Sweet potatoes can be a simple roasted side, a creamy mash or a sweet holiday bake. Pick the role you want them to play before choosing a recipe.
These 15 ideas include savory garlic-and-Parmesan choices, sweet casseroles, soup, a pressure-cooker mash and pies. Oven and slow-cooker versions are identified so you can plan around the turkey and other sides.
Some dishes contain nuts, dairy, eggs or marshmallows. Check the linked ingredients and methods; use vegan toppings only where the recipe and your menu call for them.
Roasted Sides, Mashes, Casseroles and Pies
Roasted Sweet Potato Recipe with Garlic and Parmesan
Garlic and Parmesan take sweet potatoes in a savory direction. Choose these when another side already supplies the sweet glaze or marshmallow topping, and spread the pieces out for roasting.
Candied Sweet Potatoes
Cooked sweet potatoes bake with a brown-sugar-and-butter sauce in this classic sweet side. Small servings fit well beside a salty ham or a savory roast, especially if your menu already has other rich dishes. Recipe and photo: Stacie Vaughan / Simply Stacie.
Baked Sweet Potatoes
Whole sweet potatoes bake with oil and seasoning until tender. Serve as a simple side with toppings chosen around the rest of dinner rather than adding another rich casserole. Recipe and photo: Holly Nilsson / Spend With Pennies.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potato pieces roast with oil and a choice of savory garlic or cinnamon seasoning. Choose the version that fits your meal and leave enough space on the tray for the edges to brown. Recipe and photo: Holly Nilsson / Spend With Pennies.
Sweet Potato Casserole
Mashed sweet potatoes, brown sugar and butter bake with pecans and marshmallows. This is a sweet, nut-containing side, so balance it with something crisp or savory on the plate. Recipe and photo: Holly Nilsson / Spend With Pennies.
Sweet Potato Soup
Sweet potatoes, apple and ginger cook into a creamy soup with a little curry seasoning. The recipe uses cream and offers bacon garnish, making it a separate choice from the vegan collection. Recipe and photo: Holly Nilsson / Spend With Pennies.
Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes
A pressure cooker softens the sweet potatoes before butter, milk and a little brown sugar are added. This can free oven space, but allow for pressure building and release as well as cooking. Recipe and photo: Holly Nilsson / Spend With Pennies.
Parmesan Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Garlic, thyme and Parmesan give roasted sweet potatoes a savory finish. They offer a different flavor from marshmallow-topped dishes, with the cheese browned on the edges. Recipe and photo: Holly Nilsson / Spend With Pennies.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Carrots
Sweet potatoes and carrots roast with cinnamon and ginger, with optional brown sugar. The mix brings two vegetables to one tray and works as a sweet-spiced side. Recipe and photo: Holly Nilsson / Spend With Pennies.
Brown Sugar Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Butter, brown sugar and warm spices coat roasted sweet potato pieces. Choose this for a simpler sweet side when you want caramelized edges without a mashed casserole. Recipe and photo: Holly Nilsson / Spend With Pennies.
Crockpot Sweet Potato Casserole
Sweet potato cubes cook slowly with brown sugar, butter and warm spices, finished with pecans. Plan the slow-cooker window and keep it separate from the oven-baked version when assigning appliances. Recipe and photo: Holly Nilsson / Spend With Pennies.
Sweet Potato Pie
Cooked sweet potato, eggs and evaporated milk form a spiced filling in a pastry shell. This belongs on the dessert table, with enough time for baking and cooling before serving. Recipe and photo: Holly Nilsson / Spend With Pennies.
Sweet Potato Casserole Boats
Roasted sweet potato halves carry a spiced filling and pecan topping. Use dairy-free butter and vegan marshmallows if adding them, since the source also mentions dairy and optional conventional toppings. Recipe and photo: Minimalist Baker.
Butternut Pecan Sweet Potato Mash
Roasted sweet potatoes and butternut squash mash together beneath maple-spiced pecans. Vegan butter keeps the dish dairy-free, while the nuts add crunch to the soft vegetables. Recipe and photo: Minimalist Baker.
Vegan Sweet Potato Pie
Roasted sweet potato and cashews blend into a maple-sweetened pie filling. Use a vegan crust and dairy-free topping, and allow the complete baking and cooling schedule. Recipe and photo: Minimalist Baker.
Choose the Flavor and Cooking Method
A savory side can balance sweeter dishes elsewhere on the table, while a casserole or pie gives sweet potato a richer role. Confirm appliance space and the complete cooking window before shopping.