Make Boxed Scalloped Potatoes Taste Homemade By Mixing In This Tangy Ingredient From Your Fridge

Growing up, boxed scalloped potatoes were one of my mom's go-to starchy side dishes, so it's hard to imagine them even more delicious. Regardless of the nostalgia factor for some of us, there are many ways to elevate boxed scalloped potatoes that don't take too much effort. One of the ways to make them taste (almost) homemade is to use some sour cream in the mixture.

Think about it: Sour cream is a creamy way to pull together the cheesy sauce with a thicker, tastier consistency compared to solely using milk and butter as the box suggests. An even better reason to use the ingredient to amp up your instant scalloped potatoes is its tang, which creates a nice balance with the rich, cheesy sauce that the sliced potatoes are mixed in. Sour cream can also prevent the dish from drying out, an important factor if you plan to have leftovers for this week's dinners.

You should use sour cream in addition to the other required ingredients like milk, butter, and cheese powder so you still achieve a sauce-like consistency. When you have your favorite brand of boxed scalloped potatoes ready to go, it shouldn't take too much sour cream to make it even tastier. Combine the ingredients to make the cheese sauce according to the packaging, then gradually add about a tablespoon of sour cream at a time, whisking afterwards. You can add more sour cream to make the sauce thicker or tangier depending on your desired consistency or taste. The rest of the assembly goes according to the packaging or recipe.

But why stop with sour cream? There are some other ways to upgrade your scalloped potatoes before you serve them with a protein like roasted lemon chicken for dinner. Perhaps the most obvious choice is to add some real, shredded cheese like mozzarella or cheddar to the mixture for more flavor. Chives and sour cream go together in many recipes, so mix in some freshly chopped chives or use the herb as a garnish. You can also use broth instead of water in the cheese mixture, stir in roasted garlic or caramelized onions for a dose of umami, or top the dish off with breadcrumbs for crunch.