Green Chile Cheese Scalloped Potatoes
Serves: 6–8
Prep time: 20 minutes
Bake time: ~70 minutes
Total: ~1½ hours
🛒 Ingredients
Potatoes
2 lbs russet potatoes, peeled (optional) and thinly sliced (⅛-inch is ideal)
Salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Green Chile Cheese Sauce
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk (warm is best)
1 cup heavy cream
1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
½ cup shredded Monterey Jack (or pepper jack for heat)
1 cup roasted green chiles, chopped
(Hatch chiles are classic; canned is fine—drained well)
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ tsp onion powder
½ tsp smoked paprika
¼ tsp ground cumin (optional but 🔥)
Salt to taste
Optional Add-Ons
Thinly sliced jalapeños (for extra heat)
½ cup caramelized onions
Fresh thyme or cilantro for garnish
🔪 Instructions
1️⃣ Prep the Potatoes
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Butter a large baking dish or oven-safe skillet.
Slice potatoes thin and evenly.
Lightly season them with salt and pepper.
2️⃣ Make the Cheese Sauce
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute (don’t brown).
Slowly whisk in milk and cream.
Simmer 3–5 minutes until slightly thickened.
Add:
Garlic
Onion powder
Smoked paprika
Cumin
Salt
Lower heat and stir in cheeses a handful at a time until smooth.
Fold in chopped green chiles.
👉 Sauce should be pourable but rich, not super thick.
3️⃣ Assemble
Layer half the potatoes in the dish.
Pour ½ the cheese sauce over them.
Repeat with remaining potatoes and sauce.
Press gently so everything is coated.
4️⃣ Bake
Cover tightly with foil.
Bake 45 minutes.
Remove foil and bake another 20–25 minutes, until:
Top is golden and bubbly
Potatoes are fork-tender
Optional: Broil 2–3 minutes for extra browning (watch closely!).
5️⃣ Rest & Serve
Let rest 10 minutes before serving (important for setting).
Garnish with fresh herbs if you’re feeling fancy.
✨ Pro Tips
Mandoline = best texture, but go slow.
If sauce thickens too much, splash in warm milk.
For smoky depth, swap cheddar for smoked gouda.
These taste even better the next day 👀
