Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes with Caramelized Onions

Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes with Caramelized Onions, the ultimate holiday side dish. These potatoes are creamy, cheesy, and seasoned simply for a potato casserole that everyone really loves. The thinly sliced potatoes melt into a creamy, cheesy sauce. The top brown up in the oven adding a bit of crunch. Together these creamy crunchy potatoes are so delicious. They’re simple to make and always a crowd favorite.

Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes with Caramelized Onions, the ultimate holiday side dish. These potatoes are creamy, cheesy, and seasoned simply for a potato casserole that everyone really loves. The thinly sliced potatoes melt into a creamy, cheesy sauce. The top brown up in the oven adding a bit of crunch. Together these creamy crunchy potatoes are so delicious. They’re simple to make and always a crowd favorite.

Here are the details…

Before I slice the potatoes, I always caramelize the onions. A lot of potato casseroles call for onion powder. But I wanted to add a little more of a fresh onion flavor that wasn’t over powering, but just right.

I love to use caramelized onions for an onion flavor that’s more mellow.

I caramelize them down in a bit of butter and add wine to help them caramelize a little faster. Then just a little fresh thyme, salt, and pepper.

While the onions are cooking, I mix the cream, milk, and the two types of cheese together. Most scalloped or au gratin recipes will call for you to cook the milk and cheese together on the stove, creating more of a cheese sauce.

I’ve found that the cheese sauce didn’t help the potatoes cook. It left me with a drier potato, and not in a delicious way.

So, I skip cooking the sauce.

Slice the potatoes using a super sharp knife or a mandoline. Using a mandoline is ideal as you’ll get even slices and it’s much quicker too.

Layer the potatoes in a baking dish with the cream/milk/cheese mix and onions. I layer this up similar to a lasagna to ensure every potato gets evenly seasoned.

sliced scalloped potatoes for Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes with Caramelized Onions
slice potatoes for Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes with Caramelized Onions

Once assembled, you bake…

The baking time for these potatoes is long. I cook mine a full two + hours to ensure that the potatoes are really cooked and turn tender. I then remove the foil, add a little more cheese, and bake until the cheese is bubbling and browning on top.

It might seem simple, but that browned, golden top really adds another layer of deliciousness to the potatoes that makes everyone want more.

Serve these up warm with a little added fresh thyme for color.

Crispy Cheddar Chicken

Hearty Beef and Potato Stew

Loaded Cheesy Chicken Bake

Cheesy Potato & Smoked Sausage Casserole

Original Recipe By; Half Baked Harvest

Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes with Caramelized Onions

Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes with Caramelized Onions

Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes with Caramelized Onions, the ultimate holiday side dish. These potatoes are creamy, cheesy, and seasoned simply for a potato casserole that everyone really loves. The thinly sliced potatoes melt into a creamy, cheesy sauce. The top brown up in the oven adding a bit of crunch. Together these creamy crunchy potatoes are so delicious. They’re simple to make and always a crowd favorite.
No ratings yet
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Course Holiday, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 Servings

Ingredients
  

  • 3 tablespoons salted butter
  • 1 yellow onion thinly sliced
  • kosher salt and black pepper
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine such as Pinot Grigio
  • 1 clove garlic chopped
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 pinch cayenne
  • 3/4 cup shredded Gruyere cheese
  • 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 6 russet or Yukon gold potatoes cut into 1/8-inch-thick slices

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350° F.
  • Melt together the butter and onions in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally until softened, about 10 minutes. At this point, you’ll want to add the wine and continue to cook another 5 minutes until the onions are deeply caramelized.
  • Add the garlic and thyme, then season with salt and pepper. Cook another 2 minutes, then remove from the heat.
  • Butter a 9×13 inch casserole dish. In a large glass measuring cup, combine the cream, milk, a pinch of cayenne, salt, and pepper. Then add the Gruyere cheese. Pour 1/3 of the milk mix into the bottom of the baking dish. Layer in 1/3 of the potatoes, and 1/2 of the onions. Add another 1/3 milk mix, then 1/3 of the potatoes, and then the remaining onions. Add the remaining potatoes, then pour over the last of the remaining milk mix. Try to get the potatoes in an even layer.
  • Cover and bake 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours. Remove the foil and top with cheddar cheese. Bake another 20 minutes, until the cheese is golden and melty. Serve the dish warm, topped with fresh thyme.

Notes:

  • To make Ahead: prepare and bake through step 5 but stop cooking after 2 hours. Let chill, then cover, and keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. Before baking, bring the dish to room temperature, add the cheddar cheese, and bake another 20-30 minutes.
Keyword #northeastnosh #cheesypotatoes #scallopepotatoes #caramelizedonions #holidaysidedish #comfortfood #potato #food #foodie
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Discover more from NorthEast Nosh Recipes

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

More Posts

Creamy Mushroom Herb–Braised Beef Short Ribs

Creamy Mushroom Herb–Braised Beef Short Ribs

The allure of Creamy Mushroom Herb–Braised Beef Short Ribs lies in the way simple ingredients transform into a luxurious, comforting meal. Slow braising creates rich depth, the aromatics melt into the beef, and the mushroom-infused cream turns the sauce velvety. This dish feels refined yet completely approachable, making it ideal for relaxed weekends or elegant entertaining. Whether served over mashed potatoes, rice, or warm bread, its savory aroma and satisfying texture guarantee a memorable dinner.

Read More »
Crispy Fried Brie with Pepper Honey, Warm Lemon-Herb Olives & Prosciutto

Crispy Fried Brie with Pepper Honey, Warm Lemon-Herb Olives & Prosciutto

There are some dishes that feel like experiences rather than recipes, and Crispy Fried Brie with Pepper Honey, Warm Lemon-Herb Olives & Prosciutto is one of them. The moment you cut into the golden crust and that molten cheese escapes, everything slows down. The warmth of the Brie, the sparkle of lemon zest, the subtle heat of pepper honey, the savory crispness of prosciutto—all of it blends into a bite that feels rich, comforting, and surprisingly simple to create.

Read More »
Chicken Schnitzel with Mushroom Gravy

Chicken Schnitzel with Mushroom Gravy

A plate of Chicken Schnitzel with Mushroom Gravy delivers the perfect blend of crisp, golden cutlets paired with a rich, savory sauce. This dish brings together satisfying textures and deep, hearty flavors without complicated steps. From weeknight dinners to relaxed weekend meals, this comforting recipe stands out as a reliable favorite.

Read More »
Beef Ragu with Parmesan Gnocchi & Mushrooms

Beef Ragu with Parmesan Gnocchi & Mushrooms

This Beef Ragu with Parmesan Gnocchi & Mushrooms brings together melt-in-your-mouth shredded beef, earthy mushrooms, and pillowy gnocchi enriched with Parmesan. It’s slow cooking at its finest — simple ingredients transformed into something extraordinary.

Read More »

Send Us A Message

Discover more from NorthEast Nosh Recipes

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading

Discover more from NorthEast Nosh Recipes

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading