Paula Deen's Perfect Scalloped Potatoes: Step-by-Step Recipe

Paula Deen’s scalloped potatoes are a classic comfort food dish that many people cherish, especially within Southern cuisine. Known for their creamy texture, cheesy layers, and perfectly crispy top, these potatoes are a staple on dinner tables across America, particularly during holidays and special family gatherings. Whether you’re preparing a meal for a festive occasion or simply craving something rich and satisfying, Paula Deen’s recipe offers a foolproof method to achieve perfect scalloped potatoes every time.

The Legacy of Paula Deen’s Cooking

Paula Deen is a culinary icon, especially renowned for her contributions to Southern cooking. With a style that emphasizes the richness of flavors and the warmth of home-cooked meals, Paula has won the hearts of millions. Her recipes are a reflection of Southern hospitality—generous, comforting, and made with love. Over the years, Paula Deen has become a household name, with her cookbooks, television shows, and restaurants inspiring countless home cooks.

Paula Deen’s scalloped potatoes embody the essence of Southern cooking. They are rich, indulgent, and designed to bring people together around the dinner table. The beauty of Paula’s recipes lies in their simplicity—they are approachable for cooks of all levels yet yield extraordinary results. Her scalloped potatoes are no exception, offering layers of creamy, cheesy goodness that are hard to resist.

If you’re looking to perfect your scalloped potatoes, following Paula Deen’s recipe ensures that you’ll create a dish that’s not only delicious but also deeply satisfying. For those interested in other Southern comfort food recipes, check out these comfort food recipes that pair wonderfully with scalloped potatoes.

Common Challenges in Making Scalloped Potatoes

Even though scalloped potatoes seem simple to make, they can be tricky to master. Here are some common issues that cooks face when making this dish:

Uneven Cooking: One of the most frequent problems is uneven cooking, where some potato slices are perfectly tender while others remain undercooked. This often happens due to uneven slicing or incorrect layering in the dish. To avoid this, it’s crucial to slice the potatoes uniformly and to layer them carefully. Using a mandoline slicer can help achieve even slices, which ensures that all the potatoes cook at the same rate.
Lack of Flavor: Another issue is bland potatoes, which can occur if the sauce isn’t seasoned well or if the dish lacks sufficient cheese and cream. Paula Deen’s recipe addresses this by using rich ingredients like heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese to enhance the dish’s flavor. Additionally, seasoning the potatoes with salt and pepper as you layer them helps to build flavor throughout the dish.
Curdling Sauce: The sauce curdling is a common problem, particularly when the dish is baked at too high a temperature or not prepared correctly. Using the right combination of ingredients and following Paula’s techniques can help prevent this. Ensuring that the cream is gently heated and poured evenly over the potatoes is key to avoiding curdling.

For those seeking more insights on achieving the best results, Allrecipes offers a great guide on how to make the best scalloped potatoes.

Ingredients for Paula Deen’s Scalloped Potatoes

To create Paula Deen’s perfect scalloped potatoes, you’ll need the following ingredients. These components come together to create a dish that is both rich in flavor and satisfying in texture:

Key Ingredients

Yukon Gold Potatoes: 4 pounds, thinly sliced. Yukon Golds are the ideal choice for this recipe because they hold their shape well during cooking and have a naturally buttery flavor that complements the creamy sauce.
Kosher Salt: 2 teaspoons, divided. Salt is crucial for seasoning each layer of the potatoes, ensuring that the dish is flavorful from top to bottom.
Ground Black Pepper: 1 teaspoon, divided. Pepper adds a subtle heat that balances the richness of the cream and cheese.
Shredded Parmesan Cheese: 1 cup, divided. Parmesan provides a salty, nutty flavor that enhances the dish’s overall taste.
Shredded Cheddar Cheese: 1 cup, divided. Cheddar is essential for its creamy texture and sharp flavor, which makes the sauce rich and flavorful.
Heavy Whipping Cream: ½ cup. Heavy cream is the base of the sauce, providing a luxurious texture and helping to bind the dish together.
Butter: 2 tablespoons, melted. Butter is used to grease the baking dish and to add richness to the sauce.
Garlic Powder (optional): For an extra kick of flavor. Garlic powder can be added to the cream or sprinkled between the layers of potatoes.

