Old-Fashioned Creamy Scalloped Potatoes

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These old-fashioned creamy scalloped potatoes feature tender russets, a buttery cream sauce, and a golden top. A delicious Southern side dish without cheese!

Here at Backyard Texas Grill, we believe some of the best recipes are the simplest ones. Give us a handful of potatoes, a little butter, some cream, and a few pantry staples, and we'll show you how to turn them into a side dish worth gathering around the table for.

These old-fashioned scalloped potatoes are everything we love about Southern comfort food. Thinly sliced potatoes are layered with a rich, buttery cream sauce, then baked until tender and golden on top. There's no cheddar cheese, no complicated ingredients, and nothing fancy about the preparation. Just creamy, homemade goodness in every bite.

And while scalloped potatoes are often served alongside Easter ham, we think they deserve a place at the table all year long. They're wonderful with smoked brisket, spatchcock chicken, or a good old-fashioned hamburger steak. And honestly, we're wondering why we haven't been making them for Thanksgiving all along!

What Makes Old-Fashioned Scalloped Potatoes So Good?

There's something special about a casserole of thinly sliced potatoes bubbling away in a buttery cream sauce. As the potatoes bake, they become tender, absorbing all that rich flavor. Meanwhile, the top develops beautiful golden spots and lightly browned edges.

Unlike many modern potato casseroles, traditional scalloped potatoes don't need loads of shredded cheddar. In fact, this version doesn't require cheese at all. The creamy texture comes from milk, heavy cream, butter, and a simple flour-based sauce.

And because we're using russet potatoes, their natural starch helps bring everything together.

The result is a side dish that's rich without being overly cheesy, comforting without being complicated, and perfect for everything from a weeknight family supper to a holiday feast.

Why You'll Love These Creamy Scalloped Potatoes

There's a lot to love about this old-fashioned favorite. For starters, it uses everyday ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. There's no need to purchase specialty cheeses or complicated seasonings.

We also love how versatile this dish is. It's delicious alongside grilled or smoked meats, but it works equally well with traditional Southern comfort foods.

And let's not overlook the leftovers! A big casserole can provide several servings, making this a practical choice for busy families.

Best of all, the potatoes bake up completely tender with a lightly golden top and plenty of creamy goodness tucked between the layers.

Ingredients for Old-Fashioned Scalloped Potatoes

You'll find the complete printable recipe card at the bottom of this post, but here's a quick look at what you'll need to make these delicious potatoes.

• 2 ½ pounds russet potatoes
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups whole milk, plus a little extra if needed
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 ¼ teaspoons salt, divided, or to taste
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
• Pinch of nutmeg (optional)

A Few Notes About the Ingredients

Russet potatoes: These are an excellent choice because their natural starch helps thicken the cream sauce. Yukon Gold potatoes would also work, but russets give this dish a particularly old-fashioned texture.

Butter: Adds richness and provides the base for the creamy sauce.

Onion: Finely diced onion adds a gentle savory flavor without overpowering the potatoes.

Flour: Just a small amount helps thicken the sauce. We don't want a thick gravy here. The potatoes will release additional starch as they bake.

Milk and heavy cream: This combination gives us a rich, creamy sauce without making the dish overly heavy.

Seasonings: Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and a little thyme are all you need. We like to keep the flavors simple and let the potatoes shine.

How to Make Creamy Scalloped Potatoes

These potatoes aren't difficult to prepare, but there are a few little tricks that make a big difference. The most important are slicing the potatoes evenly and keeping the cream sauce smooth and pourable.

Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes

Preheat your oven to 350°F and butter a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Wash the russet potatoes thoroughly. You can peel them if you prefer, but leaving the skins on gives the finished dish a slightly rustic appearance and saves a little preparation time.

Slice the potatoes approximately ⅛ inch thick. A mandoline makes this job especially easy, but a sharp knife will work, too.

Try to keep the slices as uniform as possible so they'll cook evenly. And don't rinse them after slicing! That natural potato starch is going to help thicken our sauce.

Step 2: Make the Cream Sauce

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion and cook for about 3–4 minutes, until softened.

Sprinkle the flour over the onions and butter, stirring constantly for about a minute.

Now comes the important part: Gradually whisk in the milk, adding a little at a time until the mixture is completely smooth. Once the milk is incorporated, add the heavy cream.

