Cajun Sweet Potato Gratin (Printable Version)

Spicy-sweet potatoes, creamy cheeses, and Cajun seasoning create a standout vegetarian dish with golden crust.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2.5 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Dairy

04 - 1 cup heavy cream
05 - 1/2 cup whole milk
06 - 1 cup grated Gruyère cheese
07 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
08 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

→ Spices & Seasonings

09 - 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
10 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
12 - 1 teaspoon salt
13 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

→ Garnish

14 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with unsalted butter.
02 - Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, and sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened and fragrant. Remove from heat.
03 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together heavy cream, whole milk, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, freshly ground black pepper, salt, and cayenne pepper if desired.
04 - Arrange half of the sweet potato slices evenly in the prepared dish, overlapping slightly. Top with half the sautéed onions and garlic, then sprinkle with half the Gruyère and Parmesan cheeses.
05 - Repeat the layering with remaining sweet potatoes, onions, and cheeses.
06 - Pour the cream mixture evenly over the layered ingredients. Gently press down so the liquid seeps between layers.
07 - Cover dish tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
08 - Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes, until the top is golden and the sweet potatoes are tender.
09 - Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavors makes it unique
  • Works beautifully as either a side dish or satisfying vegetarian main
  • Naturally gluten free and easy to substitute for dietary needs
  • Uses simple ingredients but delivers restaurant-style richness
02 -
  • High in fiber thanks to sweet potatoes
  • Freezes and reheats well without losing its creamy texture
  • A show stopping vegetarian centerpiece for gatherings
03 -
  • Use a mandoline slicer for perfectly even sweet potato rounds
  • Letting the gratin rest after baking helps layers firm up for perfect slicing
  • Always taste your cream sauce before assembling so you can adjust the spice and salt
  • If you like an even crispier top broil for one to two minutes at the end but keep a close eye on it.

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