to call into action leftovers from a holiday meal. For example, most main courses of these meals, namely turkey and ham, often find themselves relegated to extreme leftover status. By cooking scalloped potatoes, you are making a food that pairs scrumptiously well with leftover meats. It can be a great way to feel like you are experiencing the tastes of Thanksgiving all over again- just in a brand new way.
If you enjoyed this recipe, make sure to check out our Tater Tot Casserole Recipe and our Ham and Potato Casserole Recipe.
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Scalloped Potatoes Recipe
(3 votes, average: 3.33 out of 5)
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- Total Time: 60 Minutes
Description
There is something special about potatoes au gratin beyond the fact that they change up the routine flavors of potato-based dishes. It also happens to be a massive time-saver compared to many other potato-filled sides.
Ingredients
- 4 cups thinly sliced potatoes
- 1 small onion, minced
- 2 Tablespoons flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 4 Tablespoons butter
- 1 ½ cups hot milk
- Paprika
Instructions
- Arrange layers of potato in greased 1 ½ quart casserole. Sprinkle with onion.
- Mix flour, salt, and pepper; sprinkle some of mixture on potato and onion. Dot with butter. Add layers until all are used, ending with butter.
- Pour milk all over, sprinkle with paprika.
- Bake covered, in moderate oven 375 degrees F, 45 minutes. Uncover, and bake 15 minutes longer, or until tender.
- Prep Time: 15 Minutes
- Cook Time: 45 Minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
How Long Will Scalloped Potatoes Last?
If you're left with leftover scalloped potatoes, you're going to be wondering how long they can be stored for. Nobody wants to accidentally leave something in the fridge for too long; wasting food is equivalent to wasting time and money!
Scalloped potatoes will last for around four days in the fridge, assuming they're stored correctly. As with basically any other leftovers, store your scalloped potatoes in a sealed, airtight container. We recommend one that's made of metal or hard plastic. Ultimately, though, the container's ability to fully seal is more important than its material.
If you want to keep your scalloped potatoes good for longer, store them in the freezer. Frozen scalloped potatoes can last for a few months, but be sure to watch out for freezer burn. Some have claimed that frozen scalloped potatoes don't retain their structure after being reheated, so keep this in mind.
Before reheating your leftovers, check for any signs of spoilage. These include mold, an off color, a slimy or odd texture, and an offensive odor. When in doubt, it's usually best to throw it out. The last thing you want is to give everyone food poisoning!
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Oksana Mizina/Shutterstock.com.