This Sweet Potatoes Au Gratin is creamy, cheesy, and delicious! This side dish is flavored with garlic butter and similar to classic Scalloped Sweet Potatoes. Pair this with any of your favorite main dishes.
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This is a comfort food dish! So nope, I wouldn't say this is one of my healthy recipes by any means. This is one that you break out for Sunday dinners, the holidays (hello amazing Thanksgiving side) or just whenever you feel like it. Treat yourself.
You may have tried my Scalloped Corn, Instant Pot Scalloped Potatoes and/or Zucchini Au Gratin. Same flavor, just dressed up a little differently!
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The Difference Between Scalloped and Au Gratin
You usually hear these terms when referring to potatoes. Both of these are considered casserole like dishes and both are served with a creamy sauce. Scalloped potatoes do not use grated cheese, they are usually made with just heavy cream and milk.
A lot of au gratin recipes will use breadcrumbs for an even crisper topping! I love that method as well, but you can accomplish a similar result by broiling the dish to toast the cheese a little bit right before you pull it out of the oven.
You can read more about The Difference Between Scalloped and Au Gratin here.
What's the Difference Between Sweet Potatoes and Yams?
In most grocery stores there is no difference between the two. Most stores often label sweet potatoes as yams.
Yams have more starch and are drier. They have bumpy tough, brown skin. Yams are typically used in Caribbean and West African dishes. You have probably never eaten yams, as they are hard to find in the United States.
Years ago, Southerners (primarily in Louisiana) started to refer to them as yams. Most candied yams, are simply candied sweet potatoes.
You can read more about The Difference Between Yams and Sweet Potatoes here.
How to Slice the Potatoes
My preference is to slice them into ¼ inch rounds using this mandolin from Amazon. ½ an inch thick will work as well.
How to Make Sweet Potato Au Gratin
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Heat a saucepan and add butter.
- When melted, add garlic and cook for a couple of minutes until fragrant.
- Add in cream cheese, whipping cream, Parmesan reggiano, and ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese. Stir. Add in the onion powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Stir continuously until the cheese has melted.
- Arrange sliced sweet potatoes in rows throughout a 9×13 baking dish Drizzle the cheese sauce throughout.
- Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheddar and the mozzarella throughout the pan.
- Bake.
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What Type of Cheese to Use
I like to use a combination of cheddar, Parmesan Reggiano and mozzarella. You can use any cheese you wish. It's up to you. I purchase block cheese and grate it myself. Pre-shredded cheese typically has preservatives and corn starch. It does not melt as well. Keep this in mind if you choose not to make the dish using my method.
Is it Sweet?
This is a savory take on sweet potatoes. Most dishes include cinnamon, sugar, and some even marshmallows. This was meant to have salty, cheesy flavor.
Can You Make It Ahead
You can assemble this dish a day ahead of time. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap. Press the wrap close to the potatoes to prevent them from discolor and turning brown. Store in the refrigerator, and bake before serving. The potatoes on the top will likely brown overnight. The cheese and baking process should conceal it.
How Long it Will Last in the Fridge
It will last tightly sealed and covered for 3-4 days.
Freezer Tips
Most people wouldn't want to freeze this because of the cream and butter. Those don't usually freeze well.
I freeze this dish often. Since it does have dairy, you can expect separation upon thawing, but that doesn't bother me. The best way to reheat it is in the oven on 350 degrees until warm.
More Sweet Potato Recipes
Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes
Southern Sweet Potato Casserole
Sweet Potato Beef Chili
Sweet Potato Biscuits
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
Healthy Sweet Potato Pie
Healthy Sweet Potato Fries
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Hash
Sweet Potato Cornbread
Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Brown Sugar
Pair this with Homemade Creamed Corn and Southern Baked Ham With Pineapple.
Check out our list of The Best Authentic Soul Food Recipes here.
Sweet Potato Au Gratin
Want to save this recipe for later?
I'll email it to you, so you can come back to it later! You will also get our free digital cookbook with 30-Minute One-Pot Recipes and weekly recipes and tips.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pounds sweet potatoes Sliced into ¼ or ½ inch rounds.
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 4 oz cream cheese
- ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese Divided into ½ cup portions.
- ¼ cup shredded parmesan reggiano cheese
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Heat a saucepan on medium heat and add the butter.
- When melted, add the garlic and cook for a couple of minutes until fragrant.
- Add in the cream cheese, whipping cream, Parmesan reggiano, and ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese. Stir. Add in the onion powder, salt, and pepper to taste. Taste the sauce repeatedly and adjust the flavor to taste as needed.
- Stir continuously until the cheese has melted.
- Remove from the heat and set aside.
- Arrange the sliced sweet potatoes in rows throughout a 9×13 baking dish. Drizzle the cheese sauce throughout.
- Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheddar and the mozzarella throughout the pan.
- Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake an additional 25 minutes until the sweet potatoes are tender.
- If you like a crisp top, a couple of minutes before the dish has finished baking, turn on the Broil function on the oven. Broil for 1-3 minutes until the top has crisped
- Cool for 30 minutes before serving.
Video
Notes
- You can reduce the amount of fat in the recipe by using low-fat cream cheese and cheese in the recipe. You can also lessen the amount of cheese used.
Nutrition
Nutrition Data
Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
Kate says
Made these for Thanksgiving and they were a HUGE hit! This will be a new staple for us. Thank you!
staysnatched says
You're welcome! I'm so glad you enjoyed them.
Olivia says
Thank you for the delicious recipe looks so tasty!
staysnatched says
I hope you enjoy the recipe!
Sara Ann says
So so so good! I used whole milk 'cause I was outta cream. It's bomb dot com. My house smelled like how heaven should smell. It was difficult to wait for it to cool, so I ate a test corner lol. I was hoping my kids WOULDN'T like 'em but they did. This one is going into the family recipe book!
staysnatched says
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Sarah S says
Incredible recipe! Loved how cheesey it was! Layered with zucchini for fun.
staysnatched says
Sounds so good!
Barbara says
do you really cool the potatoes for 30 minutes before serving? won’t they be cold?
staysnatched says
Yes I do. No.
Barbara says
@staysnatched, thanks for answering!