Ingredient Substitutions and Variations

Different Potatoes: While Yukon Golds are recommended, Russet potatoes can be used if you prefer a fluffier texture. Russets tend to break down more during cooking, creating a softer, more cohesive dish.
Alternative Cheeses: If you want to experiment with different flavors, try using Gruyere instead of cheddar for a nuttier, more complex taste. For a milder dish, you can use Monterey Jack or Mozzarella.
Non-Dairy Alternatives: To make the dish dairy-free, substitute the heavy cream with a non-dairy milk like almond or coconut milk and use vegan cheese. Keep in mind that the texture and flavor will be slightly different, but it’s a great option for those with dietary restrictions.

Step-by-Step Cooking Process

Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to make Paula Deen’s scalloped potatoes. Following these steps closely will ensure that your dish turns out perfectly every time.

1. Preparation:

Preheat Your Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This temperature is ideal for cooking the potatoes evenly and allowing the cheese to melt beautifully without burning.
Prepare the Potatoes: Peel and thinly slice the Yukon Gold potatoes using a mandoline slicer or a sharp knife. Aim for slices that are about 1/8 inch thick. Uniform slices are key to even cooking; if the slices are too thick, they may not cook through, while slices that are too thin can become mushy.

2. Layering the Ingredients:

Grease the Baking Dish: Use the melted butter to grease the bottom and sides of your baking dish. This not only prevents the potatoes from sticking but also adds an extra layer of flavor.
First Layer of Potatoes: Arrange a single layer of potato slices at the bottom of the dish, slightly overlapping each slice. This shingling effect ensures that the potatoes cook evenly and allows the sauce to permeate each layer.
Seasoning: Sprinkle a portion of the kosher salt and ground black pepper over the first layer of potatoes. It’s important to season each layer as you go to ensure the dish is flavorful throughout.
Cheese Layer: Sprinkle a portion of the shredded Parmesan and cheddar cheese over the seasoned potatoes. The cheese will melt into the sauce as the dish bakes, creating a creamy, cohesive texture.
Repeat the Layers: Continue layering the potatoes, seasoning, and cheese until all the ingredients are used, finishing with a generous layer of cheese on top.

3. Making the Sauce:

Heat the Cream: In a small saucepan, gently heat the heavy whipping cream over medium heat until it begins to simmer. Be careful not to let it boil, as this can cause the cream to curdle.
Pour the Cream: Once the cream is heated, pour it evenly over the layered potatoes. The cream will seep down through the layers, creating a rich, velvety sauce that binds the dish together.
Optional Garlic: If you’re using garlic powder, you can add it to the cream before pouring, or sprinkle it between the layers for a subtle garlic flavor.

4. Baking the Dish:

Cover with Foil: Tightly cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. This traps the steam inside the dish, helping the potatoes cook through evenly and preventing the top from browning too quickly.
Bake: Place the covered dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes. This initial baking time allows the potatoes to become tender and the cheese to melt into the cream.
Uncover and Finish Baking: After 45 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes. This step allows the top layer of cheese to brown and become crispy, adding texture to the dish.
Rest Before Serving: Once the potatoes are golden brown and bubbly, remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for about 10 minutes. This resting time allows the sauce to thicken and makes it easier to slice and serve.

Paula Deen’s Special Tips and Tricks

To ensure your scalloped potatoes turn out perfectly every time, here are some of Paula Deen’s special tips:

Cheese Selection: Paula Deen recommends using a mix of Parmesan and cheddar for the best flavor. Parmesan adds a salty, nutty flavor, while cheddar gives the dish its creamy texture. For an even richer dish, you can experiment with adding Gruyere or even blue cheese.
Adding Extra Flavor: Consider adding garlic powder or fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary to the cream mixture for an extra layer of flavor. These additions can enhance the overall complexity of the dish without overpowering the creamy, cheesy goodness.
Achieving a Crispy Top: For a beautifully crispy top, ensure the last 15 minutes of baking are done without foil, allowing the cheese to brown perfectly. For an even more pronounced crust, you can sprinkle a little extra Parmesan or breadcrumbs on top before the final bake.

Serving Suggestions

Paula Deen’s scalloped potatoes are a versatile side dish that pairs well with a variety of main courses. Here are some serving suggestions to make the most of this dish:

Pair with Roasted Meats: Scalloped potatoes are the perfect accompaniment to roasted meats like ham, turkey, or beef tenderloin. The creamy, cheesy potatoes balance the richness of the meat, making it a great option for holiday dinners or special occasions.
Vegetarian Meal: Serve with a fresh green salad and roasted vegetables for a hearty vegetarian meal. The potatoes are filling enough to be the main course, and the salad adds a refreshing contrast.
Holiday Dinners: This dish is a staple for holiday meals, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas, where it complements other rich and festive dishes like stuffing, green bean casserole, and glazed carrots.

