Prepare to elevate your holiday table with a dish that redefines comfort food: incredibly rich, irresistibly cheesy, and supremely creamy scalloped sweet potatoes. Forget the usual sugary casseroles; this savory masterpiece features delicate, thin slices of sweet potatoes enveloped in a luxurious garlic-herb cream sauce, infused with fresh thyme, and crowned with a golden, bubbly layer of melted Parmesan cheese. It’s not just a side dish; it’s a showstopper, a decadent experience that promises to be the highlight of any festive meal, leaving your family and guests craving more of its sophisticated flavor profile and comforting texture. This recipe is destined to become a cherished tradition, a vibrant and savory alternative to classic sweet potato preparations.
Why These Creamy Scalloped Sweet Potatoes Are a Must-Try
Are you searching for a unique sweet potato dish that breaks away from the conventional, overly sweet offerings often reserved for holidays? If you’re tired of brown sugar, cinnamon, and gooey marshmallow toppings that make your vegetables feel more like dessert than a savory accompaniment, then you’ve found your perfect recipe. This exquisite scalloped sweet potato casserole offers a delightful departure, blending the natural sweetness of tender sweet potatoes with a robust, garlicky cream sauce and a crowning layer of golden, melty Parmesan cheese. The inherent sweetness of the potatoes is not masked but rather beautifully complemented by the rich, savory depth of the sauce, creating a harmonious balance that will surprise and delight your palate.
Beyond its incredible flavor, this dish is a surprisingly simple yet elegant side that’s perfect for entertaining. As a casserole-style preparation, it requires a little time in the oven, allowing you to focus on other holiday meal prep tasks. Once baked, it emerges from the oven as a gorgeous, aromatic, and deeply satisfying centerpiece, ready to serve with minimal last-minute fuss. Its rustic elegance and comforting appeal make it an ideal choice for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any special occasion where you want to impress without the stress. This recipe transforms humble sweet potatoes into an unforgettable culinary experience.
The Delicious Difference: Scalloped Potatoes vs. Au Gratin Potatoes
While many people use the terms “scalloped potatoes” and “au gratin potatoes” interchangeably, they actually refer to distinct dishes with subtle but significant differences. And to be perfectly precise, what we’re preparing here leans more towards au gratin sweet potatoes than traditional scalloped sweet potatoes.
Historically, classic scalloped potato recipes typically omit cheese. Their appeal lies in the tender, thinly sliced potatoes baked in a simple, creamy white sauce, allowing the potato’s natural flavor and the sauce’s richness to shine. Without a top layer of cheese, the edges of the potato slices often remain visible, creating that characteristic “scalloped” appearance. However, culinary traditions evolve, and many contemporary versions of scalloped dishes now incorporate cheese, which is why we’ve enthusiastically embraced it in our recipe to enhance its savory depth and create that irresistible golden crust.
Au gratin potatoes, on the other hand, are traditionally defined by their inclusion of cheese. The term “au gratin” itself means “with a gratin crust,” typically formed by baking with cheese, breadcrumbs, or both. In an au gratin dish, cheese is often layered throughout the potatoes and generously sprinkled on top to form a crispy, browned crust. Furthermore, the potatoes for au gratin dishes are usually sliced a bit thinner than those for scalloped dishes, allowing for more layers and a faster cooking time. It’s also quite common to see au gratin preparations topped with ingredients like breadcrumbs, crushed crackers, or other crunchy elements to add texture. Our creamy sweet potato dish, with its generous Parmesan topping and thin slices, embodies the spirit of an au gratin, offering a delightful cheesy crunch alongside its tender interior.
Expert Chef’s Tips for Perfect Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
- Achieving Uniform Slices: The consistency of your potato slices is paramount for even cooking. The thicker your potato rounds, the longer they will take to bake. More importantly, if your slices are uneven, you’ll end up with a mix of perfectly tender, undercooked, and over-done potatoes in the same dish. For consistently thin (ideally ⅛-inch thick) and perfectly uniform slices, a mandoline slicer is your best friend. It’s significantly more efficient and precise than a sharp knife. However, extreme caution is advised when using a mandoline – always use the safety guard to protect your fingertips, especially during busy holiday preparations!
