Sure! Let’s dive into the flavorful world of Smoked Cheddar Scalloped Potatoes. 🥔🧀 This recipe is a delightful twist on the classic scalloped potatoes, adding a smoky richness with the inclusion of smoked cheddar cheese. With a prep time of just 15 minutes and a total cook time of 1 hour and 10 minutes, this dish is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something comforting and satisfying to serve up to your family.
Ingredients:
- 3 medium potatoes
- 1/2 cup smoked cheddar cheese
- 2 onions
- 1 1/2 tablespoons flour
- 2 1/2 cups milk
Instructions:
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Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your oven is ready to work its magic as soon as your dish is assembled.
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Blanch the Potatoes: Peel the potatoes and slice them thinly. Then, blanch the potato slices in boiling water for about 5 minutes. This helps to soften them slightly before baking.
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Drain and Rinse: After blanching, drain the potato slices and rinse them with cold water. This stops the cooking process and ensures they don’t become too mushy.
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Prepare the Casserole Dish: Spray a two-quart casserole dish with oil to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup later.
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Layer the Potatoes: Create a layer using half of the blanched potato slices at the bottom of the casserole dish.
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Add the Cheese, Onions, and Flour: Sprinkle half of the smoked cheddar cheese evenly over the layer of potatoes. Then, distribute sliced onions and flour on top of the cheese layer.
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Repeat the Layers: Add the remaining potato slices on top of the cheese, onions, and flour layer, creating a second potato layer.
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Season: Season the dish with your favorite herbs and spices. You can use a pinch of salt and pepper, or get creative with garlic powder, thyme, or rosemary for added flavor.
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Heat the Milk: In a small saucepan, slightly heat the milk. This step helps to ensure that the milk evenly distributes throughout the casserole during baking.
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Pour Over the Casserole: Once heated, pour the milk evenly over the entire casserole dish, soaking all the layers with creamy goodness.
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Cover and Bake: Cover the casserole dish with a lid or aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 50 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld together and the potatoes to become tender.
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Uncover and Bake Again: After 50 minutes, remove the cover and continue baking for an additional 20 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned and bubbly.
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Serve Warm: Once done, remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Then, dish out generous portions of these delicious Smoked Cheddar Scalloped Potatoes and enjoy the creamy, cheesy goodness with your loved ones.
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: 373.3
- Fat Content: 10.5g
- Saturated Fat Content: 6.5g
- Cholesterol Content: 36.2mg
- Sodium Content: 179.2mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 56.9g
- Fiber Content: 6.2g
- Sugar Content: 2.5g
- Protein Content: 14.3g
Recipe Notes:
- Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese to suit your taste preferences. Gouda, fontina, or even a sharp white cheddar would work beautifully in this dish.
- If you’re looking to make this dish even healthier, you can swap out regular potatoes for sweet potatoes for a nutrient boost.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Simply reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through before serving again.
With its creamy texture, smoky flavor, and cheesy goodness, these Smoked Cheddar Scalloped Potatoes are sure to become a family favorite in no time. Enjoy! 🍽️
