Marry This Lightened Up Sweet Potato Casserole is a savory and slightly sweet recipe, which is made with a crunchy Parmesan-panko topping. It’s a healthy twist on the classic holiday side dish, ready in about an hour.
Jump to RecipeLightened Up Sweet Potato Casserole Ingredients
A wholesome combination for a delicious, healthier side dish.
- 4 lb. Sweet Potatoes or Yams
- 2 Tbsp. Unsalted Butter, cut into small pieces
- 1/4 cup Low-fat (1%) Milk
- 1 Tbsp. Maple Syrup
- 1 1/2 tsp. Paprika, divided
- 3/4 cup Panko Breadcrumbs (whole wheat or regular)
- 1/3 cup Finely Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 1 Tbsp. Minced Fresh Sage
- 1/4 tsp. Salt
- 1/4 tsp. Ground Pepper
How To Make Lightened Up Sweet Potato Casserole
A step-by-step guide to this healthier, savory holiday favorite.
- Cook the Sweet Potatoes: A quick way to cook the sweet potatoes is in the microwave. Pierce them all over with a fork, place them in the microwave, and cook on high for 15–20 minutes, turning them over halfway through, until they are very tender.
- Make the Sweet Potato Base: Let the cooked potatoes cool for a few minutes until you can handle them. Cut them in half lengthwise and scoop the flesh into a large bowl. Add the butter, milk, maple syrup, and 1 teaspoon of the paprika to the bowl. Use a hand mixer to blend until the mixture is smooth.
- Assemble the Casserole: Transfer the smooth sweet potato mixture to an 11×7-inch baking dish and spread it into an even layer.
- Prepare the Topping: Preheat your oven to 350ºF. In a medium bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, fresh sage, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Bake and Serve: Sprinkle the panko breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the sweet potatoes. Bake for about 15 minutes, until the casserole is heated through and the breadcrumb topping is golden brown and crispy. Serve warm.
Recipe Tips
For a perfect, savory-sweet casserole every time.
- How to get the crispiest topping? Using panko breadcrumbs is the key. Panko are Japanese-style breadcrumbs that are lighter and flakier than regular breadcrumbs, which means they absorb less oil and bake up much crispier.
- Can I bake the sweet potatoes instead of microwaving? Yes, absolutely. If you prefer, you can bake the whole sweet potatoes in a 400°F oven for 45-60 minutes, until tender. This will result in a slightly deeper, more caramelized flavor.
- Can I make this ahead of time? Yes, this is a great make-ahead side dish for the holidays. You can prepare the sweet potato base and spread it in the baking dish. Prepare the panko topping separately. Store both, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When ready to bake, sprinkle the topping over the base and bake as directed, adding 10-15 extra minutes to the baking time.
- Can I use a different herb? Of course. If you’re not a fan of sage, fresh minced thyme or rosemary would also be delicious and complementary to the sweet potato flavor.
What To Serve With Lightened Up Sweet Potato Casserole
The perfect main courses to pair with this holiday side.
This savory-sweet casserole is a staple on the holiday table. It pairs wonderfully with:
- Roast Turkey for Thanksgiving
- Glazed Ham for Christmas or Easter
- Simple roast chicken or pork loin for a weeknight meal
How To Store Lightened Up Sweet Potato Casserole
Keeping your delicious side dish fresh.
- Refrigerate: Store any leftovers, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: The topping will soften upon storage. For the best texture, reheat the casserole in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes, until heated through and the topping has re-crisped slightly.
Lightened Up Sweet Potato Casserole Nutrition Facts
An estimated guide per serving.
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Fat: 5 g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
It’s a wonderful balance of both. The sweet potatoes and a touch of maple syrup provide natural sweetness, while the Parmesan, sage, and paprika in the topping give it a delicious, savory, and savory crunch. It’s much less sweet than the traditional marshmallow-topped version.
Yes. To make it dairy-free, you can substitute the butter with a vegan butter alternative, use a plant-based milk (like unsweetened almond milk), and use a vegan Parmesan cheese alternative or nutritional yeast in the topping.
In most US supermarkets, what is labeled as a “yam” is actually a different variety of soft, orange-fleshed sweet potato. True yams are a different root vegetable altogether. For this recipe, either the orange-fleshed sweet potato or the item labeled as a yam will work perfectly.
Try More Recipes:
- Spiced-Up Potato Chips Recipe
- Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes Recipe
- Potato Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette Recipe
Lightened Up Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
Course: Side DishCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy10
servings15
minutes35
minutes250
kcalA healthier, savory-sweet take on the classic sweet potato casserole, featuring a smooth, lightly sweetened base and a crunchy, savory topping of Panko, Parmesan, and fresh sage.
Ingredients
4 lb. Sweet Potatoes or Yams
2 Tbsp. Unsalted Butter
1/4 cup Low-fat Milk
1 Tbsp. Maple Syrup
1 1/2 tsp. Paprika, divided
3/4 cup Panko Breadcrumbs
1/3 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
1 Tbsp. Minced Fresh Sage
Salt and Pepper
Directions
- Cook the whole sweet potatoes in the microwave for 15-20 minutes until very tender.
- Let cool slightly, then scoop the flesh into a large bowl.
- Add the butter, milk, maple syrup, and 1 tsp of paprika. Mash with a hand mixer until smooth.
- Spread the sweet potato mixture into an 11×7-inch baking dish.
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
- In a separate bowl, combine the panko, Parmesan, sage, remaining 1/2 tsp paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Sprinkle the panko mixture evenly over the sweet potatoes.
- Bake for about 15 minutes, until heated through and the topping is golden brown.
Notes
- For a deeper flavor, you can roast the sweet potatoes in the oven instead of microwaving them.
- This casserole can be fully assembled (with the topping kept separate) up to 2 days in advance, making it a perfect holiday time-saver.
- Using panko breadcrumbs creates a much crunchier topping than traditional breadcrumbs.
- This version is a delicious savory alternative to the marshmallow-topped sweet potato casseroles.
