Description
This Sweet Potato Gratin is a creamy, cheesy, and comforting casserole featuring thinly sliced sweet potatoes layered with thyme, Parmesan, and Gouda cheeses, all soaked in a rich cream and milk mixture. Baked to golden perfection in a cast iron skillet, this dish makes a perfect side for holiday dinners or cozy family meals.
Ingredients
Sweet Potatoes
- 3 large sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced ⅛ inch thick (about 2 pounds)
Seasonings
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, roughly chopped
Cheeses
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
- 1 ½ cups Gouda cheese, shredded (preferably Roth Gouda wedges)
Dairy Mixture
- ¾ cup milk
- ¾ cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Skillet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a cast iron skillet to prevent sticking and promote even browning.
- Mix Cream and Milk: In a bowl, combine the heavy cream and milk; set this mixture aside for layering.
- Layer Sweet Potatoes: Arrange a layer of sliced sweet potatoes evenly in the skillet. Drizzle several tablespoons of the cream mixture over the potatoes. Season with kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and sprinkle some fresh thyme. Dust with a portion of both Parmesan and Gouda cheeses.
- Repeat Layers: Continue layering the sweet potatoes, cream mixture, seasonings, and cheeses, forming 6 to 8 layers total. Press down firmly on the layers to ensure the potatoes are fully submerged in the cream mixture. Top the final layer with additional cheese if desired.
- Bake Covered: Cover the skillet and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the potatoes to start softening.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the cover and continue baking for an additional 30 to 45 minutes, until the cream is mostly absorbed, the sweet potatoes are tender, and the top is nicely browned and bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the gratin from the oven and let it rest for 15 minutes to set before serving. This will help the layers hold together and enhances the flavors.
Notes
- Use a mandoline for uniform sweet potato slices to ensure even cooking.
- Adjust seasoning to taste—sweet potatoes pair well with a bit of salt and herbs like thyme or rosemary.
- For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- This dish can be prepared ahead and baked just before serving.
- To make it gluten-free, confirm that the cheeses used do not contain any additives with gluten.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe (approx. 200g)
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
