I’ve never been a huge fan of sweet potatoes. I’m fine with the first few bites, but after half a dozen forkfuls, I experience what we call in the business “palate fatigue.” Which is a fancy way to say I get tired of eating them and quickly lose interest. I’m very happy to report that didn’t happen here. I enjoyed the last bite every bit as much as the first. None of this should be surprising to anyone who regularly adds copious amounts of bacon and cheese to recipes, both of which have a centuries old track record of successfully fighting palate fatigue.
Those savory additions also make this easy casserole more than satisfying and substantial enough to serve as a main course. Put this next to a green salad and you’re talking about a rich, and decadent dinner you can eat without feeling too guilty.
But, whether you enjoy this as an entrée, or serve it next to a classic holiday roast, I really do hope you give it a try soon. Enjoy!
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Ingredients
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4 large orange-fleshed sweet potatoes (3 1/2 to 4 pounds)
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1 pound thick-cut bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
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2 teaspoons kosher salt
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1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
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1 teaspoon smoked paprika
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1 large egg, beaten
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1/2 cup sour cream, plus more for serving
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3/4 cup green onions, plus more for serving
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6 ounces sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
Directions
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Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with foil. Place sweet potatoes on the baking sheet and prick all over with a sharp knife.
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Bake in the preheated oven until tender when pierced with a knife, about 1 hour. Let sit until cool enough to handle. Do not turn off the oven.
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Place bacon in a cold pan over medium-high heat, and cook until fat begins to render; stir and reduce heat to medium. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the fat is fully rendered out and bacon is browned and fully cooked. Drain off bacon fat, and reserve for another use.
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Scoop sweet potatoes into a mixing bowl, discarding the skin. Use a spoon to break the chunks of sweet potato into smaller, more uniform pieces. The texture can be as smooth or coarse as you like.
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Add the salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, egg, sour cream, green onions, half of reserved bacon, and two-thirds of cheese. Stir together until everything is evenly mixed.
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Distribute mixture evenly into a shallow 2-quart baking dish, but leave the surface roughly textured. Scatter on the remaining bacon, followed by remaining cheese.
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Bake casserole in the preheated oven until the top is browned, and the casserole is heated through and bubbling around the edges, 30 to 35 minutes.
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Serve with more sliced green onions and sour cream if desired.
Chef John
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
410 | Calories |
20g | Fat |
37g | Carbs |
19g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
---|---|
Servings Per Recipe 12 | |
Calories 410 | |
% Daily Value * | |
Total Fat 20g | 26% |
Saturated Fat 8g | 42% |
Cholesterol 73mg | 24% |
Sodium 959mg | 42% |
Total Carbohydrate 37g | 14% |
Dietary Fiber 5g | 19% |
Total Sugars 1g | |
Protein 19g | 38% |
Vitamin C 17mg | 19% |
Calcium 140mg | 11% |
Iron 1mg | 7% |
Potassium 1095mg | 23% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.