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Savory Sweet Potato Casserole with Bacon, Caramelized Shallots, and Crispy Jalapeños Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.7 from 129 reviews
  • Author: Lisa
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This Savory Sweet Potato Casserole combines creamy mashed sweet potatoes with crispy bacon, caramelized shallots, and a crunchy topping of panko breadcrumbs and fried jalapeños. Baked to perfection, it balances sweetness and savory flavors, making it a perfect comforting side dish for any holiday or family meal.


Ingredients

Scale

Sweet Potato Mixture

  • 4 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
  • ½ cup half and half
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • 2 tablespoons bacon grease (reserved)

Bacon and Shallots

  • 6 slices bacon, chopped
  • 1 large shallot, thinly sliced
  • ½ teaspoon brown sugar
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced

Topping

  • ¼ cup panko bread crumbs
  • 2/3 cup French’s® Crispy Fried Jalapeños

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) to prepare for baking the casserole later.
  2. Boil Sweet Potatoes: Place peeled and chopped sweet potatoes in a saucepan, cover with cold water, bring to a boil, and cook for about 20 minutes or until potatoes are fork-tender. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.
  3. Cook Bacon: Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat and add chopped bacon. Cook, stirring frequently, until bacon is crispy and fat is rendered. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon onto paper towels to drain excess grease but reserve 2 tablespoons of bacon grease for the potatoes.
  4. Caramelize Shallots: In the same skillet with remaining bacon grease, add shallots with a pinch of salt and brown sugar. Cook over low heat, stirring often, until shallots are golden and caramelized, approximately 10-15 minutes. Stir in minced garlic near the end to sauté briefly.
  5. Mash Sweet Potatoes: Add reserved bacon grease, butter, half and half, salt, and pepper to the cooked sweet potatoes. Using a hand mixer, stand mixer, or potato masher, blend the mixture until completely smooth and creamy.
  6. Assemble Casserole: Spoon the mashed sweet potatoes into an 8×8-inch baking dish. Evenly distribute the caramelized shallots and crispy bacon on top, then sprinkle panko breadcrumbs over the surface.
  7. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes until the topping is lightly browned and bubbly.
  8. Add Jalapeños and Finish Baking: Remove the casserole from the oven, sprinkle French’s® Crispy Fried Jalapeños over the top, and return to the oven for an additional 10 minutes to heat through and add an extra crunch.
  9. Serve: Let the casserole cool slightly before serving. Enjoy this rich, flavorful dish as a hearty side perfect for special occasions or everyday meals.

Notes

  • Bacon grease adds rich flavor to the mashed sweet potatoes; do not discard it.
  • Caramelizing shallots slowly over low heat ensures they develop a sweet, deep flavor.
  • French’s® Crispy Fried Jalapeños add a spicy, crunchy contrast—adjust quantity to taste or substitute with another fried pepper topping.
  • This recipe serves 6 but can be easily doubled for larger gatherings.
  • Use an 8×8 inch baking dish for even cooking and proper layering.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/6th casserole (about 200g)
  • Calories: 350 kcal
  • Sugar: 8 g
  • Sodium: 450 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 9 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 28 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 7 g
  • Cholesterol: 45 mg