This Sweet Potatoes Au Gratin Recipe is a delightful twist on the traditional gratin, bringing together the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes with a rich, creamy garlic-infused sauce. It’s the perfect cozy dish that will have your family and friends asking for seconds!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Golden Crisp Cheese: The topping of perfectly browned Parmesan adds a deliciously crispy layer.
- Rich Creaminess: The heavy cream, infused with garlic and thyme, creates a luxurious sauce that melds beautifully with the potatoes.
- Perfect Sweet-Savory Balance: Sweet potatoes bring a unique sweetness matched perfectly by the savory elements of garlic and cheese.
- Simple Elegance: Despite its sophistication, this dish is straightforward to prepare for any occasion.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Sweet Potatoes Au Gratin Recipe relies on just a handful of simple, yet essential ingredients that come together to create a culinary masterpiece. Each component has a unique role in building flavor and texture.
- Sweet Potatoes: Their natural sweetness and vibrant color are the stars of this dish.
- Heavy Cream: Provides the creamy base that enriches the overall flavor.
- Butter: Adds a layer of richness and helps blend the sauce smoothly.
- Garlic: Infuses the cream with a fragrant warmth, complementing the sweet potatoes.
- Fresh Thyme: Offers a fresh herbal note that elevates the dish’s flavor complexity.
- Cornstarch: Thickens the cream, helping it cling to the potato slices beautifully.
- Parmesan Cheese: Gives a salty, savory kick and adds a golden crust.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning, bringing out the best in each ingredient.
Variations
This Sweet Potatoes Au Gratin Recipe is incredibly versatile. You can tweak it to suit different dietary needs or simply to mix it up with new flavors. Here are some fantastic variations you can try.
- Cheesy Delight: Add shredded Gruyère or cheddar for a different cheesy flavor profile.
- Herb Mix: Swap thyme with rosemary or sage for a different aromatic experience.
- Vegan Option: Use coconut cream and vegan cheese for a plant-based version.
How to Make Sweet Potatoes Au Gratin Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Ingredients
Start by peeling and slicing the sweet potatoes into thin, 1/8-inch rounds. This ensures they cook evenly. Chop the fresh thyme and mince the garlic, setting these aromatics aside for later.
Step 2: Make the Cream Sauce
In a small saucepan, combine the heavy cream and cornstarch. Whisk them until smooth before heating. Add in the butter, garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper, and warm the mixture until the butter has melted, whisking again to combine all elements perfectly.
Step 3: Assemble and Cook
In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, arrange the sweet potato slices in an overlapping pattern. As you finish each layer, drizzle some of the cream sauce onto the sweet potatoes to prevent browning. Once all potatoes are layered, pour any remaining cream sauce over the top. Bake at 400°F for 30 minutes.
Step 4: Add the Cheese
Remove the dish from the oven, sprinkle the top with Parmesan cheese, and return it to the oven. Bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly. Allow it to cool slightly before serving warm.
Pro Tips for Making Sweet Potatoes Au Gratin Recipe
- Perfect Thickness: Ensure the potatoes are sliced consistently to 1/8-inch thickness for even cooking.
- Sauce Whisking: Continuously whisk the cream and cornstarch to prevent lumps from forming when heating.
- Parmesan Timing: Add the Parmesan close to the end of baking to avoid over-browning and to ensure a delicious crust.
- Layer with Love: Take your time when layering for a beautifully composed dish and optimal flavor infusion.
How to Serve Sweet Potatoes Au Gratin Recipe
Garnishes
For a touch of elegance and freshness, consider garnishing this Sweet Potatoes Au Gratin Recipe with freshly chopped parsley or chives. These herbs offer a nice color contrast and a refreshing burst of flavor.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs beautifully with grilled or roasted meats like chicken or pork. For a vegetarian option, serve it alongside a crisp green salad dressed with a tangy vinaigrette to balance the richness.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re aiming to impress, serve this gratin in individual ramekins for a personal touch at dinner parties. This unique presentation not only looks stunning but also makes it easy to manage portions.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Sweet Potatoes Au Gratin in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. This makes it easy to enjoy a delicious scoop whenever the craving hits again.
Freezing
To freeze, let the gratin cool completely, then wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. It can be stored in the freezer for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F until heated through, about 15-20 minutes. Cover with foil to prevent the top from browning too much, and remove it for the last 5 minutes to crisp up the cheese layer.
FAQs
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Can I prepare Sweet Potatoes Au Gratin in advance?
Yes, you can assemble the dish a day ahead, cover it, and refrigerate until ready to bake. This allows the flavors to really meld together beautifully.
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Can I use regular potatoes instead of sweet potatoes?
Absolutely! Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes are great alternatives, though they will offer a different flavor profile compared to the sweetness of sweet potatoes.
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What is the best way to slice sweet potatoes thinly?
A mandoline slicer is your best bet for achieving consistent, thin slices quickly and efficiently, but a sharp chef’s knife works too if you’re careful.
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How can I make it lactose-free?
Use a lactose-free cream and butter substitute. The recipe will still be delicious and creamy, while being friendlier for those with lactose intolerances.
Final Thoughts
I hope this Sweet Potatoes Au Gratin Recipe inspires you to gather loved ones around the table. Its comforting flavors, stunning presentation, and easy preparation make it a must-try. Dive into this cozy, delicious journey and enjoy making memories bite by bite!
Print
Sweet Potatoes Au Gratin Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Sweet Potatoes Au Gratin recipe features thinly sliced sweet potatoes layered in a creamy garlic and thyme sauce, baked until tender and golden with a cheesy topping. It’s perfect as a comforting side dish for family dinners or holiday feasts, offering a rich and flavorful twist on traditional au gratin dishes.
Ingredients
Sweet Potatoes
- 3 pounds sweet potatoes
Cream Mixture
- 1 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Cheese
- 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This ensures it’s at the right temperature for baking the sweet potatoes to tender perfection.
- Prepare thyme: Remove the leaves from the thyme stems, discard the stems, and roughly chop the leaves to release their aromatic flavor.
- Make cream mixture: In a small bowl or pot, whisk together the heavy cream and cornstarch until smooth. Add the butter, minced garlic, chopped thyme, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Heat gently over the stovetop or microwave just until the butter melts, then whisk again to combine thoroughly. This creates a flavorful sauce for the potatoes.
- Slice sweet potatoes: Peel each sweet potato and slice into very thin rounds, about 1/8-inch thick, using a sharp knife or mandoline for uniformity. Arrange the slices evenly in a 9×13-inch baking dish in a fanned pattern to create an attractive presentation.
- Layer the potatoes: Before slicing the next sweet potato, pour a little of the cream mixture over the slices to prevent browning. Repeat the slicing and layering process until all sweet potatoes are arranged in the dish. Then pour the remaining cream mixture evenly over the layered potatoes.
- Bake the dish: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. Afterward, sprinkle Parmesan cheese evenly over the top and bake for another 10 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve warm as a delicious side dish.
Notes
- For variation, add a pinch of nutmeg or cayenne pepper to the cream mixture for extra flavor.
- Using a mandoline slicer ensures thin, even slices for a more uniform cook and attractive presentation.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and reheated in the microwave or oven.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/12th of the dish
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
