Cheesy Gruyere Sweet Potato Stacks

A sweet potato recipe that is cheesy and buttery with a burst of fresh thyme! If you want a recipe for sweet potatoes that is a little outside the box but glorious, you have to try these Cheesy Gruyere Sweet Potato Stacks!

Every Christmas we make a cheesy potato dish with gruyere cheese. They are stacked high in a muffin tin and get all crispy and wonderful. This year we decided to make them with sweet potatoes, and we are obsessed with the sweet and salty flavor of these Cheesy Gruyere Sweet Potato Stacks!

I know when we think of sweet potato side dishes, we think of brown sugar and marshmallows, but I’m telling you, friends, the sweetness of the sweet potatoes paired with the saltiness of the cheeses makes the angels sing! And that fresh pop of thyme…I’m happy dancing around the kitchen! Arms waving, eyes closed, licking my lips and my bootie shakin’…you get that visual?!

How to Make Sweet Potato Stacks

I like to get the sweet potatoes prepared first. Peel two large sweet potatoes and then slice them. We always use our favorite mandoline to get those thin perfect slices, but you could totally do it by hand if you don’t have a mandoline. Let’s see those mad knife skills!

When your sweet potatoes are prepped, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a muffin tin with cooking spray. You will use all 12 cups of the muffin tin. Place the sweet potatoes in a bowl and add the melted butter. Stir thoroughly, separating the sweet potato slices by hand if needed. You want everything deliciously coated in butter!

Combine the cheeses, salt, garlic and thyme in a medium bowl or plastic bag. Place two slices of sweet potato into each cup and scoop one teaspoon of the cheese and spices mixture into each cup and repeat the layers until you reach the top of each cup. Be sure your last layer is cheese! You’ll want that yummy cheesy goodness on top!

Place the pan in the oven carefully (you don’t want those perfectly constructed stacks to tip over)! Tent the muffin pan with a piece of foil and be sure the foil does not touch the top of the potatoes. The cheese will stick and then you’ll lose that top cheesy layer (tragedy!). Bake for 15 minutes with the foil and then remove it and bake an additional 30 minutes or until the cheese is starting to turn golden. Scoop those golden delicious stacks from the pan with a large spoon and and serve them hot!

What to Eat with this Sweet Potato Recipe?

This is a perfect side dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas. Try it along side our Turkey in a Bowl for Thanksgiving or with Prime Rib for Christmas! But you don’t need a holiday to make these! They go great with just about any meal…steak, Read more

Italian Sauteed Mushrooms Recipe

Delicious & The BEST Italian Sauteed Mushrooms Recipe in the world – this is one of my favorite side dishes my mama makes.

I remember having huge family gatherings at my mom’s house on holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas and these Italian Sauteed Mushrooms were always there.  My mom would cook a huge turkey and few side dishes, while everyone else would bring desserts and appetizers.

Reasons I Love This Recipe

Crowd Pleaser: Everyone loves my mom’s sautéed mushrooms! I don’t remember a single time that at least one person hasn’t wanted the recipe.

Easy: You wouldn’t believe how easy it is to make this mushroom recipe. All you will need is 5 ingredients and one SECRET SAUCE.

Quick: Cooking this easy holiday side dish will only take about 15 minutes.

Make Ahead: It tastes even better after 48 hours, because the mushrooms will marinate in the Secret Sauce and will make the mushrooms taste extra yummy. Such a win because that means you can prep ahead which is what I need when it comes to big holiday meals!

What are you waiting for? Scroll down to see how to make The Best Italian Sautéed Mushrooms Recipe.

Ingredients You Need to Make the Best Sauteed Mushrooms:

• Baby Bella Mushrooms: also called cremini mushrooms, they have a deep earthy flavor and beautiful color
• Italian Dressing: You can make your own homemade Italian dressing or buy your favorite brand from the store. This is the secret sauce combined with the flavor of the bell peppers and onions…so dreamy!
• Onion: just a yellow onion works great
• Red Bell Pepper: you could also use orange or yellow
• Salt and Pepper: adds flavor
• Parsley: used for garnish

The measurements for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post. Keep scrolling for all the details!

Substitutions and Variations

If you can’t find baby bella mushrooms, white button mushrooms will work fine. They just will lack a little depth of flavor. Portobello mushrooms can also be used. You’ll just want to cut them into bite size pieces. Porcini, chanterelle or shiitake mushrooms are also options but they tend to be quite expensive. You can also do a combination of any of these.

Fresh parsley can be swapped for any variety of fresh herbs…thyme, oregano, or rosemary will all taste great.

If you want to add a little heat, add a pinch or two of red pepper flakes.

How to Clean Mushrooms

Mushrooms can sometimes have dirt on them when they are packaged. Be sure to wipe mushrooms with a dry paper towel to clean them. Don’t wash them in water or use a damp paper towel. Mushrooms are like sponges and will soak up water. You don’t want to add any extra moisture, and you want the mushrooms to soak up the Italian dressing flavors.

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White Chocolate Sugar Cookies with Peppermint Royal Icing

We love a classic Christmas cookie, but lately we’ve been enjoying new versions of old favorites. We have taken your traditional sugar cookie and transformed them into something magical – White Chocolate Sugar Cookies with Peppermint Royal Icing!

The white chocolate makes the cookies so decadent, and the peppermint in the royal icing makes them your quintessential Christmas cookie.  They are soft and pillow-y, just how a sugar cookie should be, and the royal icing is glossy and gorgeous! I guarantee these cookies are going to becoming a new Christmas favorite!

Whenever I make sugar cookies, it immediately takes me back to my childhood.  I remember my mom making sugar cookies while she let me and my siblings make a huge mess of tiny pieces of paper flying everywhere as we cut out snowflakes to hang in our windows. We thought hanging snowflakes in the windows was the sure way to guarantee a white Christmas, or at least snow that year!

Now I ask myself, why in the world did I want it to snow?! I’m not the biggest fan now.  Maybe that makes me old.  Or just boring.  Or maybe it makes me smart!  I’m going with smart! Snow is cold (and I loathe cold), wet, messy, dangerous for driving, and just bothersome. Before you all go crazy on me, it is pretty!  Freshly fallen snow on the trees and rooftops is gorgeous!  As long as I don’t have to go anywhere and can admire if from the comfort of my warm home, it can snow all it wants!  I just became 95-years-old!

Nailed it!

Okay, now I’ve gotten all side-tracked! These sugar cookies are easy!  Have you ever seen those mesmerizing videos of people doing the most ornate and beautiful cookie decorating ever?  I could watch those all day!  They make it look so easy that anyone could do it!  And then have you ever tried to do it?  Hahaha!  You could put me on an episode of Nailed It with some of my creations!  So I stick with the simple shapes and decorating!

Plus, this way my kids can help, and kids love everything about making sugar cookies! I mean, what is there not to love?!  Making the dough, rolling it out, cutting out shapes, baking the cookies, and then decorating them…it’s like one big party!

Extract Mania

These white chocolate sugar cookies with peppermint royal icing just scream Christmas, but one thing I love about these cookies is that you can swap the extract for any flavor to fit any holiday or season.  Here are some ideas:

• LEMON for spring or summer, Mother’s Day, a baby or bridal shower
• COCONUT for summer or Easter
• MAPLE for fall or Thanksgiving
• ORANGE for just about an reason or season
• CAKE BATTER…say what?  Yes, I did see cake batter extract the other day at the store. I bet that would be delish in this recipe!
• RASPBERRY for Valentine’s Day or a girls night
• ROOT BEER becaus

Holiday Acorn Squash Recipe

This acorn squash recipe is a sweet and savory holiday side dish featuring roasted acorn squash. Toss with herbs and spices, then roast until tender. Finish the dish with pomegranate seeds, feta cheese, and toasted pumpkin seeds. Season with extra virgin olive oil and maple syrup.

