These cheesy scalloped sweet potatoes are coated in a rich, creamy garlic sauce and topped with melted gruyère. It’s the perfect, comforting side dish for Thanksgiving and the Holidays!

sweet potato scalloped potatoes with gruyère cheese

Cheesy sweet potato scalloped potatoes

Every holiday, I think about the best side dishes, and these scalloped potatoes are always my favorite. I wanted to make a sweet potato version, so I did!

I’ll never forget the first time I made these for my family. The sweet potatoes were so tender, and the creamy garlic sauce with melted cheese was delicious. It’s now a dish my family asks for at least twice a month.

This recipe uses simple ingredients like skim milk, gruyère cheese, and thyme. There’s no heavy cream, but it’s still creamy and rich.

These cheesy scalloped sweet potatoes are perfect for holidays or any family meal. I can’t wait for you to try them!

Why I love this recipe:

Sweet Potatoes: A tasty twist on classic russet potatoes.
No Heavy Cream: Rich but lightened up.
Cheesy: Packed with flavor and cheese.
Gluten-Free: No breadcrumbs or flour.
Holiday Side: Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.
Quick & Easy: Simple ingredients and easy for any cook.

Scalloped Sweet Potatoes with cheese on top

Ingredients needed

Here's a quick overview of all the ingredients you need to make these cheesy baked scalloped sweet potatoes. For exact measurements, scroll to the bottom of the post.

Sweet Potatoes: Baked scalloped sweet potatoes bring a tender, hearty element to the dish with their delicious taste and texture.
Butter: A small amount of butter enhances the creamy garlic sauce, providing richness and depth.
Seasonings: You’ll need bay leaf, fresh thyme, garlic cloves, and shallots.
Sauce Ingredients: Milk (skim, 2%, or whole), chicken or vegetable broth, arrowroot starch (or tapioca flour/cornstarch), salt, and pepper.
Cheese: Shredded gruyère (or Swiss, fontina, Colby jack, or sharp cheddar).

all ingredients in scalloped sweet potato recipe labeled in small bowls

Step-by-step how to make sweet potato scalloped potatoes

These cheesy scalloped sweet potatoes are savory, tender, and coated in a rich garlic sauce. Here’s how to make them step-by-step:

Step One: Preheat the oven to 400°F and grease a 9x13" baking dish with butter or olive oil spray.

Step Two: Trim the ends off the sweet potatoes and slice them thinly (about ⅛ inch thick). A mandoline works great for this.

Step Three: In a medium saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Add shallots and minced garlic. Cook for 3-5 minutes until softened. Stir in milk, broth, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes. Whisk in arrowroot starch and let it simmer on medium-high for 5 more minutes until it thickens.

creamy garlic sauce made with skim milk, shallots, and chicken broth

Step Four: Pour ½ cup of the sauce into the bottom of the greased dish. Layer the sliced sweet potatoes in the dish. Pour the remaining sauce over the potatoes.

scalloped sweet potatoes unseasoned and unbaked in baking dish

pouring creamy garlic sauce on top of scalloped sweet potatoes before baking

Step Five: Cover with foil and bake for 30-35 minutes.

Step Six: Remove from the oven, top with cheese, and bake uncovered for 10 more minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Garnish with extra thyme leaves before serving.

Garnish with extra thyme leaves before serving and ENJOY your delicious sweet potato scalloped potatoes!

scalloped sweet potatoes after the first bake in the creamy garlic sauce

baked scalloped sweet potatoes with shredded gruyère cheese on top before melting

added shredded cheese on top of scalloped sweet potatoes

Expert tips for scalloped potatoes:

Uniform Slicing: Slice sweet potatoes into ⅛-inch rounds for even cooking. A mandolin works best, but you can use a knife. Thicker slices will increase the bake time.
Add Sauce First: Pour ½ cup of sauce into the dish before layering the sweet potatoes to prevent sticking.
Milk Options: Use any milk you prefer. I use skim milk to lighten it up, but 2% or whole milk works just as well.
Thickening Agent: Arrowroot starch thickens the sauce and gives it a smooth texture. Don’t skip it! Tapioca flour or cornstarch are good alternatives.
Cover While Baking: Cover the dish during the first bake to ensure the sweet potatoes cook evenly and don’t dry out.
Make Ahead: Prepare the dish up to 3 days in advance. Follow the recipe up to step 6 (without cheese), cool, cover, and refrigerate. Add cheese and bake at 350°F for 15-25 minutes when ready to serve.

Easy ingredient substitutions:

While I love the original recipe, here are a few swaps you can make:

Fresh Garlic Cloves: Use 2 teaspoons of frozen garlic, pre-minced garlic, or 1.5–2 teaspoons of garlic powder.
Shallots: Swap for white, sweet, or yellow onion.
Chicken Broth: Use vegetable broth or chicken bone broth.
Shredded Gruyère: Try Swiss, shredded Fontina, Colby Jack, or sharp cheddar.
Arrowroot Starch: Substitute with tapioca flour or cornstarch.
Skim Milk: You can also use 2% or whole milk.
Fresh Thyme: Use 1 teaspoon of dried thyme.

Scalloped Sweet Potatoes in garlic sauce and topped with melted gruyère

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these the same as sweet potatoes au gratin?

Yes, they're very similar! Both are made with thinly sliced sweet potatoes, baked in a creamy sauce, and topped with cheese. The terms are often used interchangeably.

What's the best type of sweet potato to use?

Garnet sweet potatoes work best, but you can also use Jewel, Japanese, or Purple sweet potatoes.

Are scalloped potatoes gluten-free?

Yes, this recipe is completely gluten-free. However, not all scalloped potato recipes are, as some include breadcrumbs, which contain gluten. Always check the ingredients if you're following a gluten-free diet.

What's the best substitute for gruyère cheese?

Swiss, fontina, Colby jack, or sharp cheddar are good alternatives.

Can I make scalloped potatoes ahead of time?

Yes! Make it up to 3 days ahead by following the recipe until step 6 (without cheese). Store it in the fridge and add cheese before reheating at 350°F for 15-25 minutes.

Can I freeze leftovers?

I do not recommend freezing leftover cheesy scalloped sweet potatoes. The texture may change significantly upon reheating due to the cream sauce and cheese, resulting in a less desirable consistency.

How to store and reheat scalloped sweet potatoes:

Storing: Keep in the fridge for up to 3-4 days, covered in an airtight container or foil.

Reheating: Reheat the whole dish at 350°F for 15-25 minutes or single portions in the toaster oven for 5-8 minutes or in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.

close up of scalloped sweet potatoes with a rich, creamy garlic sauce and topped with melted gruyère

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Did you make this recipe?

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