11 Sweet Potato Casseroles to Add to Your Thanksgiving Menu
The holiday wouldn't be complete without this staple side dish.
It wouldn't be a proper, all-American Thanksgiving menu without roast turkey, creamy mashed potatoes, cornbread or buttery biscuits, pecan pie, and sweet potato casserole! Whether you like to cover sweet potatoes in marshmallows or a nutty brown sugar crumble, sweet potato casserole is a staple for Thanksgiving. Below, we're sharing exactly how to make it, plus several delicious variations including delicious sweet potato gratin recipes.
A basic sweet potato casserole is made with peeled and cooked sweet potatoes that are mashed before being mixed with milk or cream, butter, spices such as ground cinnamon or nutmeg, and salt. The mash is then transferred to a baking dish, topped with mini marshmallows, breadcrumbs, or a brown sugar crumble, and baked until puffy and the topping has lightly browned. This essential sweet side dish is a delicious counterpoint to other rich, savory foods often found on the Thanksgiving table such as turkey covered in gravy, green bean casserole, and cranberry sauce. If you'd like to prepare this classic version, you can make the sweet potato mixture in advance, which cuts down on valuable prep time on Thanksgiving Day. Looking for something a bit sweeter? Sweet Potato-Coconut Casserole calls for both coconut milk and sweetened shredded coconut, which is an extra-special side dish for the holiday.
Sweet potato casseroles can be savory, too. Do you want to spice things up? Try this Southwestern Sweet-Potato Gratin, a Tex-Mex twist on the classic potato side dish. It's topped with all the fixins'—grated Monterey Jack cheese, fresh Cotija cheese, fresh cilantro, and crushed tortilla chips for a surprising twist.
From a classic sweet potato casserole to alternatives such as gratins and tians, these recipes are just the thing to add to your Thanksgiving menu.
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Sweet Potato Casserole
This recipe is as classic as it gets. Mashed sweet potatoes are mixed with whole milk, butter, and ground nutmeg, transferred to a baking dish, topped with mini marshmallows, and baked until the top is lightly browned and bubbling.
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Sweet Potato and Sage-Butter Casserole
Earthy sage is the ultimate fall herb. It shines in this classic Thanksgiving casserole recipe, which is made with a combination of sweet potatoes and Yukon gold potatoes, plus butter and whole milk.
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Sweet-Potato Purée with Toasted Meringue
Enjoy this sweet potato casserole recipe for Thanksgiving, which has an extra sweet topping. Instead of the usual marshmallows, we've whipped up meringue using egg whites, cream of tartar, and sugar, which is smoothed over the top of the sweet potatoes and torched until golden brown.
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Turnip and Sweet Potato Gratin
Turnips don't exactly turn heads on their own, but we bet you'll give them a try in this rich gratin dish made with butter, chicken stock, white wine, and lots of Gruyere cheese.
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Amanda Hesser's Sweet Potato Casserole
Food writer Amanda Hesser shared her recipe for the ultimate Thanksgiving side on The Martha Stewart Show. To keep the filling super creamy and flavorful, she mixes sweet potatoes with light and dark brown sugar, beaten eggs, fresh orange juice, melted butter, and pure vanilla extract.
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Sweet Potato-Cauliflower Gratin with Crispy Sage Leaves
Gratins are ooey-gooey, creamy, and absolutely irresistible side dishes. This version layers sliced sweet potatoes and sliced cauliflower in a casserole dish. Everything is then covered in a thickened cheese sauce made with all-purpose flour, whole milk, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
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Sweet Potato Gratin
A trio of ground cinnamon, ground ginger, and cayenne pepper add plenty of warmth and heat to the cream sauce for this simple sweet potato gratin. The finished dish is a welcome twist on a classic sweet potato casserole recipe and is sure to be a hit on your Thanksgiving table.
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Yukon Gold and Sweet Potatoes Anna
Potatoes Anna is a classic French dish of layered potatoes cooked in a skillet with plenty of butter. Our version is made with a combination of Yukon Gold and sweet potatoes, which bring a pop of bright orange color to the Thanksgiving table.
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Southwestern Sweet-Potato Gratin
A Thanksgiving classic meets Tex-Mex-inspired cuisine in this gratin recipe. Sliced sweet potatoes are topped with grated Monterey Jack cheese, fresh Cotija cheese, chopped chipotle in adobo, fresh cilantro, and crushed tortilla chips.
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Sweet Potato-Coconut Casserole
Take a classic sweet potato casserole recipe to new, sweeter heights with this recipe. Cooked sweet potatoes are mashed with coconut milk, plus grated lime zest and juice. The mixture is topped with miniature marshmallows and sweetened shredded coconut and baked until toasted and golden.
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Potato and Sweet Potato Tian
A tian refers to both a special type of French cookware and a delicious vegetable casserole dish. Try this version, which uses a combination of Yukon gold and sweet potatoes plus grated apples and sliced leeks, for Thanksgiving.