I must admit I’m really combining a question I received along with a post in the forums. The question was: Are scalloped potatoes and potatoes au gratin basically the same thing? In the forums, a family member asks: Does anyone have a really good recipe for scalloped potatoes? I am cook Easter dinner for my dad and he wants scalloped potatoes.
The Difference Between Scalloped Potatoes and Potatoes au Gratin
Scalloped potatoes are a milk based potato dish. The potatoes are usually sliced very thinly although what technically makes it ‘scalloped’ is the milk base. A gratin on the other hand is any dish that is topped with cheese and/or bread crumbs and layered with bits of butter and is baked until brown and crispy. People often get them confused and use the terms interchangeably. However, gratins can be made with a variety of vegetables. With that said, here are a few of my favorite recipes for scalloped potatoes and potatoes au gratin!
Easy Scalloped Potatoes
Line a greased 13 x 9 x 2 in. baking dish with 2 lbs. of frozen hash browns. In a separate bowl, mix together 1/2 cup of melted butter, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 pint of sour cream, 1/4 cup finely chopped onions, 1 cup of milk, 1 can cream of mushroom soup, and 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese. Top with crushed ritz crackers and little dollops of butter. Bake at 350 for 1 hour.
Scalloped Potatoes au Gratin
I’ve only had this dish once and someone brought it to a potluck. I’ve tried to recreate the recipe as best as I can. Add thinly sliced potatoes to cover the bottom of a large, greased, baking dish. Add a layer of thinly sliced onion. Add salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with a thin layer of shredded cheddar cheese. In a sauce pan heat one can of cream of mushroom soup, one pint of sour cream and one package of onion soup mix. Add a layer of soup mixture, and top with crushed Ritz crackers and pats of butter. Repeat layers (potatoes, onions, cheddar cheese, soup mixture and crackers with butter) until the baking dish is full.
Hopefully your dad will love the scalloped potatoes and Easter dinner will be a hit!
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