Best Sweet Potato Recipes

Traditional Sweet Potato Casserole Recipes

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Sweet Potato Recipes

Sweet potatoes and potatoes are as closely related as onions and asparagus—in the same botanical order, different families. Sweet potatoes are true root vegetables, an enlarged section of the root used by the plant to store energy, while potatoes are stem tubers, formed from the stem of the plant. Lucky for us, the sweet potato isn't only nutritious (high in vitamins A and C), it's also both tasty and versatile.

First up, make everyone happy and top this lightened version of the classic sweet potato casserole with both marshmallows and toasted pecans.

View Recipe: Traditional Sweet Potato Casserole

See More: Sweet Potato Casserole Recipes

Photo: Howard L. Puckett

Oven-Fried Sweet Potatoes

Pair sweet potatoes with a garlicky gremolata for a savory side dish that goes well with everything from roast chicken to pork chops.

View Recipe: Oven-Fried Sweet Potatoes

Photo: Jan Smith

Five-Spice Sweet Potato Pie

Five-spice powder is a blend of cinnamon, cloves, fennel seed, star anise, and Szechuan peppercorns that can be found in the spice aisle of most supermarkets. If five-spice powder is unavailable, use pumpkin pie spice.

View Recipe: Five-Spice Sweet Potato Pie

See More: Sweet Potato Pie Recipes

Photo: Randy Mayor

Curry-Spiced Sweet Potatoes

Enliven a familiar side dish with exotic flavors. Curry powder, cumin, and cinnamon combine with a hint of heat from ground red pepper to make these Indian-inspired sweet potatoes stand out in a meal. Use leftovers to top a shepherd's pie, or thin them out with milk and broth to make curried sweet potato soup that you can sprinkle with chopped cilantro. This highly seasoned dish pairs well with chicken, pork, and turkey.

View Recipe: Curry-Spiced Sweet Potatoes

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Streuseled Sweet Potato Casserole

Sprinkle a buttery, brown sugar and pecan mixture over the top of the creamy potatoes in this casserole side dish that's sweet enough to be dessert.

View Recipe: Streuseled Sweet Potato Casserole

Photo: Oxmoor House

Sweet Potato, Leek, and Ham Soup

Pureed in a blender, this creamy soup spells comfort in a bowl. Though it tastes like slow food, it comes together in a flash thanks to pre-chopped sweet potato and cooked ham.

View Recipe: Sweet Potato, Leek, and Ham Soup

Photo: Randy Mayor

Roasted Pumpkin and Sweet Potato Pilau

Hearty pumpkin and creamy sweet potatoes steal the show in this winter-weather pilaf. It’s an ideal way to add fiber to your diet and a beautiful showcase for some underused winter vegetables.

View Recipe: Roasted Pumpkin and Sweet Potato Pilau

Photo: Randy Mayor

Oven-Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Onions

"This dish roasts for a long time, which is great, because then the potatoes are very soft and sweet. Everyone we've ever served it to has absolutely loved it, and it's so easy to make."

―Maya Metz Logue

View Recipe: Oven-Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Onions

Photo: Randy Mayor

Buttered Sweet Potato Knot Rolls

Don't be scared to make homemade bread. Take some time to learn the process, and you'll enjoy the payoff. Here canned sweet potato adds moisture and sweet notes to delectable rolls.

View Recipe: Buttered Sweet Potato Knot Rolls

Photo: Randy Mayor

Roasted Sweet Potato and Orange Salad

Roast the sweet potatoes, section the oranges, and slice the onion ahead. Keep them all refrigerated separately until you're ready to toss the salad.

View Recipe: Roasted Sweet Potato and Orange Salad

Photo: Lydia E. Degaris

Sweet Potato-Pecan Pancakes

These pancakes go best with our Vanilla-Maple Syrup. You can use 3/4 cup mashed winter squash instead of the sweet potatoes, if desired.

View Recipe: Sweet Potato-Pecan Pancakes

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Sweet Potato and Butternut Gratin

Pancetta is Italian cured pork, similar to cured bacon, which you can substitute, if necessary. Smoked bacon will also work, if you prefer the flavor.

View Recipe: Sweet Potato and Butternut Gratin

Photo: Ellen Silverman

Creamy Carrot and Sweet Potato Soup

Carrots and sweet potatoes add natural sweetness to this luscious soup. A bit of half and half stirred in at the end adds a crowning addition of richness. Make the soup several days in advance, and reheat over medium-low heat.

View Recipe: Creamy Carrot and Sweet Potato Soup

Photo: Randy Mayor

Sweet Potato-Pecan Burgers with Caramelized Onions

Choose breads labeled 100 percent whole wheat or whole grain to make sure you're getting their benefits. Nuts add healthful unsaturated fats and filling protein to this tasty vegetarian sandwich.

