This Irresistible Scalloped Potato Recipe Gives You a Pan Full of the Best Part

The best part of scalloped potatoes is arguably the golden top layer with its crackling edges and crispy brown bits. It gives a perfect umami contrast to the creamy, tender potatoes underneath. So why not just make the whole thing like that? Turns out, you can (and should!). And it's as simple as swapping out your baking dish for . A greater surface area with fewer layers means more of that magically browned and bubbling crust. Grab your humble sheet pan and give this method a go—you'll wonder why you didn't try it sooner.

a plated serving of sheet pan scalloped potatoes

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

Why Use a Sheet Pan to Make Scalloped Potatoes?

are typically piled high in a casserole dish and baked with milk or cream until tender—sometimes spending up to an hour or more in the oven. Using an 18x13-inch sheet pan in place of a streamlines the process by spreading the potatoes out into a thin layer, ensuring they cook to tender perfection while maintaining a delightful crispiness on top. And with two layers of thinly sliced potatoes, rather than the classic three-plus, the cooking and prep times are shortened overall. But don't worry, you also still get that gooey, molten potato layer below the surface as well using this sheet pan trick.

As recipe developer says, "These are perfect. [You get a whole pan of] the best parts of a scalloped potato dish—the crispy, cheesy top! This recipe has the right ratio of creamy, tender potato to salty, savory, browned cheese. The caramelized onions add that pop of sweetness that balances out the richness. This is how I’m making scalloped potatoes from now on, honestly."

How to Make Sheet Pan Scalloped Potatoes

To really take it to the next level, this recipe doubles down on flavor by adding and cheese. Technically this makes it more of an because of the Parmesan and Cheddar, but "potato, potahto," right? It has the heart of a scalloped potato with its signature shingled look and rich creamy depth. Add these items to your grocery list and follow the steps to get cooking.

Ingredients for Scalloped Potatoes

  • Onions: As the developer points out, "The caramelized onions add that punch of sweetness to balance the richness of the Cheddar and Parmesan."
  • Heavy Cream and Aromatics: These will give you that decadent, savory sauce you expect from scalloped potatoes.
  • Potatoes: Make sure to opt for starchier potatoes—like Yukon Gold as listed in the recipe—which help thicken the cream sauce during cooking.
  • Cheese: Parmesan and Cheddar round out the whole dish. "[We] really like Cabot Extra-Sharp Cheddar or Old Croc...but any brand works just fine," says our Test Kitchen team.

Step-By-Step Guide

  1. Start by prepping the onions if you plan to include them (which we highly recommend you do) since they take a while to reach caramelization.
  2. While they are cooking, you can get the cream sauce ready—steeping it with garlic, thyme, and rosemary. Right before you are ready to assemble, cut the potatoes. A will make thinly slicing the Yukon Golds easy and consistent since we're aiming for 1/8-inch-thick rounds. If you don't have a mandoline, carefully slice the potatoes with as evenly as possible.
  3. Once the onions and cream are ready and the potatoes are sliced, arrange half of the potato slices into a single, overlapping layer on a prepared baking sheet, and sprinkle with salt, caramelized onions, and Parmesan. 
  4. Layer on the remaining potato slices then pour the hot cream mixture evenly over top. Pop your sheet pan into a 450-degree F oven, covered, and bake for about 20 minutes.
  5. Check to make sure the potatoes are fork-tender before uncovering the dish and sprinkling the Cheddar cheese overtop to finish baking for another 15 minutes or so—until the cheese is golden and bubbling.

Recipe Tips

This recipe was developed in our test kitchen. Here are some tips and tricks from culinary experts to make the process easier:

  • If you don’t have a mandoline guard, use a clean kitchen towel as a buffer between your hands and the mandoline blade. 
  • If your onions start to get unevenly browned, add a splash (1-2 tablespoons) of water to your skillet.

How to Serve Sheet Pan Scalloped Potatoes

As the recipe states, sheet pan scalloped potatoes can be cut and served right out of the oven, garnished with (or your favorite herb). They make for a variety of grilled or roasted meats like steak, chicken, or pork—especially ham. They pair wonderfully with a fish entrée like but could also be served simply by themselves, they're that good. Using a sheet pan means that cutting and serving beautiful squares will be a breeze.

