Cheesy Scalloped Sweet Potatoes - Easy Sweet Potato Au Gratin Recipe! (2024)

By: Krista

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Rating★★★★★ 5 from 3 votes

These Cheesy Scalloped Sweet Potatoes are a fun twist on the classic sweet potato side dish. This easy casserole is just as good as your traditional sweet potatoes topped with marshmallows!

For another tasty sweet potato side dish, try my healthy grilled sweet potato salad! Or, try these easy cheesy scalloped potatoes with regular potatoes.

Cheesy Scalloped Sweet Potatoes - Easy Sweet Potato Au Gratin Recipe! (1)

Table of Contents

  • Cheesy Scalloped Sweet Potatoes Recipe
  • Why You’ll Love This Sweet Potato Gratin
  • What You’ll Need
  • How to Make Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
  • Can I Make This Ahead?
  • Serving Suggestions
  • How to Store Leftovers
  • More Potato Recipes
  • Get the Recipe

Cheesy Scalloped Sweet Potatoes Recipe

Sweet potatoes have been one of the “go-to” side dishes at our holiday meals for a long time. My mom used to make THE BEST sweet potato casserole around. Her’s leaned more towards the sweet side of things, as it was made with brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and then a crunchy pecan crumble topping that my dad and I would fight over.

Today’s recipe, though, is a masterpiece of savory flavors. These cheesy scalloped sweet potatoes may not be topped with marshmallows, but they’ll still be a huge hit!

When I was dreaming up this recipe I knew the herbs I wanted to use were thyme and tarragon. The main reason I chose those herbs is because the citrus herb mixture I slather my turkey with includes sage, tarragon, rosemary, and thyme. I wanted to carry those flavors throughout the entire menu so that every dish flows into the next. In my opinion, when everything works together, that’s how you know you have an incredible meal!

Why You’ll Love This Sweet Potato Gratin

This recipe is sort of a mix of sweet potato gratin and scalloped potatoes – you’ll love it! Here are a few reasons why:

  • Super flavorful. The sweetness from the sweet potatoes combined with the fresh lemony herbs and buttery gruyere cheese that is just slightly browned is mouth-wateringly good! Your family will not be able to get enough of this dish.
  • Perfect for any occasion. These sweet potatoes are awesome at a holiday meal, but they’ll also work with your favorite steak dinner, or you could make them just because as a comfort food dish.
  • Easy. This sweet potato gratin recipe requires just 10 minutes of prep work, and then all you have to do is pop the potatoes into the oven and wait for them to be done.
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What You’ll Need

Let’s talk ingredients! Here’s what you’ll need to round up to make this dish happen. If you’re looking for exact amounts or the full set of directions, check out the recipe card below!

  • Sweet potatoes – Cut these into 1/3” slices before you begin.
  • Butter – You can use salted or unsalted butter, whichever you prefer. If you use salted, you may want to omit the additional sea salt.
  • Shallot – If you would rather use an onion, feel free!
  • Garlic – Freshly minced garlic cloves are the way to go.
  • Heavy cream – This will make your casserole extra creamy and thick.
  • Milk – I like to use 2% milk in this recipe, in addition to the heavy cream.
  • Seasoning – Add in a mix of diced fresh thyme, diced fresh tarragon, and sea salt.
  • Cheese – Shredded gruyere cheese really ties this dish together!
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How to Make Scalloped Sweet Potatoes

This scalloped sweet potato gratin recipe is made in just a few simple steps. Here’s how it all comes together:

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Spray the bottom of a 13×9″ baking dish with cooking spray, then set it aside.
  • Slice the potatoes. Using a mandoline, slice the sweet potatoes to 1/3″ thick. (If you do not have a mandoline, use a very sharp knife.)
  • Start the first layer. Add half of the sweet potatoes to the greased baking dish.
  • In the meantime, heat a small sauce pan to medium high heat. Place the butter and shallots in the pan and saute them until translucent (about 3-4 minutes). Next, add in the garlic and saute it for 30 seconds. Then, add in the heavy cream, milk, fresh thyme, fresh tarragon, and sea salt, and stir. Bring everything to a boil and then remove the pan from the heat.
  • Pour half the milk mixture over the sweet potatoes. After that, top your casserole with half of the gruyere cheese. Finally, add another layer of the remaining sweet potatoes, and top those with the remaining milk mixture and cheese.
  • Cover the casserole with tin foil and bake for 30 minutes. Then, remove the tin foil and bake for an additional 25-30 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender.

