I will be the first to tell you that I could eat scalloped potatoes any time of the year, but something about them being served during Thanksgiving hits differently. The creamy, tender layers of potatoes smothered in a rich, velvety sauce create an irresistible combination that embodies the essence of comfort food. The taste and texture alone of properly prepared scalloped potatoes deserve an award, and now things have gotten even better thanks to a recipe we discovered.

While scrolling through TikTok one hungry afternoon, I came across @esmeskitchen‘s cheesy scalloped potatoes with caramelized onions. This recipe was part of her Thanksgiving series on the app, and it immediately caught my attention. The addition of sweet, golden-brown caramelized onions adds a depth of flavor that transforms this classic dish into something extraordinary.

One of the key parts of the recipe to keep in mind is that for the cheeses, she used a blend of gruyere, parmesan, and Colby jack. The gruyere provides a complex, nutty flavor, while the parmesan adds a sharp, salty note, and the Colby jack brings that perfect melty texture. You can use your own blend of cheeses, but for the exactness of the recipe, this is what Esme chooses to use, and the combination is truly chef’s kiss.

We’ve included the full recipe and instructions Esme added below for ease.

@esmeskitchen

Thanksgiving Recipes Episode 2: creamy scalloped potatoes with carmelized onions🧅🧀🤍 Hope you guys enjoy this one!! Recipe down below 🙂 Ingredients: • 1 large yellow onion • 2.5lbs of yukon gold potatoes • 2 tbsp butter (salted) • 6 cloves garlic, minced (use more or less to your preference) • 5-6 peppercorns (or 1tsp pepper) • 2tbsp flour • 2 cups heavy cream • 1 heavy pinch salt & white pepper (you can leave the white pepper out) • 1 sprig each rosemary & thyme (also optional) • 8oz gruyere cheese • 8oz parmesan cheese • 6oz colby jack cheese • chives for garnish (optional) *NOTE: you do not have to carmelize the onions! But please try it if you can!! DIRECTIONS: 1. Start by slicing the onion into long, thin strips. Then, throw them in a medium heat pan with 1tbsp oil 2. Cook them on medium heat for the first 10 minutes, stirring often. After 10 minutes, turn the heat down to low and continue stirring every couple of minutes. Around the 30-40 minute mark they should be super soft and brown. Set to the side. 3. In a pot on medium heat, add in the butter, garlic, peppercorn, and flour 4. Stir the ingredients until they begin browning (3 mins) and then add in the heavy cream, salt, pepper, and herbs. Allow to simmer on very low heat for 15 mins. 5. Wash, peel, and slice your potatoes thin 6. In a baking dish (I used a 60oz oval dish) grease it with some butter, then start layering. 7. Make a layer of potato, gruyere & parmesan, and the carmelized onion 8. Repeat step 7, then add on half of the creamy sauce (pass it through a strainer first!!) 9. For the third layer, you’ll put potato, the sauce, gruyere, colby jack, and more gruyere 10. Put the dish into a 315 degree oven for 1.5hrs. Slow cooking is best, but to save time, you can also cook it at 350 for 50 minutes or until golden brown on top 11. Keep checking the oven after 40 minutes to ensure it does not burn. 12. Top with chives and Enjoy 🙂 Thank you guys🫶🏼 • #thanksgiving #thanksgivingrecipes #easyrecipe #cheese #scallopedpotatoes #potatoes #thanksgivingdinner #cooking #carmelizedonions #onion

♬ La vie en rose (Cover Edith Piaf) – 田东昱

Esme’s Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 large yellow onion
• 2.5lbs of Yukon gold potatoes
• 2 tbsp butter (salted)
• 6 cloves garlic, minced (use more or less to your preference)
• 5-6 peppercorns (or 1tsp pepper)
• 2tbsp flour
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 heavy pinch salt & white pepper (you can leave the white pepper out)
• 1 sprig each rosemary & thyme (also optional)
• 8oz gruyere cheese
• 8oz parmesan cheese
• 6oz Colby jack cheese
• chives for garnish (optional)

Esme’s Note: You do not have to carmelize the onions! But please try it if you can!

Instructions:

1. Start by slicing the onion into long, thin strips. Then, throw them in a medium heat pan with 1 tbsp oil.

2. Cook them on medium heat for the first 10 minutes, stirring often. After 10 minutes, turn the heat to low and continue stirring every few minutes. They should be super soft and brown around the 30-40 minute mark. Set to the side.

3. In a pot on medium heat, add the butter, garlic, peppercorn, and flour.

4. Stir the ingredients until they begin browning (3 mins), and then add in the heavy cream, salt, pepper, and herbs. Allow to simmer on very low heat for 15 mins.

5. Wash, peel, and slice your potatoes thin.

6. In a baking dish, grease it with butter, then start layering.

7. Make a layer of potato, gruyere, parmesan, and caramelized onion.

8. Repeat step 7, then add half of the creamy sauce (pass it through a strainer first.)

9. For the third layer, you’ll put the potatoes, the sauce, gruyere, Colby jack, and more gruyere.

10. Put the dish into a 315-degree oven for 1.5hrs. Slow cooking is best, but you can cook it at 350 for 50 minutes or until golden brown on top to save time.

11. Check the oven after 40 minutes to ensure it does not burn.