How Much Scalloped Potatoes Per Person?

In order to prepare scalloped potatoes for a large group of people, it is important to calculate the portion sizes that is appropriate for the type of event that is occurring. The portion size of scalloped potatoes that is typically served to an adult who is attending a holiday meal is approximately three-quarters of a cup. However, the portion size should be less for children, at approximately two-thirds of a cup.

Additionally, the portion sizes for the scalloped potatoes may also change based off the other dishes that is present on the holiday meal tables. For instance, guests who is presented with scalloped potatoes as one of the primary side dishes will tend to eat more of the scalloped potatoes then those who have other starch dishes on the tables. As a result of these differing appetites, the cook will have to adjust the total volume of scalloped potatoes that is prepared according to the type of meal that is being host.

Planning Scalloped Potatoes for Many People

The thickness of the scalloped potatoes that are prepared will also impact the amount of raw potatoes that are purchased for the preparation of the dish. You can prepare thicker scalloped potatoes by slicing the raw potatoes into layers of one-eighth of an inch in thickness. Thicker scalloped potatoes can also be prepared by increasing the thickness of the potato slices.

Using thicker slices of potatoes will result in an increased total volume of scalloped potatoes that are prepared. Thus, the use of thick sliced potatoes will require the purchasing of additional raw potatoes in order to ensure that the pans are adequately filled with the scalloped potatoes. Additionally, the types of ingredients that is used in the preparation of the scalloped potatoes will also impact the total volume of the dish.

For instance, scalloped potatoes that contain heavy amounts of cheese will be more dense than those that contain ham based ingredients, and that contain the same amount of liquid as classic scalloped potatoes. The amount of scalloped potatoes that will be prepared also will need to account for the shrinkage of the raw potatoes. The raw potatoes will lose weight both during preparation of the scalloped potatoes (due to peeling the potatoes and removing the eyes from the potatoes) and during the baking of the potatoes.

For most recipes, one cup of prepared scalloped potatoes will contain approximately 0.6 pound of raw, peeled potatoes. Additionally, the recipes that contain more cheese will have more raw potatoes per cup of prepared scalloped potatoes than those that contain less cheese. In order to account for the evaporation of the potatoes during the baking process, and for those who may wish to consume extra portions of the scalloped potatoes, it is necessary to add a buffer of 10-15% additional scalloped potatoes to the total amount that is needed.

The size of the pans that are used will determine the number of servings of scalloped potatoes that can be prepared. A 9×13 inch pan can hold 14 cups of prepared scalloped potatoes, but will contain only 12 servings of scalloped potatoes for adults. For a buffet that is to be prepared for 24 people, half size hotel pans can be used to prepare the scalloped potatoes.

Full sheet pans can be used for preparing scalloped potatoes for very large groups of people, such as for holiday meal reunions. The size and number of pans that will be used should be planned according to the number of guests that will be attending the holiday meal to determine the total amount of cups of scalloped potatoes that will be needed. In preparing scalloped potatoes for a large group of people, there are some common mistakes that should be avoided.

For instance, the scalloped potatoes should not be packed too densly into the pans in which they will be prepared; the center of the potatoes may become soupy if they are too densely packed. Additionally, the number of side dishes that are prepared for the guests should not be underestimated; if there are too many side dishes, the guests may not consume the scalloped potatoes as much as desire. For those who plan to serve scalloped potatoes at a buffet, it is also necessary to prepare extra amounts of the scalloped potatoes, as they may dry out while sitting on the buffet tables.

Finally, the number of children that will be served should not be counted as the same as the number of full sized adults; if the number of children is counted as the number of adults, the guests will consume too many portion of scalloped potatoes. In order to ensure the quality of the prepared scalloped potatoes, certain types of potatoes and tools should be utilized when preparing the scalloped potatoes. For example, russet potatoes are often used for their ability to hold their shape when baked, but Yukon Gold potatoes will create a silkier texture in the prepared potatoes.

A mandoline can be used to ensure that the scalloped potatoes are even and thin in thickness; even scalloped potatoes will cook at the same rate. Additionally, one cup of cream for every pound of potatoes should be used in the preparation of scalloped potatoes; this ensures that they will remain creamy and not become watery. Finally, every layer of scalloped potatoes should be seasoned with salt; this allows for the salt to distribute even throughout the entire dish.