What To Eat with Scalloped Potatoes

Scalloped potatoes are a classic comfort food. Scalloped potatoes are made with layers of thinly sliced potatoes, cheese, and creamy sauce. This dish tastes good when you eat it individually, but it tastes so much better when you eat it with a perfect side dish. We will delve into recipes from protein-rich mains to veggie sides, from refreshing salads to mouthwatering sauces, which suit everyone’s taste buds.

We will explore flavors that go well with creamy and cheesy layers of sliced potatoes. Perfect to serve at family dinner, a holiday feast, or a cozy night in.

 1. Scalloped Potatoes

First, don’t get confused between scalloped potatoes and au gratin potatoes. They may be similar in some ways, but they are not the same. The main difference between scalloped potatoes and au gratin potatoes is the ingredients used and the preparation procedure. Cheese plays the leading role in making au gratin potatoes, while it is optional in scalloped potatoes. 

Before getting into the side dishes recipes, here are some tips and secrets to make the delicious scalloped potato:

1. First and foremost, make sure that your potatoes are sliced equally. Slicing your potatoes the same size ensures they take equal time to cook. 
2. Potatoes with a lot of starch are the right choice for scalloped potatoes. The amount of starch helps in thickening the cream.
3. Your potato slices may turn brown if you do not pay attention, so to avoid this, place your potato slices in a bowl of cold water.
4. After baking, leave the scalloped potatoes to rest for a few minutes. This will make your sauce thicken and be easy to serve.
5. Garnish it with herbs, sprinkle paprika, or drizzle truffle oil to make it look more appealing.
6. When checking the doneness of scalloped potatoes, insert a knife or fork in the centre of the dish. If it is done, the knife will pierce potatoes softly and effortlessly. 

2. Classic Meat Pairings

The combination of meat and potatoes is perfect. You can try a range of meat dishes with creamy potatoes. Here are some of the best recipes for meat pairings with scalloped potatoes.

2.1.  Roasted Chicken 

The combination¹ of roasted chicken, scalloped potatoes, and a dash of rosemary and thyme is a match made in culinary heaven. The crispy chicken and creamy potatoes complement each other beautifully; adding rosemary will make it aromatic.

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken, choose fresh, organic, and high quality for a better flavour

• Salt and Pepper to taste

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves

• 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped

• 1 tablespoon fresh sage leaves, finely chopped

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 lemon, halved

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F/220°C. Take out the chicken from its packaging and rinse it. Then, pat it dry with a paper towel from both inside and out. Place the chicken in a roasting pan or a baking dish with a rack.
2. Drizzle oil all over the chicken and coat it evenly. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Add herbs rosemary, thyme, sage, and minced garlic in a mixing bowl and mix them. Rub this mixture all over the chicken using your hands. Place halved lemon inside the chicken cavity.
3. Now, roast the chicken in a preheated oven. If you want, you can bake chicken with chicken broth. When the chicken is cooked, remove it from the oven and rest for 15 minutes.
4. Before roasting chicken, brush it with melted butter or oil; it helps crisp up the chicken and adds more flavour to your dish. Remember to slice the chicken against the grain for the most tender and flavorful pieces when carving it.

This is just one way of enjoying chicken with scalloped potatoes, but you can also try it with fried and grilled chicken. Having these two as your side dishes means experiencing a delightful combination.

2.2. Sirloin Steak

The rich, beefy, and slightly savoury flavour of sirloin steak served alongside scalloped potatoes will satisfy your taste buds and guests. The adequately cooked sirloin steak is tender and gives you a satisfying meaty taste, which many people enjoy.

Different methods for cooking sirloin steak include grilling, pan-searing, or roasting. Each method can deliver different flavours and textures to the steak. 

For seasoning, you need salt, pepper, herbs, and spices, and if you like, you can also use marinades or rubs to make it more delicious. The amount of fat in the meat can also affect the richness of the flavour.

