A Healthy Holiday Recipe Made With Potatoes - It’s Delish!
Lights on trees, wreaths on doors, and the distinct smell of gingerbread and peppermint linger in the air. That can only mean one thing. Thanksgiving Day has passed and Christmas is near! It’s time to start preparing for your holiday meal.
One of the most common sides to any holiday meal are potatoes. While they’ve gotten a bad rap as french fries, almost everyone still loves them. How could you not? They contain many nutrients including iron and calcium which help with bone health. They also carry loads of fiber which can help reduce cholesterol in the blood and improve heart health. In addition, that fiber prevents constipation and increases satiety so you feel fuller for much longer.
There are even more health benefits that can come from eating potatoes. Just remember, everything in moderation!
Joyful Healthy Eats was created by Krista who shares a deliciously easy scalloped potato recipe. Not only is it filled with cheesy goodness, but it is also kid friendly, vegetarian, and gluten free!
Simply follow the recipe below and you’ll be on your way to “Mmm...yum!” in just one hour!
Healthy Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
Ingredients
- 3 lbs. of yukon gold potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced to 1/8″ thick pieces
- 1 cup 2% milk
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 large garlic clove, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
- 1 cup shredded aged white cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- pinch of nutmeg
- salt & pepper
Instructions
- 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- 2. Spray a 13×9 baking dish with cooking spray.
- 3. Add thinly sliced potatoes to a large bowl with water. This will keep the potatoes from browning.
- 4. To a small sauce pan add milk, garlic cloves, nutmeg and fresh thyme. Bring to a boil then add butter. Stir while the butter melts. Set aside.
- 5. Arrange half of the potatoes to the prepared baking dish. Season with salt and pepper.
- 6. Cover with half the shredded white cheddar cheese and half the parmesan cheese.
- 7. Arrange the remaining potatoes. Season with salt and pepper.
- 8. Pour the milk mixture of the potatoes, making sure to evenly coat.
- 9. Finish with remaining white cheddar cheese and parmesan cheese.
- 10. Bake, uncovered, for 40 minutes or until potatoes are tender the top is slightly browned.
- 11. Serve!
Optional:
Add veggies like broccoli and onions for more nutrients. Top with fresh leaf basil for a peppery sweet flavor!
Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 45 min
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 14
Like a thicker sauce? Grab a small bowl and add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch to 2 tablespoons of milk. Mix until there are no lumps and pour into the pot of milk whisking it together.
Tips for holiday eating:
- Eat slowly. By eating at a slower pace you can better recognize when you’re body is full. It will also prevent you from overeating.
- Don’t skip meals. I know you want to save up for the big feast but by missing out on your regular meals, you’ll be hungrier and more likely to overeat.
- Get enough sleep. When you put off sleeping, you have a higher chance of mindlessly eating. Instead of grabbing more of those cookies or creating that huge sandwich you’ve been thinking about at midnight, brush those teeth and head to bed.
- Eat a serving of vegetables first. Choosing your veggies over those extra carbs or sweets first will ensure that you get them in before you start feeling full.
Reference:
Rollins, K. (2018, November 02). Easy Lightened up Scalloped Potatoes | Gluten Free. Retrieved from https://www.joyfulhealthyeats.com/healthy-cheesy-scalloped-potatoes-recipe/