Stovetop Scalloped Potatoes (so easy!)

You’ll love creamy stovetop scalloped potatoes, prepared in a skillet, bubbling hot and covered with a layer of melted cheddar cheese. Oh, so good!

It’s hard to think of something more delicious than creamy scalloped potatoes! Thinly sliced potatoes, sweet bites of onion, creamy sauce, topped with a layer of sharp cheddar cheese! 

Maybe you love traditional cheesy potatoes, made with frozen potatoes. Did you know that cheesy potatoes are called “funeral potatoes”? Consider these skillet scalloped potatoes as cheesy potatoes’ sophisticated big sister. 

Of course, you don’t have to top them with cheddar cheese. Technically, the cheddar cheese makes these scalloped potatoes “au gratin,” but we won’t quibble over the fine points. Stovetop scalloped potatoes are so good, you’ll love them with or without cheese.

Maybe your only experience with scalloped potatoes has been from a box. You know, the one that says “made with 100% real sliced potatoes.” Well, why would you even have to make that claim? Because they don’t taste like real potatoes! Take a look at the ingredient list. It’s shocking! You’ll notice that there’s an asterisk by the potatoes. At the end of that list, you find that the potatoes are dried. 

Potatoes*, Enriched Flour (wheat flour, niacin, iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), Maltodextrin, Corn Starch, Salt, Potassium Phosphate. Contains less than 0.5% of: Monosodium Glutamate, Vegetable Oil (canola and/or partially hydrogenated soybean oil), Potassium Chloride, Sugar, Natural Flavor, Paprika, Whey, Celery*, Onion*, Wheat Starch, Mono and Diglycerides, Soy Flour, Nonfat Milk, Lactic Acid, Yeast Extract, Enzyme Modified Cheddar Cheese (milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes), Calcium Lactate, Spice, Enzyme Modified Cream, Silicon Dioxide (anticaking agent), Color (yellow lakes 5 & 6, artificial color), Blue Cheese* (milk, salt, cheese cultures, enzymes), Enzyme Modified Blue Cheese (milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes), Soy Lecithin, Sodium Phosphate. Freshness Preserved by Sodium Bisulfite.     *Dried

Okay, what the what?

Make your own scalloped potatoes with less than 10 ingredients!

Wholesome, quick, easy and cheesy! And most importantly, so much more delicious than the boxed version.

You’re going to love this recipe!

About This Recipe

You may be skeptical about making scalloped potatoes on the stovetop. Traditionally, scalloped potatoes are baked in the oven. I remember my grandma had a special casserole dish she always used for her specialty, scalloped potatoes with ham.

You don’t have to turn on the oven. Perfect for warm days, when you don’t want to heat up your kitchen.

They take less time to cook. And instead of baking them for an hour or more, on the stovetop you’ll have creamy scalloped potatoes in about 30 minutes! 

Stovetop scalloped potatoes are easy to make. I bet you’re thinking you’ll have to make a white sauce first! Nope! This recipe is seriously easy and made in one pan.

I’ll get you started on the recipe here with lots of extra tips but the printable recipe card can be found near the end of the post, with complete instructions and nutrition information.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Potatoes: Yes, real potatoes, not dried facsimiles. Use whatever type of potatoes you like or happen to have in your pantry: Russet, Yukon gold, red, or just plain brown potatoes.
• Onions: Any type of onion is fine. I usually use regular yellow cooking onions.
• Butter: Butter adds rich flavor. You’ll use just one tablespoon to sauté the onions and potatoes.
• Cream: Only a half cup of heavy cream adds all the creaminess you need.
• Broth: Use unsalted or low sodium chicken broth. If you’d rather make this dish vegetarian, vegetable stock is fine, too.
• Nutmeg: Freshly grated nutmeg is simply the best. If you aren’t into nutmeg, it can be omitted. A bit of thyme or rosemary is really good.
• Salt and Pepper: Simple seasonings that just go well with potatoes.
• Shredded Cheese: While it is optional, a layer of melted cheddar cheese on top of these scalloped potatoes is just so yummy, you won’t want to leave it out. Other kinds of cheese may be used.

How To Make This Recipe

Prepare your potatoes. Scrub, and slice the potatoes thinly. If you have a thicker skinned potatoes like russets, you’ll want to peel them first. Thin skinned varieties like red or yellow potatoes don’t require peeling, just a good scrub. If you have a mandolin, all the better. You’ll be able to slice the potatoes even more quickly.

Simmer. Slice an onion into half moons, and you’re ready to get started. Melt a bit of butter in a large skillet, and add the potatoes and onions. Cook for five minutes or so, then add the broth, cream, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, cover, and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes. 

Add cheese. You’re almost done! If you like the idea of cheddar cheese (who wouldn’t?), now’s the time to add the cheese. Sprinkle it right over the top of the potatoes, put the cover back on the pan, and simmer for a few more minutes, until the cheese is nice and melty. 

Let ’em rest. Turn the burner off, and let the scalloped potatoes rest, 5 to 10 minutes, to let the sauce settle down and thicken a bit.

This recipe is great because you don’t have to worry about timing everything perfectly. Meat not quite ready? Still have to whip up a salad? Just let the potatoes simmer a little longer, no problem.

What To Serve With These Potatoes

Creamy skillet potatoes are perfect as a side dish. Try them with grilled chicken or salmon. Or make a pork roast in your Instant Pot. Serve them with  air fryer breaded pork chops or classic meatloaf. 

FAQs

Make It Your Own

As I mentioned earlier, you can make these scalloped potatoes without cheese for a more classic dish. Or try some of these variations:

• Try a different variety of cheese: Gruyère, Swiss, fontina, Asiago, or whatever you like best. 
• Add bacon crumbles or diced ham. 
• Garnish with fresh herbs, such as chopped chives, parsley, or dill.
• Vegetarian: Substitute vegetable broth for the chicken broth.
• Make them in an electric skillet.

Storage & Reheating Tips

Refrigerate: If you have leftover scalloped potatoes, cover them tightly and store in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Freeze: Freezing scalloped potatoes isn’t recommended. The texture of the potatoes is affected and the sauce tends to separate.

Reheat: Reheat gently in the microwave, on the stove, or in the oven until heated through.

Interested in a weekly meal plan (it’s free!) that includes this stovetop scalloped potato recipe? Take a look at my Meal Plan #30. You’ll find a wholesome recipe for each weekday plus a categorized grocery list. Let me do the planning for you this week! 

We’ll be adding a new meal plan weekly. If you’re interested, browse all of our meal plans.

More Potato Recipes

Economical and versatile, potatoes are amazing in any shape or form! There are so many ways to prepare potatoes. Try some of these awesome recipes:

• Crispy Roasted Potatoes – learn how to make the best crispy potatoes!
• Air Fryer French Fries
• Roasted Fingerling Potatoes
• Instant Pot Baked Potatoes or Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
• Dill Roasted Potatoes with Lemon
• Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes – the best way to make mashed potatoes!
• Seasoned Grilled Potatoes