To check the doneness of the steak, use a meat thermometer. After removing it from the grill or pan, rest for 5 minutes.

3. Vegetarian and Vegan Options

Cheesy scalloped potatoes are versatile enough to serve alongside vegetarian and vegan options. You must be creative and thoughtful to create a perfect side dish for your vegetarian and vegan enthusiasts.

3.1. Brussels Sprouts

If you are thinking of eating something with contrasting flavours and textures, try the combo of scalloped potatoes and Brussels sprouts. Thinly sliced and layered potatoes bathed in a rich and creamy sauce. On the other hand, the roasted Brussels sprouts give you a crispy, tender, and nutty bite.

A few simple ingredients are Brussels sprouts, olive oil, lemon juice, pepper, and salt. Use fresh and medium-sized Brussels sprouts².

It will only take a few minutes to make this dish. You have to mix all the ingredients, place them on the baking tray, and roast them in a preheated oven until they turn golden and slightly crispy. If you want, you can air fry them.

3.2 Green Bean

A grassy and sweet taste of green beans and creamy potatoes is a union of two contrasting dishes perfect for serving your guests. Green beans will add a burst of colors to your plate.

Just a few ingredients you need to make this perfect side dish. The list of ingredients is green beans, unsalted butter or olive oil, garlic powder, lemon, pepper, and salt.

Blanch or steam your beans until they are tender. Saute the beans in unsalted butter or oil, then season them with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Squeeze lemon juice over the beans to add more flavour to it.

Treat yourself, your family, and your friends with this creamy, fresh meal.

3.3 Garlic Bread

Garlic bread is rich in buttery and garlicky flavour. They are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Until now, you must have eaten garlic bread with creamy pasta. Try something new and replace creamy pasta with scalloped potatoes. A combo of garlic bread and scalloped potatoes is a delicious meal. 

For garlic bread, all you need is a loaf of Italian or French bread, salted or unsalted butter (softened), minced garlic cloves, chopped fresh parsley, and salt, but only if you are using unsalted butter.

Preheat the oven. Cut the loaf into serving-size pieces. In a mixing bowl, add the ingredients: softened butter, minced garlic, and chopped parsley, and mix them until the mixture becomes smooth.

To prepare the baking tray, lay a sheet of butter paper on it. Spread the mixture evenly on each bread slice and place it on the prepared baking tray. Bake it in a preheated oven. In 10 to 15 minutes, its edges will turn golden brown, which means your garlic bread is done.

Your crispy garlic bread is ready to enjoy alongside scalloped potatoes. You can add cheese to the butter mixture if you love cheese. 

3.4 Caesar Salad

A healthy option to enjoy along with scalloped potatoes is Caesar Salad³. It is a perfectly balanced combo of cheese and vegetables for fitness freaks. A balanced mix of nutrients, flavors, and texture makes it healthy and enjoyable.

The basic ingredients required for Caesar salad are Romaine lettuce, crispy garlic croutons, Caesar salad dressing (homemade or store-bought), and shaved parmesan cheese.

Add romaine lettuce, garlic croutons, and parmesan cheese in a mixing bowl and combine them all together. Drizzle Caesar dressing and toss it gently so that the dressing can evenly coat the lettuce. You can add freshly ground black pepper to add more flavour. To serve the salad, transfer it to a serving platter.

Whether it is a dinner or a special occasion, this pairing is perfect for any time. To make this combo more healthy, use lighter dairy products while making scalloped potatoes. When choosing a Caesar salad dressing, remember it matches your health goal. Additionally, incorporating a protein mix can further enhance the dish’s nutritional value, making it a wholesome choice for any meal.

4. Seafood Feasts

This section is for seafood lovers. Pairing seafood with this classic dish will turn it into a culinary masterpiece. You can have cheesy scalloped potatoes with broiled lobster, shrimp, salmon, or pan-seared fish. These side dishes offer a diverse range of options for seafood fans.

