When you think about Christmas dinner, what comes to mind? For me, it’s the buzz of family in the kitchen, the warmth from the oven, and of course, the amazing food. The main course gets a lot of attention, but let’s be honest, the side dishes are where the magic happens.
Finding great Christmas Recipes Side Dishes that everyone will love can be a challenge. You want something delicious, comforting, and maybe a little impressive. Well, I’ve got just the thing for you. These creamy scalloped potatoes are a total standout and are surprisingly simple to put together.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First off, the flavor is just incredible. We’re talking tender potatoes layered with sweet onions, all bathed in a rich, velvety cheddar cheese sauce. It’s the kind of comfort food that makes a holiday meal feel special.
The texture is also spot on. The potatoes become so soft they practically melt in your mouth, while the top gets beautifully golden brown with a slightly crispy cheese crust. It’s a wonderful combination.
One of the best parts about this addition to your list of Christmas Dinner Recipes Sides is that you can prepare it ahead of time. This is a huge help when you have a million other things to do on Christmas day. Less stress in the kitchen means more time with your loved ones.
And it just looks so pretty on the table. The way the potatoes are arranged in slanted rows gives it a fancy touch, but it’s super easy to do. Your family will think you spent hours on it.
Ingredients
Here is what you will need to gather to create one of the tastiest Xmas Side Dishes you have ever had. The ingredients are simple and easy to find at any grocery store.
- 6 to 7 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, thinly sliced into 1/8th inch rounds (about 3 pounds)
- ½ white or yellow onion, cut into slices
For The Sauce
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- ¼ cup all purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups unsweetened almond milk (or regular milk)
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (about 2 heaping cups)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper
For Topping
- ½ cup gruyere cheese, shredded
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
To Garnish
- Fresh chopped parsley
Step By Step Instructions
Ready to make some delicious potatoes? Let’s walk through it together. It is easier than you think to make amazing Christmas Recipes Side Dishes.
Step 1: Get The Oven And Dish Ready
First, preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Then, grab a 2 quart square baking dish. An 8 by 12 inch one works well too. Spray it with some non stick cooking spray or grease it with a little butter or oil.
Step 2: Layer The Potatoes And Onions
Now for the fun part. Place your sliced potatoes in three tight, slanted rows in the dish. Don’t pack them in too much. You want them to be slightly overlapping so the sauce can get in between. It creates a beautiful look.
Tuck the onion slices in between the rows and on top of the potatoes. Just find little spaces for them wherever you can. This adds so much flavor as it all bakes together.
Step 3: Make The Creamy Cheese Sauce
Time to make the sauce that brings these Christmas Eve Side Dishes to life. In a saucepan, melt the 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
Once the butter is melted, whisk in a little bit of the flour. Then, slowly add the milk a little at a time, alternating with the rest of the flour. The key here is to whisk constantly to keep it smooth and free of lumps.
Bring the mixture to a simmer. It should thicken up to a consistency similar to a creamy gravy. Then, turn the heat to low. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Give it a taste and add more seasoning if you think it needs it.
Step 4: Pour The Sauce And Bake
Carefully pour the cheese sauce evenly over the potatoes and onions. Make sure everything is covered. The sauce will work its way into all the crevices and become so creamy while it bakes.
Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 45 minutes. This initial baking time helps steam the potatoes and get them nice and tender.
Step 5: Add The Topping And Finish Baking
After 45 minutes, carefully remove the foil. Sprinkle the top with the shredded gruyere and grated parmesan cheese. This is going to create that amazing golden crust.
Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, and bake for another 30 to 45 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the top is golden brown and bubbly. The potatoes in the center should be easily pierced with a fork.
Once it’s done, remove it from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. Garnish with some fresh chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness. Enjoy!
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers of this fantastic Christmas Recipes Side Dishes, storing them is easy. You can store them in individual airtight containers. Or, you can just cover the entire baking dish tightly and place it in the refrigerator.
They will stay good for up to 5 days. To reheat, you can pop individual portions in the microwave. Or, place the entire pan back in the oven until it’s heated all the way through.
Tips
Want to make these potatoes even better? Here are a few simple tips. One great idea is to add some cooked, chopped beef bacon. You can sprinkle it over the potatoes before you add the cheese sauce, or just stir it right into the sauce itself.
Don’t have gruyere cheese? No problem. You can just use more sharp cheddar for the topping. It will still be wonderfully cheesy and delicious.
