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Cheesy Potato Bacon Bake

Featured in Crowd-Pleasing Appetizers.

Layers of tender potato slices smothered in a thick, creamy sauce with plenty of crispy bacon and cheddar cheese. Great for any cozy dinner or special meals.
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Updated on Sun, 13 Apr 2025 11:01:14 GMT
Close-up of a creamy casserole with potatoes, cheese, bacon, and herbs. Pin it
Close-up of a creamy casserole with potatoes, cheese, bacon, and herbs. | cuisinegenial.com

These homemade Cheesy Potato Stacks feature velvety layers, crunchy bacon crumbles, and pools of melted cheese for the most satisfying comfort dish you'll try. Each thinly cut potato snuggles in a buttery garlic sauce, finished with tangy cheddar and strips of smoky bacon, turning an old favorite into a mouthwatering side or main dish that'll make any potato fan swoon.

What Makes These Scalloped Potatoes Special

You'll fall in love with these potatoes if you enjoy deep, hearty flavors. The smooth sauce works so well with the bacon's smokiness and the sharp bite of cheddar, making every bite both familiar and fancy. They're baked until they're bubbly with a gorgeous golden top, making them perfect for holiday meals or just a warm family dinner.

What You'll Need for Amazing Scalloped Potatoes

  • Potato Base:
    • 3 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into 1/8-inch slices
    • 1 large yellow onion, sliced thin
    • 1 pound thick-cut bacon, chopped and fried crispy
    • 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
    • 1 cup Gruyere cheese, shredded
  • Creamy Base:
    • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
    • 6 garlic cloves, finely chopped
    • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
    • 3 cups whole milk, slightly warmed
    • 2 cups heavy cream, slightly warmed
    • 2 cups chicken broth
    • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
    • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
    • 1 teaspoon white pepper
    • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • Finishing Touches:
    • 1/4 cup fresh chives, chopped fine
    • Extra crispy bacon pieces
    • More shredded cheese for topping
  • Tools You'll Need:
    • 9x13 baking dish
    • Mandoline or sharp knife
    • Large saucepan
    • Whisk
    • Aluminum foil

How To Make Them From Start To Finish

Get Your Potatoes Ready
Cut potatoes into even slices with a mandoline. Let them sit in cold water for 30 minutes to wash away starch. Pat them completely dry with kitchen towels.
Prepare Your Bacon
Chop bacon and fry until crunchy in a big skillet. Take it out with a slotted spoon, keep 2 tablespoons of the fat.
Create Your Sauce
In a big pot over medium heat, melt your butter. Throw in garlic and cook for a minute. Add flour while whisking and cook for 2 minutes. Slowly pour in warm milk, cream, and broth while constantly whisking. Add thyme, mustard, salt, and pepper. Let it bubble until thick, around 5 minutes.
Build Your Casserole
Grease your 9x13 baking dish. Start layering: 1/3 potatoes, 1/3 sauce, 1/3 cheese, 1/3 bacon. Do this three times. Cover with foil.
Cook It Up
Bake at 400°F with foil for 30 minutes. Take off the foil, bake another 25-30 minutes until it's golden and bubbling. Let it sit for 15 minutes before you serve it.

Prep This Dish Ahead Of Time

You can put this together up to a day before baking. Just cover it tight with foil and stick it in the fridge. When you're ready to cook it, let it sit out for 30 minutes, then bake as normal but add 10-15 minutes to the covered baking time. If you want to store it longer, put it all together, wrap it up good in foil and plastic wrap, and freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before you bake it.

A close-up view of a cheesy casserole topped with melted cheddar cheese and garnished with chopped parsley, featuring pieces of ham and green peas. Pin it
A close-up view of a cheesy casserole topped with melted cheddar cheese and garnished with chopped parsley, featuring pieces of ham and green peas. | cuisinegenial.com

Tasty Ways To Enjoy This Dish

Dish it up hot with fresh chives and extra bacon bits sprinkled on top. It goes great with roast meat, grilled chicken, or just by itself with a fresh green salad. For big gatherings, you might want to make twice as much in two different dishes. Let it cool down for 15-20 minutes before eating so the sauce gets thicker and the flavors mix better.

