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
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) to prepare for baking the casserole later.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes until the topping is lightly browned and bubbly.
- 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.
- 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