Sweet Potatoes Au Gratin Recipe

Introduction

Sweet Potatoes Au Gratin is a creamy, garlicky twist on a classic side dish. With layers of tender sweet potatoes baked in a rich herb-infused cream sauce and topped with golden Parmesan, it’s perfect for holidays or any cozy dinner.

Ingredients

• 3 pounds sweet potatoes
• 1 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Remove thyme leaves from stems, discard stems, and roughly chop the leaves.
2. Step 2: In a small bowl or pot, whisk together heavy cream and cornstarch until smooth. Add butter, garlic, thyme, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Heat gently until butter melts, then whisk again and turn off the heat.
3. Step 3: Peel and thinly slice each sweet potato into 1/8-inch rounds. Arrange the slices in a 9×13-inch baking dish in a fanned pattern.
4. Step 4: Pour a small amount of the cream mixture over the slices after arranging each potato to prevent browning as you work on the others.
5. Step 5: Continue slicing and layering all the sweet potatoes in the dish. Pour the remaining cream mixture evenly over all the potatoes.
6. Step 6: Bake for 30 minutes. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top, then bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly. Serve warm.

Tips & Variations

• Use a mandoline slicer for evenly thin potato slices and faster preparation.
• For extra flavor, sprinkle a pinch of nutmeg into the cream mixture before baking.
• Substitute Gruyère or sharp cheddar cheese for Parmesan for a different cheese flavor.
• Add a crunchy topping with breadcrumbs mixed with butter before adding cheese.

Storage

Store leftover Sweet Potatoes Au Gratin covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350 degrees F until warmed through to maintain texture and creaminess.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble it a day in advance, cover tightly, and refrigerate. Bake just before serving, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking cold.

Can I use regular potatoes instead of sweet potatoes?

Absolutely! Regular potatoes work well too; just adjust the slicing thickness and baking time as needed to ensure tenderness.

Sweet Potatoes Au Gratin Recipe

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4.8 from 149 reviews

This Sweet Potatoes Au Gratin recipe is a creamy, flavorful twist on the classic dish, featuring thinly sliced sweet potatoes baked in a rich garlic and thyme-infused cream sauce, finished with a golden Parmesan cheese crust. Perfect as a comforting side dish for holidays or special dinners.

• Author: Sana
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Side Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Sweet Potatoes Au Gratin Ingredients

• 3 pounds sweet potatoes
• 1 1/4 cups heavy cream
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese
• Salt (to taste, approx. 1 1/4 teaspoons)
• Black pepper (to taste, approx. 1/2 teaspoon)

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the au gratin.
2. Prepare the Thyme and Cream Mixture: Strip the thyme leaves from the stems, discard the stems, and roughly chop the leaves. In a small bowl or pot, whisk together the heavy cream and cornstarch until smooth. Add butter, minced garlic, chopped thyme, salt, and pepper. Heat this mixture gently on the stovetop or microwave just until the butter melts, then remove from heat and whisk again to combine well.
3. Slice the Sweet Potatoes: Peel each sweet potato and slice into very thin rounds, approximately 1/8-inch thick, for even cooking and a delicate texture.
4. Arrange Sweet Potatoes in Baking Dish: Place sliced sweet potatoes in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Fan the slices out in a decorative pattern, layering them neatly for even cooking and aesthetic appeal.
5. Layer Cream Mixture While Slicing: After arranging slices of each potato, pour a bit of the cream mixture over them to prevent browning as you continue peeling and slicing the rest. Repeat until all potatoes are arranged.
6. Pour Remaining Cream Mixture Over Potatoes: Once all slices are beautifully arranged in the dish, pour the remaining cream and butter mixture evenly over the top to ensure full coverage and flavor infusion.
7. Bake the Dish: Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 30 minutes to allow the cream to absorb and the potatoes to become tender.
8. Add Parmesan and Finish Baking: Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese evenly over the baked potatoes. Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
9. Serve Warm: Remove from oven and serve the Sweet Potatoes Au Gratin warm as a rich and delicious side dish.

Notes

• Use fresh thyme for the best flavor, but dried thyme can be substituted at 1 teaspoon if fresh is unavailable.
• Ensure sweet potatoes are sliced thinly (1/8 inch) for even cooking and creamy texture.
• Cornstarch helps thicken the cream mixture, preventing it from becoming too runny during baking.
• You can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream if you prefer a lighter dish, but the texture will be less rich.
• For a nuttier flavor, you can add a sprinkle of nutmeg to the cream mixture.
• Make sure to evenly distribute the cream mixture to prevent potatoes from drying out.

Keywords: sweet potatoes au gratin, sweet potato casserole, cheesy sweet potatoes, baked sweet potatoes, holiday side dish