Variations of Paula Deen’s Scalloped Potatoes

While Paula Deen’s classic recipe is delicious on its own, there are several variations you can try to customize the dish to your liking:

Loaded Scalloped Potatoes

For a heartier dish, you can create loaded scalloped potatoes by adding cooked bacon, a dollop of sour cream, and chopped chives. This version is reminiscent of loaded baked potatoes and adds an extra layer of flavor and texture to the dish.

Bacon: Cook and crumble 4-6 slices of bacon, and sprinkle them between the layers of potatoes and cheese. The bacon adds a smoky, salty flavor that complements the creaminess of the dish.
Sour Cream: After baking, dollop sour cream on top of the potatoes, or serve it on the side for guests to add as they like.
Chives: Finely chop fresh chives and sprinkle them over the finished dish for a burst of color and a mild onion flavor.

Vegetarian Option

To create a vegetarian version of Paula Deen’s scalloped potatoes, you can omit the cheese and cream and replace them with non-dairy alternatives.

Vegan Cheese: Use vegan shredded cheese, which is widely available in grocery stores. Brands like Daiya or Follow Your Heart offer plant-based cheeses that melt well.
Non-Dairy Cream: Replace the heavy cream with a non-dairy alternative like almond milk, coconut milk, or a soy-based cream. Be sure to choose an unsweetened variety to avoid altering the flavor of the dish.
Vegetable Broth: For added flavor, consider using vegetable broth in place of some of the non-dairy milk. This will add depth to the sauce and make the dish more savory.

Lighter Version

If you’re looking to lighten up the dish without sacrificing flavor, there are a few adjustments you can make:

Reduced-Fat Cheese: Use reduced-fat cheddar or part-skim mozzarella to lower the calorie content while still enjoying a cheesy dish.
Milk Instead of Cream: Replace the heavy cream with whole milk or 2% milk. While the sauce will be slightly less rich, it will still be creamy and satisfying.
Add Onions or Leeks: Thinly sliced onions or leeks can be layered with the potatoes to add flavor and texture without adding extra fat or calories.

FAQs about Paula Deen’s Scalloped Potatoes

To help you master the art of making Paula Deen’s scalloped potatoes, here are some frequently asked questions:

What type of potatoes are best for scalloped potatoes?

Yukon Gold potatoes are ideal because they hold their shape well and have a creamy texture when cooked. Their natural buttery flavor also complements the rich sauce. Russet potatoes can be used if you prefer a fluffier texture, but they may break down more during cooking.

Can I make scalloped potatoes ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the dish and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if the dish is cold. This makes it a convenient option for busy holiday preparations.

How do I prevent my scalloped potatoes from curdling?

To prevent curdling, use high-fat dairy products like heavy cream and avoid cooking the dish at too high a temperature. It’s also important to gently heat the cream before adding it to the potatoes, as this helps to prevent curdling.

Can I freeze leftover scalloped potatoes?

Yes, you can freeze leftovers. To reheat, thaw the potatoes in the refrigerator overnight and bake in a 350°F (175°C) oven until heated through. For best results, check out these tips on how to freeze scalloped potatoes.

What’s the difference between scalloped potatoes and au gratin?

Scalloped potatoes typically do not include cheese in the sauce, whereas au gratin potatoes do. However, Paula Deen’s version is a bit of a hybrid, as it includes both cream and cheese, making it richer and more flavorful than traditional scalloped potatoes.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Paula Deen’s scalloped potatoes are a testament to the power of simple, high-quality ingredients combined with expert technique. By following her recipe and incorporating some of her special tips, you can create a dish that’s both comforting and impressive, perfect for any occasion. Whether you stick to the classic recipe or try one of the variations, this dish is sure to become a favorite in your home.

The rich, creamy layers of Paula Deen’s scalloped potatoes make them an irresistible addition to any meal, whether you’re hosting a holiday feast or simply enjoying a cozy dinner at home. The recipe’s versatility also allows you to tailor the dish to suit your tastes, making it a truly customizable comfort food.

As you prepare Paula Deen’s scalloped potatoes, take the time to appreciate the process. Cooking is an act of love, and this dish, with its roots in Southern tradition, embodies that sentiment perfectly. So gather your ingredients, follow Paula’s tried-and-true techniques, and enjoy the delicious results with those you love.

With these detailed instructions, tips, and variations, you’re well-equipped to create Paula Deen’s perfect scalloped potatoes that will impress and delight everyone at your table. Enjoy the rich, creamy goodness of these Southern-inspired scalloped potatoes and make them a staple at your dinner table for years to come.

Paula Deen’s Perfect Scalloped Potatoes: Step-by-Step Recipe