Garlic Scalloped Sweet Potatoes are a golden, creamy dream for any dinner table. This savory twist on a classic comfort dish blends the natural sweetness of tender sweet potatoes with rich, garlicky cream and a perfectly baked cheesy crust. Whether you’re hosting a cozy family gathering or looking for a new side dish to pair with roasted meats, this recipe promises to impress with its bold flavor and beautiful presentation.

What sets this dish apart is how it balances hearty and elegant. The layering of thinly sliced sweet potatoes, infused with garlic and thyme, turns into a bubbly, melt-in-your-mouth texture as it bakes. It’s a warm, crowd-pleasing casserole that doesn’t just taste amazing—it looks stunning coming out of the oven too.

Preparation Phase & Tools to Use

To make Garlic Scalloped Sweet Potatoes successfully, having the right tools makes a huge difference:

Mandoline slicer or sharp chef’s knife: Even, thin slices of sweet potatoes are key to even baking and beautiful layering. A mandoline ensures precision and saves time.
Large mixing bowl: Useful for tossing the potato slices with your cream, garlic, and herbs without overcrowding.
Whisk: Blends the cream mixture smoothly, making sure the garlic and seasoning are well distributed.

Medium saucepan: Needed to warm the cream with garlic and herbs, which infuses deeper flavor into every bite.
Oven-safe baking dish (9×13 works great): The right dish size helps maintain the structure of the scalloped layers and prevents bubbling over.
Foil and parchment paper: To prevent over-browning in the initial stages of baking and make cleanup easier.

With these tools in place, you’ll be well on your way to creating a delicious and eye-catching side dish that earns a permanent place in your recipe rotation.

Ingredients for the Garlic Scalloped Sweet Potatoes

Sweet Potatoes: The star of the show, their natural sweetness pairs beautifully with savory flavors.
Heavy Cream: Adds richness and helps create that luscious, creamy texture.

Garlic: Infuses the dish with bold, aromatic flavor throughout every bite.
Fresh Thyme: Gives a lovely earthy balance and fresh herbal note.
Salt & Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning and drawing out the flavors.

Parmesan Cheese: Adds a nutty, savory top layer that crisps up beautifully.
Butter: Helps the cheese melt evenly and adds richness.

How To Make the Garlic Scalloped Sweet Potatoes

Step 1: Prep the Potatoes

Wash, peel, and thinly slice the sweet potatoes (about 1/8 inch thick) using a mandoline or sharp knife for even cooking.

Step 2: Infuse the Cream

In a saucepan, combine heavy cream, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and thyme. Warm gently over medium heat until fragrant—do not boil.

Step 3: Layer It Up

Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Arrange a layer of sweet potato slices, slightly overlapping. Pour some of the cream mixture over the layer, and sprinkle lightly with Parmesan. Repeat until all potatoes and cream are used.

Step 4: Top and Cover

Finish with a final sprinkle of Parmesan and small dots of butter. Cover loosely with foil and bake at 375°F for 30 minutes.

Step 5: Uncover and Crisp

Remove foil and bake another 20–25 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbling. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.

How to Serve and Store Garlic Scalloped Sweet Potatoes

This dish shines as a Thanksgiving side or a cozy Sunday dinner addition. Serve it with roasted meats like pork tenderloin or herb-crusted chicken. A light green salad or steamed veggies round it out.

To store leftovers, let them cool completely, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F covered with foil to retain moisture, or use a microwave for quicker single servings.

Frequently Asked Questions

How thin should I slice the sweet potatoes?

About 1/8 inch thick. This helps them cook evenly and absorb the garlic cream without becoming mushy.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes! Assemble the dish, cover tightly, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.

Can I use milk instead of cream?

You can, but the result won’t be as rich or creamy. Half-and-half is a better lighter alternative.

What cheese substitutes work well?

Gruyère or white cheddar both melt beautifully and add a different flavor depth.

Is this dish freezer-friendly?

Not ideal. The texture of the potatoes changes after freezing and reheating.

Can I add other ingredients like onions or bacon?

Absolutely! Sautéed onions or crispy bacon add great layers of flavor.

Want More Side Dish Ideas?

If you love these Garlic Scalloped Sweet Potatoes, you’ll probably enjoy these other comforting favorites:

Cheesy Ranch Potatoes for a creamy, cheddar-packed twist.
Scalloped Corn Casserole if you’re in the mood for golden-baked corn goodness.

Sweet Garlic Chicken in the Crockpot for a main dish that complements these potatoes perfectly.
Soft and Fluffy Homemade Naan Bread to soak up every bit of that creamy sauce.

For more daily recipe ideas, check out my Pinterest: Life With Olivia.

Save This Recipe for Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest side dish board so you can come back to it any time.

And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you add bacon or extra cheese? Did you try a different herb?

I love hearing how others make these recipes their own. Questions are welcome too—let’s help each other bake smarter.

Garlic Scalloped Sweet Potatoes

Author: Olivia McKenney
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: 8 servings

Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Garlic Scalloped Sweet Potatoes are the ultimate comfort food side dish. Layers of tender sweet potatoes soak in a garlic-infused cream sauce, then get baked until bubbly and golden with a cheesy crust. Perfect for holidays or hearty dinners, this savory recipe is simple to prep and full of flavor.

Ingredients

2 ½ pounds sweet potatoes (peeled and sliced 1/8 inch thick)

2 cups heavy cream

4 cloves garlic (minced)

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons butter (cut into small pieces)

Instructions

1. Wash, peel, and thinly slice sweet potatoes to 1/8 inch thickness using a mandoline or sharp knife.

2. In a medium saucepan, warm heavy cream, garlic, salt, pepper, and thyme over medium heat. Do not boil.

3. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer sweet potatoes, slightly overlapping. Pour cream mixture over each layer and sprinkle with Parmesan. Repeat layers.

4. Finish with a final layer of cream and Parmesan. Dot the top with butter.

5. Cover with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 30 minutes.

6. Remove foil and continue baking 20–25 minutes until golden and bubbly.

7. Let the dish rest for 10 minutes before serving.