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Home » Recipes » Thanksgiving » Thanksgiving Side Dishes

November 12, 2020

Savoury Sweet Potato Casserole

Published November 12, 2020 | Julia Frey (Vikalinka)

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Classic sweet potato casserole gets a savoury makeover! Light and creamy mashed sweet potatoes flavoured with butter, bay leaf and a touch of garlic, then topped with buttery breadcrumbs, toasted hazelnuts and fried sage leaves. 

Can’t get enough of sweet potatoes? Why not try another delicious and easy side dish Sweet Potato and Swede (Rutabaga) Mash. 

top down view of sweet potato casserole with breadcrumbs, hazelnuts and sage leaves

If you are like me and adore sweet potatoes but don’t like the traditional version of the sweet potato casserole, this recipe is for you. Actually, even if you are a huge fan of the classic recipe, you should still give my recipe a go. 

Savoury Sweet Potato Recipes

I’ve been a sweet potato fan for a very long time and I am about to say something, that might not be very popular.

I do not believe sweet potatoes need more sugar.

I think sweet potatoes shine when flavoured with salt and spice. I am all for adding savoury seasonings to the vegetable, that is already absolutely loaded with natural sugar. It’s all about balance and complexity. 

My herby sweet potato and swede (rutabaga) mash is an example of this belief. I also love pairing sweet potatoes with a bit of spice like I did in my Thai roasted squash and sweet potato soup and chilli garlic salmon with sweet potatoes. 

sweet potato casserole with breadcrumb and nut topping in cream pan

Savoury Casserole

If I had to describe what this dish is about, I would say, it’s like the classic sweet potato casserole did a semester abroad and got a European makeover. 

I replaced sugar with salt, then added a bit of garlic, bay leaf and nutmeg to the sweet potato mash. I kept butter, milk and eggs to maintain that creamy and light as a cloud texture. 

What I changed is the topping. Instead of the very American pecans I sprinkled my buttery breadcrumbs with toasted hazelnuts. They are plentiful in European forests and don’t cost a fortune like pecans.

I ditched marshmallows altogether but instead, to finish it off I scattered sage leaves fried in butter all over. What do you think?

close up of sweet potato casserole

How To Make It 

  • Boil sweet potatoes with one or two bay leaves and garlic to infuse flavour right off the bat. 
  • Heat the milk before adding it to the mash. This little trick contributes to the creamiest mashed potatoes. 
  • When adding nutmeg, use freshly grated if possible. So much flavour!
  • Season well with salt and pepper. Don’t be shy. Sweet potatoes don’t need more sugar but are balanced out by savoury seasoning.
  • Fry sage leaves in butter until they just start to curl, then remove to a paper towel. Wait longer and you will burn them to a crisp!
  • This savoury sweet potato casserole could be made a day ahead and reheated later. Cover with aluminum foil and reheat at 200C/400F for 15 minutes, then uncover and heat for 5 minutes longer for the crispy top. If the top is still not crispy, keep under a broiler for 30 seconds. 

sweet potato casserole process images

What to Serve With Sweet Potato Casserole

It’s no secret that Thanksgiving table is where this casserole usually finds its place, among a myriad of other side dishes. 

However, there is no reason why you shouldn’t make it outside of the holiday season. This dish would be a great companion to my Air Fryer Whole Chicken, as a delicious side to a ribeye steak or salmon.

More Holiday Side Dishes to Try:

  • Sausage, Pear and Sage Stuffing
  • Roasted Carrots with Garlicky Lemon Tahini Sauce
  • Vintage Cheddar and Gruyere Macaroni and Cheese
  • Herb and Garlic Mashed Potatoes
top down view of sweet potato casserole with breadcrumbs, hazelnuts and sage leaves

Savoury Sweet Potato Casserole

Julia Frey of Vikalinka
Creamy sweet potato casserole flavoured with butter, bay leaf and garlic, topped with breadcrumbs, toasted hazelnuts and fried sage leaves. 
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 55 mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 363 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs/4 large sweet potatoes
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 75g/1/3 cup unsalted butter
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg
  • 2 eggs large
  • 125ml/1/2 cup milk whole or 2%
  • 90g/1.5 cups breadcrumbs
  • 6 tbsp melted butter
  • 65g/ ½ cup whole hazelnuts roughly chopped
  • 5-6 sage leaves

Instructions
 

  •  Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Peel and cut the sweet potatoes, boil with 1 bay leaf and a clove of garlic until tender. Discard the bay leaf and mash the sweet potatoes with the garlic clove until no lumps remain, stir in the butter and hot milk. Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Then fold in beaten eggs.
  • To make the topping mix the breadcrumbs with 4 tablespoons of melted butter and roughly chopped hazelnuts.
  • Add the mashed sweet potatoes to a greased casserole dish, level the top. Then sprinkle the breadcrumb topping all over. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes.
  • A few minutes before the casserole is done, fry the sage leaves in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Watch the sage leaves carefully as they burn quickly. Remove from the butter as soon as they start to curl. Scatter the fried sage and sprinkle the flavoured melted butter all over the casserole before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 363kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 7gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 86mgSodium: 535mgPotassium: 495mgFiber: 5gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 16673IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 92mgIron: 2mg
Keyword sweet potato casserole
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

More Thanksgiving side dishes

  • Roasted Rainbow Carrots with Pistachios
  • Scalloped Potatoes with Caramelised Shallots
  • Honey Garlic Roasted Parsnips
  • Rosemary Potatoes au Gratin
130 shares

About Julia Frey (Vikalinka)

Julia Frey is a London based recipe developer and photographer. Julia founded Vikalinka in 2012 with the main mission to provide her readers with delicious and accessible everyday recipes, which could be enjoyed by everyone.
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tatiana says

    at

    I like this recipe. And sure planning to make it soon. Not as sweet as a popular American casseroles. I may try with pecan or hazelnut… Thank you, Julia!

    Reply
    • Julia Frey (Vikalinka) says

      at

      Enjoy, Tatiana!! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Allyson Zea says

    at

    This looks like the perfect holiday side dish!

    Reply
  3. Beth says

    at

    5 stars
    Yummy! This looks amazing and I can’t wait to make this! My family is going to love this!

    Reply
  4. Jen says

    at

    5 stars
    I love the addition of toasted hazelnuts and breadcrumbs on top. Such a perfect fall dish. Love it!

    Reply

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Julia from Vikalinka

Julia Frey is a London based recipe developer and photographer. Julia founded Vikalinka in 2012 with the main mission to provide her readers with delicious and accessible everyday recipes, which could be enjoyed by everyone.

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