- Customizing Your Flavor Profile: These scalloped sweet potatoes are incredibly versatile and can be customized to suit your taste. Feel free to experiment with different fresh herbs; rosemary, sage, or chives would be wonderful additions to the garlic-cream sauce. For an even more decadent and savory twist, consider stirring in a little grated Gruyère cheese with the Parmesan, and sprinkle some crispy chopped bacon or diced ham over the top before baking. These additions introduce a smoky, salty depth that complements the sweet potatoes beautifully.
- For the Ultimate Creamy Experience: If you desire potatoes that are truly luscious and coated in sauce in every single bite, adjust your preparation slightly. Instead of simply layering the raw potatoes and pouring the sauce over them, prepare the cream sauce first. Then, add all of your thinly sliced sweet potatoes and the warm, prepared sauce to a large mixing bowl. Gently toss or stir until every potato slice is thoroughly coated. Once evenly coated, arrange the potatoes as desired in your baking dish, then pour any remaining sauce over the top. This extra step ensures maximum flavor distribution and an incredibly creamy result.
- Selecting and Preparing Sweet Potatoes: Choose firm, smooth sweet potatoes without any soft spots or green discoloration. Varieties like Garnet or Jewel sweet potatoes work wonderfully for their vibrant color and creamy texture. After peeling, rinse the potatoes and pat them thoroughly dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture helps them absorb the sauce better and prevents the dish from becoming watery.
- Don’t Rush the Roux: The roux (butter and flour mixture) is key to the sauce’s thickness and flavor. Take your time to cook it over medium heat until it achieves a light golden-brown color and a nutty aroma. This process removes the raw flour taste and deepens the overall flavor of your cream sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions About Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
To help you master this delicious dish, here are some common questions and helpful answers:
- Can I prepare this dish ahead of time? Yes, partially! You can slice the sweet potatoes and prepare the cream sauce a day in advance. Store the sliced potatoes in cold water (to prevent browning) in the refrigerator, and the sauce in an airtight container. On the day of baking, drain and pat the potatoes dry, then assemble and bake as directed. You can also assemble the entire casserole, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Allow it to come closer to room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking, and add an extra 10-15 minutes to the covered baking time.
- How do I store and reheat leftovers? Store any leftover scalloped sweet potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, cover the dish with foil and warm in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) until heated through, about 20-30 minutes. You can also microwave individual portions, though the crispy cheese topping might soften.
- Can I use a different type of cheese? Absolutely! While Parmesan adds a wonderful savory, nutty flavor, feel free to experiment with other cheeses. Gruyère, sharp white cheddar, or even a blend of Monterey Jack and Fontina would work beautifully, adding their own unique creaminess and melt.
- What if my sauce is too thin or too thick? If your sauce is too thin after simmering, you can thicken it by continuing to simmer on low heat, stirring constantly, until it reaches your desired consistency. If it’s too thick, you can thin it out by whisking in a little more heavy cream or milk, a tablespoon at a time, until it’s just right.
- Is this dish freezer-friendly? While cooked scalloped potatoes can be frozen, the texture of the potatoes might change slightly upon thawing and reheating, becoming a bit softer. To freeze, let the baked casserole cool completely, then cover it tightly with plastic wrap and then foil. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
More Sweet Potato Recipes You’ll Love
- Hasselback Sweet Potatoes
- Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes
- Sweet Potato Waffles
- Frozen Sweet Potato Fries in the Air Fryer
- Sweet Potato Soufflé
Creamy Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
Thinly sliced sweet potatoes smothered with a creamy garlic herb sauce and topped with melty, bubbly parmesan.
Sam Guarnieri
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Ingredients
- 3 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled, sliced into uniform ⅛-inch thick discs
- ½ cup butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour (see Notes)
- 2 ½ cups heavy cream, at or close to room temperature
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
- ½ teaspoon salt (more or less to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper (more or less to taste)
- ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese (see Notes)
- Sprigs of fresh thyme (optional, for garnish)
Equipment
- Paper towels
- Cooking spray
- 9×13 baking dish
- Small saucepan
- Whisk
- Aluminum foil
- Mandoline slicer (recommended)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400° Fahrenheit (200°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.
