Make Ahead Scalloped Potatoes

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Can you make scalloped potatoes ahead of time? Yes! My easy Make-Ahead Scalloped Potatoes recipe is the perfect side dish for your next dinner party and the holidays. Ready in under 2 hours.

Jump to:

• Preparing Scalloped Potatoes Ahead of Time
• Scalloped Potatoes Ingredients
• Quick and Easy Scalloped Potatoes Recipe
• Can you make scalloped potatoes ahead of time?
• Do Ahead Scalloped Potatoes Tips
• Make Ahead Scalloped Potatoes FAQ
• Scalloped Potatoes Recipes
• Make-Ahead Scalloped Potatoes
• Reviews

Preparing Scalloped Potatoes Ahead of Time

After just one bite of this my easy make ahead scalloped potatoes, your friends will be asking you for the recipe. They are a pure decadent delight, and the best pairing for a prime rib or steak dinner!

This cheesy make ahead scalloped potatoes recipe is made from scratch using Yukon gold potatoes, a creamy bechamel sauce, and homemade cheese sauce. It's the perfect crowd-feeding side dish, because you can make it ahead of time and simply pop it in the oven when it's time to serve.

Scalloped Potatoes Ingredients

• Butter: I'm using unsalted butter and salting separately. If you use salted butter, be certain to add less salt!
• Flour: This recipe calls for all-purpose flour, but you can also use gluten-free flour. Because it's used to thicken the roux for the bechamel sauce, you can use it at a 1:1 ratio.
• Whole Milk: Because this recipe also calls for heavy cream, I recommend you use whole milk rather than a substitute like cream or half and half.
• Heavy Cream: You can use half and half, too, but the sauce won't be as rich or creamy.
• Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese: I recommend shredding your own cheese off of the block with a box grater. Pre-packaged shredded cheeses come coated in an anti-caking powder, which means they melt less smoothly. But, if that's what you have on hand, don't worry, it will still work out perfectly.
• Salt: Kosher salt or sea salt flakes work best. I recommend you avoid using fine table salt.
• Pepper: Freshly cracked black pepper will taste the best, but pre-ground is totally fine.
• Yukon Gold Potatoes: Or russet potatoes. Yukon gold potatoes have a creamy texture and are nice and soft, making them a delicious choice for scalloped potatoes, but russet works great, too.
• Onion: This is optional, but a bit of sliced onion adds another layer of depth to this scalloped potatoes recipe that my family finds irresistible. I recommend using a sweet yellow onion.

Quick and Easy Scalloped Potatoes Recipe

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9 by 13-inch baking dish and set aside.
2. Melt butter in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add flour and whisk until a thick paste forms. This is making a roux.
3. Slowly add milk and then heavy cream, whisking until thick and creamy. Make sure to add the milk and cream very slowly and whisk continuously. This is your bechamel sauce.
4. Add in cheese, salt, and pepper. Mix until combined. Now you have your cheese sauce.
   
5. Place half the potatoes and onions in a baking dish and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
   
6. Cover with half of the béchamel sauce.
7. Add the second layer of potatoes and onions with another sprinkle of salt and pepper and top with the remaining béchamel cheese sauce.
8. Cover with foil and bake for 1 hour. After an hour, uncover and add a layer of cheese on top. Bake for 10 minutes until melted and a little browned.

This is one of my favorite Thanksgiving day side dishes! Another one of my favorite make-ahead recipes for the holidays is my vegetables au gratin. Give it a try!

Can you make scalloped potatoes ahead of time?

Yes, you can make your scalloped potatoes ahead of time and pop them back in the oven right before your guests arrive! This is my preferred way to make these scalloped potatoes.

1. Assemble the dish according to the directions. Then, bake this casserole dish for 60 minutes. This gets the potatoes about 75% of the way cooked through. 
2. Let the potato casserole cool, then cover it with aluminum foil and refrigerate for 1-2 days.
3. Reheat at the same baking temperature, for 30-40 minutes, on the day you are serving your meal.

Do Ahead Scalloped Potatoes Tips

You will have to peel and thinly slice your potatoes. Only 6 medium-size Yukon gold potatoes are necessary for this recipe. You can peel them by hand or use one of these kitchen utensils to make it easier.

• Y-peeler potato peeler: We recommend using a Y-peeler to peel your potatoes. They are easier to hold and great for quickly peeling potatoes.
• Use a mandoline: If you want perfectly sliced potatoes we highly recommend using a mandoline. We have the perfect guide on how to use a mandoline.
• Cut the potatoes with a paring knife: If you do not have a Y-shaped peeler or mandoline, make sure to peel away from yourself to avoid cutting your fingers. This method works just fine, you will have a harder time getting the potatoes the same exact thickness every time.
• Do not boil: We do not recommend the boiling method as it may mean mushy, overcooked potatoes when you bake them later.
• Add the heavy cream and whole milk very slowly while whisking continuously.
• Try making it using my leftover Honey Glazed Ham recipe to make this awesome Ham and Potatoes Casserole.

If you are looking for another option that's gluten-free, too, my gluten-free au gratin potatoes are amazingly delicious. Plus, try my amazing Melting Potatoes Recipe!

Make Ahead Scalloped Potatoes FAQ

Scalloped Potatoes Recipes

• Ham and Potatoes Casserole
• Au Gratin Potatoes
• Instant Pot scalloped potatoes
• Swedish Potato Casserole
• Scalloped Potatoes with Ham

This recipe makes a great side dish for the holidays. Pair it with my other Side Dishes for Ham, Side Dishes for Prime Rib, or Christmas Side Dishes, like Easy Creamed Spinach!

Did you enjoy this cheesy scalloped potatoes recipe? Let me know what you think in the comments below and with a rating! I love to hear from you!