First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Grease a baking dish that measures 9 by 13 inches.
2. While the pan is on medium heat, melt the butter. To avoid any raw flour flavor, whisk in the flour until combined, then heat for about 2 minutes to make a roux. While whisking continually, slowly pour in the milk and heat, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened, which should take around 5 minutes. Take off the stove.
3. Combine 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese with the salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and stir until blended. Keep aside.
4. Layer half of the potato slices, slightly overlapping, on the bottom of the baking dish that has been prepared. Toss the potatoes with half of the cheese sauce and distribute it evenly.
5. Pour in the second layer of potatoes and top with the rest of the cheese sauce. For garnish, add the Parmesan and the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese.
Step 6: Bake for 60 minutes with the foil cover. After ten to twenty minutes without foil, the potatoes should be soft when probed with a knife and the top should be golden brown.
7. The sauce may thicken significantly if let to rest for 10 minutes before serving. For garnish, if preferred, sprinkle with fresh chives.
Changes and Hints
In the last fifteen minutes of baking, sprinkle on a layer of buttered breadcrumbs or broken crackers for a little crunch.
– A To save time in the oven, parboil the sliced potatoes for five to seven minutes before stacking them.
– A For a variety of tastes, consider a blend of cheeses, such as Monterey Jack with a little heat or Gruyere with a nuttiness.
– A A little of Worcestershire sauce or Dijon mustard blended into the cheese sauce may give it a nice depth.
Whether you like to keep things traditional or put your own spin, Baked Southern Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes are an irresistible side dish that will be the talk of the town.
