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, 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 really is.

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 3 fresh garlic cloves that you mince yourself, or you can use frozen garlic cubes.
• All-purpose flour: The all-purpose flour helps to 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 of a 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

Julia Hartbeck for Taste of Home

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

Julia Hartbeck for Taste of Home

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

Julia Hartbeck for Taste of Home

Stir the flour into the onion and garlic, working 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 heat and stir until all the cheese is melted.

Step 4: Add the sauce and bake

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Pour the cheese sauce over the arranged sweet potatoes, then 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, about 10 to 15 minutes longer.

Julia Hartbeck for Taste of Home

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 of a 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 2 to 3 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 into a freezer-safe container for up to a month. Let the frozen leftovers defrost in the fridge overnight before reheating them.

Scalloped Sweet Potato Tips

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What should I serve these potatoes with?

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 a 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. Instead, 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.