The Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes are a delightful addition to any meal, whether it’s a festive gathering or a cozy dinner at home. This dish showcases beautifully thin medallions of sweet potatoes, enveloped in a buttery brown sugar sauce that is perfectly spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Topped with mini vegan marshmallows and crunchy pecans, these scalloped sweet potatoes are not only visually appealing but also bursting with flavor. Perfect for Christmas or Thanksgiving, this recipe will impress your guests and satisfy your taste buds!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Prepare: This recipe involves simple steps that even beginners can follow.
- Delicious Flavor Combination: The blend of spices and sweetness makes each bite irresistible.
- Versatile Dish: Great as a side for holiday meals or as a comforting dish any time of year.
- Vegan-Friendly Marshmallows: Enjoy the classic flavors without compromising dietary choices.
- Family-Favorite Appeal: It’s a dish that both kids and adults will love!
Tools and Preparation
To make the Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes, you’ll need some essential tools to ensure your cooking process goes smoothly.
Essential Tools and Equipment
- Baking dish
- Medium saucepan
- Pastry brush
- Peeler
Importance of Each Tool
- Baking dish: A good-quality baking dish ensures even cooking and presentation.
- Medium saucepan: Essential for melting ingredients together to create the sauce.
- Pastry brush: Perfect for evenly distributing the sauce over the sweet potato medallions.
- Peeler: Makes peeling sweet potatoes quick and easy.
Ingredients
To create these delicious Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes, gather the following ingredients:
- 5-6 medium sweet potatoes (Peeled & cut into thin medallions)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (see note below)
- ¼ cup brown sugar (light or dark)
- ½ cup water
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup chopped pecans (or walnuts)
- ½ cup mini vegan marshmallows (see note below)
How to Make Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking.
Step 2: Prepare the Sweet Potatoes
Peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into thin medallions. Arrange these medallions evenly in your baking dish.
Step 3: Make the Sauce
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the unsalted butter, brown sugar, water, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, ground nutmeg, and salt. Stir until all ingredients have melted together.
Step 4: Bake Covered
Once melted, use a pastry brush to spread about three-fourths of the sauce evenly over the sweet potato medallions. Cover your baking dish with foil and bake for 45-50 minutes.
Step 5: Add Toppings
After baking, remove the foil from the dish. Drizzle the remaining sauce mixture over the potatoes. Sprinkle chopped pecans and mini vegan marshmallows on top.
Step 6: Broil for Toasting
Return the baking dish to the oven and switch it to broil mode. Broil for about 1-2 minutes until the mini marshmallows are toasted. Keep an eye on them as they can burn quickly!
Step 7: Serve
Remove from the oven and allow cooling for about 10-15 minutes before serving. Enjoy your delicious Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes!
How to Serve Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes make a delightful addition to any meal. Their sweet and spiced flavors can complement a variety of dishes, making them versatile for different occasions.
As a Festive Side Dish
- Pair with your favorite holiday entrees like roasted turkey or glazed chicken to enhance the festive spirit.
With a Fresh Salad
- Serve alongside a mixed green salad for a refreshing contrast that balances the richness of the sweet potatoes.
On a Cozy Family Dinner Table
- Enjoy these scalloped sweet potatoes as part of a comforting family meal, where they can steal the spotlight among other hearty sides.
At Potlucks and Gatherings
- These sweet potatoes are always a hit at gatherings, providing both sweetness and warmth to share with friends and family.
How to Perfect Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
To achieve the best scalloped sweet potatoes, consider these helpful tips. They will ensure your dish is flavorful and perfectly textured.
Choose uniform slices: Slice your sweet potatoes evenly for even cooking and consistent texture throughout.
Adjust spice levels: Feel free to tweak the amount of cinnamon, nutmeg, or cloves based on your taste preferences for a personalized flavor experience.
Use quality butter: Opt for high-quality unsalted butter to enhance the overall richness of the dish without overpowering the sweetness.
Experiment with nuts: Try using walnuts or almonds in place of pecans for an additional flavor twist and crunch.
Don’t skip broiling: Broil the dish just until marshmallows are toasted; it adds an unbeatable caramelized layer that elevates this side dish.
