French Onion Scalloped Potatoes
French Onion Scalloped Potatoes – Easy Cheesy Potato Casserole
These French Onion Scalloped Potatoes are buttery, cheesy, tender, and loaded with delicious French onion flavor! Made with thinly sliced potatoes, sweet buttery onions, Lipton French Onion Soup Mix, Parmesan cheese, and melted white cheddar, this easy potato casserole is the ultimate comfort food.
If you love French onion soup and homemade scalloped potatoes, you’re going to love this delicious combination!
The secret to these flavorful potatoes is the rich onion mixture layered right between the thinly sliced potatoes. The onions are cooked in butter with French onion soup mix and water until soft and flavorful, creating a delicious savory sauce that soaks into the potatoes as they bake.
Then everything is topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and plenty of white cheddar cheese, creating a golden, bubbly, cheesy topping that’s absolutely irresistible.
These French Onion Scalloped Potatoes are perfect for Sunday dinners, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, potlucks, and cozy family meals.
They’re especially delicious served alongside roasted chicken, ham, steak, or a juicy pot roast.
And the best part? You only need a handful of simple ingredients to make a potato side dish that tastes like something you’d order at a restaurant!
Why You’ll Love These French Onion Scalloped Potatoes
- Packed with French onion flavor: Buttery onions and French onion soup mix give every bite a wonderful savory flavor.
- Tender, delicious potatoes: Thinly sliced potatoes bake until soft and flavorful.
- Two kinds of cheese: Parmesan and white cheddar create a rich, golden topping.
- Easy to prepare: Simple ingredients and an easy layering method.
- Perfect holiday side dish: A wonderful addition to Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter dinners.
- Budget-friendly: Made with potatoes, onions, butter, and pantry seasonings.
- Comfort food favorite: Warm, cheesy potatoes are always a delicious addition to dinner.
Ingredients for French Onion Scalloped Potatoes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 65–80 minutes
Total Time: Approximately 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings: 6–8
Ingredients
- 3 pounds Yukon Gold or russet potatoes
- 2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 4 Tablespoons butter
- 1 envelope (1 ounce) Lipton Recipe Secrets Onion Soup Mix
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, optional
- 1 cup freshly shredded white cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 Tablespoon butter, for greasing the baking dish
- Fresh parsley, optional, for garnish
How to Make French Onion Scalloped Potatoes
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F.
Lightly butter a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Set aside while you prepare the potatoes and onion mixture.
Step 2: Cook the Onions in Butter
Place a large skillet over medium heat.
Add 4 Tablespoons of butter and allow it to melt.
Add the thinly sliced onions and cook for approximately 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions soften and begin turning golden.
The butter gives the onions a wonderful rich flavor, while cooking them first helps bring out their natural sweetness.
Step 3: Add the French Onion Soup Mix
Sprinkle the Lipton French Onion Soup Mix over the softened onions.
Pour in 1 cup of water and stir everything together.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and allow the onion mixture to simmer for approximately 3–5 minutes.
The soup mix will blend with the butter, water, and onions to create a delicious savory sauce.
Remove the skillet from the heat.
Step 4: Peel and Slice the Potatoes
Peel the potatoes and slice them into thin, even rounds, approximately 1/8 inch thick.
A mandoline slicer works beautifully for this, but you can also use a sharp knife.
Try to keep the slices the same thickness so they bake evenly.
You want thin slices that will become tender as they absorb the buttery French onion mixture.
Step 5: Layer the First Half of the Potatoes
Arrange approximately half of the sliced potatoes in the prepared baking dish.
Overlap the slices slightly, creating an even layer across the bottom.
Sprinkle lightly with black pepper, garlic powder, and a small amount of garlic salt.
Be careful not to add too much salt, because the French onion soup mix and cheese already contain salt.
Step 6: Add the Buttery French Onion Mixture
Spoon the warm onion mixture evenly over the first layer of potatoes.
Make sure to spread the softened onions throughout the middle of the casserole.
Pour the buttery French onion liquid over the potatoes as well.
This is what gives the scalloped potatoes their delicious French onion flavor!
As the casserole bakes, the potatoes will absorb the savory onion mixture and become wonderfully tender.
Step 7: Add the Remaining Potatoes
Arrange the remaining sliced potatoes over the French onion mixture.
Overlap the potato slices to create a beautiful top layer.
Sprinkle with the remaining garlic powder, black pepper, and a little garlic salt, if desired.
Press the potatoes down gently so the layers sit evenly in the baking dish.
Step 8: Cover and Bake
Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.
Place it in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 45–55 minutes.
The covered baking time allows the potatoes to steam and soften in the buttery onion mixture.
Carefully remove the foil and test the center of the casserole with a fork or thin knife.
The potatoes should be nearly tender before adding the cheese.
If they’re still firm, cover and continue baking for another 10–15 minutes.