Cade says that is the best side dish I’ve ever made. And that is saying something, because we have some great ones here on the blog (I’m thinking of you, homemade focaccia and gruyere sweet potato stacks!)! This acorn squash recipe is both Thanksgiving and Christmas worthy! You’re going to LOVE it!

Recommended Equipment

• Sharp Knives
• Baking Sheet

Before You Begin…

You’ll want to start by toasting the pepitas (pumpkin seeds)! This adds such a delicious nutty flavor and crunchy texture.

Ingredients for Holiday Acorn Squash

Okay, this ingredients list is going to look a bit daunting at first glance, but don’t run away! Many of the ingredients are seasonings that you’ll already have. Here is what you will need:

For the Pepitas

• Pumpkin Seeds: also known as pepitas
• Olive Oil: helps toast the pumpkin seeds
• Seasonings: Salt, Pepper, Smoked Paprika, and Chili Powder

For the Squash

• Acorn Squash: If you’re not a fan of acorn squash, you can use butternut or honeynut.
• Pure Maple Syrup: You want the real deal here, no imitation pancake syrup!
• Orange: We will use the juice and zest for a pop of fresh citrus flavor.
• Butter: helps the acorn roast and get golden and caramelized
• Seasonings: Ground Cinnamon, Fresh Ginger, Smoked Paprika, and Cardamom Powder

• Pomegranate: You can extract the seeds yourself from a pomegranate (see section below) or just buy pomegranate seeds.
• Brown Sugar: adds sweetness and rich flavor
• Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: used to toast and crisp the sage leaves
• Sage Leaves: adds flavor and crunch
• Thyme: used as garnish for the squash and adds fresh herby flavor
• Kosher Salt: adds flavor
• Feta: You can use goat cheese instead or omit the cheese if you want.

The measurements for all the ingredients can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.

What are Pomegranate Arils?

Pomegranate arils are the clear red seed pod in the pomegranate. They are tart and give you a nice pop of juice and flavor

Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows

This easy Sweet Potato Casserole is topped with marshmallows and a brown sugar streusel topping. It’s so easy to make, and kids always love it! It’s a Ruth’s Chris Copycat gone wild, so if you love their famous Sweet Potatoes then jump in, and let’s get cooking!

This recipe is undeniably the best marshmallow sweet potato casserole on earth. We just made it again for Thanksgiving, and it was my favorite side dish this year. In fact, I’m going to make it again for Christmas and I think you all should too! They are great for Easter too!

Sweet Potato Souffle with Marshmallows

Several years ago, I remember making this recipe with our four-year-old. She was so excited about making it, that she had call Cade, with my supervision of course, to tell him that SHE just made the best dinner ever. It’s definitely not “dinner” as we had more than just sweet potato casserole for dinner, and she most certainly did not make it all by herself, but the girl did quite a bit! And she loved it! 

Can all of us moms have a moment of silence for a toddler who loved something that would become dinner? Not just ate it, but loved it! Alright, that could have something to do with the amount of sugar and marshmallows in this dish, but I won’t tell if you won’t. 

I used to hate “yams” at Thanksgiving because they were an awful orange, dripping with some weird syrup (gag!), and they tasted like grossness with burned, flat, hard marshmallows on top.

Now I know better. Now I know that it was the person bringing them that was the problem, bless their hearts (that’s what you say to make a mean thing sound better). Sweet potatoes are awesome, they just need to be cooked correctly and if you must do the marshmallow thang, well let’s just do it my way at least. 

Make the sweet taters into a souffle (easy peasy, so don’t get nervous on me…a potato ricer is a game changer) and then use both marshmallows and a brown sugar streusel on top. Trust me, your guests will be BEGGING for the recipe.

Sweet Potato Casserole Ingredients

To make this easy sweet potato casserole recipe with marshmallows, you’ll need: 

• Sweet Potatoes
• Egg
• Unsalted Butter
• Salt 
• White sugar
• Brown sugar
• Cinnamon 
• Vanilla Extract
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