I make these cheesy scalloped potatoes every year on Thanksgiving, and I’ll never go back to mashed potatoes

• I grew up eating mashed potatoes yearly on Thanksgiving but secretly preferred scalloped potatoes.
• We’ve made these cheesy scalloped potatoes, and skipped the mashed, for three years now.
• The crispy cheese crust and creamy layers of potato make this one of my favorite recipes.

I’ve never been a fan of huge mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving or any other day.

Shirking what many would call a Thanksgiving staple, I’ve made scalloped potatoes — or potatoes au gratin — for the past three years instead. Thanksgiving purists may not believe me, but the texture and flavor are far superior to even the best mashed-potato recipe. Plus, with the average 10-person Thanksgiving meal costing $61.17 this year, according to a recent WalletHub report, I want to make every dish count. 

I’ve followed several different recipes, but Half Baked Harvest, run by cookbook author Tieghan Gerard, has a recipe for cheesy scalloped potatoes with caramelized onions that has become a go-to on practically every holiday.

Here’s how to make it yourself.