Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes (Printable Version)

# What You'll Need:

→ Potatoes

01 - 900 grams Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced (3 mm thickness)

→ Sauce

02 - 60 grams unsalted butter
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 30 grams all-purpose flour
05 - 500 milliliters whole milk
06 - 250 milliliters heavy cream
07 - 5 grams salt
08 - 2 grams black pepper

→ Cheese

09 - 200 grams sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated

→ Garnish

10 - Fresh thyme or parsley, for garnish (optional)

# Step-by-Step Directions:

01 - Peel and slice the potatoes uniformly to approximately 3 mm thickness using a mandoline or sharp knife to ensure even cooking and creamy texture.
02 - Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux. Gradually whisk in milk and cream, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens. Season with salt and pepper.
03 - In an oven-safe 23x33 cm casserole dish, layer sliced potatoes evenly. Pour a portion of the cream sauce over the potatoes, then sprinkle with grated cheddar cheese. Repeat layering until all ingredients are used, finishing with a top layer of cheddar cheese.
04 - Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in a preheated oven at 190°C for 45 minutes to steam the potatoes and infuse flavors.
05 - Remove the foil and continue baking uncovered for an additional 25-30 minutes until the surface is golden brown and bubbly.
06 - Allow the dish to rest at room temperature for 10 minutes to thicken the sauce and facilitate clean slicing.

# Helpful Notes:

01 - To maintain sauce stability and prevent curdling, avoid high heat during sauce preparation and use a combination of whole milk and cream.
02 - For a gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch.