Savory Sweet Potato Casserole

Name: Savory Sweet Potato Casserole
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 3 pounds sweet potatoes (peeled and cut into chunks); ½ cup half and half or milk; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (at room temperature); 4 slices bacon (chopped); ½ cup chopped pecans or roasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas); 1 small shallot (or ¼ cup minced onion); 2 cloves garlic (minced); 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary (or ½ teaspoon dried rosemary); 1 teaspoon maple syrup; Salt and pepper (to taste)

We all love a great sweet potato casserole around the holidays, and this savory version is our family’s twist on the classic. It’s a side dish we love to add to our holiday spread or prep in advance for a weeknight meal since it’s easy to assemble in about 15 minutes (it makes for delicious leftovers too!).

Instead of all of the brown sugar and marshmallow topping of the classic casserole, we use bacon, a hint of maple syrup and rosemary to make this savory version shine. It now happens to be my husband’s favorite, he requests it all throughout the cold winter months! I don’t mind since it’s simple to assemble and pairs well with any main course like roasted turkey breast or ribeyes on the stovetop.

Savory sweet potato casserole in a white baking dish with a gold spoon. — 📸 Photography by **Naomi Seiler**

Why you’ll love this recipe

Twist on the classic sweet potato casserole recipe. While we love the classic version with marshmallows and lots of brown sugar, this savory version is also so delicious as a side dish paired with any protein all throughout the year.
Easy to prep in 15 minutes. We like to keep it as quick as possible with no complex steps. Just boil the potatoes, mix, bake, and dig in!
Approachable ingredient list. All of the ingredients are easy to find in the store and affordable too. That’s why we always love adding it to any menu that will serve a crowd (and the guests are always impressed too!).

Tips for Busy Cooks

You can assemble this savory sweet potato casserole up to a day in advance and keep it covered in the fridge. When you are ready to serve, just bake and enjoy!

Ingredients for savory sweet potato casserole.

Key Ingredient Notes

Sweet potatoes give that classic sweet and creamy base we all love.
Half and half or milk – Half and half will add more richness in flavor. Choose milk if you want a lighter casserole.
Unsalted butter adds a nice and rich flavor in every bite.
Bacon – You’ll want to chop this. A pro tip we use is to freeze the bacon for 5 to 10 minutes before you chop for easier cutting.
Chopped pecans add crunch and nuttiness. Pepitas (roasted pumpkin seeds) are a great substitute for a nut-free option.
Shallot – We love the sweet and subtle onion flavor a shallot adds. You can also use yellow onion if desired.
Garlic – A key savory ingredient we love to pair with sweet potatoes.
Fresh rosemary is a simple ingredient that adds an elevated touch to this dish. We prefer fresh for its robust flavor, but dried works well too.
Maple syrup – Just a little hint of sweetness.

How to make savory sweet potato casserole

Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease an 8×8-inch or oval baking dish.

A red pot with sweet potato cubes covered in cold water.

Step 1: Place the sweet potato chunks in a large pot, cover with cold water, and bring to a boil. Cook until the potatoes are fork-tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain well and transfer to a large bowl.

Step 2: While the potatoes cook, heat a skillet over medium heat and add the chopped bacon. Cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and place it on a paper towel-lined plate.

Step 3: In the same skillet, sauté the shallot and garlic in the remaining bacon fat for 1 to 2 minutes, until softened and fragrant.

A skillet cooking shallots, garlic, and chopped pecans.

Step 4: Stir in the pecans or pumpkin seeds, rosemary, and maple syrup, and cook for another minute, stirring constantly to coat everything in flavor.

Remove from heat and stir in the cooked bacon.

A white bowl with cooked sweet potato cubes and butter.

Step 5: To the boiled sweet potatoes, add the butter, half and half, salt, and pepper.

A hand mashing sweet potatoes in a white bowl.

Step 6: Mash until smooth using a potato masher, followed by a hand mixer to make the potatoes fluffy, adding a little more half and half if needed for creaminess.

Mashed savory sweet potatoes are spread into a white baking dish.

Step 7: Spread the mashed sweet potatoes evenly into the prepared baking dish.

The savory sweet potato casserole is topped with bacon, pecans, and shallots.

Step 8: Spread the bacon-pecan mixture evenly over the top. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until hot and golden brown on top. If the topping begins to brown too quickly, cover the dish loosely with foil.

Serve warm and enjoy the balance of creamy, savory, and slightly sweet flavors in every bite.

Baked savory sweet potato casserole with a striped linen and gold spoon.

Expert tips:

Start the potatoes in cold water before bringing them to a boil. This will cook the potatoes evenly for the creamiest texture.
Cut the potatoes all the same size before boiling. Sounds simple, but this guarantees the potatoes will be finished cooking at the same time.
Use a hand mixer for mixing the potatoes. It adds air into the mixture making them light and fluffy. Just don’t whip too long or they will become gummy!
Make sure the butter is room temperature and the half and half is warmed. This allows them to incorporate nicely into the warm sweet potatoes and avoids curdling as you mix everything together.
Omit the bacon for a vegetarian side dish. If you are serving this to a crowd, you can cook the bacon on the side and let people add it themselves so it’s vegetarian-friendly!

Storage

Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven for a few minutes until warmed through.

Freezing this savory sweet potato casserole works great as well. It can be frozen for up to 2 months. Just thaw overnight and reheat again in the oven.

This recipe is also ideal to prep in advance. Mix everything together and keep covered in the fridge for up to a day. Bake when you are ready to serve.

Closeup view of savory sweet potato casserole with a golden spoon scooping some out.

What to serve with savory sweet potato casserole

The options are endless, whether you serve this at a holiday meal or just as a side during a busy week, it’s a great accompaniment to all sorts of proteins as well as other side dishes. Here are some of our top recommendations:

FAQs

How do I keep the sweet potato casserole from being too sweet?

For our savory sweet potato casserole, we add just a touch of maple syrup and add bacon for smokiness.

Is it better to roast or boil the sweet potatoes?

Either way is fine. If you boil the potatoes, make sure you drain them really well before mashing to prevent the casserole from being too wet.

Can I add cheese to savory sweet potato casserole?

Yes, we recommend something like parmesan or gruyere for a rich and delicious flavor.