Description
This Savory Sweet Potato Casserole is a flavorful twist on a classic comfort dish, combining creamy mashed sweet potatoes with crispy bacon, caramelized shallots, and a crunchy topping of panko and crispy fried jalapeños. Perfect as a side for holiday meals or a hearty family dinner, it delivers a balance of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors baked to perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potatoes
- 4 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
Bacon and Vegetables
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 large shallot, thinly sliced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
Seasonings and Dairy
- ½ cup half and half
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ teaspoon brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Toppings
- ¼ cup panko bread crumbs
- 2/3 cup French’s® Crispy Fried Jalapeños
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F to prepare for baking the casserole later.
- Cook Sweet Potatoes: Place the peeled and chopped sweet potatoes into a saucepan, cover with cold water, and bring to a boil. Boil for about 20 minutes until the potatoes are fork tender. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.
- Cook Bacon: Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat and add chopped bacon. Cook, stirring often, until it becomes crispy and the fat renders out. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Reserve 2 tablespoons of bacon grease for later use.
- Caramelize Shallots: In the same skillet with the remaining bacon grease, add the sliced shallots along with a pinch of salt and brown sugar. Cook over low heat, stirring frequently, for 10–15 minutes until golden and caramelized. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute to release its aroma.
- Mash Sweet Potatoes: Add the reserved 2 tablespoons bacon grease, butter, half and half, salt, and pepper to the sweet potatoes. Use a hand mixer, stand mixer, or potato masher to blend until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy.
- Assemble Casserole: Spoon the smooth sweet potato mixture into an 8×8-inch baking dish. Evenly layer the caramelized shallots and crispy bacon on top, then sprinkle the surface with panko bread crumbs.
- Bake: Place the assembled dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes to allow the topping to crisp and the flavors to meld.
- Add Jalapeños and Finish Baking: Remove the casserole from the oven and evenly sprinkle the French’s® Crispy Fried Jalapeños on top. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes to heat the jalapeños and enhance the crunch.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the casserole to cool slightly before serving to stabilize the texture and flavors.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, add extra crispy fried jalapeños or substitute with fresh diced jalapeños.
- You can make this casserole ahead and refrigerate before baking; just add extra baking time if baking from cold.
- To make this dish gluten-free, substitute the panko bread crumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed nuts.
- Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1 cup)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
