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    Home » Recipes » Thanksgiving

    Savory Sweet Potato Casserole

    Published: Oct 21, 2021 · Modified: Sep 1, 2023 by Heather · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 900 words. · About 5 minutes to read this article.

    Jump to Recipe
    Savory sweet potato casserole recipe.
    Savory sweet potato casserole recipe.
    Savory sweet potato casserole recipe.

    Savory sweet potato casserole is made with mashed sweet potatoes, garlic, herbs, and a crunchy panko parmesan crust. It's the perfect Thanksgiving side dish recipe to pair with turkey or ham.

    A black serving spoon scooping sweet potato casserole from a white dish.

    If you're looking for an alternative to the classic sweet potato casserole, give this recipe a try! No sugar needed for this side dish - savory sweet potato casserole is seasoned with thyme, sage, garlic, and melted butter.

    My favorite part? The panko parmesan crust. Panko bread crumbs, fresh grated parmesan cheese, and melted butter make the most irresistible, crunchy crust.

    Serve savory sweet potato casserole at your next Thanksgiving or Christmas feast alongside a spiral sliced ham. Or, make a small casserole (this recipe is easy to halve) with your next weeknight meal. Sweet potato casserole pairs well with poultry and pork.

    Filling ingredients and substitutions

    Ingredients on a counter top.
    • Sweet potatoes - you'll need four pounds of cooked and mashed sweet potatoes for this recipe.
    • Unsalted butter and ¼ teaspoon of the salt can be substituted with salted butter if needed.
    • Large eggs are needed to bind the filling together and add stability without heaviness.
    • Milk can be any type you have on hand - 1% milk, whole milk, skim milk, and even unsweetened almond milk will work in this recipe.
    • Minced garlic can be substituted with garlic powder if needed - I prefer the flavor of fresh garlic.
    • Thyme, sage, salt, and pepper add flavor to your filling. Thyme and sage could be substituted with an Italian seasoning or other herbs you have on hand, like oregano and rosemary.

    Topping ingredients and substitutions

    Ingredients on a counter top.
    • Panko bread crumbs can be traditional or gluten-free, or can be substituted with crushed butter crackers (like Ritz brand) or regular bread crumbs. Keep in mind that panko breadcrumbs will give you the crunchiest crust.
    • Parmesan cheese should be freshly grated. Packaged, pre-shredded cheeses contain anti-clumping powders that prevent them from melting evenly, adding a grainy texture. Freshly grated is best not only for flavor but smooth texture when melted!
    • Melted butter and salt can be substituted with salted butter.

    How to cook sweet potatoes

    For this recipe, you'll need four pounds of cooked and mashed sweet potatoes. There are multiple ways to cook your sweet potatoes - I recommend using the method that works best for you.

    Baking - Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Next, give your potatoes a scrub, dry them off, and prick them multiple times with a fork.

    Place the potatoes onto a foil lined baking sheet and bake for 45-55 minutes, or until cooked through in the center. Allow them to cool slightly before peeling the skins off.

    Boiling - Peel and quarter your potatoes, then place in a pot of water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until potatoes can be pierced through easily with a fork.

    Assembling sweet potato casserole in a casserole dish.

    Make ahead

    Save time on Thanksgiving day by making your sweet potato casserole the day before.

    Assemble your casserole as directed. Before baking, cover your casserole and refrigerate overnight. On Thanksgiving day, pull out your casserole to bring to room temperature on the counter top. Meanwhile, preheat your oven, then bake as directed in the recipe card below.

    White casserole dish filled with baked sweet potato casserole.

    What to serve with sweet potato casserole

    Savory sweet potato casserole pairs particularly well with pork and poultry main dishes, like turkey and ham. Here are a few of my favorite recipes to make your Thanksgiving meal complete:

    • Marmalade Glazed Ham
    • Green Bean Casserole
    • Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese
    • Kale Apple Slaw
    • Cranberry Sauce with Orange Zest
    • Southern Cornbread Dressing
    • Easy Pecan Pie

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    📖 Recipe

    A black serving spoon scooping sweet potato casserole from a white dish.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 3 reviews

    Savory Sweet Potato Casserole

    Savory sweet potato casserole is made with mashed sweet potatoes, garlic, herbs, and a crunchy panko parmesan crust. It's the perfect Thanksgiving side dish recipe to pair with turkey or ham.
    Prep Time15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time35 minutes minutes
    Total Time50 minutes minutes
    Servings: 12 servings
    Calories: 277kcal
    Author: Heather

    Ingredients

    Sweet Potato Filling

    • 4 pounds sweet potatoes, cooked and mashed*
    • 2 large eggs
    • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
    • ½ cup milk
    • 4 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
    • ½ teaspoon dried sage
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon pepper

    Panko Topping

    • 1 cup panko bread crumbs
    • ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
    • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
    • ¼ teaspoon salt

    Instructions

    Sweet Potato Filling

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9x13 baking dish and set aside.
    • In a large bowl, combine mashed sweet potatoes, eggs, melted butter, milk, minced garlic, thyme, sage, salt, and pepper. Stir until evenly incorporated.
    • Pour sweet potato filling into prepared 9x13 pan and spread into an even layer.

    Panko Topping

    • In a bowl, add panko bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, melted butter, and salt. Stir until combined (mixture will be wet and clumpy). Sprinkle topping evenly over sweet potato filling.
    • Bake casserole for 35-40 minutes, or until center is set and top is lightly browned.
    • Serve warm.

    Equipment Recommendations

    • Emile Henry 9x13 Stoneware Baking Dish
    • Kitchenaid Hand Mixer
    • Pyrex Glass Mixing Bowls
    • Measuring Spoons

    Notes

    *To cook your sweet potatoes:
    • Baking: Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Scrub potatoes and prick all over with a fork. Bake 45-55 minutes, or until cooked through. Allow to cool slightly, then peel the skins off and mash.
    • Boiling: Peel potatoes, quarter each potato, then place in a pot of water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until potatoes can be pierced through with a fork. Drain and mash. 
    Make ahead: Assemble your casserole as directed. Before baking, cover your casserole and refrigerate overnight. On Thanksgiving day, pull out your casserole to bring to room temperature while oven preheats. Bake as directed above.

    Nutrition Estimate

    Calories: 277kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 447mg | Potassium: 558mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 21875IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 128mg | Iron: 1mg
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American

    More Thanksgiving

    • A turkey cranberry sandwich sliced in half on a white plate.
      Turkey Cranberry Sandwich
    • A bowl of cranberry cheesecake dip with ginger snap cookies and graham crackers.
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    • White bowl filled with sweet potato feta salad.
      Sweet Potato Feta Salad
    • Crock pot bowl filled with con on the cob topped with chives.
      Crock Pot Corn on the Cob

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    Heather of The Toasty Kitchen

    Hi, I'm Heather of The Toasty Kitchen. I love cooking with real, unfussy ingredients, and I want to help you make homemade meals with ease.

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