Description
Indulgent and creamy scalloped potatoes loaded with cheese and crispy bacon, perfect for family dinners or holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and sliced into 1/8-inch rounds
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste
- 3 cups whole milk, at room temperature
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (with half reserved for topping)
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded (with half reserved for topping)
- 6 slices thick-cut beef bacon, cooked and crumbled (with half reserved for topping)
- ¼ cup fresh chives, finely chopped
- Additional salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Begin by peeling and thinly slicing 3 pounds of russet potatoes. Place the slices in a large bowl and cover them with cold water.
- Cook 6 slices of thick-cut beef bacon in a skillet until crispy. Drain on paper towels, crumble into small pieces, and set aside about half for topping.
- In a large saucepan, melt 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in ½ cup of all-purpose flour to form a roux. Gradually whisk in 3 cups of room-temperature whole milk, stirring until smooth. Simmer until the mixture thickens, about 5-8 minutes.
- Reduce the heat and stir in 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella until melted and creamy. Season with 1 teaspoon of kosher salt and ½ teaspoon of black pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Drain the potato slices and layer them in a 9×13 inch baking dish with a quarter of the cheese sauce and a third of the crumbled bacon. Repeat this layering two more times, finishing with the remaining potatoes, cheese sauce, and reserved cheeses and bacon on top.
- Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.
- Allow to rest for 10-15 minutes before serving, garnished with chopped fresh chives.
Notes
For a buttery flavor, substitute russet potatoes with Yukon Gold. For a lighter option, use crumbled turkey bacon.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American