There are recipes that instantly make the holidays feel warm and festive, and scalloped sweet potatoes are one of them. Imagine tender layers of thinly sliced sweet potatoes bathed in a buttery brown sugar sauce, kissed with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Add a golden topping of toasted marshmallows and crunchy pecans, and you have a dish that feels indulgent, cozy, and absolutely perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.
This scalloped sweet potato recipe is everything you love about holiday comfort food—sweet, spiced, and nostalgic. It’s a show-stopping side dish that looks elegant on the table but is surprisingly simple to make. This is one you’ll definitely want to pin for later!
Why You’ll Love It
- Classic holiday side dish that pairs beautifully with turkey, ham, or roast chicken.
- Warm flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves make it festive and cozy.
- Simple prep with just a few everyday ingredients.
- Make-ahead friendly—reheats well for busy holiday cooking.
- Crowd-pleasing topping with gooey marshmallows and crunchy pecans.
- A visually stunning dish that looks far more complicated than it is!
Time Needed
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Servings: 5
Ingredients
- 5–6 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced into thin medallions
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ cup brown sugar (light or dark)
- ½ cup water
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup chopped pecans (or walnuts)
- ½ cup mini marshmallows
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the sweet potatoes Preheat oven to 400°F. Peel and slice sweet potatoes into thin medallions using a mandoline slicer or sharp knife for even thickness.
- Arrange in baking dish Layer the sweet potato slices evenly in a shallow casserole, pie dish, or au gratin pan.
- Make the spiced sauce In a small saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar, water, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Warm over medium heat until butter melts and sauce is smooth.
- Bake the potatoes Brush about ¾ of the sauce over the sweet potato slices. Cover with foil and bake for 45–50 minutes, until potatoes are tender.
- Add toppings Remove foil, brush remaining sauce over the potatoes, then sprinkle with pecans and mini marshmallows.
- Broil to finish Set oven to broil and cook for 1–2 minutes until marshmallows are golden and bubbly. Keep a close eye to avoid burning.
- Serve Let cool for 10 minutes before serving. The sauce will thicken slightly as it rests, creating the perfect glossy finish.
Variations to Try
- Maple Twist: Swap brown sugar for maple syrup for a deeper, caramel-like sweetness.
- Nut-Free: Omit pecans or replace with toasted pumpkin seeds for crunch without nuts.
- Extra Indulgent: Add an extra handful of marshmallows for a gooey topping.
- Savory-Sweet: Sprinkle a touch of sea salt flakes on top before serving for balance.
Tips from Chef Emma
- A mandoline slicer ensures even slices and quicker prep.
- Covering the dish while baking keeps potatoes tender and prevents drying out.
- Always watch closely when broiling marshmallows—they toast fast!
- This dish reheats well and makes a cozy breakfast side the next day.
Nutrition Info per Serving
- Serving Size: 1/5 of recipe
- Calories: 369
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Sugars: 24g
- Fat: 20g
- Protein: 3g
- Sodium: 180mg
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: Can I make scalloped sweet potatoes ahead of time?
A: Yes! Assemble and bake the potatoes without marshmallows, then reheat and add toppings before serving. - Q: Can I use maple syrup instead of brown sugar?
A: Absolutely, it gives a lovely caramelized flavor. - Q: Can I skip the marshmallows?
A: Definitely! You can leave them off or replace with a simple streusel topping. - Q: What can I serve with scalloped sweet potatoes?
A: They’re wonderful alongside roasted turkey, spiral ham, or even vegetarian mains.
Final Thoughts
These Scalloped Sweet Potatoes are everything I love about holiday cooking—sweet, buttery, spiced, and comforting. They bring a festive sparkle to the table and are always a hit with guests. Whether you make them for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or just a cozy fall dinner, this is a recipe worth keeping close. Save this sweet potato recipe to your holiday board so it’s ready when you need it most!
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Buttery Scalloped Sweet Potatoes – Sweet, Spiced & Holiday-Perfect Side Dish
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 5 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Scalloped Sweet Potatoes are layered with a buttery brown sugar sauce spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, then topped with pecans and gooey marshmallows. A cozy, indulgent side dish that’s perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.
Ingredients
- 5–6 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced into thin medallions
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ cup brown sugar (light or dark)
- ½ cup water
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup chopped pecans (or walnuts)
- ½ cup mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Peel and slice sweet potatoes into thin medallions.
- Layer the slices evenly in a shallow casserole, pie dish, or au gratin pan.
- In a saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar, water, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Melt together into a smooth sauce.
- Brush ¾ of sauce over potatoes. Cover with foil and bake 45–50 minutes.
- Remove foil, brush remaining sauce, sprinkle with pecans and marshmallows.
- Broil 1–2 minutes until marshmallows are golden. Watch carefully!
- Cool 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Use a mandoline for even slices. Keep a close eye when broiling marshmallows. Great reheated the next day as a cozy breakfast side.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/5 of recipe
- Calories: 369
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 3g
Keywords: scalloped sweet potatoes, holiday side dish, sweet potato casserole, thanksgiving sweet potatoes, christmas side dish