These Garlic Parmesan Roasted Sweet Potatoes are an incredibly easy, extra-flavorful, and wonderfully tender side dish that’s perfect for any meal! Thinly sliced sweet potatoes are tossed with melted butter, olive oil, minced garlic, savory Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning, then arranged prettily and roasted until perfectly tender and slightly caramelized. I absolutely love roasting sweet potatoes, and this Garlic Parmesan Roasted Sweet Potatoes recipe takes them to the next level with minimal effort. They make a fantastic side dish for weeknight dinners or even festive meals, and they’re a lovely addition to our spring menus right now!
Why You’ll Love These Garlic Parmesan Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Incredibly Flavorful: The combination of sweet potatoes, savory garlic, salty Parmesan, and Italian herbs is delicious.
- Easy to Make: Simple slicing, tossing, and roasting steps make this recipe very approachable.
- Tender and Caramelized: Roasting brings out the natural sweetness of the potatoes and creates lovely tender texture with slightly crisp edges.
- Versatile Side Dish: Pairs wonderfully with chicken, pork, beef, fish, or vegetarian main courses.
- Pretty Presentation: Arranging the slices in a spiral or overlapping pattern looks beautiful.
Ingredients for Garlic Parmesan Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious and easy side dish. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Main Ingredients
- Sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced (Vegetable)
- Minced garlic (or garlic powder) (Aromatic/Spice)
- Olive oil (Oil)
- Butter, melted (Fat)
- Grated Parmesan cheese (Dairy)
- Fresh thyme (Herb)
Seasoning
- Garlic salt (Seasoning)
- Fresh cracked black pepper (Spice)
- Italian Seasoning (Spice Blend)
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
I love the simple savory profile of these Garlic Parmesan Roasted Sweet Potatoes, but feel free to customize:
- Add Spice: Sprinkle with smoked paprika (as in the original recipe title), regular paprika, or a pinch of cayenne pepper along with the other seasonings.
- Different Herbs: Use fresh chopped rosemary or sage instead of or in addition to thyme and Italian seasoning.
- Make it Cheesy: Use Asiago or Pecorino Romano cheese instead of Parmesan.
- Sweeter Version: Add a tablespoon of brown sugar or a drizzle of maple syrup to the butter/oil mixture before tossing.
- Different Root Veggies: Add some thinly sliced regular potatoes or carrots alongside the sweet potatoes (adjust roasting time if needed).
How to Make Garlic Parmesan Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Let me show you how simple it is to make these flavorful Roasted Sweet Potatoes:
Prep Sweet Potatoes and Oven
- First, I peel the sweet potatoes. Then, I cut them into thin, uniform slices, aiming for about 3mm (around ⅛ inch) thick. Using a mandoline slicer makes this step much easier and ensures even cooking! I set the slices aside in a large salad bowl.
- In the meantime, I preheat my oven to 400ºF (200ºC).
Season the Potatoes
- In a separate small bowl, I combine the melted butter, olive oil, grated Parmesan cheese, black pepper, minced garlic (or garlic powder), paprika (using the paprika from the ingredients list for flavor!), salt, and Italian seasoning.
- I pour about ¾ of this flavorful seasoning mixture over the sweet potato slices in the large bowl.
- Using my hands or a large spoon, I gently toss the sweet potato slices until they are all evenly coated with the garlic-Parmesan-butter mixture.
Arrange and Roast
- I lightly butter a baking dish (a round pie dish or square baker works well) or line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Next, I arrange the coated sweet potato slices in the dish. The original recipe suggests using the outer ring of a springform pan or a large baking ring on a sheet pan to help stack the slices neatly into a spiral or tart shape. You can also simply overlap them attractively in your baking dish without a ring.
- As I layer or arrange the slices, I sprinkle the remaining parmesan-butter mixture between some layers and finish with a good sprinkle on top.
- I sprinkle fresh thyme leaves over the arranged potatoes.
- I place the dish in the preheated oven and bake the Roasted Sweet Potatoes for 30-35 minutes. They’re ready when they are tender when pierced with a fork and the edges are golden brown and slightly crispy.
Serve
- Garnish with extra thyme
- Serve warm
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Here are my secrets for making these Garlic Parmesan Roasted Sweet Potatoes truly exceptional:
- Thin, Even Slices: Use a mandoline! Consistent thickness is key for even cooking and tenderness.
