What the heck is this?
This is not your grandma’s scalloped potatoes — unless your grandma had a serious thing for sweet potatoes and cheese (and if she did, we love her already). Imagine thinly sliced sweet potatoes baked in a garlicky, creamy sauce with layers of melty cheese and just a hint of spice. It’s cozy, golden, and basically hugs your taste buds with every bite.
Perfect for holiday dinners, Sunday suppers, or anytime you want a side dish that lowkey steals the show.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✓ Sweet + savory = flavor bomb.
✓ Looks fancy, but is super doable.
✓ Pairs well with chicken, pork, or just a big ol’ fork.
✓ Cheesy, creamy, comforting.
✓ Leftovers = even better the next day.
The Stuff You’ll Need
- 3 large sweet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half and half)
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional but yum)
- 1 tsp salt + ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheese (Gruyère, white cheddar, or mozzarella work great)
- Fresh thyme or rosemary for garnish (optional but cute)
Let’s Get Cozy
- Preheat + Prep
Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a baking dish with butter or nonstick spray — 9×9 or similar size works great. - Make the Creamy Sauce
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for about 1 minute, until fragrant. Stir in cream, paprika, salt, and pepper. Let it heat through but don’t boil. - Layer Time
Spread a layer of sweet potatoes in the bottom of your dish. Pour over a bit of the cream sauce and sprinkle with cheese. Repeat the layers until you run out of everything — end with a final cheesy layer on top. - Bake It Up
Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Then uncover and bake for another 20–25 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly, and the potatoes are tender when pierced with a knife. - Cool + Serve
Let it sit for 5–10 minutes before serving so it sets a bit (aka sliceable deliciousness). Garnish with fresh herbs if you’re feeling fancy.
Serving Suggestions
Serve alongside roast chicken, glazed ham, or a leafy green salad. It’s also wildly good next to eggs for a savory brunch vibe.
Switch It Up
• Add a pinch of cayenne for a spicy kick.
• Use coconut cream + vegan cheese for a plant-based version.
• Throw in caramelized onions between layers for next-level depth.
• Sub in part white potatoes for a mix of sweet + savory flavor.
Questions People Actually Ask
Q: Can I prep this ahead of time?
A: Totally. Assemble it all, cover, and chill in the fridge up to 24 hours ahead. Bake when ready to serve.
Q: What’s the best cheese for this?
A: Gruyère melts like a dream and adds depth, but white cheddar or mozzarella are fab too.
Q: Can I make this dairy-free?
A: Yes! Use plant-based butter, cream, and shredded cheese. It’s still super creamy and dreamy.
Scalloped Sweet Potatoes: Cozy Layers of Creamy, Cheesy Magic
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This is not your grandma’s scalloped potatoes — unless your grandma had a serious thing for sweet potatoes and cheese (and if she did, we love her already). Imagine thinly sliced sweet potatoes baked in a garlicky, creamy sauce with layers of melty cheese and just a hint of spice. It’s cozy, golden, and basically hugs your taste buds with every bite.
Ingredients
- 3 large sweet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half and half)
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional but yum)
- 1 tsp salt + ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheese (Gruyère, white cheddar, or mozzarella work great)
- Fresh thyme or rosemary for garnish (optional but cute)
Instructions
- Preheat + Prep
Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a baking dish with butter or nonstick spray — 9×9 or similar size works great. - Make the Creamy Sauce
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for about 1 minute, until fragrant. Stir in cream, paprika, salt, and pepper. Let it heat through but don’t boil. - Layer Time
Spread a layer of sweet potatoes in the bottom of your dish. Pour over a bit of the cream sauce and sprinkle with cheese. Repeat the layers until you run out of everything — end with a final cheesy layer on top. - Bake It Up
Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Then uncover and bake for another 20–25 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly, and the potatoes are tender when pierced with a knife. - Cool + Serve
Let it sit for 5–10 minutes before serving so it sets a bit (aka sliceable deliciousness). Garnish with fresh herbs if you’re feeling fancy.
Notes
Add a pinch of cayenne for a spicy kick.
• Use coconut cream + vegan cheese for a plant-based version.
• Throw in caramelized onions between layers for next-level depth.
• Sub in part white potatoes for a mix of sweet + savory flavor
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: ~260 per serving
- Protein: ~6g