Creamy Scalloped Potatoes With Bacon

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Updated on 10/5/21
Scalloped Potatoes With Bacon
Diana Rattray
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 100 mins
Total: 115 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
308 Calories
11g Fat
42g Carbs
11g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 308
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 11g 14%
Saturated Fat 6g 28%
Cholesterol 31mg 10%
Sodium 643mg 28%
Total Carbohydrate 42g 15%
Dietary Fiber 4g 14%
Total Sugars 7g
Protein 11g
Vitamin C 16mg 78%
Calcium 133mg 10%
Iron 2mg 12%
Potassium 1032mg 22%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Scalloped potatoes are creamy, flavorful, and perfect for any special meal, whether it's a birthday dinner or a holiday celebration. Although it seems like they're a lot of work to make—particularly for a humble side dish—scalloped potatoes are actually quite simple. Although this particular recipe doesn't call for cheese, it's an easy—and decadent—addition when sprinkled over the potatoes at the end of the baking process.

Ingredients

  • 6 strips bacon, diced

  • 1 large onion, chopped

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour

  • 2 cups milk

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1 dash ground nutmeg, optional

  • 2 pounds potatoes, peeled and sliced about 1/4-inch thick

Steps to Make It

  1. Heat the oven to 350 F.

  2. Generously butter a 2-quart baking dish.

  3. In a deep skillet or saute pan, cook the bacon until just crisp. Remove it to paper towels and set aside to drain.

  4. Leave about 2 tablespoons of bacon drippings in the skillet and add 3 tablespoons of butter. Add the onion to the pan and saute until softened.

  5. Add the flour and continue cooking, stirring, for about 1 minute. Gradually stir in the milk. Cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce is thickened.

  6. Stir in the salt, pepper, and nutmeg, if using. Stir in the cooked bacon.

  7. Layer half of the potato slices in the prepared baking dish.

  8. Spoon half of the sauce mixture over the potatoes. Top with the remaining potatoes. Spoon the remaining sauce over all.

  9. Cover the casserole tightly with foil and bake for 1 hour.

  10. Remove the foil, return to the oven, and bake for about 20 to 30 minutes longer or until the potato slices are fork-tender.

Tips

  • Potatoes should be sliced very thinly for scalloped potatoes. Use a mandoline if you have one available, but take care not to cut your fingers while slicing.
  • Hasten the cooking process by first cooking the sliced potatoes in simmering water or milk for about 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Red-skinned or Yukon Gold potatoes are good choices of potato types because they hold their shape better than higher-starch baking potatoes such as Russets.
  • For a bit of garlic flavor, rub the cut side of a sliced clove of garlic over the bottom and up the sides of the baking dish before buttering.
  • Make the potatoes ahead of time by baking them as directed, cooling the potatoes to room temperature, and storing them in the fridge in an airtight container. When you want to serve the potatoes, bake them covered with foil at 350 F until they're heated through, which should take about 30 minutes.

Recipe Variations

  • Add 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese to the sauce or top the casserole with the cheese when the potatoes are tender and almost done. Continue baking until the cheese has melted.
  • Make scalloped potatoes in the slow cooker by lining the bottom of the cooker with sliced potatoes. Whisk the milk and flour in a small bowl and then pour the mixture over the top of the potatoes. Add the remaining ingredients and set the slow cooker to low for 5 hours. Remove the lid and let the dish rest for 30 minutes to let the sauce thicken naturally.