Step 9: Add the Parmesan and White Cheddar
Once the potatoes are nearly fork-tender, remove the aluminum foil.
Sprinkle the freshly grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the potatoes.
Add the shredded white cheddar cheese on top.
Make sure to cover the potatoes with a generous layer of cheese for that beautiful golden, bubbly finish.
Step 10: Bake Until Golden and Bubbly
Return the uncovered baking dish to the oven.
Bake for another 15–20 minutes, or until the potatoes are completely tender and the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
For an extra-golden cheese topping, you can broil the casserole for approximately 1–2 minutes at the end.
Watch carefully so the cheese doesn’t burn.
Step 11: Let Rest and Serve
Remove the French Onion Scalloped Potatoes from the oven.
Allow the casserole to rest for approximately 10–15 minutes before serving.
This helps the potatoes absorb some of the remaining buttery onion sauce and allows the layers to settle.
Sprinkle with fresh parsley if desired.
Serve warm and enjoy!
Jennie’s Thoughts
I absolutely love making homemade potato side dishes, especially when they’re buttery, cheesy, and full of flavor!
And these French Onion Scalloped Potatoes are such a delicious twist on traditional scalloped potatoes.
I wanted to make something that had all the wonderful flavors of French onion soup, but with tender sliced potatoes and a delicious cheesy topping.
So I started by cooking sliced onions in butter in a skillet.
Then I added Lipton French Onion Soup Mix and water, and let everything cook together until the onions were soft and the mixture had a wonderful savory flavor.
And let me tell you, that buttery onion mixture smelled absolutely delicious!
Next, I peeled my potatoes and sliced them nice and thin.
I arranged a layer of potatoes in my baking dish, then poured the buttery French onion mixture right into the middle.
I love layering the onions between the potatoes because it gives the entire casserole so much flavor.
Then I piled more sliced potatoes on top and seasoned everything with salt, pepper, garlic salt, and a little garlic powder.
And, of course, I had to add cheese!
I sprinkled Parmesan cheese over the top and finished everything with shredded white cheddar.
The combination of Parmesan and white cheddar is just wonderful with the French onion flavor.
As the potatoes bake, they become tender and soak up all that buttery onion goodness.
And the cheese on top melts into a beautiful golden layer that’s absolutely irresistible.
These potatoes are delicious with roast beef, chicken, pork chops, or ham.
I especially love them for holiday dinners because they’re easy to prepare, look beautiful on the table, and go with just about anything.
If you love cheesy potatoes and French onion recipes, I think you’re going to love these!
Tips for the Best French Onion Scalloped Potatoes
Slice the potatoes thinly. Approximately 1/8-inch slices work best. Thick potato slices will take longer to cook.
Cook the onions first. Softening the onions in butter gives them a wonderful flavor and texture.
Use the onion cooking liquid. Don’t drain the onion mixture! That buttery, seasoned liquid helps the potatoes cook and adds delicious flavor.
Layer the onions in the middle. This helps distribute the French onion flavor throughout the casserole.
Cover the potatoes while baking. The foil traps moisture and helps the potatoes become tender.
Add the cheese toward the end. This keeps the cheese from overbrowning before the potatoes finish cooking.
Use freshly shredded cheese. White cheddar and Parmesan melt beautifully and create a delicious topping.
Be careful with extra salt. French onion soup mix contains plenty of seasoning, so taste and adjust carefully.
Let the casserole rest. Resting helps the layers settle and makes the potatoes easier to serve.
What Kind of Potatoes Are Best for Scalloped Potatoes?
I recommend using Yukon Gold or russet potatoes for this recipe.
Yukon Gold Potatoes
Yukon Gold potatoes have a naturally buttery flavor and a creamy texture.
They hold their shape well when sliced thinly and baked, making them an excellent choice for scalloped potatoes.
Russet Potatoes
Russet potatoes contain more starch, which helps create a softer texture and can slightly thicken the buttery onion sauce as the casserole bakes.
Both varieties work beautifully, so use whichever you prefer.
Delicious French Onion Scalloped Potato Variations
Creamy French Onion Scalloped Potatoes
For a richer, creamier version, add 3/4 cup of heavy cream to the onion mixture before layering it between the potatoes. Reduce the water to 1/2 cup.
This creates a creamier sauce while keeping the delicious French onion flavor.
French Onion Scalloped Potatoes with Gruyère
Replace half of the white cheddar cheese with shredded Gruyère cheese.
Gruyère is a classic cheese used in French onion soup and gives the casserole a wonderful nutty flavor.
French Onion Scalloped Potatoes with Bacon
Add 1/2 cup of cooked, crumbled bacon between the potato layers for a smoky, savory variation.
Garlic Butter French Onion Potatoes
Add 3 cloves of minced garlic to the skillet during the final minute of cooking the onions for extra garlic flavor.
