Food is how a lot of us show love, that's definitely true in my family. When we come together, we cook, when there's tragedy, we cook and feed each other. The weekend after my friend, Keith, passed away and my sister arrived from Germany, I went over to visit her and Keith's wife, Carolyn, a lot. We cooked and I baked. I love having my sister here and using her as a guinea pig to help me test out recipes. One of the things I made were these three cheese scalloped potatoes. They turned out amazingly well and now I call these my ultimate cheesy potato dish.
The holidays aren't the same without cookies, butter (a given right?) and potatoes – the three main food groups. 😉
Yesterday, I remade the recipe to test it as well as photograph it and it happened to be the same day that Carolyn and Quyen came over for dinner. Carolyn captured this shot of me photographing these glorious potatoes.
I told you all about my trip to Idaho a little while back and one of the farms we visited was Potandon Produce. We were introduced to these wonderful babies called Klondike Rose – they are red potatoes with a yellow center. They are so good! And I love using them in recipes that call for Yukon golds.
That's where I found this heart-shaped red potato – right on the potato field.
I got so giddy when I found these potatoes at my local Sam's Club. And notice the little grown in Idaho seal on the left side of the bag. I can honestly tell you I truly believe that Idaho potatoes just taste better and I'm constantly looking for the grown in Idaho seal or I won't buy it.
I use this handheld mandoline slicer to cut up all of the potatoes in just five minutes!
Next, melt butter in a stainless steel skillet or pan. I don't use nonstick because I need to use my whisk, I guess if you have a silicon whisk you could use a nonstick pan.
Add flour and whisk it and constantly stir – cook the flour and make a little blond roux.
Slowly whisk in the heavy cream and milk and cook for a few minutes. Add salt, pepper and white pepper and then add the cheese until it melts. Constantly whisk the cheese mixture.
I pour all of the cheese mixture into a four cup measuring cup (with a spout) and then start layering the potatoes and cheese mixture.
And yep, there they are.
I made these potatoes with both manchego and asiago. I prefer the manchego but both are equally tasty. I had to try it with asiago because my sister said she can't find manchego in Germany. It's the combo of three cheeses (sharp white cheddar, parmesan, and manchego) that makes this scalloped potato dish to die for. And guess what? They taste even better the next day. I heard some of my family members even had it for breakfast the first time I made them. 🙂
I baked them in this 14.5 by 8 baker. I'm giving away the same baker pictured above, check out my giveaway thanks to Idaho Potatoes!
Three Cheese Scalloped Potatoes Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 Klondike Rose or Yukon Gold potatoes, about 3 to 3.5 pounds, peeled and sliced thinly or with a mandolin slicer
- 2 cups sharp white cheddar cheese, grated
- 1 1/2 cups manchego or asiago cheese, grated
- 3/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 3 Tablespoons salted butter
- 1/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- salt & pepper
- pinch or two of white pepper, optional
Instructions
- Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Prep potatoes and cheese.
- Heat a stainless steel skillet on medium heat. Melt butter and add flour. Using a whisk, mix and whisk the flour constantly for 3 to 4 minutes. Whisk in heavy cream and milk slowly and cook for 4-6 minutes, whisking the entire time. Add salt, pepper and white pepper to taste. Whisk in cheese until completely melted. Remove from heat and pour the cheese sauce into a measuring cup with a spout.
- Pour about 1/4 cup of the cheese sauce into the bottom of a baking dish (I used a 14.5 by 8 inch one). Layer overlapping slices of potatoes on top the cheese sauce and pour some cheese sauce on top. Spread with a spoon and continue layering potatoes and cheese sauce until you have no more sauce. I had about 5 or 6 layers of potatoes in mine - it may different for you depending on how big your baking dish is.
- Bake at 375 degrees F covered with foil for about 20 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking for about 45-60 minutes or until potatoes are cooked through (use a butter knife or fork and poke through the potatoes, if it's soft, they're ready). If needed, turn on the broiler to brown the top of the potatoes.
- These potatoes reheat very well and taste even better the next day. Store in a tightly sealed container for 2-3 days.
Disclosure: I’m proud to be sponsored by the Idaho Potato Commission, who made these experiences possible. I only share with you my favorite brands and all opinions expressed are always my own. And there are affiliate links included in this post.
Carolyn says
Made these for Christmas – the sauce as made was DELICIOUS! Unfortunately, when I added the potatoes and baked the results were nowhere near as flavorful and rich. I made with Klondike Rose potatoes and they had a good texture and taste but overall the expectation for this recipe based on the comments and the amazing sauce were pretty high and as baked did not stand up.
Carla Ann Parker says
I’ve always wanted a good scalloped potatoes recipe and now I know that I have found it. I just prepared it and it turned out great. Thanks for sharing!
Julie Deily says
Carla Ann, that makes me so happy! We love this recipe too!
wifemothereventplanner says
oh please don’t find out how many calories there are in this…I want to remain completely ignorant and happy!
