These lightened-up cheesy scalloped sweet potatoes are coated in a rich, creamy garlic sauce and topped off with melted gruyère. It is the perfect healthier side dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.
The best cheesy scalloped sweet potato recipe
The holidays are approaching, and nothing screams Thanksgiving and Christmas like these cheesy scalloped potatoes. I love these honey sriracha brussel sprouts, this air fryer parmesan zucchini, and this cauliflower leek Potato soup. But, if I had to rank my favorite side dishes, scalloped potatoes would be at the top. That’s why I had to develop a lightened-up version for you made with sweet potatoes!
These rich and cheesy scalloped sweet potatoes are incredibly flavorful, delicious, and easy to make. The sweet potatoes are tender and coated in a creamy, buttery garlic sauce with melted cheese. Just heaven!
These scalloped sweet potatoes are made with skim milk, gruyère cheese, garlic, thyme, vegetable or chicken broth, and other simple ingredients. There is no heavy cream in this recipe!
Scalloped potatoes make the perfect Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or family dinner side dish. My family requests this recipe at least twice a month – that’s how delicious it is! I cannot wait to hear what you think about this recipe!
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- Healthier: A lightened-up version of classic scalloped potatoes.
- Sweet Potatoes: A fun, delicious alternative to classic russet potatoes.
- No Heavy Cream: This recipe is rich, but lightened up.
- Cheesy: They’re super flavorful, rich, and cheesy.
- Gluten-Free: There are no bread crumbs or flour in this recipe!
- Holiday Side: The perfect side dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.
- Quick & Easy: Any level cook can make them, and they call for simple ingredients.
- Secretly Healthy: Everyone will love them, and no one can tell they’re healthier.
- Try these crispy and buttery Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes or these air fryer fingerling potatoes next!
Ingredients needed
Here’s an overview of all the ingredients you’ll need to make these cheesy baked scalloped sweet potatoes. Scroll to the bottom of this blog post for the exact measurements and directions.
- 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.
- Shallots: Shallots contribute a lovely sweet and sharp flavor, elevating the taste profile of these scalloped potatoes and adding a touch of sophistication.
- Garlic Cloves: Using fresh garlic is key! It imparts a robust flavor, enhancing the dish’s overall taste and giving it a delicious garlic kick.
- Milk: I opted for skim milk to lighten up these scalloped sweet potatoes, but 2% and whole milk are equally suitable. The milk contributes to the creamy texture of the dish.
- Chicken or Vegetable Broth: Adding broth enhances the overall flavor and helps balance and thin out the richness of the creamy sauce, creating a well-rounded taste.
- Salt & Pepper: To your taste preference.
- Fresh Thyme: A little fresh thyme goes a long way in providing a classic scalloped potato taste, adding a subtle herbaceous note that complements the sweetness of the potatoes.
- Bay Leaf: Similar to thyme, a bay leaf contributes to the dish’s classic flavor profile, infusing a subtle but distinctive taste.
- Arrowroot Starch: Don’t skip this ingredient! It’s crucial for thickening the creamy sauce, making it extra rich. Tapioca flour or cornstarch are alternatives.
- Shredded Gruyère: To make these scalloped sweet potatoes extra cheesy, I recommend using Gruyère for its flavorful profile. However, Swiss, shredded fontina, Colby jack, or sharp cheddar are also excellent alternatives, adding a gooey and savory layer to the dish.
Kitchen tools needed
These cheesy scalloped sweet potatoes are very easy to make. Here is a list of all the kitchen tools you need for this recipe:
- 9 “x13” Baking Dish
- Cutting Board & Knife
- Mandoline (optional)
- Medium Saucepan
- Measuring Tools: 1/2 teaspoon, 1 teaspoon, 1 Tablespoon, 1/4 cup, and 1/2 cup.
How to make cheesy scalloped sweet potatoes
These extra cheesy scalloped sweet potatoes are the best side dish for any meal. They are savory, tender, and coated in a rich garlic sauce. Here are step-by-step directions for any level cook and pictures for visual reference:
Step 1:
First, preheat the oven to 400°F and grease a 9×13″ baking dish with butter or olive oil spray.
Step 2:
Then, trim the ends off the sweet potatoes and thinly slice them (about ⅛ inch thick). I like to use a mandoline.
Step 3:
In a medium saucepan, melt 1 tbsp of butter. Add sliced shallots and minced garlic. Cook for 3 – 5 minutes until fragrant and the shallots are softened. Stir in the milk, broth, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Simmer for about 5 minutes. Whisk in arrowroot starch and let it simmer on medium-high for another 5 minutes until it thickens and becomes aromatic.
Step 4:
Now, add ½ cup of the sauce to the bottom of the greased pie dish. Arrange the sliced sweet potatoes in the dish, creating a visually pleasing pattern. Pour the remaining sauce from the saucepan over the sweet potatoes.
Step 5:
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 – 35 minutes.
Then, carefully remove the pan from the oven, top it with cheese, and place it back in the oven for 10 minutes (uncovered) until the cheese is bubbly and melted. Garnish with extra thyme leaves for serving.
Garnish with extra thyme leaves before serving.
Expert tips for scalloped sweet potatoes
- Uniform Slicing. For best results, slice your sweet potatoes into 1/8-inch rounds so they cook evenly. I like to use a mandolin for consistency, but you can use a knife and cutting board. The bake time will increase if the sweet potatoes are thicker than 1/8-inch.
- Pour a 1/2 cup of sauce into the pan before layering the sweet potatoes. This ensures the potatoes don’t stick to the bottom of the baking dish when baked.
- Use any milk you want. I lightened this recipe by using skim milk (also known as low-fat), but you can certainly use 2% or whole milk, too.
