Grandma's "OLD SCHOOL" Scalloped Potato Casserole - 52 Church PotLuck "Old School" Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between scalloped and au gratin potatoes? ›

The difference comes down to cheese. Scalloped potato recipes are usually baked in a basic cream sauce until soft and tender, with no cheese topping. Potatoes au gratin are a bit more decadent. They are made with lots of cheese sprinkled in between the layers of potatoes and also on top of the casserole.

If your household has to go dairy-free, there's no reason to skip this favorite dish as the milk and cheese can easily be substituted. Some recipes use chicken broth or water while others use non-dairy alternatives like soy or almond milk.

Can I make boxed potatoes and not cook them for a few hours later? A: If you mean prepare certain packaged dried potatoes (such as Au Gratin or Scalloped) the answer is, yes. Just follow the directions as listed (but not yet ready to place into the oven yet).

Spice up a basic recipe for scalloped potatoes with a can of chopped green chilies. Add the chilies between the layers of potatoes, cheese and sauce for a zippy side dish. Try it when you make these Never-Fail Scalloped Potatoes.

Why are they called funeral potatoes? Funeral potatoes get their unique name from being a crowd-pleasing casserole served as a side dish at after-funeral luncheons (particularly in the culture of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints).

If you stored the sliced potatoes in water to prevent discoloring, but didn't drain them well and pat them dry before adding them to the baking dish, you may have added extra water to the dish. You could have also used the wrong kind of potato, as some waxy potatoes can release more water than starchier potatoes.

My sauce is split

Using things like skim milk or reduced fat cheese will result in a sauce that cannot stand up to the cooking time and will split on you. 2% or whole milk, and full fat cheeses are a must!

Be careful not to overwhip it, though – too much beating and your heavy cream will turn into butter! You can substitute heavy cream for milk by diluting it with a little water. Use half a cup heavy cream and half a cup water for every cup of whole milk. 1 cup whole milk: combine ½ cup heavy cream and ½ cup water.

For a creamy taste without the cream, try evaporated (canned) milk! Evaporated milk is made by removing water from fresh milk and then heating it. Heating the milk gives it the creamy, slightly cooked taste and darker colour. When mixed with an equal amount of water, it can be substituted for fresh milk in recipes.

A “gratin” is any dish that is topped with cheese or breadcrumbs mixed with butter, then heated in the oven or under the broiler until brown and crispy, according to The Food Lover's Companion. The term au gratin or gratinée just refers to anything prepared in that manner.

What is the real name for scalloped potatoes? ›

Potatoes gratiné

In the US, the dish is referred to variously as funeral potatoes, potatoes au gratin, scalloped potatoes, or au gratin potatoes.

Starchy potatoes, such as Russets or Yukon Golds, are key to thick, velvety sauce and the layered, stacked-slice structure that's the signature look of scalloped potatoes. Russet potatoes make the creamiest sauce. Yukon Golds hold their shape a little better. You won't go wrong with either choice.

I don't recommend soaking the potatoes in water ahead of time for our potatoes au gratin (as some recipes call for). Soaking them will cause them to lose some of their starch, which helps to keep this dish creamy.