Amber says
Any idea the serving size and how many calories per serving?
Julie Deily says
I’m sorry, Amber, I don’t know. I think there are many sites that calculate them if you put in the ingredients?
Erin @ Texanerin Baking says
Hi there! I’m a little late with my feedback but here it is. A friend of mine who lives in another country was dealing with a tragedy and it was awful to be so far away. I needed comfort and remembered these potatoes and made them. Kind of! I made the sauce and the sauce was just so good that I ate it all except about 1/4 cup. 🙁 I hadn’t prepared the potatoes yet so I just left it at that. It was a VERY comforting meal! Thank you very much. Next time I’ll prepare the potatoes and then the sauce… that way I can’t eat the sauce or I’ll be stuck with a lot of potatoes. 🙂
Dee @ Cocktails with MOm says
Thanks for sharing this recipe. I will be trying this one.
Liz O. says
I made this Christmas night to go with beef tenderloin. It was fantastic..it even beat the tenderloin! Thanks for a great recipe!
Julie Deily says
Yay, Liz, so happy to hear! It’s become a family favorite for us! Happy new year to you and your family!
Erin @ Texanerin Baking says
I’m happy that Carolyn has you and your sister there. I imagine that your presence is a huge comfort to her. Sending you all positive thoughts!
I also love the picture of you taking that picture and I’m shocked that you got such a great photo in what appears to be a super dark room. I definitely need to learn some more about photography!
christopher sorel says
That would be great with some ham or smoked prime rib
Stephanie@Henry Happened says
I could definitely introduce this dish in my everyday life!
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen says
Oh I love that picture of you at work with your camera! Your scalloped potatoes look so wonderfully creamy.
Alice Choi says
Julie, these potatoes look delicious!! I can’t wait to try this recipe. . . and I love that you spent time cooking and eating with your sister and Keith’s wife, Carolyn. . . my family is the same way. . we cook for each other as an act of love. 🙂
Sydney @ The Crepes of Wrath says
I know that hovering photography stance all too well! Sometimes I think about how funny I must look, hunched over a plate of already-cold food, trying to shoot it so I can eat! 🙂 Your potatoes look deeelish.
claire @ the realistic nutritionist says
HOLY CRAP. How did I miss this before? I want to dive face first and never come out. Gorgeous photos too Julie!
Jeanette says
That is a comfort dish Julie – and perfect for holiday entertaining, a very cozy meal.
Tasha @ ThatsSoYummy says
Ok I just saw these and can I say YUM… I could sit in the corner eat that whole pan… AT ONCE!
shelly (cookies and cups) says
These potatoes need to happen in my life. Tonight, yes tonight.
sally @ sallys baking addiction says
WHy stop at one cheese when you can have three? I sort of wantt hese for breakfast tomorrow. And lunch, and dinner. I adore cheesy potatoes!!
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says
This is one of my favorite holiday sides – I’ve got to try your scrumptious variation here! Looks so delicious!
addie | culicurious says
I was thinking of making some of these for Christmas side dish. Great minds! 🙂
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says
I love that shot of you taking that photo. And this dish is just amazing. I love that you used 3 different kinds of cheeses – how can I not?! I most definitely have to make this for Christmas dinner!
Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies says
After posting my gratin recipe this week, I totally wanted to tackle something like this next. I LOVE cheesy potatoes. Such comfort food. 🙂 Just gorgeous and so perfect for a holiday dinner!
amy @ fearless homemaker says
There are few things I love more than cheesy potatoes and these look DIVINE! And i agree – cooking + baking with my friends/family is one of the ways I’m best at showing my love. =) Nothing brings people together like working together in the kitchen!
Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles says
A dish of cheesy scalloped potatoes just can’t be beat. This looks so good, Julie!
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective says
Mmmm, the perfect comfort dish for cold weather!
Angie says
These potatoes look too good! My scalloped potatoes have never turned out, have to try your recipe!
Living The Sweet Life says
I’ve never had good luck with scalloped potatoes, they always end up either undercooked or way too watery 🙁 I love your recipe though, and I think this is the season to overcome my scalloped potato mishaps!!
bridget {bake at 350} says
Those sound absolutely fabulous! And I love the pic of you photographing them! 🙂
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says
I love scalloped potatoes and this version sounds fantastic Julie!
Kathryn says
This looks like a huge dish of comfort, so rich and creamy and cheesey!
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. says
Is there anything better than cheesy and creamy scalloped potatoes?!
Cassie | Bake Your Day says
What a great way to comfort your friend. This looks so good, Julie!
Kristina @ Love & Zest says
I can see why you could barely wait to share! They look picture perfect. I’ve been dying to have a mandoline for years now.. do you prefer the handheld?
Laura (GotChocolate) says
Yum-o! I could eat these for breakfast too! I LOVE white sharp cheddar cheese too.
Great photos!