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Sweet Potatoes Au Gratin Recipe

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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