Gruyere and Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes One Pot Meal

The Best Scalloped Potatoes

Scalloped potatoes have long been a beloved comfort food, by creating these gruyere and parmesan scalloped potatoes it makes the ultimate casserole dish . When I was in high school we lived in a really small town.  Once every few months my mom would take us to the “Big City” which really wasn’t a large city to get our hair done and have lunch about an hour and a half away.  They had this amazing French restaurant called Amical that is still there almost 25 years later.  It was at this restaurant that I fell in love with and found out what Gruyere cheese is and since then I have tried to find ways to incorporate the cheese into my favorite dishes. This is where the Gruyere and parmesan cheese scalloped potatoes come from.

The Marrying of 2 Cheeses

Gruyere Cheese comes from Switzerland and is rich with a nutty flavor.  The outside is hard and the inside turns incredibly creamy when heated. The main difference between Swiss Cheese and Gruyere cheese is that Swiss Cheese does not have a rind and Gruyere Cheese has a stronger rich flavor.

Parmesan Cheese is known for its sharp, savory taste, Parmesan cheese provides a delightful contrast to the milder flavors and texture of melty Gruyere cheese. Blending the two together in this potato dish make it the best scalloped potatoes you will ever have.

Creating the Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

​Ingredients:

6 Russet Potatoes peeled and sliced

3 TBSP. butter

​3 TBSP. einkorn flour

1 1/2 cup whole milk

1 1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 tsp. thyme

1/8- 1/4 tsp. nutmeg

3 cups shredded gruyere cheese

1 cup parmesan cheese divided

 To Make the Creamy Sauce

In a Dutch oven over medium low heat melt the butter and add in the flour.  With a whisk, whisk together to make a paste.  The ratio of the butter, flour and milk is important because this is the base for the cream sauce.  Next up, add in the whole milk, but the trick is to add it slowly. Add the milk in 1/4 cup of milk at a time and whisk in.  Once that heats up, add in the next 1/4 cup.  Continue until all of the milk is added. Finally, whisk frequently until the sauce is thickened. This takes about 5-10 minutes.

In the next step you will whisk in the spices.  Add in the thyme, nutmeg and salt.  The nutmeg enhances the nutty flavor of the gruyere and really gives this dish a fall feel.  Remove the Dutch oven from the heat and let sit.

The final step is adding in the cheese. Be sure that you are using block cheese for the shredded cheese instead of buying it at the store because this makes all the difference in the consistency of the cheese sauce. Add in the shredded gruyere cheese and half of the parmesan cheese. Whisk until combined.

Gruyere and Parmesan scalloped potatoes are versatile and can be customized to suit various preferences. One can add herbs like thyme or rosemary for depth, or even toss in crispy bacon or caramelized onions to enhance the overall flavor profile.

The Potatoes

You can use russet potatoes and Yukon gold potatoes interchangeably, however we prefer russet for their high starch content.  Wash and peel the potatoes and use a Mandoline slicer to slice the potatoes.  Be careful using a Mandoline and always be sure to use a guard. The thinner the potatoes, the faster they cook.

Putting the Gruyere and Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes Together

Add half of the sliced potatoes to the cheese mixture in the Dutch oven.  Stir to combine and then add in the other half of the potatoes.  To finish it off top with the remaining  parmesan cheese. Place the lid on the Dutch oven and place in the oven at 375 f for about 45 minutes.  Remove from the oven once the potatoes are tender with the poke of a fork and the top of the potatoes turn a nice golden brown. Let the potatoes cool, but not all the way to room temperature.  You can use a slotted spoon to serve these delicious cheesy potatoes.

Ways to Mix the Recipe Up

You can add in 1-2 cups of chopped ham in when you add the potatoes to create a main meal just be sure to reduce the salt to 1/2 to a tsp.  Otherwise, we love serving these as a delicious side dish with main dishes including this balsamic roast.

Not everyone has a Dutch oven and we understand that.  If you are in the market for one checkout our amazon affiliate store here. To make them in a baking dish you will create the sauce in a sauce pan.  Spray the bottom of the baking dish with olive oil and add a little bit of the cream mixture and layer a single layer of potatoes on the bottom in an even layer. Pour the cream sauce over the top of the potatoes and layer with another layer of cheese.  Continue layering like this until you have run out of potatoes and cheese sauce. Top with parmesan cheese to create the perfect side dish.

To mix up the texture and add a little extra flavor your can sprinkle bread crumbs on top and add a mixture of fresh herbs to add some depth.

A Dish the Whole Family Will Love

This truly is our favorite recipe when it comes to scalloped potatoes.  There is something about the mixture of the creamy cheese sauce with all of the depth of the flavors, simpleness of the ingredients and tender potatoes.  It creates the ultimate comfort food, so the next time you are craving a rich dish be sure to try this. Your taste buds will thank you!