When it comes to Thanksgiving dinners, we all have those beloved dishes that just have to be on the table. For many families, sweet potato casserole topped with marshmallows is a nostalgic must-have. But what if this year, you brought a new flavor to the table—one that’s creamy, cheesy, and loaded with savory goodness?

Say hello to the Savory Sweet Potato Bake. It’s everything you love about sweet potatoes—just without the sugar rush. Instead of going sweet, this dish takes a turn with smoky bacon, garlic, chives, cream cheese, and a crunchy cornflake topping that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Let me walk you through exactly how to make this delicious twist on tradition.

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Why You’ll Love This Savory Sweet Potato Bake

This dish has all the comfort of a classic casserole but swaps the usual sweetness for rich, savory flavor. It’s perfect for those at your table who aren’t into the whole marshmallow thing, and it pairs beautifully with turkey, ham, or even a vegetarian spread.

Plus, it can easily be made ahead and reheated, making your Thanksgiving prep a whole lot easier.


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Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s everything that goes into this cozy, savory side dish:


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How to Make Savory Sweet Potato Bake

Step 1: Prep the Potatoes

Start by peeling and cubing your sweet potatoes. Boil them in salted water until fork-tender—about 15 to 20 minutes. Drain and mash until velvety smooth, then set aside to cool slightly.

Step 2: Make the Creamy Base

In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and butter until smooth and creamy. Stir in the half and half, garlic, chives, salt, and pepper until well combined.

Step 3: Combine Everything

To your mashed sweet potatoes, add the crumbled bacon, Parmesan, and sharp cheddar. Pour in the cream cheese mixture and stir until everything is evenly mixed.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F and butter a 13×9-inch baking dish. Spoon the sweet potato mixture into the pan and smooth it out. Sprinkle the crushed corn flakes evenly on top for that irresistible crunch.

Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, or until heated through and the top is lightly golden.


Make It Ahead

This savory sweet potato bake can be prepped the night before! Just assemble the dish (minus the cornflake topping), cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate. When you’re ready to bake, let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes, then add the topping and bake as directed.


More Holiday Ideas

Turkey Noodle Casserole

Cranberry Raspberry Ring

French Onion Roasted Potatoes

Potato Chip Cookies

Old Fashion Potato Candy

Stuffed Breakfast Baked Potatoes

🥄 Serving Ideas

This dish pairs beautifully with:

It’s a crowd-pleaser you’ll want to bring to every potluck or family gathering.


🧡 Final Thoughts

Swapping the sugar for savory in your sweet potato dish might just be the best Thanksgiving decision you make. With melty cheese, crispy bacon, and that buttery cornflake crunch, this bake is bound to become a new family favorite.

Let’s mix it up this holiday season—because tradition is better with a twist!

Green Bean Casserole

homemade stuffing

Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole

Smashed Garlic Baby Potatoes

Gram’s Sweet-Tangy Potato Salad

Apparel for the foodie & griller

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savory-sweet-potato-bake

Savory Sweet Potato Bake

Nettie
Savory Sweet Potato Bake – a flavorful twist on the classic sweet potato casserole. Learn how to make, store, and customize this delicious dish! Great Thanksgiving sidedish!
No ratings yet
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 285 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 medium sweet potatoes cooked & mashed
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup cream cheese softened
  • 3 Tbsp butter softened
  • 1/4 cup 1/2 and 1/2
  • 2 Tbsp fresh chives chopped or 2 tsp dried chives
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 strips bacon cooked & crumbled
  • 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup corn flakes finely crushed

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees ℉. Butter a 13 x 9 pan
  • Peel and cube sweet potatoes. Place in a medium pot of water and boil until soft. Mash the sweet potatoes and set aside.
  • In a medium bowl beat cream cheese, sour cream, softened butter until creamy. Add 1/4 cup 1/2 and 1/2, salt, pepper, garlic and chives mix well.
  • Combine the mashed sweet potatoes, bacon, parmesan cheese, cheddar cheese and cream cheese mixture. Mix well and place in buttered pan. Sprinkle crushed corn flakes over the top. Bake for 45 minutes or until bubbly.

Notes

When it comes to the nutrition information provided for recipes, it’s important to keep in mind that it’s just an estimate. The actual nutritional values can vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use. Be mindful that any nutritional information provided is intended as a general guideline rather than exact values.
 

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 285kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 8gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 42mgSodium: 352mgPotassium: 449mgFiber: 4gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 16547IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 184mgIron: 2mg
Keyword cheesy sweet potato casserole, savory sweet potato casserole, sweet potato casserole, thanksgiving side dish
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