Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

Thanksgiving is just 2 weeks away!  I swear it sneaks up on us every year.  Our last recipe post was my son's birthday apple pies from September.  Those were some delicious pies!  They would make a great addition to a holiday meal, too. 

These Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes would also be a nice addition to a holiday meal.  I've tweaked this recipe over the years to make it just how my family likes it---with plenty of rich, cheesy sauce.  My husband especially likes these scalloped potatoes.  He gave me a mandoline a few years ago to encourage me to make them more often. :) 

Recipe Link
Ingredients 
1 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup unsalted butter (5 and 1/3 Tablespoons)
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
4 cups milk
About 9 medium russet potatoes (or 2 1/2 lbs.) peeled and thinly sliced
2 1/4 cups shredded cheese (sharp cheddar is our favorite)
Directions
1. For sauce, cook onion in butter until tender. Stir in flour, salt and pepper. Add milk all at once. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Stir in cheese until melted through. Remove from heat. Taste and add more salt or pepper if desired.
2. Place half of the sliced potatoes in a greased (I used cooking spray) 9x13 inch baking dish. Cover with half of the sauce. Repeat layers.
3. Bake covered with aluminum foil in a 350 degree oven for 45 minutes. Uncover; bake and additional 40-50 minutes more or until potatoes are tender.
4. Let stand 10 minutes uncovered, before serving.
Makes 10 servings

Kitchen helps:
I used a 1.5 mm insert on the mandoline to slice the potatoes.
You can use other types of potatoes like red, white, or yellow and/or change the type of cheese to something like swiss or gruyere.

Adapted from Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook

Let's get started!

My helper :)

My husband gave me a mandoline a few years ago for making scalloped potatoes. It makes slicing go so fast! You could use a food processor, too.

Our favorite cheese in this recipe is sharp cheddar, yum!

Spray the bottom of your baking dish and layer half of the potatoes inside first.

Next, pour half of the sauce on top of the potatoes.

Here's the rest of the potatoes.....

And the rest of the sauce

Don't forget to cover it before it bakes in the oven. Set the timer for 45 mins.

After 45 minutes, take the foil off and bake about 40-50 minutes longer---until the potatoes are soft.

The Results...
Soft, tender sliced potatoes are smothered in a rich, cheesy sauce.  Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes are always a family favorite around here!

This recipe is delicious as written, but you can always play with the recipe and change it up.  I've added chopped ham to make it more of a main dish instead of a side dish.  You could try other seasonings in the sauce besides just salt and pepper.  Some fresh, chopped chives sprinkled on top before serving would also be delicious.   

Are you ready for Thanksgiving?  Or does it always "sneak" up on you, too?  Here are a few recipes that might help:

 

Sugar Cone Cornucopias 

The Great Pumpkin Dessert

Lemon Cheesecake Cheese Ball

Apple Pie

Thankful Rolls with Honey Butter