Stir in ¾ teaspoon of the salt, the black pepper, garlic powder, and any optional seasonings.

Cook over medium-low heat for a few minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce begins to thicken slightly.

Important: The sauce should still be thin enough to pour easily over the potatoes. Think creamy and flowing, not thick country gravy. If it becomes too thick, whisk in a little additional milk.

Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed. Remember that the potatoes will need plenty of flavor, too.

Step 3: Layer the Potatoes

Arrange half the sliced potatoes in overlapping layers in the prepared baking dish.

Sprinkle with half the remaining salt, then pour half the cream sauce over the potatoes.

Repeat with the remaining potatoes, salt, and sauce, spreading the sauce evenly across the top.

Gently shake the baking dish or use a spoon to help the sauce settle between the potato layers.

Step 4: Bake Until Tender

Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven.

Bake for 45 minutes, then carefully remove the foil.

Continue baking uncovered for approximately 20–35 minutes, or until the potatoes are completely tender and the top develops beautiful golden-brown spots.

A butter knife should slide easily through the center of the casserole without resistance.

If the potatoes need additional cooking time but the top is browning too quickly, loosely cover the dish with foil and continue baking until tender.

Step 5: Rest and Serve

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for about 15 minutes before serving.

This resting period allows the sauce to settle and thicken slightly, making the potatoes easier to scoop.

Serve warm and enjoy!

Let the casserole rest. Those extra 15 minutes make a difference in the final texture.

What to Serve with Creamy Scalloped Potatoes

Now, this is where things get interesting!

At Backyard Texas Grill, we spend plenty of time around the smoker, and we can think of several meats that would be absolutely delicious alongside these creamy potatoes.

Our Texas-Style Smoked Beef Brisket would be an especially good choice. The smoky, savory flavor of the beef is a wonderful contrast to the rich, buttery potatoes.

We'd also happily serve them with our Easy Spatchcock Chicken on a Gas Grill. That beautifully seasoned chicken, with its crisp skin and juicy meat, would make a terrific family dinner.

And don't forget our Drunken Chicken (Beer Butt Chicken). There's something about tender, smoky chicken and creamy potatoes that just feels right.

Of course, scalloped potatoes are practically made for ham. Our Smoked Honey Ham would be wonderful with this dish, especially for Easter or Christmas.

But you don't need a special occasion or an expensive cut of meat to enjoy these potatoes. A simple hamburger steak topped with sautéed onions makes a delicious old-fashioned supper, especially with a helping of Southern-style green beans on the side.

Why Aren't We Making Scalloped Potatoes for Thanksgiving?

Seriously. Why not?

We make mashed potatoes. We make sweet potato casserole. We make cornbread dressing, green bean casserole, macaroni and cheese, and just about every other comforting side dish imaginable.

But somehow, scalloped potatoes don't always make the Thanksgiving menu.

We think it's time to change that.

These creamy potatoes would be wonderful alongside smoked turkey, holiday ham, or even a Thanksgiving brisket. They look right at home on a holiday table, and they offer something a little different from the usual bowl of mashed potatoes.

If you're planning your holiday menu, be sure to visit our Thanksgiving on the Grill collection, where we've gathered smoked meats, Southern sides, and plenty of sweet endings.

And if you're trying to get ahead of the holiday rush, our A More Relaxed Thanksgiving: 12 Make-Ahead Southern Side Dishes is full of ideas to help you spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your guests.

Who knows? These old-fashioned scalloped potatoes might become a new Thanksgiving tradition!

More Delicious Potato Recipes from Backyard Texas Grill

If there's one thing we know how to do in the South, it's turn a humble potato into something worth talking about.

And here at Backyard Texas Grill, we've got plenty of ways to do exactly that.

If you love simple, comforting potato dishes, you'll want to try our Rustic Mashed Potatoes. They're hearty, buttery, and perfect alongside just about any Southern main dish.

Looking for something with a little more cheese? Our Cheesy Potatoes with Bacon are rich, satisfying, and loaded with flavor.

For a skillet-style side dish, try our Texas Skillet Potatoes and Onions. They're crispy, buttery, and delicious with breakfast or supper.

Our Cast Iron Ranch Potatoes are another favorite when we're craving seasoned, golden potatoes.

And for something a little different, don't miss our Slow Cooker Swamp Potatoes with Smoked Sausage. This hearty Southern combination practically makes a meal all by itself.

