Take Scalloped Potatoes To The Next Level By Adding Unique Ingredients

Scalloped potatoes are a side that can be as delicious as they are elegant, but what if you want to kick them up and add big flavor? That's the question Foodie posed to Andrew "Kappy" Kaplan, host of the Beyond the Plate podcast, and Foundation for Fresh Produce Have A Plant ambassador. Whether or not you store your potatoes in a cardboard box before cutting them up may not matter for scalloped potatoes, but Kaplan clarified that cheese is generally a no-no if you want to get technical. "While some modern versions include it, adding cheese essentially turns them into au gratin potatoes," he clarifies. "Now that we've cleared that up, let's talk about ways to elevate the dish."

Kaplan feels that there are two essential directions that you can go when zhuzhing up scalloped potatoes, a dichotomy he breaks down into "a safe route and a 'ohhh, that sounds goooood' fun route." To be specific, Kaplan is talking about the scalloped potatoes that you slice with a mandoline and make from scratch at home, although he doesn't see any reason why you couldn't apply his hacks to boxed scalloped potatoes. One direction involves fresh herbs and is very classic, while the other goes straight for wacky deliciousness with crushed snack crisps.

"The safe route includes infusing the liquid or sauce with fresh herb sprigs like rosemary or thyme before adding it to the dish," Kaplan tells us — obviously, make sure you ditch any twiggy stems before serving! Making a bouquet of your herbs is an eye-catching way to keep them fresh if you need to hold them over for a few days after grocery shopping. Like so many home chefs, Kaplan also loves bacon and mentions that adding it to scalloped potatoes adds a meaty, umami undertone to the dish. Alternatively, "finely sliced chives make a great finishing touch, adding a mild onion flavor and a pop of color."

If you came here wondering what the "fun" route for dressing up scalloped potatoes is, turn to your snack drawer for a hint. Kaplan spills that he enjoys the novelty of crushed-up Funyuns or Cheetos sprinkled over the top of your casserole dish after the potatoes emerge from the oven. "[T]alk about a conversation starter!" he enthuses. He also likes the spicy kick of Flamin' Hot Cheetos for maximum impact, but you can feel free to let your imagination run wild. You obviously can't use something like the long-discontinued Cheetos Twisted Puffs, but we're pretty intrigued by the thought of White Cheddar if you want some ideas.