Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes are the ultimate comfort dish that I reach for whenever I want to wow guests or bring something extra special to a holiday table. This recipe layers ultra-tender sweet potato medallions in a luscious, spiced brown sugar sauce, finished with a cloud of toasted marshmallows and a sprinkle of pecans. Every bite is sweet, nutty, a bit creamy, and full of cozy fall-spice flavor—think classic sweet potato casserole but with a gourmet twist! It’s an irresistible side dish that’s easy enough for a weeknight but stunning enough for your biggest celebrations.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll be amazed by how just a few simple ingredients work together to make Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes shine. Each element brings either creaminess, warmth, crunch, or sweetness, ensuring this dish is as satisfying as it is beautiful.
- Sweet potatoes: Choose firm, orange-fleshed sweet potatoes for the best flavor and color; slice them into even, thin medallions so they cook perfectly.
- Unsalted butter: Adds a rich, silky base for the sauce and lets you control the saltiness.
- Brown sugar: Light or dark both work; brown sugar melts down into a caramel coating that brings out the sweet potatoes’ natural sweetness.
- Water: Helps melt the sugar and spices into a pourable sauce to coat each slice.
- Ground cinnamon: Essential for that inviting, autumnal flavor that makes this dish unforgettable.
- Ground cloves: A little goes a long way; just a teaspoon gives deep warmth and complexity.
- Ground nutmeg: Adds gentle spice and depth without overpowering the other flavors.
- Salt: Brightens the sweetness and brings balance to the entire dish.
- Chopped pecans: Pecans add a crunchy, nutty contrast; walnuts work well too if you prefer.
- Mini marshmallows: When broiled, they toast up into gooey perfection, adding nostalgia and fun to every bite.
How to Make Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
Step 1: Prep Your Sweet Potatoes
Preheat your oven to 400°F, and while it warms up, peel your sweet potatoes and slice them into thin, uniform medallions. Taking care here ensures your Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes bake evenly so every slice is fork-tender and infused with flavor.
Step 2: Layer the Sweet Potatoes
Arrange the sweet potato medallions in a shallow baking dish, slightly overlapping them in rows or a pretty spiral. It’s okay if they seem tightly packed—the sauce will work its way through every crevice, flavoring each layer.
Step 3: Make the Spice Sauce
In a small or medium saucepan, combine the unsalted butter, brown sugar, water, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt. Set it over medium heat, stirring gently as everything melts and melds into a fragrant, glossy sauce. In just a few minutes, your kitchen will be filled with the scent of caramel and cozy spices.
Step 4: Add the Sauce to the Potatoes
Using a pastry brush, spread about three-quarters of the spiced sauce over the sweet potatoes, making sure you get into the edges and between the layers. Cover the dish tightly with foil to trap in the moisture and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until the potatoes are tender and bubbling.
Step 5: Add Toppings and Broil
Carefully remove the foil, then brush the remaining sauce on top of the nearly-cooked sweet potatoes. Sprinkle them generously with chopped pecans and scatter the mini marshmallows over everything for a classic, gooey finish.
Step 6: Toast Under the Broiler
Switch your oven to broil and pop the dish back in. Keep a very close eye—within 1 to 2 minutes, the marshmallows will puff and turn gloriously golden brown. It’s tempting to walk away, but this step goes fast!
Step 7: Cool and Serve
Take your Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes out of the oven and let them cool for 10 to 15 minutes. This resting time helps the sauce thicken and flavors settle, so you get neat, delectable servings every time.
How to Serve Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
Garnishes
A finishing flourish can make this dish look and taste extra-special. Try a sprinkle of finely chopped fresh parsley or a few whole toasted pecans right before serving. For a hint of sophistication, a tiny dusting of cinnamon over the marshmallows adds visual appeal and a burst of aroma.
Side Dishes
Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes are wonderfully versatile! They’re a gorgeous partner to roasted turkey, glazed ham, or even a simple baked chicken. To round out your plate, serve them with garlicky green beans, a crisp salad, or fluffy dinner rolls that are perfect for soaking up that sweet, spiced sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to go beyond the classic casserole approach, try baking in individual ramekins for elegant, single-serve portions—these are fantastic for dinner parties. Or, arrange the sweet potato medallions in a concentric spiral in a round dish to create a stunning, flower-like presentation that guests won’t soon forget.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes keep beautifully in the refrigerator for up to four days. Simply cover the baking dish tightly with foil or transfer the slices to an airtight container. The flavors deepen as they rest, making your leftovers just as crave-worthy as the first night.
Freezing
Looking to prep ahead for a big event? Freeze the baked and cooled sweet potato casserole (preferably without the marshmallows, which you can add fresh after thawing) for up to two months. Wrap the pan well in foil and plastic wrap, then thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, cover the casserole with foil and warm in a 350°F oven until hot and bubbly, about 20–30 minutes. If you’re reviving the marshmallow topping, remove the foil for the last 5 minutes or give it a quick broil to get those marshmallows golden and delicious again.
FAQs
Can I use regular potatoes instead of sweet potatoes?
You can substitute regular potatoes, but you’ll lose that beautiful orange color and natural sweetness that makes Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes so special. If you try it, consider adjusting the sugar and spices to taste.
How thin should I slice the sweet potatoes?
Aim for slices about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick. Slices that are too thick will take longer to cook and won’t absorb as much of the delicious sauce, while super-thin slices may become too soft.
Can I make Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes dairy-free?
Absolutely! Swap the butter for your favorite non-dairy butter substitute. The rest of the recipe is naturally dairy-free, making it easy to share with everyone at your table.
Do I have to use marshmallows?
Not at all—if marshmallows aren’t your thing, simply skip them or use extra nuts for crunch. A sprinkle of sweetened coconut can also add a fun, toasty finish!
Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble and bake the sweet potatoes up to the broiling step, then cover and refrigerate. Just before serving, add your marshmallows and pecans, broil, and you’ll have hot, melty Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes ready in minutes.
Final Thoughts
There’s something magical about bringing Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes to the table—whether it’s the playful marshmallow topping, the heartwarming spices, or the sweet-savory bite. I hope you’ll make this your signature side and share it with the people you love. Give it a try, and get ready to hear “Can I have seconds?” before you’ve even sat down!
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Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the rich, sweet flavors of these Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes. Layers of thinly sliced sweet potatoes, brown sugar, and spices come together to create a comforting side dish that’s perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
For the Sweet Potatoes:
- 5–6 medium sweet potatoes, peeled & cut into thin medallions
For the Sauce:
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ cup brown sugar (light or dark)
- ½ cup water
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Toppings:
- ¼ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- ½ cup mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- In a saucepan, combine unsalted butter, brown sugar, water, spices, and salt.
- Remove dish from oven, uncover, and add remaining sauce, pecans, and marshmallows.
- Allow to cool, then serve and enjoy!
Peel sweet potatoes, cut them into thin medallions, and arrange them in your baking dish.
Heat on medium, stirring until melted. Brush ¾ of the sauce over sweet potatoes, cover with foil, and bake for 45-50 minutes.
Broil for 1-2 minutes until marshmallows are toasted.
Notes
- Keep an eye on the dish when broiling to prevent burning.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: Scalloped sweet potatoes, sweet potato casserole, side dish, Thanksgiving recipes
