Is there anything more comforting than cheesy potatoes? I think not! Such simple, warming comfort food with very little effort. This Easy Cheesy Potato Bake is easy to adapt and the whole family will love it. A delicious main with chunks of bread, or the perfect fuss free side dish.
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This potato bake really couldn't be any easier. Chunks of delicious tender potatoes mixed into an indulgent mustardy cheese sauce with leeks and baked to crispy perfection. The BEST creamy potato recipe!
The perfect potato side dish - kind of like scalloped potatoes, but without having to go to the effort of thinly slicing them. These baked cheesy potatoes take less than 10 minutes prep time.
Looking for more easy potato recipes? Why not try our no waste Air Fryer Potato Peel Crisps, quick Microwave Sweet Potatoes or our convenient Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes?
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Cheesy Potato Bake Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Potatoes - We used rooster potatoes, which are a great all-rounder potato that are perfect for boiling, baking, mashing and roasting. We find that rooster potatoes keep their shape well and with their buttery texture they are really tender once baked.
- Cheese - You can use any cheese that melts well, but we used a mature cheddar for these cheesy baked potatoes. Using a mature cheddar means it has a stronger flavour, so you can use less of it.
- Leek - This goes so well with the cheese sauce and adds a nice green boost. You could just use a brown onion instead.
- Spring onions (scallions) - You can leave these out, but they give it a nice flavour.
- Milk, butter, flour - This is the base of the cheese sauce. You could use a store bought sauce, but it is so easy to make your own.
- Mustard - We used English mustard and it adds a nice flavour to this perfect potato bake. You can leave it out, or use a milder wholegrain mustard.
Variations
We kept it simple and let the potatoes and cheese sauce shine in this potato bake recipe. But, we also fried up some leeks as they go really well with the cheese sauce and sliced up some spring onions (scallions) and mixed it into the cheese sauce for a lovely subtle onion and leek flavour.
But, there are loads of options here when it comes to what vegetables you can add to it. You can fry up some shallots, mushrooms and courgettes (zucchini) or even stir some frozen peas and sweetcorn into the cheese sauce before mixing it into the potatoes. Give the whole dish a green veggie boost by mixing some spinach in.
Why not try frying up some diced chicken breast or bacon and stirring it in before baking? You could even go for something really indulgent and add chopped fried chorizo.
How To Make an Easy Potato Bake
Prep: Pre-heat your oven to 220°C/200°C(fan)/425°F/Gas 7.
- Step one: Par-boil the potatoes for 4 minutes.
- Step two: Combine the milk, butter and flour and heat on low until it thickens, about 5 minutes, whisking continuously.
- Step three: Add the cheddar, mustard, thyme, salt and pepper. Continue to heat and gently whisk, until the cheese has melted.
- Step four: Meanwhile, melt some butter in a pan and gently cook the leeks and spring onions (scallions) for 3-4 minutes, or until softened.
- Step five: Put the potatoes into a large baking dish.
- Step six: Add the leeks and onions.
- Step seven: Pour over the cheese sauce and mix well.
- Step eight: Cover with the mozzarella.
- Step nine: Bake the cheesy potato bake for 40 minutes.
Cheese and Potato Bake Serving Suggestions
This is far from the healthiest dish we have ever posted on here. Let's face it, it is totally indulgent! So, we like to serve it with some lean protein, and plenty of veggies. Here are some of our mains and sides that go perfectly with this cheesy potato bake:
Dannii's Top Tips
- If you want to make these cheese baked potatoes really indulgent, then add a splash of cream to the cheese sauce once it has thickened.
- Make sure the potatoes are all cut to the same size, so they cook evenly.
- If you wanted to add some other herbs to this, you could chop up some fresh rosemary and mix it into the potatoes. You can also sprinkle it with some fresh parsley before serving for presentation.
- Let the cheese potato bake rest for 5-10 minutes when it comes out of the oven, as it will be really hot.
- You can add a pinch of paprika to the cheese sauce for a little smoky flavour.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, there is absolutely no need to peel the potatoes in this potato bake recipe, and it will save you lots of time by not bothering. Plus, you get all the added fibre from the skins.
You cheese sauce can split if the oven temperature was too high or if it was baked too long. You will still be able to eat it and it will be delicious, it just won't look as presentable.
