Description
This easy scalloped sweet potatoes recipe features thinly sliced sweet potatoes layered and baked in a creamy, garlicky parmesan sauce infused with fresh thyme. It’s a comforting and elegant side dish perfect for holiday dinners or any cozy meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potatoes
- 2–3 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
Cream Sauce
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium shallot, finely diced
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- Fresh cracked black pepper, to taste
- 2–3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a baking dish with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking, then set it aside for later.
- Cook Aromatics and Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and finely diced shallot, sautéing for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and translucent. Add the fresh thyme sprigs, kosher salt, and cracked black pepper, then remove the pan from heat. Stir in the heavy cream and shredded parmesan cheese, mixing until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Combine Potatoes and Sauce: Place the thinly sliced sweet potatoes in a large mixing bowl and pour the warm cream mixture over them. Toss gently but thoroughly to ensure all potato slices are coated evenly with the sauce.
- Arrange in Baking Dish: Arrange the coated sweet potato slices upright in the prepared baking dish, packing them tightly. Pour any remaining cream sauce over the top to ensure the potatoes remain moist while baking.
- Bake Until Tender: Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender and the top is golden and bubbling. Be careful not to overcook to prevent mushiness.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Garnish with extra fresh thyme if desired, then serve immediately as a rich, flavorful side dish.
Notes
- For even cooking, slice the sweet potatoes uniformly thin.
- Replacing heavy cream with half-and-half will reduce richness but still yield a creamy dish.
- Use aged parmesan for a deeper umami flavor.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
- Fresh thyme can be substituted with rosemary or sage for a different herb profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: scalloped sweet potatoes, sweet potato casserole, creamy sweet potatoes, baked sweet potatoes, holiday side dishes
