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Savoury Sweet Potato Casserole with Crispy Sage and Bacon Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 99 reviews

This Savoury Sweet Potato Casserole features creamy mashed sweet potatoes blended with sour cream, parmesan, and garlic, topped with a crispy, golden breadcrumb and parmesan topping enhanced by crunchy bacon and fragrant browned butter sage. The combination of smooth, cheesy sweet potato mash and savory, crunchy toppings makes this dish a perfect comforting side for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Sweet Potato Mash

  • 1.75kg / 3.5lb sweet potato (3 large or 6 smaller ones)
  • 1/2 cup (115g) sour cream
  • 1/2 cup (50g) parmesan, freshly grated
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

Browned Butter & Crispy Sage

  • 250g / 8oz butter, salted, cut into 2cm/1″ cubes
  • 15 sage leaves

Topping

  • 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup (50g) parmesan, finely grated
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 150g / 5oz bacon, streaky, cooked until golden then finely chopped

Instructions

  1. Prepare the sweet potatoes: Peel and chop the sweet potatoes into uniform pieces. Boil them in salted water until tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain and mash thoroughly until smooth.
  2. Make the sweet potato mash: While still warm, stir in the sour cream, freshly grated parmesan, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to combine evenly and create a creamy mash.
  3. Brown the butter and crisp the sage: In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter cubes and cook until browned and nutty in aroma, about 5-7 minutes. Add the sage leaves and fry until crispy. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
  4. Cook the bacon: In a separate pan, cook the streaky bacon pieces over medium heat until golden and crisp. Drain on paper towels and finely chop once cool.
  5. Prepare the topping: In a bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, finely grated parmesan, salt, and pepper. Stir in the chopped bacon and half of the browned butter with crispy sage (save the rest for drizzling later).
  6. Assemble the casserole: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Spread the sweet potato mash evenly in a buttered baking dish. Sprinkle the breadcrumb topping evenly over the mash.
  7. Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and crispy.
  8. Finish and serve: Remove from oven and drizzle the remaining browned butter and sage leaves over the casserole for extra buttery aroma. Serve warm as a savory side dish.

Notes

  • For extra creaminess, add a splash of milk or cream to the mash while mixing.
  • You can substitute bacon with pancetta or turkey bacon for variation.
  • If you prefer less salt, reduce the added salt or use unsalted butter.
  • The browned butter sage adds a wonderful nutty flavor; don’t skip this step.
  • This dish pairs beautifully with roasted meats or as part of a festive holiday spread.

Keywords: sweet potato casserole, savory sweet potato, brown butter sage, crispy bacon topping, holiday side dish

Find it online: https://mjrecipe.com/savoury-sweet-potato-casserole-with-crispy-sage-and-bacon-recipe/