37 Rich and Rustic Sweet Potato Recipes

By Zoe Denenberg
October 03, 2011
Alison Miksch
There’s nothing more satisfying than a melty sweet potato gratin or a bowl of lentil, sweet potato, and bacon soup on a cool day. Topped with a layer of golden-brown torched marshmallows, a sweet potato casserole always plays a starring role in our holiday spread. We love incorporating hearty sweet potatoes into fall and winter dishes.Although you’re probably most familiar with the classic orange sweet potato, there’s a whole spectrum of colors and flavors that sweet potatoes can fall on. They can be white or purple, slightly sweet or on the savory side. The versatile tuber can transition between sweet and savory in a flash. It brings earthiness and warmth to our favorite holiday desserts, like sweet potato pie, and subtle, natural sweetness to entrées and sides. Higher in fiber and lower in calories than a russet or a Yukon gold, the sweet potato is a great healthier alternative to starchy spuds. Plus, a simple baked sweet potato topped with a pat of butter and a dash of cinnamon is absolutely irresistible.
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Here Are Our Favorite Ways With Sweet Potatoes

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Twice-Cooked Sweet Potatoes with Citrus and Honey

Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Twice-Cooked Sweet Potatoes with Citrus and Honey

The sweet version of potato skins, these sweet potatoes are dressed up with orange zest, vanilla bean, and honey. For a slightly salty kick, add a teaspoon of tamari, a dark soy sauce.

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Sweet Potato Casserole Hotcakes

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole Hotcakes

Looking for a way to reuse leftovers? Don’t just reheat your leftover sweet potato casserole, reinvent it. The morning after a big dinner, it takes no time at all to whip up hotcakes, which are warm and filling and quick and easy. Your family will love them. If your sweet potato casserole is very sweet, then you can omit the brown sugar in this pancake recipe. Does your sweet potato casserole come with a marshmallow topping? Even better. Simply stir it into your sweet potatoes, and make the recipe as directed. The recipe is versatile and clever, and we love a delicious shortcut in the kitchen, especially one that makes the most of leftovers.

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Classic Sweet Potato Casserole

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Classic Sweet Potato Casserole

Round out your Thanksgiving meal with a hefty spoonful of our Classic Sweet Potato Casserole. The sweet potato filling is finished with a crunchy topping of cornflakes, pecans, and brown sugar, balanced out with the gooey favorite—marshmallows. You’ll be surprised how versatile this classic casserole is.

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Sweet Potato Fettuccine

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Sweet Potato Fettuccine

This clever technique for transforming sweet potatoes into "fettuccine" was inspired by a prize-winning recipe from the North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission, and this easy recipe comes together in just 35 minutes. It’s a showstopper, a fantastically unique twist on vegetables and pasta, which creates a tasty hybrid dish.

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Hasselback Sweet Potato Casserole

Photo: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Hasselback Sweet Potato Casserole

Not only is this casserole visually stunning, but the pre-sliced potatoes make it easy to portion out.

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Grilled Sweet Potato Fries

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Grilled Sweet Potato Fries

Fire up the grill and enjoy sweet potatoes year-round with these simple, thick-cut Grilled Sweet Potato Fries.

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Sweet Potato Cobbler

Photo: Antonis Achilleos, Food Styling: Gordon Sawyer and Tina Stamos, Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell

Recipe: Sweet Potato Cobbler

We all know and love sweet potato pie, but we may have just found a new favorite sweet potato dessert. Topped with buttermilk biscuit drops and streusel crumbles, this cobbler expertly walks the line between sweet and savory.

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Oven-Fried Pork Chops with Sweet Potatoes and Green Beans

Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos

Recipe: Oven-Fried Pork Chops with Sweet Potatoes and Green Beans

Sometimes, you just need a simple sheet pan dinner. With protein, starch, and veggies, this recipe has everything you need for a well-rounded meal.

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Lentil Soup with Sweet Potatoes and Bacon

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Cindy Barr; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos

Recipe: Lentil Soup with Sweet Potatoes and Bacon

Never underestimate the power of a warm, hearty soup. Feel free to leave out the bacon to make this soup vegetarian-friendly.

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Two-Potato Gratin

Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Two-Potato Gratin

Layered with thinly sliced Yukon golds and sweet potatoes, this Two-Potato Gratin has the best of both worlds.

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Savory Sweet Potato Casserole

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Savory Sweet Potato Casserole

Trade the marshmallows for breadcrumbs and the cinnamon for sage and you’ve got a hearty, savory take on the classic holiday side.

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Bourbon Sweet Potatoes

Southern Living

Recipe: Bourbon Sweet Potatoes

This sweet potato mash has a secret ingredient. Serve with thick slices of Thanksgiving turkey and an Old Fashioned.

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Smoky Turkey-and-Sweet Potato Chili

Photo: Hector M. Sanchez

Recipe: Smoky Turkey-and-Sweet Potato Chili

Have lots of leftovers after the Thanksgiving feast? Throw them in this easy chili.

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Potato Gratin with Rosemary Crust

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Potato Gratin with Rosemary Crust

This gorgeous potato cake may just outshine the Thanksgiving turkey.

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Roasted Sweet Potato Hummus

Photo: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Roasted Sweet Potato Hummus

Roasted sweet potatoes add a stunning orange color and multi-dimensional flavor to this party-worthy dip.

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Cheddar-Caramelized Onion Bread with Whipped Sweet Potato Butter

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: Katelyn Hardwick

Recipe: Cheddar-Caramelized Onion Bread with Whipped Sweet Potato Butter

You’ll want to save this sweet potato butter and spread it on just about everything, from toast to sandwiches.

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Shepherd’s Pie with Potato Crust

Greg Dupree

Recipe: Shepherd’s Pie with Potato Crust

With a two-tone scalloped potato crust, this Shepherd’s Pie is anything but ordinary.

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Farro Bowl with Curry-Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts

Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food styling: Karen Rankin

Recipe: Farro Bowl with Curry-Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts

Hearty and healthy grain bowls are one of our dinnertime staples, and this farro bowl with curry-roasted sweet potatoes is a real treat.

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Rum-Glazed Sweet Potato Cakes

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck

Recipe: Rum-Glazed Sweet Potato Cakes

We love baking sweet potatoes into pie, but have you ever tried sweet potato cake? Well, you're in for a treat.

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Sweet Potato-Cranberry Scones with Molasses-Orange Butter

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Karin Olsen; Food Styling: Kellie Gerber Kelley

Recipe: Sweet Potato-Cranberry Scones with Molasses-Orange Butter

We’re eating our sweet potatoes for breakfast and dessert with these versatile holiday scones.

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Sweet Potato-and-Collard Green Gratin

Photo: Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Mary-Claire Britton

Recipe: Sweet Potato-and-Collard Green Gratin

Combine two classic Southern sides – sweet potato casserole and collard greens – in this colorful layered gratin.

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Chicken, Sweet Potato, and Corn Slow-Cooker Chowder

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Chicken, Sweet Potato, and Corn Slow-Cooker Chowder

Throw all the ingredients in the slow cooker and let it go low and slow all day long.

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Kale and Sweet Potato Salad with Chicken

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Kale and Sweet Potato Salad with Chicken

If you’re looking for a hearty, healthy fall recipe to make for lunch or dinner, we’ve got just the thing for you.

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Brown Butter Sweet Potato Pie

Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Brown Butter Sweet Potato Pie

Brown butter adds a rich nuttiness to the classic Sweet Potato Pie in this new favorite recipe.

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Sweet Potato Muffins

Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Sweet Potato Muffins

Serve these muffins warm with a pat of butter and a sprinkling of spices for a real sweet breakfast treat.

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Sweet Potato Bread with Buttermilk-Lime Icing

Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Sweet Potato Bread with Buttermilk-Lime Icing

The buttermilk-lime icing draws out the sweetness of this loaf to make this satisfying dessert fit for a ladies’ lunch.

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Slow-Cooker Sweet Potatoes with Bacon

Alison Miksch

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Sweet Potatoes with Bacon

Orange juice gives this dish a little sweetness, while pieces of crumbled bacon will give you something to savor, and rosemary will give it an aroma all its own. Delicious together, this sweet-and-salty side could not be easier to prep on Thanksgiving morning. Best part? It's made in the slow cooker, so you're saving valuable stovetop space. When you’re ready to serve it, sprinkle a mixture of parsley, orange zest, and garlic over the top: you’ll get just the right amount of herbs, spice, and bite in every mouthful.

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Sweet Potato Ginger Scones

Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Sweet Potato Ginger Scones

When you’re hosting out of town guests, there’s no better way to start the morning than with a plate of freshly baked scones.

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Steak, Sweet Potato, and Blue Cheese Salad

Greg DuPree

Recipe: Steak, Sweet Potato, and Blue Cheese Salad

The classic combination of steak and blue cheese meets the welcome addition of roasted sweet potato slices that act almost as croutons in this hearty salad.

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