Separate sweet potato slices and pat them completely dry with paper towels. Arrange sweet potato slices as desired (see Notes) in the lightly greased baking dish. Set the dish aside.
Heat a small saucepan over medium heat. When the saucepan is warm, add butter and let it melt completely, swirling the saucepan occasionally to coat the bottom.
When butter is melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes or until the garlic becomes fragrant.
Sprinkle ¼ cup all-purpose flour over the top of the garlic butter mixture. Whisk quickly until the flour is fully incorporated, and continue whisking for 2 to 3 minutes or until the roux develops a golden-brown coloring.
Remove the saucepan from heat and slowly pour in the heavy cream. Whisk to incorporate, then return the saucepan to heat and continue whisking until the heavy cream and roux are fully combined. Reduce heat under the saucepan to low and simmer the cream mixture for approximately 5 minutes or until thickened.
Once the cream sauce has thickened, remove the saucepan from heat. Add the chopped thyme, salt, and pepper, and whisk until the spices are fully incorporated.
Pour the cream sauce evenly over the sweet potato arrangement in the baking dish, then cover the dish securely with aluminum foil.
Bake for 30 minutes with foil covering. Then, remove the foil and generously sprinkle with Parmesan cheese all over the top. Continue baking for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly. Insert a fork into the center of the sweet potatoes – the potatoes are ready when the fork inserts easily and smoothly.
Carefully remove the baking dish from the oven. Let the dish rest for 5 to 10 minutes to allow the sauce to set slightly. Garnish with sprigs of fresh thyme if desired, and serve warm.
Notes
- For super easy and uniform potato slicing, use a mandoline. Always remember to watch your fingers carefully!
- Arranging Sweet Potatoes: You have creative freedom with how you arrange your sweet potato slices. They can be laid horizontally in neat rows, vertically in columns, swirled into a large spiral, overlapped in concentric circles, or even crafted into an intricate design if you’re feeling artistic. You can lay them flat or stand them upright, leaning against each other. If you plan to stack or heavily overlap the potatoes, we highly recommend first combining all the potato slices with the prepared cream sauce in a large bowl and tossing until every piece is thoroughly coated. Afterward, arrange them in your baking dish, ensuring every bit of potato is drenched in the flavorful sauce for ultimate creaminess.
- Make it Gluten-Free: To adapt this recipe for a gluten-free diet, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a high-quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Ensure your chosen blend contains xanthan gum or add a small pinch separately to help with thickening.
- Parmesan Quality Matters: For the most superior flavor and melt, we strongly advise grating your own Parmesan cheese from a fresh block. Pre-packaged grated or shredded cheeses often contain anti-caking agents and fillers (like cellulose) that prevent them from clumping. While convenient, these additives can also hinder proper melting, resulting in a less smooth and bubbly finish. Freshly grated Parmesan delivers an unbeatable taste and texture.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 434kcal | Protein: 6g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Total Carbs: 32g | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Net Carbs: 28g | Vitamin C: 5mg | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 361mg | Potassium: 534mg | Calcium: 147mg | Iron: 1mg
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
© Author: Sam Guarnieri
Indulge in the Unforgettable Flavor
As you can see, these creamy scalloped sweet potatoes are far more than just a holiday side dish; they are a culinary experience designed to impress and satisfy. With their rich, savory garlic-herb sauce, tender sweet potatoes, and a delightful Parmesan crust, they offer a sophisticated alternative to traditional sweet potato preparations. This recipe is straightforward to follow, yet yields results that taste like they came straight from a gourmet kitchen. Whether you’re hosting a grand holiday feast or simply seeking an elevated weeknight dinner, this dish promises to be a memorable addition to your table.
So, gather your ingredients, follow our expert tips, and prepare to create a casserole that will undoubtedly become a new favorite. Don’t forget to share your creations and experiences with us – we love seeing your culinary triumphs! Enjoy the process, savor the aromas, and delight in every cheesy, creamy, perfect bite.