View Recipe: Sweet Potato-Pecan Burgers with Caramelized Onions

Photo: Mary Britton Senseney/Wonderful Machine

Butter-Pecan Mashed Sweet Potatoes

We have 4 speedy sweet potato sides to complete your fall meals. Start with our Butter-Pecan Mashed Sweet Potatoes, then try one of these variations: Maple Bacon, Chipotle-Lime, or Parmesan-Sage.

View Recipe: Butter-Pecan Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Photo: Hannah Whitaker

Sweet Potato Bread

Inspired by carrot cake, we created a cream cheese-frosted bread. This treat is peppered with sweet raisins and crunchy pecans and frosted with cream cheese that has a lemony zing.

View Recipe: Sweet Potato Bread

Photo: Johnny Autry

Sweet Potato Chile Mac

Crispy bits of Mexican chorizo (fresh, crumbly sausage–not to be confused with Spanish chorizo) create a delicious topping for this sweet-spicy take on mac and cheese. There's a fair amount of heat here, so if you prefer mild food, use even less chipotle.

View Recipe: Sweet Potato Chile Mac

Photo: José Picayo

Potato and Root Vegetable Mashers

Sweet potato and turnip turn an otherwise straightforward mash into an intriguing dish with subtle earthy, sweet notes. A coarse mash gives the dish rustic appeal; leave small chunks of the veggies to add texture to the dish.

View Recipe: Potato and Root Vegetable Mashers

Photo: John Autry

Sweet Potato Pie with Spiced Cream Topping

Tangy cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk combine for a creamy contrast to the sweet potato layer. You can prepare this pie up to two days ahead and refrigerate.

View Recipe: Sweet Potato Pie with Spiced Cream Topping

Photo: Ellen Silverman

Maple-Pecan Sweet Potatoes

These creamy sweet potatoes with a sweet and crunchy topping are completely irresistible. You can make this dish up to two days ahead. Simply bake the potatoes and assemble. Then refrigerate and bake just before serving.

View Recipe: Maple-Pecan Sweet Potatoes

Photo: John Autry

Moroccan Shepherd's Pie

Sweet potatoes provide a nice foil for the full-flavored lamb, tangy olives, and earthy spices. You can also bake the entire mixture in an 8-inch square baking dish. Assemble up to a day ahead, cover, refrigerate, and bake just before serving.

View Recipe: Moroccan Shepherd's Pie

Photo: Randy Mayor

Two Potato and Beet Hash with Poached Eggs and Greens

Sautéed yukon gold potatoes, sweet potatoes, and beets are topped with poached eggs for a meatless meal fit for brunch or dinner. To save time, you can purchase precooked, vacuum-packed beets at many markets in the produce section.

View Recipe: Two Potato and Beet Hash with Poached Eggs and Greens

Photo: John Autry

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Empanadas

Mild sweet potatoes and black beans take on smoky, spicy tastes from cumin and chiles. These pies are great served hot out of the oven at a party; leftovers also make a tasty room-temperature snack.

View Recipe: Sweet Potato and Black Bean Empanadas

Photo: Mary Britton Senseney/Wonderful Machine

Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Cranberry-Chipotle Dressing

Be sure to let the cranberries cook long enough that they start to pop; the juice helps to thicken the dressing.

View Recipe: Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Cranberry-Chipotle Dressing

Photo: Romulo Yanes

Microwave Sweet Potato Chips

You won't want to miss these easy-to-make sweet potato chips. You'll need a mandoline to slice the potato thin enough to crisp. The results are delicious and easy, sans the hassle of the oven.

View Recipe: Microwave Sweet Potato Chips

Our Best Sweet Potato Recipes

Sweet Potato Recipes

Oven-Fried Sweet Potatoes

Five-Spice Sweet Potato Pie

Curry-Spiced Sweet Potatoes

Streuseled Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet Potato, Leek, and Ham Soup

Roasted Pumpkin and Sweet Potato Pilau

Oven-Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Onions

Buttered Sweet Potato Knot Rolls

Roasted Sweet Potato and Orange Salad

Sweet Potato-Pecan Pancakes

Sweet Potato and Butternut Gratin

Creamy Carrot and Sweet Potato Soup

Sweet Potato-Pecan Burgers with Caramelized Onions

Butter-Pecan Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Sweet Potato Bread

Sweet Potato Chile Mac

Potato and Root Vegetable Mashers

Sweet Potato Pie with Spiced Cream Topping

Maple-Pecan Sweet Potatoes

Moroccan Shepherd's Pie

Two Potato and Beet Hash with Poached Eggs and Greens

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Empanadas

Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Cranberry-Chipotle Dressing

Microwave Sweet Potato Chips