Indulge in the ultimate comfort food experience with these rich, decadent Scalloped Potatoes with Bacon. Perfect for elevating any holiday gathering, a special Sunday dinner, or simply a cozy weeknight meal, this dish promises to be a showstopper. Featuring thinly sliced potatoes nestled in a luxurious, creamy cheese sauce and generously studded with crispy bacon bits, it’s a symphony of flavors and textures that will leave everyone asking for seconds.
For those who adore the timeless appeal of scalloped potatoes and are eager to explore more delightful variations, be sure to check out our other beloved recipes. Discover the convenience of Crockpot Scalloped Potatoes, the classic comfort of Creamy Scalloped Potatoes, and the sophisticated notes of Gruyere Scalloped Potatoes.
Decadent Scalloped Potatoes with Cheese and Bacon
When searching for a truly unforgettable side dish for your festive occasions like Easter, Thanksgiving, or Christmas, these cheesy Bacon Scalloped Potatoes are an absolute triumph. Each layer of meticulously sliced potatoes is enveloped in a velvety, rich cheese sauce, interspersed with savory morsels of bacon. The result is a profoundly decadent dish that consistently earns rave reviews from family and friends.
One of the many appealing aspects of this recipe is its make-ahead potential. You can effortlessly assemble the entire dish a day or two in advance, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and store it in the refrigerator. This allows you to tackle your holiday meal preparations with greater ease, simply pulling the baking dish out when you’re ready to bake. Imagine the stress-free convenience of having such a magnificent side dish ready to pop into the oven!
Unlocking Flavor: Key Ingredients for Perfect Scalloped Potatoes
The magic of this dish lies in the harmonious blend of high-quality ingredients. Choosing the right components ensures that every bite is bursting with flavor and boasts that irresistible creamy texture. Here’s what you’ll need and why each element plays a crucial role:
- Potatoes: For an extra creamy and tender result, we highly recommend
Yukon Gold potatoes . Their naturally buttery texture and low starch content make them ideal for scalloped dishes. However,Russet potatoes also work wonderfully, offering a slightly fluffier texture. Whichever you choose, aim for uniform, thin slices to ensure even cooking. - Bacon: The star of the show! Any type of
bacon will impart a delicious smoky, salty crunch. Thick-cut bacon will yield heartier bits, while regular bacon offers a more delicate crispness. Don’t discard that rendered bacon grease – it’s crucial for building the foundational flavor of our sauce! - Onion: A medium
yellow or white onion , finely diced, provides a sweet and aromatic base that complements the richness of the bacon and cheese. Cooking it until translucent unlocks its full, mellow flavor. - Garlic: For the most potent and fresh aroma, always opt for
fresh minced garlic . It adds an indispensable depth of flavor that elevates the entire dish. - Milk: The creamy backbone of your sauce. To achieve that luscious, thick consistency, use full-fat options like
whole milk, half-and-half , or even a mixture of milk and heavy cream. The higher fat content prevents the sauce from becoming watery or separating. - Paprika: This spice adds a subtle warmth and beautiful color to the cheese sauce. Its mild, slightly sweet notes pair incredibly well with dairy and potatoes.
- Dry Mustard: Often overlooked,
dry mustard powder is a secret ingredient in many cheese sauces. It doesn’t make the sauce taste like mustard but rather enhances the savory notes of the cheese, making it taste richer and more complex. You can usually find it in the spice aisle. - Cheese: This is where you can truly customize! While
shredded cheddar cheese (sharp or mild) is a classic choice, feel free to experiment with your favorites.White cheddar, Gruyere, Parmesan, or Monterey Jack are all excellent options that melt beautifully. For an even more dynamic flavor profile, consider using a blend of two or three different cheeses.
Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting the Perfect Scalloped Potatoes with Bacon
Creating this impressive side dish is simpler than you might think. Follow these clear steps to achieve a perfectly cooked, creamy, and flavorful potato casserole:
- Prepare the Bacon: Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a large saucepan or skillet, cook the sliced bacon over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, or until it’s beautifully golden brown and crispy. Once cooked, transfer the bacon bits to a plate lined with a paper towel to drain and cool. Reserve about 2 tablespoons of the rich bacon grease in the pan – this will be the foundation of your incredible sauce. Discard any remaining grease.
- Sauté Aromatics: Return the saucepan with the reserved bacon grease to medium heat. Add the diced onions and cook them gently until they become translucent and soft, which usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Remove the pan from the heat and set aside.
- Layer the Potatoes: Wash and peel your chosen potatoes. Using a mandoline slicer or a sharp knife, slice the potatoes into very thin, uniform rounds (about 1/8-inch thick). Arrange the potato slices in overlapping layers in the bottom of a 9″ x 13″ baking dish. Season generously with salt and black pepper. Evenly sprinkle 1½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese over the potatoes, followed by half of your crispy, cooked bacon bits.
- Craft the Creamy Cheese Mixture: In a separate large bowl, combine the milk, dry mustard powder, and paprika. Whisk these ingredients together thoroughly until well combined. This flavorful mixture is what will transform your potatoes into a creamy masterpiece.
- Combine and Top: Carefully pour the prepared milk mixture over the thinly sliced potatoes and cheese in the baking dish. Using a fork, gently toss or prod the potatoes to ensure that all the slices are adequately coated and submerged in the creamy liquid. Finally, cover the top layer of potatoes with the remaining shredded cheese, creating a magnificent cheesy crust.
