Homemade Garlic Butter Sweet Potato Bake Recipe

Introduction

This Homemade Garlic Butter Sweet Potato Bake is a creamy, flavorful side dish perfect for any meal. Thinly sliced sweet potatoes are baked in a rich garlic butter sauce and topped with melted parmesan cheese for a deliciously comforting treat.

Ingredients

• 1 tsp cornstarch
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, divided
• 5 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
• 3 lb sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced thin (about 1/8-inch thick)
• 1/3 cup fresh parmesan cheese, grated

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with a small amount of butter to prevent sticking and set aside.
2. Step 2: In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, whisk the cornstarch into the heavy cream until smooth. Add the butter, minced garlic, fresh thyme, kosher salt, and black pepper. Stir frequently until the butter melts and the mixture is hot but not boiling. Remove from heat and let the garlic infuse for extra flavor.
3. Step 3: Arrange the thinly sliced sweet potatoes evenly in the baking dish, overlapping slightly for even cooking. Pour the hot cream mixture evenly over the potatoes, making sure they’re well coated. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
4. Step 4: Remove the dish from the oven and sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese evenly on top. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese turns golden and bubbly. For a crispier top, broil for 1-2 minutes—watch closely to prevent burning.
5. Step 5: Let the bake rest for about 10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken and make slicing easier. Enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• Use a mandoline slicer for uniformly thin sweet potato slices to ensure even cooking.
• Swap fresh thyme with rosemary or sage for a different herbal note.
• For a lighter version, substitute half the heavy cream with whole milk.
• Add a pinch of smoked paprika to the sauce for a subtle smoky flavor.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through to keep the sauce creamy and the cheese bubbling.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the sweet potato bake and refrigerate it uncovered for a few hours before baking. Just add extra baking time if the dish is cold.

What if I don’t have parmesan cheese?

You can substitute with other hard cheeses like Gruyère or Asiago for a similar rich, cheesy topping.

Homemade Garlic Butter Sweet Potato Bake Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 89 reviews

A rich and creamy homemade garlic butter sweet potato bake featuring thinly sliced sweet potatoes baked in a decadent garlic-infused cream sauce with fresh thyme and topped with golden Parmesan cheese. This comforting dish is perfect as a hearty side or a satisfying vegetarian main.

• Author: Lisa
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Side Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Creamy Sauce

• 1 tsp cornstarch
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, divided (a small amount reserved for greasing)
• 5 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

Sweet Potato Bake

• 3 lb sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced thin (about 1/8-inch thick)
• 1/3 cup fresh Parmesan cheese, grated

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with a small amount of butter or nonstick spray to prevent sticking. Set aside until assembly.
2. Make Creamy Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, whisk together the cornstarch and heavy cream until smooth. Add butter, minced garlic, chopped fresh thyme, kosher salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Stir frequently until butter melts and the mixture is hot but not boiling. Remove from heat and let garlic gently infuse into the cream for enhanced flavor.
3. Assemble and Begin Baking: Arrange the thinly sliced sweet potatoes evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish, overlapping slightly for even cooking. Pour the hot creamy sauce evenly over the potatoes, ensuring thorough coating. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes.
4. Add Cheese and Finish Baking: Remove the dish from the oven and evenly sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the top. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly. Optionally, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end to crisp the cheese top, watching carefully to avoid burning.
5. Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the gratin rest for about 10 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken and make slicing easier. Serve warm and enjoy your creamy, garlicky, cheesy sweet potato bake.

Notes

• For thinner slices, use a mandoline slicer to ensure even cooking.
• Allowing the garlic to infuse gently in the cream improves flavor without bitterness.
• Broiling at the end crisps the cheese topping but watch closely to prevent burning.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
• This dish pairs wonderfully with roasted meats or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.

Keywords: sweet potato bake, garlic butter sweet potatoes, creamy sweet potato gratin, cheesy sweet potato casserole, baked sweet potatoes, vegetarian side dish