Creamy Spinach Artichoke Scalloped Potatoes: The Ultimate Holiday Side Dish
Elevate your holiday table with a spectacular twist on a classic favorite: Spinach Artichoke Scalloped Potatoes. This incredibly flavorful and easy-to-make side dish combines tender, thinly sliced potatoes with a rich, creamy spinach artichoke dip, all topped with a generous layer of melted cheese. Baked to golden perfection, these scalloped potatoes promise a warm, bubbling, and utterly irresistible addition to any festive meal. Prepare for a new family tradition that’s sure to impress everyone from the pickiest eaters to the most discerning gourmands!
Rediscover Holiday Comfort: Spinach Artichoke Scalloped Potatoes
Scalloped potatoes evoke cherished memories of family holidays, a staple on tables during Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations. Their creamy, comforting presence is synonymous with festive gatherings. This year, we’re introducing a brilliant new interpretation of this beloved classic: Spinach Artichoke Scalloped Potatoes. This recipe takes everything you love about traditional scalloped potatoes and infuses it with the vibrant, savory flavors of spinach artichoke dip, creating a truly unforgettable side dish that feels both familiar and excitingly new.
What sets these potatoes apart is the ingenious use of La Terra Fina’s Spinach Artichoke & Parmesan Greek Yogurt Dip as a key layer within the dish. This creamy, flavorful dip simplifies the preparation process, eliminating the need to create a separate sauce from scratch. Layered with perfectly sliced potatoes and crowned with a generous blanket of shredded cheese, this dish bakes until it’s wonderfully warm, bubbly, and golden-brown. The rich, tangy notes of artichoke, the earthy goodness of spinach, and the savory hint of Parmesan from the dip meld beautifully with the tender potatoes, creating a symphony of flavors in every bite.
A Simpler Approach to Extraordinary Flavor
Many classic scalloped potato recipes involve carefully crafting a béchamel or cream sauce to achieve that signature creaminess. While delicious, this can sometimes add extra steps and complexity to an already busy holiday cooking schedule. Our Spinach Artichoke Scalloped Potatoes streamline this process dramatically, allowing you to achieve gourmet results with minimal effort. This recipe focuses on just three primary ingredients: thinly sliced russet potatoes, a tub of the rich La Terra Fina Spinach Artichoke & Parmesan Greek Yogurt Dip, and your favorite shredded cheese.
The beauty of this simplified method lies in its efficiency without compromising on taste. The pre-made dip brings a sophisticated flavor profile and a perfectly creamy texture directly to your potatoes. A sprinkle of fresh chives or parsley as a garnish adds a touch of elegance and a burst of fresh flavor, though it’s certainly optional. This approach means less time hovering over the stove and more time enjoying the company of your loved ones, making it an ideal candidate for your festive menu planning.
The Versatility of La Terra Fina Dips
You might recall my recent culinary explorations with La Terra Fina, where we created crowd-pleasing appetizers like Baked Sriracha Sweet Corn Dip and Buffalo Queso Cheese Chicken Dip – perfect for game day or any get-together. One of the many reasons I adore La Terra Fina dips is their incredible versatility. While they are undoubtedly delicious enjoyed straight from the tub with pita chips or fresh-cut vegetables, their culinary potential extends far beyond simple dipping.
These dips are a secret weapon in the kitchen, effortlessly enhancing a variety of dishes. Imagine them stirred into pastas for an instant creamy sauce, layered into sandwiches for an extra burst of flavor, or, as showcased in today’s recipe, transforming a classic side dish into something truly special. Their high-quality ingredients and rich, balanced flavors mean they’re not just a convenience; they’re a true flavor booster that can elevate your cooking with minimal fuss.
Getting to Know the La Terra Fina Brand
For those unfamiliar with La Terra Fina, allow me to introduce you to this wonderful company rooted in the San Francisco Bay area. Their story began in 1983, founded by a renowned caterer celebrated for her exquisite quiches and delectable dips. Her passion for creating delicious, high-quality food led her to launch La Terra Fina, with the vision of making her wonderful culinary creations accessible to everyone across the country. It’s a testament to the power of good food and the desire to share joy through meals.
La Terra Fina operates on a simple, yet profound philosophy: that the best times are created when good friends gather, sharing stories, laughter, memories, and, of course, exceptional food. This belief is at the heart of everything they do. They are committed to using only quality ingredients to craft foods you’ll be excited to share with your loved ones. As they’ve learned in the kitchen, and as many of us can attest, good food truly is the centerpiece of every great get-together. This mission deeply resonates with me, as I firmly believe that food acts as a powerful catalyst for connecting people and building lasting bonds. When you choose La Terra Fina, you’re not just choosing a product; you’re choosing a philosophy of togetherness and quality.
