Layer on the love with these easy, cheesy Homemade Scalloped Potatoes. Thinly sliced potatoes layered in a creamy sauce, then baked until hot, bubbly, and tender, they’re a pan of comfort and the number one side dish at our family holiday meals.

the BEST cheesy scalloped potatoes with onions

Easy Shortcut Method. No fussing with a roux! These are homemade scalloped potatoes without heavy creamy and béchamel sauce. Instead, this easy recipe uses potatoes’ own starches to thicken the casserole.
Special-Occasion Worthy. Scalloped potatoes feel a little fancy, so they’re ideal for holidays and special events (think of them as the horizontal version of Hasselback Potatoes).
Feeds a Crowd. This recipe yields a generous pan (not that you’ll have any leftover)!
Make-Ahead Friendly. Like most of my casserole recipes, this recipe for homemade scalloped potatoes reheat well. You can fully bake them a day in advance, then rewarm them prior to serving.

a large pan of easy cheesy scalloped potatoes

The Difference Between Scalloped Potatoes and Au Gratin

While there are differences in these two dishes, the two terms are used fairly interchangeably, including by some major, well-respected food websites.

Scalloped potatoes are thinly sliced potatoes layered in a casserole dish and baked with heavy cream or milk.
Au gratin potatoes have grated cheese sprinkled between the layers, so they taste more decadent. Breadcrumbs are also often sprinkled on top of the dish before it goes into the oven. (Check out Brussels Sprouts Gratin for a twist).
The potatoes are also usually sliced more thinly for au gratin potatoes than scalloped potatoes.

So which are these?

They have thinly sliced potatoes, milk, and cheese, so they are a combo of both.

a large baking dish of the best cheesy scalloped potatoes recipe

How to Make Homemade Scalloped Potatoes

The Ingredients

Yukon Gold Potatoes. Yukon golds, with their buttery flavor, are an excellent choice for scalloped potatoes.
Sharp Cheddar Cheese. Cheesy scalloped potatoes are the best scalloped potatoes! The sharp cheddar stands out from the creaminess of the potatoes and sauce.
Parmesan Cheese. Sprinkled on top for the perfect cheese-crusted lid. And parm makes just about everything better, right?
Whole Milk. The secret to obtaining a perfectly creamy, tender texture without using cream.
Onion. Sautéed along with garlic for major flavor. Homemade scalloped potatoes with cheese and onions? Say no more!
Garlic. Brings these cheesy scalloped potatoes up another notch.
Flour. The sliced potatoes are tossed in all-purpose flour, thickening the sauce while it cooks in the dish.

The Directions

sauteeing onions for cheesy scalloped potatoes with onions

Saute the Onion and Garlic. This builds flavor right from the start.

adding milk to a pan of sauteed onions for cheesy scalloped potatoes

Add Milk. Do this slowly and stir.

sliced potatoes for cheesy scalloped potatoes

Toss the Sliced and Peeled Potato in Flour. This will thicken up the sauce as they bake.

adding potatoes to a pan for cheesy scalloped potatoes

Layer. Start with 1/3 of the potatoes and some milk.

cheese and potatoes in a large baking dish

Add Some Cheese. These are cheesy from the inside out!

layering sliced potatoes into a baking dish for cheesy scalloped potatoes

Layer More. You will have 3 layers of potatoes, cheese, and milk.

laying potatoes and cheese in a baking dish

Bake. You’ll start by baking covered, then switch to uncovered.
Broil. Don’t walk away! You want the top of your homemade scalloped potatoes to be golden, not burned.
Let Rest. The sauce will thicken up at room temperature. ENJOY!

Recipe Variations

Loaded. Sprinkle with cooked, chopped bacon and chives (see Baked Bacon and Air Fryer Bacon for cooking methods).
With Ham. A classic! See these homemade Scalloped Potatoes and Ham.
Extra Fancy. Make Scalloped Potatoes with Goat Cheese.
Caramelized Onion. Double the onions, then slice and caramelize them instead of doing a simple saute; this will take about 30 minutes on low.
Gluten Free. Swap the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free flour substitute.

Make Ahead Tips

The dish can be prepared through Step 3 one day in advance (wait to add the milk/cheese until just before you bake). Store covered in the refrigerator, let come to room temperature, then continue with the recipe as directed.

Or, fully bake the scalloped potatoes 1 day in advance, then rewarm, covered, in a 350 degree F oven.

What to Serve With Homemade Scalloped Potatoes

Turkey. See How to Cook a Turkey for the ultimate guide for fool-proof roasted turkey. Spatchcock Turkey and Air Fryer Turkey Breast are two other excellent options.
Chicken. Chicken Piccata or Chicken Francaise are elevated (yet easy!) chicken dishes.
Salmon. Try Salmon Patties for an Easter brunch, or this Poached Salmon for dinner.
Braised Short Ribs. Oo-la-la these decadent short ribs would be so dreamy with the creamy scalloped potatoes.

creamy and easy cheesy scalloped potatoes with onions

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Use a Starchy Potato. Yukon golds or russet potatoes have enough starch to thicken the sauce. Between the two, I find the best potatoes for cheesy scalloped potatoes are Yukon gold potatoes. Their flavor is naturally richer and more buttery.
Avoid Waxy Potatoes. They will be too firm after cooking; save them Roasted Red Potatoes instead!
Slice the Potatoes Ultra Thin. Part of what makes these quick homemade scalloped potatoes is how thinly the potatoes are sliced. For best results, I recommend a mandoline for even, razor-thin slices that don’t need to cook before layering them.