Stop pretending that mashed potatoes are good. Make these cheesy scalloped potatoes this Thanksgiving instead.

Mashed potatoes are a Thanksgiving staple, but I much prefer this Half Baked Harvest recipe for cheesy scalloped potatoes with caramelized onions.Erin McDowell/Insider; Robyn Mackenzie/Shutterstock

• 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.

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

Shirking what many would call a Thanksgiving staple, we'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 you can find.

We've followed several different recipes, but a Half Baked Harvest recipe for cheesy scalloped potatoes with caramelized onions has become our go-to on practically every holiday.

Here's how to make it yourself.