French Onion Scalloped Potatoes with Mushrooms
Sauté 1 cup of sliced mushrooms with the onions before adding the soup mix and water.
Extra Cheesy French Onion Potatoes
Increase the white cheddar to 1 1/2 cups and add a little extra Parmesan for an especially cheesy topping.
What to Serve with French Onion Scalloped Potatoes
These cheesy French onion potatoes are the perfect side dish for so many delicious dinners!
Some of my favorite ideas include:
- Mississippi Pot Roast
- Oven-Roasted Chicken
- Honey Glazed Ham
- Garlic Butter Steak
- Pork Chops
- French Onion Meatloaf
- Slow Cooker Beef Roast
- Roast Turkey
- BBQ Chicken
- Salisbury Steak
They’re also wonderful alongside green beans, roasted carrots, asparagus, or a fresh garden salad.
Can You Make French Onion Scalloped Potatoes Ahead of Time?
Yes!
For the best results, prepare and bake the casserole until the potatoes are tender, then allow it to cool.
Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
When you’re ready to serve, cover the casserole with foil and reheat in a 350°F oven until heated through.
Remove the foil during the final 10–15 minutes to refresh the cheesy topping.
If preparing ahead, avoid leaving raw sliced potatoes sitting uncovered, because they can discolor.
How to Store Leftover Scalloped Potatoes
Allow the potatoes to cool slightly, then transfer leftovers to an airtight container.
Store in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
To reheat, place the potatoes in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and warm in a 350°F oven until heated through.
You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave.
Add a small splash of water or broth if the potatoes seem dry.
Can You Freeze French Onion Scalloped Potatoes?
You can freeze the baked casserole, although the texture of the potatoes may change slightly after thawing.
Allow the casserole to cool completely.
Wrap tightly or transfer portions to freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 2 months for the best quality.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
For the best flavor and texture, I recommend enjoying these potatoes fresh.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are French Onion Scalloped Potatoes?
French Onion Scalloped Potatoes are a delicious variation of traditional scalloped potatoes made with thinly sliced potatoes, buttery onions, French onion seasoning, and melted cheese.
Can I Use Lipton French Onion Soup Mix?
Absolutely! Lipton Recipe Secrets Onion Soup Mix is an easy way to add delicious savory onion flavor to this potato casserole.
Do I Need Heavy Cream?
No! This version uses butter, onions, water, and French onion soup mix to create a flavorful cooking liquid. The potatoes bake until tender and are finished with Parmesan and white cheddar cheese.
For a creamier variation, you can add heavy cream.
Can I Use White Cheddar Cheese?
Yes! White cheddar is delicious with the buttery onions and potatoes. It melts beautifully and creates a rich, cheesy topping.
Can I Use Regular Cheddar Instead?
Absolutely! Yellow sharp cheddar works just as well if you don’t have white cheddar.
How Thin Should I Slice the Potatoes?
Slice the potatoes approximately 1/8 inch thick. A mandoline slicer makes this easy and helps keep the slices uniform.
Why Are My Scalloped Potatoes Still Hard?
The potatoes may have been sliced too thick, or they may need more covered baking time.
Continue baking with the foil in place until a fork or thin knife slides easily through the center.
Should I Cover Scalloped Potatoes While Baking?
Yes. Covering the casserole during the first part of baking traps moisture and helps the potatoes cook evenly.
Remove the foil toward the end so the cheese can melt and become golden.
Can I Add More Cheese?
Definitely! Gruyère, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or additional white cheddar are all delicious options.
More Easy Potato Recipes You’ll Love
If you love these French Onion Scalloped Potatoes, be sure to try more delicious potato side dishes like:
- Cheesy Potato Gratin
- Crockpot Scalloped Potatoes
- Loaded Baked Potato Casserole
- Garlic Parmesan Roasted Potatoes
- Oven-Baked Potatoes
- Crockpot Baked Potatoes
- Creamy Mashed Potatoes
- French Onion Roasted Potatoes
- Cheesy Ranch Potatoes
- Garlic Butter Baby Potatoes
Final Thoughts
These French Onion Scalloped Potatoes are an easy, cheesy, and delicious side dish that’s perfect for family dinners, holidays, and special occasions.
With tender layers of thinly sliced potatoes, buttery French onions, savory Lipton Onion Soup Mix, Parmesan cheese, and melted white cheddar, every bite is packed with wonderful flavor.
I especially love the way the onion mixture is layered right in the middle of the potatoes, allowing all that delicious buttery French onion flavor to soak into the casserole as it bakes.
And the golden, cheesy topping makes these potatoes even more irresistible!
Whether you’re serving them with roasted chicken, ham, steak, or your favorite Sunday dinner, these French Onion Scalloped Potatoes are sure to become a family favorite.
Save this delicious French Onion Scalloped Potatoes recipe for later!