If you're planning a cookout, our Old-Fashioned Southern Potato Salad is always a crowd-pleaser.

And for holiday gatherings, we can't forget our Sweet Potato Casserole (Two Ways), with your choice of marshmallow or pecan topping.

However you like your potatoes, there's something here for everyone!

Make-Ahead, Storage, and Reheating Tips

One of the nicest things about a big casserole of scalloped potatoes is that you can enjoy the leftovers for several days.

Once the potatoes have cooled slightly, transfer leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate promptly. They'll keep for 3–4 days in the refrigerator.

To reheat individual servings, place the potatoes in a microwave-safe dish and add a small splash of milk to help loosen the sauce. Cover loosely and microwave in short intervals until heated all the way through.

For larger portions, place the potatoes in an oven-safe baking dish, add a little milk if needed, cover with foil, and warm in a 325°F oven until hot throughout.

For food safety, reheat leftovers to 165°F.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do traditional scalloped potatoes have cheese?

Not necessarily! Classic scalloped potatoes are made with thinly sliced potatoes and a creamy milk- or cream-based sauce. Cheese is more commonly associated with potatoes au gratin, although the terms are often used interchangeably today.

What's the best potato for scalloped potatoes?

Russet potatoes work beautifully because their natural starch helps thicken the sauce. Yukon Gold potatoes are another excellent option and tend to hold their shape a little more firmly.

Do I need to peel the potatoes?

No! You can leave the skins on for a rustic appearance or peel them for a more traditional, uniform look. Just make sure to wash them thoroughly before slicing.

Why are my scalloped potatoes still hard?

The slices may be too thick, or the casserole may simply need more time in the oven. Cover the dish with foil and continue baking until a knife slides easily through the center.

Why is my scalloped potato sauce too thick?

The sauce may have thickened too much before baking, or the potatoes may have absorbed more liquid than expected. Next time, keep the sauce loose and pourable before assembling. If the casserole seems dry during baking, add a little warm milk around the edges.

Can I make scalloped potatoes without heavy cream?

Yes. You can use whole milk in place of the heavy cream, although the finished sauce will be a little lighter and less rich.

Can I add cheese to this recipe?

Of course! While we love the traditional cheese-free version, you can sprinkle a little Parmesan, Gruyère, or cheddar between the layers for a cheesy variation.

How do I know when scalloped potatoes are done?

The potatoes should be completely tender, the sauce should be bubbling gently around the edges, and the top should be lightly golden. A knife inserted into the center should meet very little resistance.

How long do leftover scalloped potatoes last?

Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days. Reheat thoroughly before serving.

Can You Make Scalloped Potatoes Ahead of Time?

Absolutely! For the most reliable results, we recommend baking the casserole completely, allowing it to cool, and refrigerating it within two hours.

The next day, cover and reheat gently until hot throughout, adding a splash of milk if the sauce has thickened too much.

This is an especially handy option when you're preparing a large holiday meal and trying to free up oven space.

Thanks for Stopping By!

We hope these Old-Fashioned Creamy Scalloped Potatoes find their way onto your family dinner table soon!

Whether you're serving them alongside a beautiful smoked brisket, a juicy grilled chicken, or a simple weeknight hamburger steak, we think you'll love the tender potatoes, buttery cream sauce, and golden-brown topping.

And if you decide to add them to your Thanksgiving menu, we'd love to hear about it!

Be sure to leave a comment, share your favorite way to serve scalloped potatoes, and save this recipe to your Pinterest boards for later.

From our backyard to your table, happy cooking!

If you make this recipe and enjoy it, please leave a comment or review. And before you go, please pin some photos to your Pinterest boards!

About the Backyard Texas Grill Team

Here at Backyard Texas Grill, we believe good food brings people together. Our team—Randi, Zach, and Janice—shares a love for Southern comfort food, Texas barbecue, family traditions, and recipes that make folks feel right at home.

Zach brings his passion for grilling and smoking meats, Randi keeps the family favorites coming, and Janice adds her love of baking, old-fashioned recipes, and Southern hospitality. Together, we're all about making delicious food approachable, whether you're firing up the smoker, preparing a holiday feast, or putting a simple weeknight supper on the table.

These creamy scalloped potatoes are exactly the kind of dish we love sharing: simple ingredients, plenty of homemade goodness, and enough to feed a hungry crowd. Pull up a chair. There's always room for one more at our table!