- Bake to Perfection: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in your preheated oven for approximately 55 minutes. This initial covered baking period allows the potatoes to cook through and become wonderfully tender in the creamy sauce. After 55 minutes, remove the foil and continue to bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese on top is beautifully golden brown and bubbly, and a fork inserted into the potatoes slides out easily, indicating they are perfectly tender.
- Rest and Serve: Once baked, remove the Scalloped Potatoes with Bacon from the oven. Let them cool and rest for about 10 minutes before serving. This resting period allows the sauce to set slightly, making it easier to serve and preventing it from being too runny. Then, dig in and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions About Scalloped Potatoes
Absolutely! This recipe is fantastic for preparing in advance. You can assemble the entire dish, including layering the potatoes, bacon, and cheese, and pouring in the milk mixture, a day or two before you plan to bake it. Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator. On baking day, remember to pull the cold dish from the fridge while your oven preheats to avoid placing a very cold dish directly into a hot oven, which could cause thermal shock. Then, bake as directed in the recipe instructions, finishing with a final sprinkle of bacon bits if desired.
Reheating scalloped potatoes is quite simple. For smaller portions, the microwave works well; heat in short bursts until warmed through. For larger quantities or to maintain a crispy top, reheat in a preheated 350-degree F (175 degrees C) oven. To prevent the top from drying out or burning, we recommend covering the pan loosely with aluminum foil during reheating. This helps to steam the potatoes gently back to their creamy texture.
Yes, absolutely! While cheddar is a classic, feel free to experiment. Gruyere offers a nutty, savory depth, while Monterey Jack provides a milder, super-melty quality. A blend of cheeses, like cheddar and Parmesan, can also create a wonderfully complex flavor profile. Just ensure the cheeses you choose are good melting cheeses.
Cheese sauce can sometimes separate if it gets too hot too quickly, or if you use a low-fat milk that doesn’t stabilize the emulsion as well. To prevent this, always use full-fat milk or cream, add cheese gradually, and don’t boil the sauce vigorously. Gentle heat and continuous whisking are key to a smooth, cohesive sauce.
Storing and Reheating Your Delicious Scalloped Potatoes
Proper storage and reheating ensure you can enjoy the deliciousness of these scalloped potatoes for days to come:
- Refrigerator: Store any leftover scalloped potatoes in an airtight container or simply cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. They will keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- To Reheat: For best results, reheat scalloped potatoes in a preheated 350-degree F (175 degrees C) oven. Cover the pan with aluminum foil to prevent drying out and reheat slowly until warmed through, typically about 25-35 minutes. You can also reheat smaller portions in the microwave, using short intervals until heated evenly.
Scalloped Potatoes with Bacon Recipe
Author The Carefree Kitchen
These cheesy scalloped potatoes with bacon are rich and decadent and perfect for your holiday meal or Sunday dinner. They’re made with thinly sliced potatoes, crispy bacon and have a creamy cheese sauce.
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Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 1 hr
Total: 1 hr 15 mins
Yields: 12 people
Ingredients
- 1 pound bacon, cut into 1/4″ slices
- 1 cup onion, diced; white or yellow
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1½ pounds Yukon gold potatoes, or russet potatoes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese, (divided)
- 2 cups milk
- 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, sauté the sliced bacon for 3-5 minutes or until the bacon is lightly golden brown and crispy. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towel and let cool.
- Reserve about 2 tablespoons of the bacon grease and discard the rest. Turn the heat back on to medium and add the onions. Cook until the onions are translucent and soft, then add the garlic and cook for another couple of minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.
- Wash and peel your potatoes. Slice into thin slices and add in overlapping layers to the bottom of a 9″ x 13″ baking dish. Season with salt and pepper, cover with 1½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese, and sprinkle on half of the cooked bacon.
- In a large bowl, combine the milk, dry mustard, and paprika. Whisk well, then pour over the thinly sliced potatoes and cheese. Use a fork to lightly toss the potatoes so all the potatoes are covered in the milk mixture. Cover the layers of potatoes with the remaining cheese.
- Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake in your preheated oven for about 55 minutes. Remove the foil, then bake for another 10-15 minutes or until the cheese on top is golden brown and a fork inserted into the potatoes comes out easily.
- Take the potatoes out of the oven and let them cool for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
Storing leftovers: Store in an airtight or covered container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Reheat in a microwave or in a preheated 350 degree oven. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and reheat slowly until warmed through – about 25-35 minutes.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 11g |
Protein: 15g |
Fat: 26g |
Saturated Fat: 12g |
Cholesterol: 59mg |
Sodium: 643mg |
Potassium: 404mg |
Fiber: 2g |
Sugar: 3g |
Vitamin A: 383IU |
Vitamin C: 7mg |
Calcium: 272mg |
Iron: 2mg
Disclaimer: Nutritional values were calculated using a third-party tool and are provided as an estimation only.
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
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Whether you’re planning a grand holiday feast or a simple family dinner, these Scalloped Potatoes with Bacon and Cheese offer unparalleled richness and flavor. With their thinly sliced potatoes, perfectly crispy bacon, and luscious creamy cheese sauce, they are guaranteed to be a comforting and memorable addition to any table. Prepare to delight your taste buds and impress your guests with this truly exceptional potato dish!