Scalloped sweet potatoes are indulgent enough to be served at an extravagant meal, such as a holiday dinner.
Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
There’s not too much mystery as to why these savory scalloped sweet potatoes are so amazingly flavorful. When you have a scalloped sweet potato recipe packed with cheese and a unique blend of spices, milk, cream and butter, the results are guaranteed delicious.
And while everyone who gets a serving of this festive side dish will be thrilled with your cooking, you will also be pleased by how easy this recipe is to prepare.
Ingredients for Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
- Sweet potatoes: As portioned out here, you’ll be using 3 pounds of medium sweet potatoes that have been peeled and sliced into 1/8-inch-thick pieces.
- Butter: This recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of butter, and feel free to be generous with the measuring there.
- Onion: Make sure your white or yellow onion is finely chopped.
- Garlic: You can use three fresh garlic cloves that you mince yourself or you can use frozen garlic cubes.
- All-purpose flour: The all-purpose flour helps ensure the cheese sauce has just the right texture.
- Whole milk: It’s essential you use whole milk for this recipe, as the sauce needs to be good and thick.
- Whipping cream: Be sure to use heavy whipping cream, not whipped cream–that would be rather disastrous.
- Cayenne pepper: Just 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne pepper adds a bit of heat and helps accentuate all the other flavors.
- Cinnamon: Don’t use more than the recommended bit of ground cinnamon, as it can be an overpowering ingredient.
- Parmesan cheese: The shredded Parmesan cheese needs to be fresh; dried Parmesan will not work in this recipe.
- Gruyere cheese: Note that you’ll be using the Gruyere cheese in different steps, so measure it out ahead of time.
Directions
Step 1: Arrange the sweet potatoes
Preheat the oven to 400°F. In a greased 13×9-inch baking dish, arrange the sweet potato slices in rows and set the dish aside.
Step 2: Cook the alliums
In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat, then add the onion and cook it until tender and fragrant, four to five minutes. Next, add the garlic and cook for one minute longer.
Step 3: Cook the sauce
Stir the flour into the onion and garlic until it has blended in, then gradually whisk in the milk and cream. Bring everything to a boil and cook for three to four minutes, stirring constantly, until the mixture has thickened.
Then, stir in the salt, pepper, cayenne, cinnamon, Parmesan and 1 cup Gruyere.
Finally, remove the pan from the heat and stir until all the cheese is melted.
Step 4: Add the sauce and bake
Pour the cheese sauce over the arranged sweet potatoes.
Sprinkle the remaining cup of Gruyere on top. Bake the dish, covered with foil, for 30 to 35 minutes. Remove the foil and continue to bake until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top, 10 to 15 minutes longer.
Scalloped Sweet Potato Variations
- Add some nutmeg: If you want to lean in on the spice profile of these sweet potatoes and make a dish perfect for winter holidays, the addition of 1/8 teaspoon of nutmeg along with the cinnamon is just perfect.
- Use yams: You can follow this exact same recipe using yams in place of sweet potatoes for a dish that is rich and savory and a bit less, well, sweet.
- Swap in Swiss: Using Swiss cheese in place of the Gruyere will lead to a dish with a slight nuttiness and more nuanced flavoring.
How to Store Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
You can store these scalloped sweet potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week, though they will be best if eaten within two to three days. Reheat them in the microwave or in the oven until warmed through.
Can you freeze scalloped sweet potatoes?
Yes, you can freeze these sweet potatoes, but only for about a month before they begin to degrade in color, taste and texture. Transfer cooled leftovers to a freezer-safe container. Let the frozen leftovers defrost in the fridge overnight before reheating them.
Scalloped Sweet Potato Tips
What should I serve with these potatoes?
This is a rich, savory and heavy dish, so it pairs beautifully with a lighter protein, like roast chicken, and a fresh green salad. You could also serve these sweet potatoes as part of your Thanksgiving dinner spread.
Can I prepare scalloped sweet potatoes ahead of time?
Yes, you could prepare the dish as directed, stopping just before baking. Cover the baking dish with a lid or foil and store it in the fridge. When you’re cooking dinner, remove the lid, if there is one, cover in foil and bake as directed. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the bake time to account for the chill from the fridge.
How many portions does this recipe yield?
As laid out here, you will have eight decent servings of savory scalloped sweet potatoes.
Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
Prep Time
30 min
Cook Time
40 min
Yield
8 servings
Ingredients
- 3 pounds medium sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced 1/8-in. thick
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded Gruyere cheese, divided
Directions
- Preheat oven to 400°. In a greased 13x9-in. baking dish arrange sweet potato slices in rows; set aside.
- In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion; cook until tender, 4-5 minutes. Add garlic; cook one additional minute longer. Stir in flour until blended; gradually whisk in milk and cream. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir 3-4 minutes or until thickened. Stir in salt, pepper, cayenne, cinnamon, Parmesan and 1 cup Gruyere. Remove from heat; stir until cheese is melted.
- Pour cheese sauce over sweet potatoes; sprinkle remaining 1 cup Gruyere on top. Bake, covered, 30-35 minutes. Remove covering; bake until cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top, 10-15 minutes longer. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts
3/4 cup: 475 calories, 22g fat (14g saturated fat), 69mg cholesterol, 636mg sodium, 54g carbohydrate (39g sugars, 7g fiber), 16g protein.
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This savory side dish combines sweet potatoes, Gruyere, and Parmesan cheese. It’s easy to make and adds a festive flair to the dinner table. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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