Best Side Dishes for Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
When serving Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes, pairing them with complementary side dishes can create a well-rounded meal. Here are some excellent options:
Roasted Brussels Sprouts: Their slightly bitter flavor balances the sweetness of the potatoes beautifully.
Garlic Mashed Potatoes: A classic creamy side that pairs well with the spiced notes of scalloped sweet potatoes.
Green Bean Almondine: Crisp green beans tossed with toasted almonds add freshness and texture to your plate.
Quinoa Salad: A light and nutritious salad featuring vegetables and herbs enhances the meal’s healthiness without overshadowing flavors.
Cranberry Sauce: This tart addition brings out the sweetness in scalloped sweet potatoes, making it perfect for holidays.
Stuffed Acorn Squash: Filled with grains, nuts, or veggies, this dish adds heartiness while keeping things colorful on your table.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When making the Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes, it’s easy to overlook some key details. Here are common mistakes to avoid for perfect results.
- Using unevenly sliced sweet potatoes – If you slice the sweet potatoes unevenly, they will cook at different rates. Aim for uniform thickness to ensure even baking.
- Skipping the foil cover initially – Covering the baking dish with foil during the first part of baking helps steam the sweet potatoes, preventing them from drying out. Don’t skip this step!
- Overbaking the sweet potatoes – While it’s important to bake them until tender, overbaking can turn them mushy. Keep an eye on them and check for tenderness around the 45-minute mark.
- Neglecting to toast the marshmallows properly – Broiling marshmallows can be quick! Watch closely to avoid burning them. A well-timed broil adds a delicious toasted flavor.
- Not letting it cool before serving – Allowing the dish to cool for 10-15 minutes helps set the sauce and makes serving easier. Patience pays off!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Refrigerator Storage
- Store in an airtight container.
- Best consumed within 3-5 days.
Freezing Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
- Use a freezer-safe container or wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil.
- Can be frozen for up to 2 months.
Reheating Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
- Oven – Preheat oven to 350°F and bake in a covered dish until heated through, about 20-30 minutes.
- Microwave – Heat in a microwave-safe dish on medium power in 1-minute intervals until warm.
- Stovetop – Place in a skillet over low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes usually served with?
The Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes complement various dishes such as roasted turkey, grilled chicken, or holiday ham alternatives, making them a versatile side for any meal.
Can I make Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dish up to the point before baking. Just cover and refrigerate overnight before baking when ready to serve.
What can I substitute for butter in Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes?
You can use plant-based butter or coconut oil as a dairy-free alternative while maintaining rich flavors.
How can I customize my Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes?
Feel free to add ingredients like diced apples for extra sweetness or incorporate different nuts such as walnuts for varied texture.
Final Thoughts
The Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes offer a delightful combination of flavors that make them an ideal addition to any festive table. Their versatility allows you to customize them with additional ingredients or spices based on your preferences. Give this recipe a try; your guests will love it!
Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
Indulge in the delightful flavors of the Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes, a perfect side dish for any gathering or family dinner. This recipe features thinly sliced sweet potatoes layered in a rich, buttery brown sugar sauce infused with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Topped with crunchy pecans and mini vegan marshmallows, these scalloped sweet potatoes are not only visually stunning but also packed with flavor that will impress your guests and satisfy your cravings. Whether served at a festive holiday meal or as a comforting weeknight dish, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite.
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 6
Ingredients
- 5–6 medium sweet potatoes (peeled & cut into thin medallions)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ cup brown sugar (light or dark)
- ½ cup water
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup chopped pecans (or walnuts)
- ½ cup mini vegan marshmallows
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Peel and slice sweet potatoes into thin medallions. Arrange in a baking dish.
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt together butter, brown sugar, water, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt.
- Brush three-fourths of the sauce over sweet potato medallions. Cover with foil and bake for 45-50 minutes.
- Remove foil, drizzle remaining sauce over potatoes, top with pecans and mini marshmallows.
- Broil for 1-2 minutes until marshmallows are toasted.
- Allow cooling for 10-15 minutes before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1 cup (200g)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: Slice sweet potatoes uniformly for even cooking. Feel free to adjust spices according to your taste preferences. Substitute plant-based butter or coconut oil for a dairy-free version.