- Thickening Agent. Arrowroot starch is a key thickening agent. Don’t skip it, as it gives the sauce a luxurious consistency. Tapioca flour or cornstarch are suitable alternatives.
- Cover the baking dish during the first bake. This is super important and ensures the sweet potatoes cook properly and evenly. If you don’t cover the baking dish, there is a chance the sweet potatoes will dry out.
- Make it ahead of time. Make these cheesy scalloped sweet potatoes up to 3 days ahead for events like Thanksgiving or Christmas. Follow the recipe up to step 6 (excluding the cheese), cool, cover, and refrigerate. Add cheese before reheating at 350°F for 15-25 minutes for optimal results.
Easy ingredient substitutions:
I only recommend substituting 1 or 2 ingredients since the original recipe is so delicious! Here are my recommendations:
- Fresh Garlic Cloves: You can use 2 teaspoons of frozen garlic, pre-minced garlic, or 1.5 – 2 teaspoons of garlic powder.
- Shallots: You can use white onion, sweet onion, or yellow onion.
- Chicken Broth: Use vegetable broth or chicken bone broth.
- Shredded Gruyère: You can use your favorite kind of cheese instead. I like Swiss, shredded Fontina, Colby Jack, or sharp cheddar.
- Arrowroot Starch: You can substitute arrowroot starch with tapioca flour or cornstarch.
- Skim Milk: You can use 2% or whole milk too.
- Fresh Thyme: You can use 1 teaspoon of dried thyme.
Are these the same as sweet potatoes au gratin?
Yes, cheesy scalloped sweet potatoes and sweet potatoes au gratin are essentially the same dish, featuring thinly sliced sweet potatoes baked in a creamy sauce and topped with cheese. The terms are often used interchangeably to describe this delicious and comforting side dish.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best type of sweet potato to use?
This scalloped sweet potato recipe works best with classic garnet sweet potatoes. However, you can also use Jewel, Japanese, or Purple sweet potatoes.
How is this recipe lightened up?
I consider this scalloped potatoes recipe lightened up for a few reasons: (1) we use sweet potatoes instead of regular russet potatoes, (2) we use skim milk and vegetable broth instead of heavy cream, (3) we use half the amount of cheese called for in most recipes, and (4) this recipe is gluten-free.
What is the difference between scalloped and au gratin potatoes?
The main difference is that scalloped potatoes are layered in a casserole dish and cooked in a milk-based sauce. Au gratin potatoes are more decedent, have no defined layering, and are coated in more cheese and breadcrumbs.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, this scalloped sweet potato recipe is 100% gluten-free.
What’s the best substitute for skim milk?
You can use 2% milk or whole milk instead of skim milk.
What’s the best substitute for gruyère cheese?
While Gruyère is recommended for its flavorful profile, you can experiment with Swiss, fontina, Colby jack, or sharp cheddar for varied taste experiences.
How long does it take to bake scalloped potatoes?
The baking time depends on how thick you slice your sweet potatoes. If your potatoes are cut in 1/8-inch rounds, the bake time is about 35 minutes at 400°F.
Can I make scalloped sweet potatoes ahead of time?
Yes, this recipe can be made three days in advance. Follow the recipe up to step 6 (don’t add the cheese), let the potatoes cool, cover the pan, and store in the fridge. For best results, add cheese on top and reheat uncovered in the oven 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: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 – 4 days in an airtight container or in the original baking dish covered with foil.
Reheating: For best results, reheat the entire baking dish in the oven at 350°F for 15 – 25 minutes until warm. You can also reheat single-serve portions in the toaster oven at 350°F for 5 – 8 minutes or in the microwave for 1 – 2 minutes until warm.
If you loved this sweet potato recipe, try these next!
- Sweet Potato Cauliflower Mash
- Sweet Potato Chicken Shepherd’s Pie
- Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
- Maple Roasted Sweet Potato & Brussel Sprouts
- Pumpkin Sweet Potato Soup
Did you make this recipe?
If you make this recipe, be sure to comment and rate it down below. Also, don’t forget to tag me @healthfulblondie on Instagram and use the hashtag #healthfulblondie so I can see your delicious creation and share it with my followers!
Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients
- 3 lbs sweet potato, ~4 larger sweet potatoes
- 1.5 tbsp unsalted butter, + more to grease the dish, or you can use spray
- 4 small shallots, sliced thin
- 3 – 4 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1 ½ cups skim milk, 2% or whole milk works too
- ¼ cup low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 Bay leaf
- 1 tbsp arrowroot starch*
- 4 – 6 oz shredded gruyère
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F and grease a 9"x13" baking dish with butter or olive oil spray.
- Prepare the Sweet Potatoes: Trim the ends off the sweet potatoes and thinly slice them (about ⅛ inch thick). I reccommend using a mandoline. Set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt 1 tbsp of butter. Add sliced shallots and minced garlic. Cook for 3 – 5 minutes until fragrant and the shallots are softened. Stir in the milk, broth, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Simmer for about 5 minutes. Whisk in arrowroot starch and let it simmer on medium-high for another 5 minutes until it thickens and becomes aromatic.
- Assemble: Add ½ cup of the sauce to the bottom of the greased pie dish. Arrange the sliced sweet potatoes in the dish, creating a visually pleasing pattern. Pour the remaining sauce from the saucepan over the sweet potatoes.
- Bake: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 – 35 minutes.
- Add Cheese: Carefully remove the pan from the oven, top it with shredded Gruyère cheese, and return it to the oven for an additional 10 minutes, uncovered, until the cheese is bubbly and melted.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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Christine says
Super cheesy and delicious! I love sweet potatoes more than regular potatoes so this was a huge hit.