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
Units
Scale
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
