Name: Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 5-6 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into thin medallions; 1/4 cup unsalted butter; 1/4 cup brown sugar (light or dark); 1/2 cup water; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon ground cloves; 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 cup chopped pecans (or walnuts); 1/2 cup mini marshmallows

Jump to Recipe· 4.3 from 44 reviews

If you are looking for a cozy, crowd-pleasing side that brings both warmth and irresistible sweetness to your holiday table, look no further than the Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes Recipe. This delightful dish features thinly sliced sweet potatoes bathed in a rich, buttery brown sugar sauce infused with aromatic cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Topped with toasty mini marshmallows and crunchy chopped pecans, it perfectly balances creamy, sweet, and nutty flavors that will have everyone asking for seconds. Whether it’s for Christmas, Thanksgiving, or any comfort-food craving, this recipe is pure magic on a plate.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A white scalloped dish holds three neat rows of thin, evenly sliced orange sweet potatoes arranged vertically and slightly leaning, showing their smooth surfaces with pale edges. The dish sits on a green and white checkered cloth, on top of a white marbled surface. The slices have a uniform color and texture, stacked closely together, filling the dish fully. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Here, simplicity reigns supreme. The ingredients are simple but essential: each one adds a crucial layer to the dish’s wonderful taste, texture, and inviting color. Using quality spices and fresh sweet potatoes transforms the ingredient list into magic.

5-6 medium sweet potatoes: Peeled and cut into thin medallions; thin slices ensure luscious tenderness and perfect layering.
¼ cup unsalted butter: Provides rich, creamy flavor; salted butter can substitute but skip extra salt if used.
¼ cup brown sugar: Adds deep caramel sweetness that melds beautifully with the spices.
½ cup water: Helps create the sauce and keep the potatoes moist during baking.
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Brings warmth and aromatic spice to every bite.
1 teaspoon ground cloves: Intensifies the seasonal, cozy spice blend perfectly.
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg: Adds a mellow, nutty sweetness and depth to the sauce.
¼ teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all flavors.
¼ cup chopped pecans: Provide delightful crunch and a lovely nutty contrast.
½ cup mini marshmallows: The star topping that turns golden and gooey when broiled.

How to Make Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes Recipe

Step 1: Prepare and Slice the Sweet Potatoes

Begin by peeling your sweet potatoes and slicing them into thin medallions. A mandoline slicer is your best friend here; it makes slicing effortless and guarantees uniform thickness for even cooking. If you don’t have one, use a sharp knife and take your time to get nice, thin rounds that bake beautifully soft.

Step 2: Make the Brown Sugar Butter Sauce

In a small saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar, water, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt over medium heat. Stir constantly until everything melts together into a smooth, fragrant sauce. This luscious mixture is what infuses those sweet potato slices with layers of rich, spiced flavor, making the dish truly unforgettable.

Step 3: Layer and Bake

Arrange the sweet potato slices evenly in your baking dish. Use a pastry brush to coat about three quarters of the sauce over the potatoes, ensuring the flavor seeps into every layer. Cover the dish with foil and bake at 400°F for 45 to 50 minutes, allowing the potatoes to soften and soak up the delicious sauce.

Step 4: Add Toppings and Broil

Once baked, remove the foil and spread the remaining sauce over the top. Sprinkle with the chopped pecans and mini marshmallows, layering the texture and sweetness. Place the dish under the broiler for just 1-2 minutes – watch carefully so the marshmallows toast to a perfect golden brown without burning. This quick broil step gives the dish that signature, irresistible finish.

Step 5: Cool and Serve

After broiling, let the scalloped sweet potatoes cool for 10 to 15 minutes. This resting time allows the flavors to settle and the sauce to thicken slightly. Then, dig in to the Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes Recipe that’s ready to steal the show at any gathering.

How to Serve Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes Recipe

The image shows a white scalloped pie dish filled with four stacks of thin, round, orange sweet potato slices arranged vertically in rows, each slice slightly overlapping the next. The sweet potato layers have a light dusting of dark spices, giving a speckled look. A wooden brush with natural bristles is resting on the right side of the dish, with some spice on the bristles. The dish sits on a light wooden cutting board, which also holds cinnamon sticks at the top left. A green and white plaid cloth is placed to the left side of the cutting board. The whole scene is set on a white marbled textured surface with warm lighting. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Fresh chopped parsley or a sprinkle of toasted coconut flakes can add a bright contrast and unexpected twist. You can also add a drizzle of maple syrup for an extra layer of sweetness that harmonizes perfectly with the warm spices. The visual and flavor appeal of garnishes elevates this dish beyond classic comfort food.

Side Dishes

This recipe pairs beautifully with roasted turkey, glazed ham, or even herb-crusted chicken. The velvety richness and slight sweetness of the scalloped sweet potatoes complement savory mains wonderfully. Add a crisp green salad or roasted Brussels sprouts to round out your plate with freshness and crunch.

Creative Ways to Present

For a holiday feast, serve this recipe in a beautiful ceramic baking dish right from the oven for that rustic, welcoming feel. Individual ramekins make elegant portions for intimate dinners. You could also layer the sweet potato medallions in a clear glass casserole to showcase the golden marshmallow topping and spiced layers – irresistible to the eyes and the palate.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After enjoying your meal, place any leftovers in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making for fantastic next-day bites. Just be sure to keep the marshmallow topping separate if possible to maintain its texture.

Freezing

This dish freezes nicely if wrapped tightly in foil or stored in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently in the oven. To keep marshmallows perfect, add fresh mini marshmallows before broiling again after reheating.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers covered with foil at 350°F until warmed through, about 20–25 minutes. If you like, you can broil for a minute or two again to refresh the toasted marshmallow topping. This reheating method keeps the sweet potatoes creamy and the flavors vibrant.

FAQs

Can I use regular potatoes instead of sweet potatoes?

While regular potatoes will soften nicely, the unique sweetness and texture of sweet potatoes are essential to this recipe’s charm. For the best flavor experience, stick to sweet potatoes.

Is there a substitute for mini marshmallows?

If you prefer, you can omit marshmallows or replace them with a crunchy crumble topping made from brown sugar, butter, and pecans. The marshmallows add a classic, nostalgic sweetness that’s hard to beat, though.

How thin should the sweet potato slices be?

Aim for about 1/8 inch thickness to ensure the potatoes bake evenly and soak up the sauce fully. The mandoline slicer is the best tool to achieve consistent thin slices.

Can I prepare the sauce ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the butter and spice sauce a day ahead and refrigerate it. Warm it gently before brushing onto the potatoes to ensure it spreads smoothly.

What can I use if I don’t have all the spices?

You can simplify the spice blend by using just cinnamon and nutmeg if cloves aren’t available. The dish will still be flavorful, though the cloves add a lovely depth.

Final Thoughts

I can’t wait for you to try this Best Scalloped Sweet Potatoes Recipe and make it a star on your holiday table or Sunday dinner menu. It’s a truly comforting dish that delivers luscious sweetness, warm spices, and a delightful crunchy topping that everyone loves. Once you make it, it will likely become a beloved go-to side for any celebration or cozy meal. Enjoy every delicious bite!