Leftovers of this are very rare in our house. However, if you do find yourself with leftovers of this, then you can portion it out and store in air tight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
It is best to reheat this potato bake in the oven and it will take about 20 minutes. It can also be reheated in the microwave too and it will take 2-3 minutes. Make sure it is heated through thoroughly before serving.
Yes, you can definitely make this in advance. Just let the potatoes and cheese sauce cool, then you can mix it all together, put it in a dish and cover with foil and it will keep in the fridge for 2 days.
More Potato Recipes
If you've tried this creamy potato bake recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Easy Cheesy Potato Bake
Ingredients
- 800 g (1.75 lb) of Potato - peeled and chopped into 1 inch cubes
- 100 g (1 cups) of Mozzarella - grated
- 120 g (1 cups) of Cheddar cheese - grated
- 130 g (1.5 cups) of Leek - sliced
- 6 Spring onion (Scallion) - chopped
- 4 tablespoons (0.25 cups) of Plain flour
- 1 teaspoon of English mustard
- 50 g (0.25 cups) of Butter - for the sauce
- 1 tablespoon of Butter - for the vegetables
- 500 ml (2 cups) of Whole milk
- 10 g (0.25 cups) of Fresh thyme
- 1 pinch of Fine sea salt and ground black pepper
Instructions
- Pre-heat your oven to 220°C/200°C(fan)/425°F/Gas 7. Par-boil 800 g of Potato for 4 minutes.
- Combine 500 ml of Whole milk, 50 g of Butter and 4 tablespoons of Plain flour and heat on low until it thickens, about 5 minutes, whisking continuously.
- Add 120 g of Cheddar cheese, 1 tsp of English mustard, 10 g of Fresh thyme and 1 pinch of Fine sea salt and ground black pepper. Continue to heat and gently whisk, until the cheese has melted.
- Meanwhile, melt 1 tbsp of Butter in a pan and gently cook 130 g of Leek and 6 Spring onion (Scallion) for 3-4 minutes, or until softened.
- Put the potatoes in a large baking dish, add the leeks and onions and cover in the cheese sauce. Mix well and cover with 100 g of Mozzarella.
- Bake in the oven for 40 minutes.
Recipe Tips
- If you want to make these cheese baked potatoes really indulgent, then add a splash of cream to the cheese sauce once it has thickened.
- Make sure the potatoes are all cut to the same size, so they cook evenly.
- If you wanted to add some other herbs to this, you could chop up some fresh rosemary and mix it into the potatoes. You can also sprinkle it with some fresh parsley before serving for presentation.
- Let the cheese potato bake rest for 5-10 minutes when it comes out of the oven, as it will be really hot.
- You can add a pinch of paprika to the cheese sauce for a little smoky flavour.
Nutritional Information
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The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Claudia Lamascolo says
this was perfect tonight with our ribeyes will make it again
Dannii says
What a delicious combination!
Jovita says
This potato bake was AMAZING. I love the cheddar sauce with mustard. YUM!
Claudia Lamascolo says
Everyone loves this potato recipe, the kids ask for it everytime I want to know what kind of potatoes to make this is my go to recipe.
Kushigalu says
Love cheesy potatoes. Cant wiat to try this recipe. So delicious.
Jess says
My family devours this every single time I make it. So good!
Katherine says
I love that these are a simplified version of scalloped potatoes - but with mustard and leeks! Yum.
veenaazmanov says
Potatoes are always special and these cheesy potatoes are super tasty and best for a festive occasion too.
Amanda Wren-Grimwood says
I love a good potato bake and I really like the idea of cubed potatoes for a different texture and less work too!
Eileen Kelly says
My family is nuts for potatoes and I need to change things up. This delicious recipe was just what we needed. It is loaded with flavor and a big hit with everyone.
rika says
This looks so delicious! I love anything cheesy, the perfect comfort food.
Traci says
Easy, delicious and you kind of had me a easy cheesy LOL. Everyone loves this dish. Thanks for sharing!
Angela says
Potatoes in any form are a crowd pleaser at my house. The cheese sauce is delicious!
Tara says
Oooh, these potatoes look amazing. Love all that cheese. Definitely the perfect side for the holidays too.