Scalloped Potatoes with Leeks and Thyme
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Delectable Scalloped Potatoes made with cream, leeks, garlic, and thyme is a savory side dish perfect for any occasion, especially the holidays.
Sometimes when we make certain dishes that knock our socks off, we’re like, “If we had a restaurant, this would definitely go on the menu.” Do you ever do that? This Scalloped Potatoes with Leeks and Thyme is one of those dishes. Out of this world is what this is.
Easy Scalloped Potatoes
In my opinion, this potato side dish is the perfect combination of potatoes, cream, butter with leek, thyme, garlic, salt, and pepper to round out the savory combo. It is the quintessential scalloped potato recipe.
These potatoes are similar to a Gratin Dauphinois, as there is no cheese present and it is prepared with uncooked thinly sliced potatoes that are cooked over a long period of time. Totally scrumptious! I’ve always loved the flavor combination of potato and leeks. Add a touch of garlic and thyme, and these Scalloped Potatoes become irresistible.
Step by step instructions
These scalloped potatoes come together quickly and easily.
- In a medium saucepan that has been preheated, add butter and leeks. Stir those until softened, then add garlic, thyme followed by the milk, heavy cream, salt, and pepper. Boil the mixture for 5 minutes or until it is slightly thickened.
- Add the potatoes and transfer everything to a baking dish coated in butter. Bake in the preheated oven for around 1 hour at 350-degrees F.
What to serve with Scalloped Potatoes
Whether serving beef, pork, or poultry, these potatoes are the perfect accompaniment for any special meal. I love serving them with my Chicken Breasts with Mushroom Cream, Glazed Baby Pork Ribs, or Roasted Turkey. Or if you’re eating meatless or a potato addict like me, serve this along with a tossed green salad or a tasty kale salad such as this Garlicky Orange Kale Salad for a mighty fine meal indeed.
More delicious potato recipes that you will enjoy:
- Quick Baked Potatoes
- Texas Style New Potato Salad Recipe
- Perfect Potato Soup Recipe
- Twice Baked Potatoes Gluten Free
This recipe was originally published back in December of 2009 when I didn’t know much about taking pictures of food. However, I decided it was time for a bit of updating and well worth a reintroduction so you can enjoy this delectable side dish too! Although the recipe has been slightly tweaked since 2009, it is as delicious as ever.
Scalloped Potatoes with Leeks and Thyme Recipe
Scalloped Potatoes with Leeks and Thyme Recipe
Thinly sliced potatoes cooked with cream, leeks, thyme, and garlic for a delicious savory side dish.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter plus more for baking dish
- 1 cup finely chopped leeks (if needed, sweet onion may be substituted)
- 2 cloves garlic, grated/minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 1/2 pounds yellow/golden potatoes, peeled and sliced thin
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350-degrees F. Coat an 8x8-inch (or approximate) baking dish with butter.
- Heat a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add butter. When butter has melted, add leeks; cook, stirring for 2 minutes.
- Add garlic, thyme, continue to cook, stirring for 30 seconds.
- Stir in milk, heavy cream, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, lower heat to a simmer, cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture has slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.
- Add potatoes; stir to coat potatoes. Transfer mixture to prepared dish, spreading potatoes evenly in dish.
- Bake until potatoes are done, lightly brown and bubbly, about 1 hour. If time permits, baste potatoes with sauce halfway through cooking. Let cool slightly before serving.
Originally published December 22, 2009.
Oh, wouldn’t that be good with steak for New Years instead of the usual baked potato. Maybe a little grated cheese melted on top.
I love scalloped potatoes! My grandma always made them for Christmas Eve. Since she passed away in April, I’ll be making them this year!
What a great idea! This will make the perfect side dish to my beef tenderloin… though I doubt the leaks in the grocery store will be as tasty as your home grown ones.
Hi amy. Tried scalloped potatoes for the first time. I made the mistake of putting some of the sliced potatoes on top instead of mixing them in. But it tasted good. Too bland for my husbands spicy palate though. Am thinking of blending leftovers with veg stock for a soup.
Will def make it again following yr recipe exactly. Thank u for such a simple recipe. Rameela
Yummy, will definitely try making this potatoes.
Your recipe looks wonderful! And I wish I could grow leeks in my garden! They are so expensive in the stores here. But so tasty in a dish like this.
YUMMO! : )
This might just make it on our Christmas menu. We were having roasted rosemary red potatoes, but this looks sooooo YUMMY!! I love leeks. I might have to grow them next year.
Potatoes and leeks go so well together, I love this dish! Have a great new year!
oh i love this. i love red potatoes. lucky u! i didnt get to make my garden this year. tomatoes just dont taste the smae from the store
How long should the potato/milk combo simmer?
Pinned. I love leeks and thyme. This year I planted leeks in the garden and of course there is always thyme in the herb garden. Our potatoes should be ready soon and then I’m going to make this and I’m sure I’ll love it.
This looks yummy! Could you elaborate on the basting step please?
What I mean by basting is to (carefully) slide out the oven rack and take a basting/pastry brush to dab the tops of the potatoes with the cream sauce. You could also use a spoon to spoon it over. Just be careful! I only do it once in the last 10-15 minutes of cooking.
I could probably eat scalloped potatoes every day! Love the addition of the leeks!
This is a keeper, the very best scalloped potatoes recipe I’ve ever found. The time it takes is well worth it, everyone wanted the recipe and ate every bite. I doubled the recipe to serve 10, without a problem. I made it ahead, kept it refrigerated then brought to room temp. and reheated before serving. It truly was the star of my Christmas dinner.
I’m so happy to hear that, Lydia! It is certainly one of my very favorite recipes.
I will definitely be making this, it sounds delicious, as I am in Australia, changing it to metric was straight forward for this recipe.
Do you think if you made this and portioned it up you could freeze them? It’s just there is only one of me and I love potatoes! 🙂
Yummm!
Thanks! I made this for a church potluck using leeks from our farm box. i also got to use up the heavy cream in our fridge. Very yummy.
This potato side dish is the ideal mix of potatoes with cream really delicious!
Thank you for this wonderful recipe, Amy! I loved it, as did my guests for our After-Christmas Dinner bash last night for our Elks Lodge, and our members couldn’t stop raving about it. I had made 2 huge trays of it, and your recipe has been shared with 180 people. Thank you!!!!