Description

This Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes recipe combines tender, thinly sliced sweet potatoes baked in a rich and creamy brown sugar sauce with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. It’s a perfect sweet and savory side dish for any meal, especially during holiday dinners. Optional mini marshmallows add a delightful gooey topping for an extra touch of sweetness.

Ingredients

Scale

Sweet Potatoes

2 large sweet potatoes (about 1½ pounds), peeled and thinly sliced (⅛ inch thick)

Sauce Ingredients

1 cup heavy cream
½ cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping (Optional)

½ cup mini marshmallows

Instructions

Preheat and prepare. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray to prevent sticking.
Slice the sweet potatoes. Peel the sweet potatoes and slice them thinly to about ⅛-inch thickness, ensuring even baking. Arrange the slices neatly in the prepared baking dish, slightly overlapping each slice.
Make the brown sugar sauce. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add brown sugar, heavy cream, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and vanilla extract. Whisk continuously until the mixture is smooth and the sugar has completely dissolved.
Assemble the casserole. Pour the warm brown sugar sauce evenly over the layered sweet potatoes. Use a spatula to gently coat all slices to ensure even flavor distribution.
Bake covered. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes to allow the potatoes to soften and absorb the flavors.
Bake uncovered. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 20 to 25 minutes until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender and the sauce is bubbling and thickened.
Optional marshmallow topping. Five minutes before the end of baking, sprinkle mini marshmallows evenly over the top. Return to the oven and bake until the marshmallows are golden brown and gooey.
Serve. Remove from the oven and allow the dish to cool slightly before serving. Optionally, garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon or fresh herbs for added aroma and presentation.

Notes

For easier slicing, you can use a mandoline to get consistent ⅛-inch slices.
The marshmallow topping can be omitted for a less sweet, more traditional scalloped sweet potato dish.
This dish can be made a day ahead; reheat covered to avoid drying out.
Substitute half-and-half for heavy cream to reduce richness but maintain creaminess.
Adjust spices according to taste; some may also like to add a pinch of ground ginger.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Category: Side Dish
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: scalloped sweet potatoes, brown sugar sweet potatoes, sweet potato casserole, holiday side dish, baked sweet potatoes, sweet potato recipe