When it comes to food that is a great crowd-pleaser, these loaded scalloped potatoes are a dish that can most certainly do the trick.
Caramelized onions, crispy bacon, and creamy potatoes all come together to create a meal that is bursting with flavor. So, let’s get right into it.
Loaded Scalloped Potatoes
Make these irresistible Loaded Scalloped Potatoes. They are perfect for parties, holidays, or if you just want to treat yourself to something nice.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 onions medium (thinly sliced)
- 12 oz bacon (cooked and crumbled)
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 tbsp all purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 3 lbs potatoes thinly sliced (use Yukon or russet)
- 8 oz cheese (combination of sharp cheddar and Gruyere)
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Get Ready to Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 or deep 9×9 baking dish with a bit of butter. Set it aside, your masterpiece needs a good foundation!
2. Cook the Onions: Heat a splash of olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Toss in thinly sliced onions, season with salt and pepper, and cook them slowly.
Stir occasionally until they’re golden brown and caramelized. Once done, take them off the heat and set them aside.
3. Fry the Bacon: Clean out the skillet, then cook the bacon until it’s perfectly crispy. For multitaskers, bake the bacon in the oven while the onions cook.
When it’s done, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, drain the grease, and give the skillet another quick wipe.
4. Whip Up the Sauce: Melt butter in the same skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle in the flour and whisk until it forms a smooth paste.
Let it cook for 2 minutes, then gradually pour in the milk while whisking non-stop.
Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and let it thicken for about 2-3 minutes before removing it from the heat.
5. Layer the Dish: In the prepared baking dish, layer half the potatoes, half the caramelized onions, half the bacon, half the cheese, and half the sauce in that order.
Repeat with the remaining ingredients to create a second layer.
6. Bake It to Perfection: Cover the dish with foil if you want and bake for 1 hour. Then, take off the foil and bake for another 30 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and everything is bubbling and golden on top.
7. Let It Cool and Dig In: Once out of the oven, let the dish rest for 10 minutes. Then grab a fork and enjoy the layers of cheesy, bacon-y deliciousness!
And there you have it. Loaded Scalloped Potatoes are the ultimate comfort food. So, serve it up and enjoy.