4.1 Salmon Pasta

Salmon pasta and scalloped potatoes are a perfect feast for special occasions or a delightful dinner for any day of the week. It is a masterpiece that will enchant your taste buds with every bite.

You only need a few minutes and simple ingredients to make the salmon pasta. The list of ingredients is fresh salmon, olive oil, butter, onion, fresh garlic cloves, cream, fresh dill, fresh lemon juice, pasta, salt and pepper.

Choose pasta according to your liking. Spaghetti, penne, fettuccine, or other pasta all work well with salmon. 

This side dish will be prepared in three parts: first cooking the seasoned salmon, second cooking the pasta, third preparing the creamy sauce, and then finally combining everything to serve it on the table.

4.2 Shrimp Scampi

The tenderness and savoury flavours of shrimp scampi beautifully contrast with the creamy and cheesy potatoes. This fusion of shrimp and potatoes is perfect for a cozy night. You need to give it 10 to 15 minutes to cook it.

A few simple ingredients for this side dish are shrimp prawns, olive oil, butter, minced garlic cloves, salt and pepper, chicken broth or fish broth, crushed red pepper flakes, chopped parsley, and lemon juice.

In a skillet, heat olive oil and butter together. Saute the minced garlic cloves until fragrant. Add chicken broth or fish broth. I will suggest using chicken broth because it will make it more flavorful. Then add red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper according to taste. Stir the mixture and bring it to simmer until it reduces to half. Add shrimp until they cook and start turning pink. In the end, add parsley and lemon juice and remove it from the heat immediately.

It is perfect to please everyone on the table. Shrimp scampi gives you a zesty and garlicky taste, which adds a touch of sophistication, while scalloped potatoes are comfy and classic food. Together, they make a hearty meal.

4.3 Grilled Salmon

Grilled salmon is the best choice if you want a lighter option that pairs well with the richness of scalloped potatoes. The flaky texture and mild flavour give a refreshing counterpart to the richness of scalloped potatoes.

You need skin-on salmon fillet, extra virgin olive or grapeseed oil, kosher salt, fresh black pepper, and garlic powder for grilled salmon. 

The first step is patting the salmon fillets with dry paper towels and checking for any remaining bones. Then, cut the salmon fillets into small pieces. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat for at least 10 minutes.

The second step is seasoning and drizzling oil on both sides of the salmon pieces. Then, season them with kosher salt, pepper, and garlic powder. For extra flavour, you can add dill and paprika.

Now comes the grilling; it will take 4 to 6 minutes to grill each side of the salmon. While grilling, avoid flipping the salmon too frequently. Another way to grill salmon is to wrap it in foil so you don’t have to flip it. To check whether grilled salmon is done, flake it with a fork. It will flake easily when it is done.

This dish is a feast for the taste buds and a showstopper that will elevate any dinner party or cozy family meal. It is worth giving this combo a try.

5. Wrap-up

Whatever your culinary inclination, the versatility of scalloped potatoes is a perfect match for every plate. So whether you choose a meaty pairing, vegetarian delight, or a seafood feast, scalloped potatoes will elevate your dining experience. Don’t stick to just one dish; experiment with some new dishes. The key is to enjoy the creamy, cheesy goodness of scalloped potatoes while complementing them with side dishes that please everyone’s taste buds.

Consider indulging in a delightful dessert to end it on a sweet note. The list of options for dessert is very long. But here are some of the best options: cheesecake, tiramisu, or molten chocolate lava cake. Choose a dessert that resonates with your overall theme of the meal.

1. Ausubel, Jesse H. “Meat and Potatoes and.” PLoS ONE 6 (2011): 5. ↩︎
2. Vina, Sonia Z., et al. “Quality of Brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea L. gemmifera DC) as affected by blanching method.” Journal of Food Engineering 80.1 (2007): 218-225. ↩︎
3. Motyčka, Michal. “Popularity of Caesar salad in Czech restaurants.” Czech Hospitality & Tourism Papers 17.35 (2021). ↩︎

Last Updated on May 16, 2024 by Namrata