Description
Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes made with smooth plant-based cheese, smoky smoked turkey bacon, and a natural gelling agent combine to create a creamy, flavorful, and comforting side dish perfect for any occasion. Thinly sliced potatoes layered with a rich cheese sauce and baked until golden, this recipe balances indulgence and simplicity with easily accessible ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 4 cups thinly sliced potatoes (about 4 medium potatoes)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- Optional: 1 cup thinly sliced zucchini or mushrooms (for variation)
Dairy and Protein
- 1 cup plant-based cheese, shredded
- 6 slices smoked turkey bacon, chopped
- 2 tablespoons plant-based butter
Sauce and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon natural gelling agent (such as pectin or agar)
- 2 cups plant-based milk
- 1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
Instructions
- Prepare the potatoes and aromatics: Wash and peel the potatoes, then slice them thinly and evenly to ensure fast cooking and creamy texture. Finely chop the onion and mince the garlic cloves.
- Cook the smoked turkey bacon and aromatics: In a skillet, sauté the smoked turkey bacon in plant-based butter over medium heat until crispy and fragrant. Remove the bacon pieces and set aside. Use the rendered fat in the skillet to soften the onions and garlic until translucent and aromatic.
- Make the creamy cheese sauce: In a saucepan, whisk together flour and natural gelling agent. Gradually pour in plant-based milk while stirring continuously until the mixture thickens. Stir in the plant-based cheese and vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), followed by apple cider vinegar. Season with salt, pepper, and fresh thyme, then remove from heat.
- Layer your casserole: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a baking dish, arrange half of the sliced potatoes in an even layer. Pour half of the cheese sauce over the potatoes and sprinkle half of the crispy smoked turkey bacon on top. Repeat the layers with the remaining potatoes, cheese sauce, and bacon.
- Bake until golden and bubbly: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-25 minutes or until the top is golden brown and potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork. Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the layers to set.
Notes
- Use uniform potato slices achieved with a mandoline slicer for consistent cooking.
- Allow the casserole to cool slightly after baking for cleaner slices and better texture.
- Overlap potatoes slightly when layering to ensure every bite is coated with creamy sauce.
- Mix different plant-based cheeses for a more complex flavor.
- Cover the dish with foil during the first 30 minutes of baking to prevent over-browning.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: scalloped potatoes, cheesy potatoes, plant-based cheese, smoked turkey bacon, creamy side dish, plant-based, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), baked potatoes