Crafting Your Perfect Spinach Artichoke Scalloped Potatoes
While this recipe is wonderfully simple, a few tips can help you achieve perfect results every time. These cheesy, flavorful scalloped potatoes are always a crowd-pleaser, appealing to both children and adults, and they come together with surprising ease. As you plan your Thanksgiving and other holiday menus this year, make sure to carve out a special spot for this delightful side dish.
Choosing and Preparing Your Potatoes
For scalloped potatoes, russet potatoes are an excellent choice due to their starchy texture, which helps absorb the creamy dip and creates a wonderfully tender result. The key to evenly cooked scalloped potatoes is uniform slicing. Aim for 1/8-inch rounds; a mandoline slicer can make this task incredibly quick and consistent. Par-boiling the potatoes, as detailed in the recipe, is crucial. This step ensures that the potatoes are fork-tender and fully cooked by the time the cheese is bubbly and golden, preventing any crunchy potato layers in your finished dish.
Layering for Optimal Flavor and Texture
The layering technique in this recipe is straightforward but effective. Distributing the spinach artichoke dip evenly between layers ensures every bite is infused with its rich flavor. Don’t be shy with the salt and pepper on the potato layers, as this enhances their natural taste. The final layer of shredded cheese creates a beautiful, bubbly, and browned crust that adds incredible texture and an extra layer of savory goodness. Feel free to experiment with your favorite cheese; sharp cheddar is a classic, but mozzarella or even gouda would be delightful.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
These Spinach Artichoke Scalloped Potatoes are incredibly versatile and pair beautifully with a variety of main courses. For holiday feasts, they are a natural complement to roasted turkey, glazed ham, or a succulent prime rib. Beyond the holidays, consider serving them alongside roasted chicken, pork tenderloin, or even a simple grilled steak for an elevated weeknight meal. The rich and creamy nature of the potatoes means they stand well on their own as a vegetarian main dish when accompanied by a fresh green salad. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh chives or chopped parsley for a pop of color and a fresh aromatic finish.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I make Spinach Artichoke Scalloped Potatoes ahead of time?
Yes, absolutely! This is one of the best features of this dish, especially during busy holiday preparations. You can assemble the entire dish up to 24 hours in advance. Cover it tightly with foil and refrigerate. When ready to bake, allow it to come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before placing it in the oven. You might need to add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time to ensure it’s heated through and bubbly.
What kind of cheese is best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for sharp cheddar cheese, which provides a wonderful tangy and savory flavor that complements the spinach artichoke dip perfectly. However, feel free to use your favorite shredded cheese! Mozzarella will give a milder, stretchier cheese pull, while Gruyère or Gouda would add a sophisticated, nutty flavor. A blend of cheeses can also be a fantastic option.
Can I add other vegetables to the layers?
While the focus is on spinach and artichoke, you can certainly customize this dish! Finely diced bell peppers, sautéed mushrooms, or even a layer of caramelized onions could add interesting flavors and textures. Just ensure any additional vegetables are pre-cooked or finely chopped so they don’t release too much moisture during baking.
How should I store leftovers?
Leftover Spinach Artichoke Scalloped Potatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can either warm individual portions in the microwave or reheat the entire dish in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) until heated through, covering with foil to prevent drying out.
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Spinach Artichoke Scalloped Potatoes
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Ingredients
- 2 1/2 to 3 pounds russet potatoes
- 1 tub Spinach Artichoke & Parmesan Greek Yogurt Dip, La Terra Fina
- 3/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded and divided {or cheese of your choice}
- Salt and pepper
- Chives , for garnish
- Parsley, for garnish
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degree F and grease a 13″ x 9″ baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
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Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Scrub potatoes and place the whole potato into the boiling water. Cook for about 20 minutes. Remove from the water and let sit until cool enough to handle.
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Gently peel potatoes and slice into 1/8 inch rounds. Place 1/3 of the sliced potatoes overlapping in a single layer in the bottom of the baking pan and lightly season with salt and pepper. Spoon half of the tub of spinach artichoke dip over the top of the potatoes and spread evenly.
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Repeat another layer of the potatoes and spread other layer of the dip over the potatoes.
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Finish with a final layer of potatoes. Top with shredded cheese.
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Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling.
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Garnish fresh chives and parsley. Serve warm.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Today’s post is sponsored by La Terra Fina. As always, opinions are 100% my own. Thanks for supporting the brands that make A Cedar Spoon possible.