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Hungry Healthy Happy » Recipes » Potatoes

Easy Cheesy Potato Bake

Updated: Jul 1, 2024 · Published: Dec 3, 2020 · Written by Dannii Martin · This post may contain affiliate links which earn us commissions if purchases are made · 16 Comments

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Diet: Vegetarian
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Easy cheese potato bake with a text title overlay.

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.

A baking dish full of potato bake next to a plate of more bake.

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?

Jump to:
  • Cheesy Potato Bake Ingredients and Substitutions
  • Variations
  • How To Make an Easy Potato Bake - Step By Step
  • Cheese and Potato Bake Serving Suggestions
  • Extra Tips
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • More Potato Recipes
  • Recipe
  • Feedback

Cheesy Potato Bake Ingredients and Substitutions

All the ingredients needed to make this recipe, each with a text overlay label.

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 - Step By Step

Prep: Pre-heat your oven to 220°C/200°C(fan)/425°F/Gas 7.

A saucepan full of chopped potatoes.
  1. Step one: Par-boil the potatoes for 4 minutes.
Flour, milk and butter in a saucepan.
  1. Step two: Combine the milk, butter and flour and heat on low until it thickens, about 5 minutes, whisking continuously.
Cheese, mustard and thyme leaves added to the pan.
  1. Step three: Add the cheddar, mustard, thyme, salt and pepper. Continue to heat and gently whisk, until the cheese has melted.
Sliced leeks cooking in a pan.
  1. 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.
Cooked chopped potatoes in a rectangular baking dish.
  1. Step five: Put the potatoes into a large baking dish.
Cooked onions and leeks added to the potatoes.
  1. Step six: Add the leeks and onions.
Cheese sauce poured over the potatoes, leeks and onions.
  1. Step seven: Pour over the cheese sauce and mix well.
Grated mozzarella covering everything in the dish.
  1. Step eight: Cover with the mozzarella.
Browned, melted cheese on top of a potato bake.
  1. 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:

  • Slow Cooker Sausage Casserole
  • Honey Mustard Salmon
  • Roasted Lemon Asparagus
  • Slow Cooker Whole Chicken
  • Stuffed Chicken Breast
  • Baked Carrot Fries
  • Creamy Dill Salmon
A spoon lifting out some cooked potatoes from the baking dish.

Extra 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.
A plate of cheesy potatoes next to a striped towel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have to peel the potatoes?

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.

What happens if the cheese sauce splits?

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.

How to store cheesy potato bake.

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.

How to reheat a cheesy potato bake.

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.

Can I make this cheesy potato bake in advance?

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

  • A bowl of Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes with sprigs of rosemary on top.
    Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
  • Four stuffed baked potatoes on a wooden serving board
    Tuna Stuffed Baked Potato
  • Roasted Sweet Potato Salad in a bowl next to some lemons and a yellow towel
    Roasted Sweet Potato Salad
  • Roasted New Potatoes in a round bowl.
    Roasted New Potatoes

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

A tray of easy cheesy potato bake with a portion spooned out.

Easy Cheesy Potato Bake

By: Dannii Martin
This Easy Cheesy Potato Bake is easy to adapt and the whole family will love it. A delicious main with chunks of bread, of the perfect fuss free side dish.
An illustration of a v-shaped plant.
Vegetarian
4.96 from 21 votes
Pin Print Save recipe Saved!
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: British
Prep: 10 minutes mins
Cook: 50 minutes mins
Total: 1 hour hr
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 241kcal
Allergens:
An illustration of a carton of milk.
Dairy
An illustration of two ears of wheat.
Gluten
An illustration of a mustard bottle.
Mustard

Ingredients

  • 800 g (1.75 lb) Potato - peeled and chopped into 1 inch cubes
  • 100 g (1 cups) Mozzarella - grated
  • 120 g (1 cups) Cheddar cheese - grated
  • 130 g (1.5 cups) Leek - sliced
  • 6 Spring onion (Scallion) - chopped
  • 4 tablespoon (0.25 cups) Plain flour
  • 1 teaspoon English mustard
  • 50 g (0.25 cups) Butter - for the sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Butter - for the vegetables
  • 500 ml (2 cups) Whole milk
  • 10 g (0.25 cups) Fresh thyme
  • 1 pinch 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 Potato for 4 minutes.
  • Combine 500 ml Whole milk, 50 g Butter and 4 tablespoon Plain flour and heat on low until it thickens, about 5 minutes, whisking continuously.
  • Add 120 g Cheddar cheese, 1 teaspoon English mustard, 10 g Fresh thyme and 1 pinch Sea salt and ground black pepper. Continue to heat and gently whisk, until the cheese has melted.
  • Meanwhile, melt 1 tablespoon Butter in a pan and gently cook 130 g 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 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

Serving: 1portion | Calories: 241kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 265mg | Potassium: 597mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 879IU | Vitamin C: 23mg | Calcium: 277mg | Iron: 2mg

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.

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Comments

  1. Claudia Lamascolo says

    February 07, 2021 at 9:19 pm

    5 stars
    this was perfect tonight with our ribeyes will make it again

    Reply
    • Dannii says

      February 08, 2021 at 9:33 am

      What a delicious combination!

      Reply
  2. Jovita says

    January 31, 2021 at 1:35 pm

    5 stars
    This potato bake looks AMAZING. I love the cheddar sauce with mustard. YUM!

    Reply
  3. Kechi says

    January 31, 2021 at 1:18 pm

    5 stars
    This dish look so comforting - YUM! I love that I can make it ahead, too!

    Reply
  4. Claudia Lamascolo says

    January 31, 2021 at 12:54 pm

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply
  5. Kushigalu says

    January 31, 2021 at 9:27 am

    5 stars
    Love cheesy potatoes. Cant wiat to try this recipe. So delicious.

    Reply
  6. Beth says

    December 04, 2020 at 2:47 pm

    5 stars
    This looks so yummy and tasty! My family is going to love this recipe! Can't wait to give this a try!

    Reply
  7. Jess says

    December 04, 2020 at 2:12 pm

    5 stars
    My family devours this every single time I make it. So good!

    Reply
  8. Katherine says

    December 04, 2020 at 1:06 pm

    5 stars
    I love that these are a simplified version of scalloped potatoes - but with mustard and leeks! Yum.

    Reply
  9. veenaazmanov says

    December 04, 2020 at 11:23 am

    5 stars
    Potatoes are always special and these cheesy potatoes are super tasty and best for a festive occasion too.

    Reply
  10. Amanda Wren-Grimwood says

    December 04, 2020 at 10:40 am

    5 stars
    I love a good potato bake and I really like the idea of cubed potatoes for a different texture and less work too!

    Reply
  11. Eileen Kelly says

    December 03, 2020 at 7:59 pm

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply
  12. rika says

    December 03, 2020 at 7:26 pm

    5 stars
    This looks so delicious! I love anything cheesy, the perfect comfort food.

    Reply
  13. Traci says

    December 03, 2020 at 7:16 pm

    5 stars
    Easy, delicious and you kind of had me a easy cheesy LOL. Everyone loves this dish. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  14. Angela says

    December 03, 2020 at 6:57 pm

    5 stars
    Potatoes in any form are a crowd pleaser at my house. The cheese sauce is delicious!

    Reply
  15. Tara says

    December 03, 2020 at 6:53 pm

    5 stars
    Oooh, these potatoes look amazing. Love all that cheese. Definitely the perfect side for the holidays too.

    Reply
4.96 from 21 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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Established in 2011, Hungry Healthy Happy has become one of the UK's most popular food blogs, with two successful recipe books published.

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