Here’s the difference between these family-loved potato side dishes.
Both of these classic dishes are rich and creamy.
Both have layers of thinly sliced potatoes.
Credit: Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
And both are baked in a casserole dish until bubbly and golden brown.
But they’re still not the same.
Scalloped Potatoes Vs.
Au Gratin: What’s The Difference?
The difference between these two decadent sides comes down to cheese.
Classic potatoes au gratin are a bit more decadent.
How Do You Cook Scalloped Potatoes?
Onions and herbs may be used to infuse the sauce with more flavor.
Thinly sliced potatoes are layered intermittently and topped with the cream sauce, then baked until slightly browned.
Of course, variations aboundyou’ll come across quite a few recipes forscalloped potatoeswith cheese and a breadcrumb topping.
How Do You Cook Potatoes Au Gratin?
Some kind of cheese may be mixed into the cream sauce to thicken and enrich it.
Gruyere, Cheddar, and Parmesan are popular choices.
After layering the potatoes and sauce in the dish, a generous topping of cheese finishes it off.
What Should You Serve With Them?
Frequently Asked Questions
Scalloped refers to the method for slicing the potatoes in the dish.
They are thinly sliced, about 1/4- to 1/8-inch thick, for shorter cooking time.
It originates fromcollop, an Old English word that means to slice thinly.
Yukon gold potatoes are often used to make potatoes au gratin.
Russets can also be used.
Don’t mix the two types, however, because they have different cooking times.