Substitutions and Variations

These sheet-pan scalloped potatoes are wonderful as-is in their simplicity. That said, they are also easy and fun to customize. Here are a few ideas:

  • Swap the cheese: Sharp cheese gives the desired in a creamy sauce such as this one. Try Gruyere or Comté instead of extra-sharp Cheddar and Grana Padano or instead of Parmesan.
  • Replace the onions: Use sweet onions instead of yellow for a quicker caramelization, or add thinly sliced fennel to the onions during cooking. You can also skip the caramelized onions altogether.
  • Substitute the kind of potato: You can use russets or if you prefer, though this may affect cooking time. Just remember to keep them starchy.

How to Make Sheet-Pan Scalloped Potatoes Ahead of Time

We don't recommend slicing and storing the potatoes ahead of time. If left out, they will oxidize and turn grey or brown. Alternatively, soaking them in water can lead to either or the release of too much starch needed for the cream sauce.

There are other make-ahead steps to consider, however, to shorten the day-of process. can be prepped and refrigerated in an airtight container for up to a week. Cheeses can be shredded and refrigerated in an airtight container for up to a week as well.

How to Store Sheet Pan Scalloped Potatoes

Just like with traditional scalloped or , leftovers can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for three to four days. They can be easily reheated in the oven or microwave.

Unfortunately, the freezer might not be a good option here. These sheet-pan scalloped potatoes are heavy on cream and cheese, which tend to separate during the freezing and thawing process. But fear not, you might not have too many leftovers anyway.

Editorial contributions by

This Irresistible Scalloped Potato Recipe Gives You a Pan Full of the Best Part

(11)
a plated serving of sheet pan scalloped potatoes
Active Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 25 mins
Servings:
8 6- x 4-inch rectangles

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened, divided

  • 5 cups thinly sliced yellow onions (1 1/4 pounds total onions) 

  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream

  • 2 tablespoons thinly sliced garlic (2 large cloves)

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, plus more for garnish

  • 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary

  • 1/4 teaspoons black pepper

  • 2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided

  • 2 1/2 pounds medium Yukon Gold potatoes, scrubbed (about 8)

  • 1 1/2 ounces Parmesan, finely shredded, divided (about 2/3 cup)

  • 6 ounces extra-sharp white Cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1 1/2 cups)

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Grease the bottom and sides of an 18x13-inch sheet pan with 1 tablespoon of the butter.

    all ingredients to make sheet pan scalloped potatoes gathered on a kitchen counter.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium. Add onions; cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft and translucent, 5 to 7 minutes.

    thinly sliced onions in a skillet.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue cooking, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until onions become very soft and brown, 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from heat.

    caramelized onions in a skillet.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. While onions cook, bring cream, garlic, thyme, rosemary, pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium; immediately remove from heat.

    cream and herb mixture in a small sauce pan.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  5. Thinly slice potatoes on a mandoline into 1/8-inch-thick rounds.

    using a mandolin to thinly slice potatoes

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  6. Arrange half of the potato slices (about 3 1/2 cups) into a single, overlapping layer on the prepared baking sheet so that bottom of the sheet is not showing.

    thinly sliced potatoes layered onto a butter sheet pan.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  7. Sprinkle evenly with 1 teaspoon salt, caramelized onions, and 1/3 cup Parmesan.

    Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top of potatoes and onions.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  8. Top with remaining potato slices in a single overlapping layer, and sprinkle with remaining 1 teaspoon salt.

    a second layer of thinly slice potatoes placed on top of caramelized onions and cheese.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  9. Pour hot cream mixture evenly over potatoes. Cover baking sheet tightly with foil.

    cream mixture poured over potato and onions

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  10. Bake in the preheated oven until potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork, 20 to 25 minutes.

    cream mixture poured over potato and onions

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  11. Carefully remove foil, scrape off any potato or garlic slices sticking to it, and sprinkle potatoes with Cheddar and remaining 1/3 cup Parmesan.

    cheese sprinkled on top of potato, cream mixture on a baking sheet.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  12. Return to the oven and bake, uncovered, until browned and crusty on top, rotating the pan halfway through, 15 to 20 minutes.

    sheet pan scalloped potatoes baked until golden-brown and topped with fresh time.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  13. Sprinkle with more thyme leaves and serve immediately.

    a plated serving of sheet pan scalloped potatoes

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

546 Calories
35g Fat
48g Carbs
14g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Calories 546
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 35g 45%
Saturated Fat 21g 107%
Cholesterol 104mg 35%
Sodium 663mg 29%
Total Carbohydrate 48g 17%
Dietary Fiber 5g 18%
Total Sugars 10g
Protein 14g 27%
Vitamin C 22mg 25%
Calcium 294mg 23%
Iron 2mg 11%
Potassium 1086mg 23%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.


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