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Creamy Thyme-infused Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

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Quick Scalloped Potatoes Recipe

Overview:

Quick Scalloped Potatoes is a delightful dish that marries the creamy goodness of potatoes with the savory flavors of onions, garlic, and cheese. This recipe, inspired by Cook’s Illustrated, presents a method that starts on the stovetop and finishes in the oven, ensuring perfectly cooked potatoes with a golden-brown cheesy crust. What’s more, it doesn’t rely on cream soup for its rich texture, making it a healthier alternative without compromising on taste.

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Servings: Variable

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 🧈
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped 🧅
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves 🌿
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons salt 🧂
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 🌶️
  • 2 1/2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced 🥔
  • 1 cup chicken broth 🍗
  • 1 cup heavy cream 🥛
  • 2 bay leaves 🍃
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 🧀

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the Oven: Heat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220 degrees Celsius).

  2. Prepare the Stovetop: In a large Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium-high heat until it starts to foam.

  3. Cook the Aromatics: Add the chopped onion to the melted butter and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion turns soft and lightly browned, approximately 4 minutes.

  4. Add Flavor: Stir in the minced garlic, thyme leaves, salt, and black pepper. Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.

  5. Combine Ingredients: Add the thinly sliced potatoes, chicken broth, heavy cream, and bay leaves to the Dutch oven. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

  6. Simmer the Potatoes: Cover the Dutch oven with a lid, reduce the heat to medium-low, and allow the potatoes to simmer until they are almost tender. You should be able to slip a paring knife into and out of a potato slice with some resistance, which takes about 10 minutes.

  7. Remove Bay Leaves: Once the potatoes are almost tender, discard the bay leaves from the mixture.

  8. Transfer to Baking Dish: Carefully transfer the potato mixture to an 8-inch-square baking dish or any other 1½-quart gratin dish, ensuring it’s evenly spread out.

  9. Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the potato mixture in the baking dish.

  10. Bake Until Golden: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake until the cream starts bubbling around the edges and the top turns golden brown. This usually takes about 15 minutes.

  11. Cool and Serve: Once baked, allow the dish to cool for about 10 minutes before serving. This helps the flavors to meld and prevents any risk of burning your mouth with hot cheese.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):

  • Calories: 603.7
  • Fat: 37.5g
    • Saturated Fat: 23.4g
  • Cholesterol: 126.5mg
  • Sodium: 944.4mg
  • Carbohydrates: 55.1g
    • Fiber: 6.8g
    • Sugar: 3.6g
  • Protein: 14.5g

Serving Suggestions:

Quick Scalloped Potatoes can be served as a hearty side dish alongside your favorite main courses, such as roasted chicken, grilled steak, or baked fish. It’s also a fantastic option for potlucks, family gatherings, or holiday feasts, where its creamy texture and cheesy topping are sure to be a hit with everyone at the table. Enjoy the comforting flavors and indulgent richness of this classic potato dish! 🥔🧀

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