Can I Make This Ahead?

Yes! Meal prep during the holidays can be stressful, so you can definitely make this recipe ahead of time if you want to free up some oven space for day-of preparations. Simply prepare and bake the casserole, store it for up to 2-3 days in the fridge as directed in the “how to store” section below, and reheat it in the oven until warmed through when you’re ready to enjoy it.

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Tips & Recipe Variations

As you can see, this recipe is pretty straightforward. I do, however, still have some tips for you to make the process even easier!

  • Test for doneness. Make sure the potatoes are tender in the centers (as well as on the edges) before you pull the baking dish out of the oven. Depending on how thick you slice the potatoes, they may need a little more time in the oven!
  • Make sure to slice the potatoes to an even thickness. This way, everything will cook evenly. Using a mandoline is the best way to ensure a uniform thickness, but a sharp knife will work as well.
  • Swap in another kind of cheese. I love gruyere in this recipe, but mozzarella, for example, is great too! You could also mix the two together, if you like.
  • Add bacon. Some bacon bits on top of these cheesy potatoes would taste fantastic!
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Serving Suggestions

There are so many things that you can serve with this sweet potato au gratin recipe! Here are a few of my favorite choices:

  • Turkey: If you’re making these potatoes for Thanksgiving, try pairing them with this easy, no-fuss whole turkey recipe or this garlic herb oven roasted turkey breast.
  • Chicken: I highly recommend trying this perfect roasted chicken!
  • Steak: Serve these potatoes with something like this grilled ribeye steak – it’s hard to beat the classic steak and potatoes combo!
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How to Store Leftovers

Scalloped sweet potatoes are so creamy and delicious that you probably won’t have any leftovers… but if you do, here’s how to save them for later!

  • To store. You can keep sweet potato gratin in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. I don’t recommend trying to freeze it, as the texture of the potatoes will not hold up.
  • To reheat. If you don’t really mind a slight change in texture, simply use the microwave. Or, preheat the oven to about 350 degrees, and bake the casserole until it is warmed through.

More Potato Recipes

If you enjoyed these cheesy scalloped sweet potatoes, be sure to give these other easy potato side dishes a look, too!

  • Garlic Ranch Potatoes
  • The Best Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes
  • Garlic Herb Hasselback Potatoes
  • Sweet Potato Casserole With Pecan Streusel

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Cheesy Scalloped Sweet Potato Casserole

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 3 reviews

  • Author: Krista
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 1012 1x
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American
Print Recipe

Description

These Cheesy Scalloped Sweet Potatoes are perfect for a holiday feast. Made with heavy cream, gruyere cheese, tender sweet potatoes, and fresh herbs, this sweet potato gratin recipe is sure to please!

Ingredients

Scale

  • 67 medium sweet potatoes, cut into 1/3” slices
  • 1 tablespoon of butter
  • 1 shallot
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 3/4 cup 2% milk
  • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, diced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh tarragon, diced
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 cup shredded gruyere cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  2. Spray the bottom of a 13×9″ baking dish with Cooking Spray. Set aside.
  3. Using a mandoline, slice sweet potatoes to 1/3″ thick. (if you do not have a mandoline, use a very sharp knife to slice)
  4. Add half the sweet potatoes to the greased baking dish.
  5. In the meantime, heat a small sauce pan to medium high heat. Add butter and shallots to pan. Saute until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Next add in the garlic and saute for 30 seconds. Then add in the heavy cream, milk, fresh thyme, fresh tarragon, and sea salt and stir. Bring a boil and then remove from heat.
  6. Pour half the milk mixture over the sweet potatoes. Top with half the gruyere cheese.
  7. Add another layer of the remaining sweet potatoes, top with remaining milk mixture and cheese.
  8. Cover with tin foil.
  9. Bake for 30 minutes.
  10. Remove the tin foil and bake an additional 25-30 minutes, or until sweet potatoes are tender.
  11. Optional: top with a garnish of fresh thyme

Notes

  • Recipe inspired by The Iron You
  • To store. You can keep sweet potato gratin in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. I don’t recommend trying to freeze it, as the texture of the potatoes will not hold up.
  • To reheat. If you don’t really mind a slight change in texture, simply use the microwave. Or, preheat the oven to about 350 degrees, and bake the casserole until it is warmed through.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2/3 cup
  • Calories: 157
  • Sugar: 7 g
  • Sodium: 216 mg
  • Fat: 9 g
  • Carbohydrates: 15 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg

Filed Under:

  • Christmas
  • Diet
  • Gluten-Free
  • Holiday
  • Holidays
  • Kid Friendly
  • Recipes
  • Side Dishes
  • Thanksgiving
  • Valentine’s Day
  • Vegetables
  • Vegetarian
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Cheesy Scalloped Sweet Potatoes - Easy Sweet Potato Au Gratin Recipe! (2024)

FAQs

Which is better scalloped or au gratin? ›

Scalloped potatoes also won't be as crispy in texture as au gratin. Both are golden brown and creamy, but if it's crispiness and crunchiness you're after, au gratin will probably be your best bet. Either one is sure to be a hit with your dinner guests, but it just depends on what sort of vibe you're going for!

What can I add to sweet potato to make it taste good? ›

Salt, Pepper, and Butter – the OG classic way of serving your sweet potatoes. Greek Yogurt and Green Onion – one of my personal favorites! you can do sour cream instead of Greek Yogurt if you prefer. Maple Syrup, Cinnamon, and Butter – ok, I'm a big fan of savory but this combo is also a favorite!

What pan is best for au gratin potatoes? ›

I love cooking these potatoes in a cast-iron skillet because it gives the potatoes a nice crispy edge and it makes the perfect amount of potatoes.

Why is my au gratin watery? ›

If your potatoes have turned watery, it's likely due to excess moisture, overcooking, or not draining them properly.

What is the one trick Michael Symon uses to make perfect scalloped potatoes? ›

Surprisingly, aluminum foil is his secret weapon. After beautifully shingling the potatoes (he's got a genius trick for doing this quickly, too) he covers the dish in foil before hitting the oven.

What is the difference between scalloped potatoes and cheesy potatoes? ›

What is the difference between au gratin potatoes and scalloped potatoes? Au Gratin potatoes contain cheese, whereas Scalloped Potatoes do not. Scalloped potatoes typically contain cream but can also contain flavorful stock instead of dairy.

Why do my scalloped potatoes taste bland? ›

My scalloped potatoes are bland

They are also in need of serious seasoning to ensure deliciousness. Make sure your sauce is well-seasoned, but also, season each layer of potatoes with salt and pepper before adding the sauce, to make sure they are as flavorful as you want them!

Why do you soak sweet potatoes before baking? ›

The cold water bath helps rinse the starch off the sweet potatoes so they're a bit more crispy. That said, if you do not have the time, you can still get crispy baked sweet potato fries by using high heat and a little drizzle of olive oil.

What is the difference between scalloped and gratin potatoes? ›

The difference comes down to cheese. Scalloped potato recipes are usually baked in a basic cream sauce until soft and tender, with no cheese topping. Potatoes au gratin are a bit more decadent. They are made with lots of cheese sprinkled in between the layers of potatoes and also on top of the casserole.

How can I thicken my scalloped potatoes? ›

Thankfully, there's a simple and effective solution to this problem: Use instant potato flakes. Instant potato flakes are an excellent thickening agent made from real potatoes that have been cooked, mashed, and then dried.

How do you know when scalloped potatoes are done? ›

They will be fully cooked when you can easily pierce them with a sharp knife or mush with the tines of a fork. I usually pull out a slice when I think they are done (typically 15-20 minutes) and let it cool enough to taste.

What do you use an au gratin dish for? ›

The Au Gratin dish allows food to cook evenly while the crust browns. It is versatile enough to be used for roasting, baking, and making gratins.

Why are my scalloped potatoes still crunchy? ›

Potatoes or rice can remain rock-hard after prolonged cooking. Starch will not swell if it is acidic. If you have a lot of sour cream in your scalloped potatoes or add something acidic, your potatoes may not soften. You can cook the potatoes with heavy cream or milk and then, after they soften, stir in sour cream.

Why do my scalloped potatoes always curdle? ›

High-fat dairy products contain enough fat to keep the proteins separate, and your sauce smooth. Another common cause of curdling is your heat source being too hot. High oven temperatures can make the milk's components break apart, again leaving the proteins free to clump together.

What is the difference between au gratin and gratin? ›

A “gratin” is any dish that is topped with cheese or breadcrumbs mixed with butter, then heated in the oven or under the broiler until brown and crispy, according to The Food Lover's Companion. The term “au gratin” or “gratinée” just refers to anything prepared in that manner.

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