The key to evenly cooked potatoes is slicing them thinly and uniformly. If you have a mandoline slicer, this is a great time to use it. If not, just use your sharpest knife and take your time. This is an important step for great Christmas Recipes Side Dishes.
Conclusion
There you have it. A truly wonderful recipe for cheesy scalloped potatoes that deserves a spot on your holiday table. It’s warm, comforting, and full of flavor. It’s a classic dish that feels both familiar and special at the same time.
When you are planning your menu, I hope you consider these potatoes. They are one of the most requested Christmas Dinner Recipes Sides in my family, and I am sure they will be a hit in yours too. Happy holidays and happy cooking!
FAQ
Can I Make This Ahead Of Time?
Yes, you absolutely can. This is one of the best things about this recipe for busy holidays. You can assemble the entire dish up to three days ahead. Pour the sauce over the potatoes, cover with foil, and store it in the fridge. When you are ready to bake, just know it might need about 15 extra minutes in the oven since it will be starting cold.
Can I Use Different Types Of Potatoes?
Yukon Gold potatoes are recommended because they hold their shape well and have a creamy, buttery texture. If you can’t find them, Russet potatoes would be the next best choice. Just be aware that Russets have more starch and can sometimes fall apart a bit more, but they will still be delicious.
How Do I Make This Recipe Gluten Free?
It’s very simple to make this dish gluten free. The only ingredient you need to swap is the flour in the cheese sauce. You can use a good quality gluten free 1 to 1 all purpose flour blend. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten free.
What Should I Serve With These Potatoes?
These scalloped potatoes are a classic side dish that pairs well with many holiday mains. They are fantastic with a roasted turkey, a glazed ham, or a beautiful beef roast. They complement just about any main course you would serve for a special occasion, making them one of the most versatile Christmas Recipes Side Dishes.
Creamy Scalloped Potatoes
Tender potatoes layered with sweet onions, all bathed in a rich, velvety cheddar cheese sauce. It’s the kind of comfort food that makes a holiday meal feel special.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Then, grab a 2 quart square baking dish. An 8 by 12 inch one works well too. Spray it with some non stick cooking spray or grease it with a little butter or oil.
- Now for the fun part. Place your sliced potatoes in three tight, slanted rows in the dish. Don’t pack them in too much. You want them to be slightly overlapping so the sauce can get in between. It creates a beautiful look. Tuck the onion slices in between the rows and on top of the potatoes. Just find little spaces for them wherever you can. This adds so much flavor as it all bakes together.
- Time to make the sauce that brings these Christmas Eve Side Dishes to life. In a saucepan, melt the 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, whisk in a little bit of the flour. Then, slowly add the milk a little at a time, alternating with the rest of the flour. The key here is to whisk constantly to keep it smooth and free of lumps. Bring the mixture to a simmer. It should thicken up to a consistency similar to a creamy gravy. Then, turn the heat to low. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Give it a taste and add more seasoning if you think it needs it.
- Carefully pour the cheese sauce evenly over the potatoes and onions. Make sure everything is covered. The sauce will work its way into all the crevices and become so creamy while it bakes.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 45 minutes. This initial baking time helps steam the potatoes and get them nice and tender.
- After 45 minutes, carefully remove the foil. Sprinkle the top with the shredded gruyere and grated parmesan cheese. This is going to create that amazing golden crust.
- Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, and bake for another 30 to 45 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the top is golden brown and bubbly. The potatoes in the center should be easily pierced with a fork.
- Once it’s done, remove it from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. Garnish with some fresh chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness. Enjoy!
Notes
If you happen to have any leftovers of this fantastic Christmas Recipes Side Dishes, storing them is easy. You can store them in individual airtight containers. Or, you can just cover the entire baking dish tightly and place it in the refrigerator. They will stay good for up to 5 days. To reheat, you can pop individual portions in the microwave. Or, place the entire pan back in the oven until it’s heated all the way through.
Want to make these potatoes even better? Here are a few simple tips. One great idea is to add some cooked, chopped beef bacon. You can sprinkle it over the potatoes before you add the cheese sauce, or just stir it right into the sauce itself.
Don’t have gruyere cheese? No problem. You can just use more sharp cheddar for the topping. It will still be wonderfully cheesy and delicious.
The key to evenly cooked potatoes is slicing them thinly and uniformly. If you have a mandoline slicer, this is a great time to use it. If not, just use your sharpest knife and take your time. This is an important step for great Christmas Recipes Side Dishes.
Nutrition
Calories
Sugar
Fat
Carbs
