If you are looking for the ultimate fall side dish, make Sweet Potato Au Gratin. It is loaded with savory flavor that is easy to make with simple ingredients.
3poundssweet potatoespeeled and sliced 1/8 inch thick
2cupsheavy cream
2clovesgarlicminced
1teaspoonsalt
½teaspoonblack pepper
¼teaspoonground nutmeg
1 ½cupsgrated Gruyere cheese
1cupgrated sharp cheddar cheese
2tablespoonsunsalted buttercut into small pieces
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
In a large saucepan, combine the heavy cream, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and nutmeg. Heat over medium heat until it just starts to simmer. Remove from heat and set aside.
Layer half of the sliced sweet potatoes in the prepared baking dish, slightly overlapping the slices.
Pour half of the cream mixture over the sweet potatoes.
Sprinkle half of the Gruyere cheese and half of the cheddar cheese over the cream.
Repeat with another layer of sweet potatoes, the remaining cream mixture, and the remaining cheeses. Top with the pieces of butter.
Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 30 minutes.
Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 25-30 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork and the top is golden brown and bubbly.
Let the dish rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Try to slice the sweet potatoes as evenly as you can (about 1/8 inch thick) so they cook evenly. A mandoline slicer makes it super quick and easy, but if you're slicing by hand, just take your time to keep the thickness the same. When heating the heavy cream, only bring it to a light simmer. Avoid boiling the mixture, as it may reduce too much or cause the cream to separate. If your cream thickens too much while simmering, remove it from heat earlier. When layering the sweet potatoes, try to slightly overlap each slice. This helps the dish stay compact and ensures that each bite has layers of the sweet potato and cheese.