Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes Recipe

Get ready to fall head-over-heels for your new holiday favorite: the Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes! Imagine layers of luscious, thinly sliced sweet potatoes basking in a buttery, brown sugar glaze, all spiced just right and crowned with melty marshmallows and toasty pecans. This comforting side is a showstopper for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any time you want a dish that’s as pretty as it is delicious. Every bite truly captures the spirit of the holidays!

Ingredients You’ll Need

What makes the Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes so irresistible is a handful of ingredients working perfectly in harmony. Each component has its own job—some bring the creamy sweetness, others add crunch or a holiday kick. You probably have most of these in your pantry already!

• Sweet Potatoes: These are the heart of the dish; choose firm, evenly sized ones for easiest slicing and even baking.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds rich, creamy flavor—swap for salted butter if that’s all you have, just hold the extra salt later!
• Brown Sugar: Either light or dark works, but dark brown sugar gives deeper caramel notes.
• Water: It helps to create a silky sauce that bathes every slice.
• Ground Cinnamon: The classic sweet potato spice, bringing warmth and a cozy aroma.
• Ground Cloves: A small amount packs a punch, enhancing the festive flavor.
• Ground Nutmeg: Gives the sauce that little extra something special—freshly grated is divine if you have it!
• Salt: Balances all the sweetness and pulls the flavors together.
• Chopped Pecans: Toasty, buttery crunch in every bite—walnuts will do, but pecans are magic here.
• Mini Marshmallows: A gooey, golden topping that brings everyone back for seconds (and thirds!).

How to Make Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Start by heating your oven to 400°F. This is the perfect temperature to cook the sweet potatoes through while letting the top get that classic, golden finish. Grab your favorite pie dish, shallow casserole, or oven-safe skillet for a homey presentation.

Step 2: Slice the Sweet Potatoes

Peel your sweet potatoes and use a mandoline slicer (my best friend for this recipe!) to create thin, evenly sized medallions. If you’re using a knife, take your time—consistent slices mean even cooking and that signature scalloped look. Arrange the sweet potato slices in your dish, overlapping them slightly for a beautiful layered effect.

Step 3: Make the Buttery Brown Sugar Sauce

In a small or medium saucepan over medium heat, melt together the unsalted butter, brown sugar, water, ground cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt. Stir gently until everything becomes a smooth, glossy sauce. Don’t you just love that intoxicating spicy-sweet scent wafting through your kitchen?

Step 4: Layer and Bake

Use a pastry brush to pour and spread about three-quarters of your warm sauce evenly over the sweet potato medallions—make sure every nook and cranny gets some love. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake in your preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes, until the sweet potatoes are tender and the flavors meld together.

Step 5: Top, Toast, and Serve

Remove the foil and spoon the remaining sauce over the potatoes. Sprinkle with a generous handful of chopped pecans and scatter the mini marshmallows on top (don’t hold back if you’re a marshmallow fan!). Pop the dish back into the oven and switch to the broil setting for 1 to 2 minutes. Keep a close eye—those marshmallows brown fast! Let it cool for about 10 to 15 minutes, then serve up the Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes and bask in the applause.

How to Serve Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes

Garnishes

A few well-chosen garnishes make this dish as festive as it is delicious. Add a dusting of extra cinnamon or nutmeg right before serving, or toss on a handful of extra toasted pecans for crunch. If you really want to impress, a sprig of fresh rosemary or thyme gives a pop of color and a subtle aroma.

Side Dishes

The Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes play beautifully with other holiday favorites. Serve them alongside roasted turkey, maple-glazed ham, or classic stuffing. For a vegetarian spread, pair with tangy cranberry sauce, green bean almondine, or a crisp salad for contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

Upgrade your holiday table by baking individual portions in ramekins for a personal touch—guests love having their own servings! Arrange the sweet potatoes in a spiral for a showstopping visual, or top with a crumble of gingersnaps for playful flavor. However you serve them, these will be the star attraction.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes keep wonderfully in the fridge. Allow the dish to cool completely, then cover tightly with foil or transfer to an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh for 3 to 4 days, making them easy to enjoy again (if there’s any left!).

Freezing

This dish can also be frozen in advance. Cool fully, then wrap securely in both plastic wrap and aluminum foil, or use a lidded freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to one month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for the best results.

Reheating

To reheat, cover the dish loosely with foil and place in a 350°F oven until heated through (about 20 minutes). If you want the marshmallows to toast up again, broil for a minute at the end—watch carefully, just like the first time!

FAQs

Can I use regular potatoes instead of sweet potatoes?

While regular potatoes can be swapped in a pinch, you’ll miss the unique sweetness and color that makes the Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes so special. If you do switch, consider increasing the brown sugar just a bit to balance the flavors.

Is this dish gluten-free?

Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free! As always, check your ingredients—sometimes marshmallows or packaged nuts have cross-contamination warnings—but every component here is typically safe.

How do I keep the marshmallows from burning?

Stay nearby while broiling! Marshmallows go from golden to charred in seconds under a broiler. One to two minutes is plenty; rotate the dish if your broiler has hotspots, and pull it the moment you see them puff and turn toasty.

Can I prep this in advance for a crowd?

Absolutely! You can assemble everything but the marshmallow and pecan topping a day ahead and refrigerate. On serving day, let the dish sit at room temperature for 20 minutes, bake as directed, then finish with the marshmallows and pecans under the broiler.

What can I substitute for pecans?

If you don’t have pecans on hand or need a nut-free option, try walnuts, pumpkin seeds, or simply skip the nuts entirely. The dish will still have that fantastic flavor and texture thanks to the gooey marshmallows.

Final Thoughts

There’s just something magical about a big bubbling dish of Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes on the holiday table. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a sweet potato first-timer, this recipe is a celebration on a plate. Gather your loved ones and give it a try—you’re about to create a new family favorite!

Print