Quick Fixes For Common Problems

Got sauce that's too thick? Just add a bit more warm milk or cream. If it's too runny, keep baking it uncovered until it's how you like it. Don't let your dairy stuff curdle by warming it first and never boiling it. If the top gets too brown too fast, just lay some foil over it loosely. Want an extra crispy top? Stick it under the broiler for 2-3 minutes at the end, but watch it closely so it doesn't burn.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why cut potatoes thinly?
Thinner slices, about ⅛-inch, cook evenly and create a smoother texture. If slices are too thick, they might stay undercooked and uneven.
→ Can you prepare this in advance?
Absolutely! Put it together a day early and keep it in the fridge. Before baking, let it warm up to room temperature for even results.
→ Why use foil at first?
Covering it early locks in moisture so the potatoes cook perfectly and stay tender. Removing foil later crisps up the top beautifully.
→ What are the best potatoes to use?
Go for Russets or Yukon Golds. Russets make the sauce creamy with their starch, while Yukons keep a buttery taste and hold their shape.
→ Can you swap out the cheese?
Definitely! While sharp cheddar works great, try Gruyère or Monterey Jack for a fresh twist. Just pick cheeses that melt nicely.

Conclusion

Layers of soft potato slices coated in creamy sauce, plus sharp cheddar and crispy bacon, make this dish perfect for any cozy meal or family gathering.

Cheesy Potato Bacon

Thinly sliced potatoes baked with rich cream, bubbly cheddar, crunchy bacon bits, and fresh herbs on top.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
90 Minutes
Total Time
105 Minutes
By: Ferdaous

Category: Appetizers

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 10 Servings (1 9x13 dish)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped.
02 4 tablespoons butter, unsalted.
03 2 cups of chicken broth, reduced sodium.
04 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, or adjust to taste.
05 1/8 teaspoon of nutmeg, ground.
06 4 tablespoons plain flour.
07 12 slices of bacon, cooked crisp and broken up.
08 3 pounds Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, thinly sliced to 1/8 inch.
09 2 cups of heavy whipping cream.
10 4 cups of shredded cheddar.
11 1/2 teaspoon of salt, adjust if needed.
12 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped small.

Instructions

Step 01

Turn your oven on to 400°F (204°C) and let it heat up.

Step 02

Heat the butter in a skillet or pan over medium. Toss in the minced garlic and let it cook for just half a minute, until you smell its aroma.

Step 03

Add the flour to the garlic and butter, mixing thoroughly with a whisk. Slowly pour in the chicken broth, continuing to whisk until it transforms into a thick mixture.

Step 04

Keep cooking for another minute, stirring the mixture as you pour in the heavy cream. Whisk until you have a smooth sauce. Season with nutmeg, pepper, and salt. Stir for 2 minutes until it starts to bubble and thicken, then take it off the heat.

Step 05

Take a 9x13 baking dish and spread a couple spoonfuls of the sauce at the bottom. Place a third of the potato slices over it, then layer with some of the bacon, cheese, and more sauce.

Step 06

Keep layering until you've used up all the potatoes, sauce, cheese, and bacon. Add half of the chopped chives on top as a final touch.

Step 07

Wrap the dish with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 45 minutes, till the potatoes are soft and you can easily pierce them with a fork.

Step 08

Scatter the rest of the chives on top and serve it while warm.

Notes

  1. Prep it up to a day ahead, then keep it in the fridge.
  2. Use a mandoline slicer for thin and even potato slices.
  3. Be generous with the sauce at the bottom to avoid sticking issues.

Tools You'll Need

  • Baking dish, 9x13 inches.
  • Whisk for mixing.
  • Aluminum foil to cover.
  • A skillet or saucepan.
  • Mandoline slicer for potatoes (optional).

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Milk or dairy products.
  • Contains wheat.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 622
  • Total Fat: 48 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 30 g
  • Protein: 19 g