- Don’t Skimp on Fat/Seasoning: Ensure the slices are well coated with the butter, oil, Parmesan, and seasonings for maximum flavor and good browning.
- Single Layer (Mostly): While arranging in a spiral involves overlapping, try not to stack them too deeply in multiple layers, as the bottom layers might steam rather than roast. A wider dish is better than a deep, small one.
- Freshly Grated Parmesan: Melts better and has a much better flavor than the powdery stuff in canisters.
- Check for Tenderness: Pierce the thickest part of a slice with a fork or knife tip to ensure they are cooked through before serving.
How to Serve
These Garlic Parmesan Roasted Sweet Potatoes are a fantastic side dish! Serve them warm alongside:
- Roasted Chicken or Turkey: A classic and delicious pairing.
- Pork Chops or Pork Loin: The sweetness of the potatoes complements pork well.
- Grilled Steak: An elegant alternative to regular roasted potatoes.
- Baked Salmon or White Fish: A flavorful and healthy combination.
- As a Vegetarian Component: Serve as part of a larger vegetarian meal or grain bowl.
Garnish with fresh thyme or parsley just before serving.
Make Ahead and Storage
- Prep Ahead: You can peel and slice the sweet potatoes up to a day ahead. Store them submerged in cold water in the refrigerator to prevent browning. Drain and pat thoroughly dry before tossing with seasonings and baking. You can also mix the butter/Parmesan/seasoning mixture ahead.
- Storage: Store leftover roasted sweet potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating: Reheat gently in a 350°F (175°C) oven or an air fryer until warmed through and slightly re-crisped. Microwaving will make them softer.
FAQs about Garlic Parmesan Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Do I have to peel the sweet potatoes?
- While sweet potato skin is edible, peeling them for this recipe results in a more tender texture and allows the flavors to adhere better to the slices.
- Can I use regular potatoes?
- Yes, Yukon Gold or red potatoes, sliced thinly, would also work well with this preparation method, though the flavor will be different and cooking time might vary slightly.
- How do I arrange them in a spiral without a ring mold?
- Start arranging the overlapping slices in a circle around the outer edge of your baking dish, then continue working inwards in concentric circles until you reach the center. It takes a little patience but looks beautiful!
Enjoy this simple, flavorful, and elegant Garlic Parmesan Roasted Sweet Potatoes recipe! It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
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Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Garlic and Parmesan
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
- Category: Side Dish, Vegetable
- Cuisine: American
Description
Roasted sweet potatoes are super easy to make, tender and extra-flavorful. These garlic Parmesan roasted sweet potatoes are sliced thin, coated in seasonings, and baked until tender, making a perfect side dish for any festive meal or weeknight dinner!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced thin (about 1/8-inch thick)
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic (about 2 cloves)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 4 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for sprinkling (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt (or regular salt + extra garlic powder)
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- Fresh thyme sprigs (for baking and garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly butter a baking dish (a 9-inch round pie plate or square dish works well).
- Prepare Sweet Potatoes: Peel the sweet potatoes. Using a mandoline slicer (recommended for even thickness) or a very sharp knife, slice the sweet potatoes into thin rounds, about 1/8-inch thick.
- Combine and Coat: Place the sweet potato slices in a large resealable plastic bag. Add the minced garlic, olive oil, melted butter, 4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, garlic salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to the bag.
- Shake to Coat: Seal the bag securely. Shake the bag gently but thoroughly until the sweet potato slices are evenly coated with the mixture.
- Arrange in Dish: Arrange the coated sweet potato slices in the prepared baking dish. You can create an overlapping spiral pattern starting from the outside edge and working inwards, or simply layer them evenly.
- Top and Bake: Sprinkle the arranged sweet potatoes with fresh thyme leaves (removed from stems) and a little extra grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
- Roast: Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork and the edges are lightly browned and crispy.
- Serve: Serve the garlic Parmesan roasted sweet potatoes warm. Garnish with additional fresh thyme leaves if desired.
Notes
- Slicing: Using a mandoline ensures even thickness, which helps the potatoes cook uniformly. Be careful when using one!
- Parmesan: Freshly grated Parmesan provides the best flavor and texture.
- Arrangement: The spiral arrangement is visually appealing but layering works too. The key is an even layer for proper cooking.
- Doneness: Check for tenderness with a fork. Baking time may vary slightly depending on the thickness of the slices.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer for best results.