The scent of cinnamon, nutmeg, and warm, creamy sweetness… It always takes me back to my grandmother’s kitchen. Every Thanksgiving, her table groaned under the weight of incredible food, but the dish I always looked forward to most? Her Scalloped Sweet Potatoes. Layers of thinly sliced sweet potatoes, bathed in a rich, cheesy sauce, baked to golden perfection. It was pure comfort food, a hug on a plate. And now, I want to share that warmth with you. This recipe for Scalloped Sweet Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes Au Gratin, a Holiday Favorite is my take on her classic, perfected over years of experimentation and, of course, lots of delicious tasting.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Forget dry, bland sweet potato casserole. This isn’t that. This is a decadent, creamy delight. Here’s why you’ll reach for this recipe again and again:
- Ultimate Comfort Food: The combination of sweet potatoes, cream, cheese, and warming spices is pure soul food.
- Impressive but Easy: It looks fancy, but it’s surprisingly simple to make. Truly, you’ve got this!
- Holiday Showstopper: It’s a guaranteed hit at Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any special occasion.
- Customizable: Easily adapt it to your taste preferences (more cheese? Different spices? Let’s dive into that later!).
- Make-Ahead Friendly: This dish can largely be prepared ahead of time, freeing you up on the big day.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s gather our ingredients. Quality matters here, especially with the cheese!
- Sweet Potatoes: 3 pounds, peeled and thinly sliced (about 1/8 inch thick – a mandoline slicer is your best friend here!)
- Heavy Cream: 2 cups (don’t substitute with milk – the richness is essential)
- Whole Milk: 1 cup
- Butter: 6 tablespoons (divided – 4 for the sauce, 2 for greasing the dish)
- All-Purpose Flour: 4 tablespoons
- Yellow Mustard: 2 tablespoons (trust me!)
- Brown Sugar: ½ cup, packed
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese: 2 cups, shredded (plus extra for topping) – a good quality sharp cheddar truly shines here
- Parmesan Cheese: ½ cup, grated (for topping)
- Ground Cinnamon: 1 teaspoon
- Ground Nutmeg: ½ teaspoon
- Salt and Black Pepper: To taste
Let’s Get Cooking: Step-by-Step Instructions
Ready to turn these ingredients into a masterpiece? Let’s do it!
Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with 2 tablespoons of butter.
Make the Cream Sauce: In a large saucepan, melt the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour until a smooth paste forms (this is your roux). Cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, to cook out the flour taste.
Add Liquids: Gradually whisk in the heavy cream and milk, ensuring there are no lumps. Continue whisking until the sauce is smooth and begins to thicken – about 5-7 minutes.
Flavor Power: Stir in the brown sugar, yellow mustard, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Remember, the sweetness is key, but balance it with a little heat from the nutmeg and pepper.
Cheese Please!: Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add 1 ½ cups of the shredded cheddar cheese and stir until melted and fully incorporated. The sauce should be wonderfully creamy and cheesy.
Layering Time: Arrange approximately 1/3 of the sweet potato slices in a single layer in the prepared baking dish. Pour 1/3 of the cheese sauce evenly over the potatoes. Sprinkle with about 1/4 cup of cheddar cheese. Repeat this layering process two more times, ending with a layer of sauce.
Cheesy Topping: Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup cheddar cheese and ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
Bake it Up: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. Bake for 45 minutes.
Uncover & Brown: Remove the foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork and the cheese is melted and bubbly, with a beautiful golden-brown crust.
Rest & Serve: Let the scalloped sweet potatoes rest for at least 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the sauce to set slightly and makes slicing easier.
Tips, Variations, & Serving Suggestions
Let’s customize this dish to make it your absolute favorite!
- Mandoline is Your Friend: Slicing sweet potatoes thinly and evenly is crucial. A mandoline slicer makes this incredibly easy, but if you don’t have one, just take your time and try to slice them as uniformly as possible.
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce for a little extra kick.
- Maple Syrup Boost: Replace some of the brown sugar with maple syrup for a more complex sweetness.
- Different Cheeses: Experiment with different cheeses! Gruyere, fontina, or even a touch of smoked gouda would all be delicious.
- Add Some Bacon: Crumbled cooked bacon added between the layers takes this dish to a whole new level!
- Make-Ahead Magic: You can assemble the scalloped sweet potatoes up to 24 hours in advance. Cover tightly and refrigerate. Add about 15-20 minutes to the baking time.
- Serving Suggestions: This dish pairs perfectly with roasted turkey, ham, or even grilled steak. A simple green salad is a nice contrast to the richness. Don’t forget a dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of chopped chives on top for extra flair!
Nutritional Information (Approximate per serving – based on 8 servings)
Keep in mind, these are estimates, and will vary depending on ingredient brands and portion sizes.
- Calories: 450-500
- Fat: 25-30g
- Saturated Fat: 15-20g
- Carbohydrates: 45-50g
- Sugar: 20-25g
- Protein: 10-15g
Gather ‘Round the Table
There you have it – a recipe for Scalloped Sweet Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes Au Gratin, a Holiday Favorite, that’s sure to become a cherished tradition in your family. Don’t be intimidated by the layering process; it’s truly simpler than it looks. The reward – a bubbling, cheesy, sweet potato masterpiece – is absolutely worth it. So, preheat your oven, gather your ingredients, and prepare to create a dish that will bring smiles to everyone’s faces. Happy cooking!
