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Don't let the Paleo scare you! It just means that this Sweet Potato Casserole recipe has none of the marshmallows, brown sugar, or refined ingredients out there… and it's loaded with flavor!
Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole
When I think about what to cook for Thanksgiving or Christmas, I think of some delicious recipes anyone can eat. I mean, this is family-friendly recipe blog… not a true specialty blog. But sometimes, some recipes are so delicious and so "clean" that I can't help but share them with you.
Until recently, I rarely cooked sweet potatoes in "casseroles" but a girl has got to experiment. Unlike traditional sweet potato casseroles, this dish doesn't have two sticks of butter, a cup of brown sugar, and a bag of marshmallows.
Raisins add sweetness to many of my recipes without needing refined sugar. This Paleo Sweet Casserole is definitely a clean dish that has the best of both worlds: the sweetness from the raisins and the crunch from the pecans. It's so good, you are going to want to make it year-round.
Ingredients
With a few healthy swaps, this recipe turns the classic Thanksgiving side into a paleo sweet casserole without marshmallows made with clean ingredients that everyone can enjoy eating. The amounts are at the end of the post, but first, check out what this dish is made of:
- Sweet potatoes: the base of this dish. Add them peeled and cubed.
- Olive oil: to coat the sweet potatoes.
- Balsamic vinegar: adds extra flavor.
- Raisins: a healthy addition for natural sweetness.
- Shallots: add them finely chopped.
- Butter: adds delicious flavor and binds the ingredients.
- Pecan pieces: the classic crunchiness this dish calls for.
- Maple syrup: for extra sweetness!
- Salt and pepper: to taste for seasoning.
How to Make Paleo Sweet Potato Casserole
It only takes 10 minutes to assemble the ingredients and then you just let the oven do the hard work. Plus, you can make it ahead for a stress-free holiday! Check how easily this paleo sweet potato casserole comes together:
- Prep the base
While the oven preheats, combine the sweet potatoes with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, raisins, and shallots. Place the mixture in a baking dish. - Cook the topping
You’ll use a skillet to melt the butter. Then, you add pecans and maple syrup. Once most of the liquid has been absorbed, the topping is ready. - Bake
Place the topping over the sweet potato mixture and cover with foil. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes until the potatoes are tender.
Sweet Potato Casserole Topping without Marshmallows
If you’re trying to make wholesome choices for your family meals, we know marshmallows are not exactly on the healthy side. With this recipe, you’re not going to miss them! The sweet potato casserole topping can be super delicious without marshmallows.
In this recipe, I create the crunchy topping with pecans and maple syrup, but you can also use toasted nuts, oat streusel, candied walnuts, or your favorite paleo cereals. While not paleo, brown sugar is another classic option to top this tasty dish.
Can You Make It Ahead
Yes! I know the more you can prep ahead for Thanksgiving, the better! And this is one of those recipes to save time. Assemble the sweet potato casserole the night before, store in the fridge, and the next day all you have to do it bake it!
This sweet potato casserole is a perfect example of a gluten-free Thanksgiving side dish that's delicious enough to end up on everyone's plate and safe for any guests with a gluten allergy or intolerance.
And if you're looking for more gluten-free Thanksgiving recipes, check out the Giving Thanks: a Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Menu. It has 20+ recipes to choose from with a done-for-you prep guide so you can stay ahead of the game and still enjoy the classic dishes you and your family look forward to all year.
My Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Meal Plan
Everything you need for a stress-free, gluten-free holiday!
Inside this eBook, you’ll find 23 gluten-free Thanksgiving recipes. PLUS, done-for-you daily holiday prep, helpful kitchen notes, and hour-by-hour timing instructions for Thanksgiving day.
This book is like hiring a kitchen assistant to plan out an incredibly delicious menu for your family.
Healthy Paleo Sweet Potato Casserole
Ingredients
- 5 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- ½ cup raisins
- 1 cup shallots, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ to 1 cup pecan pieces
- ½ cup maple syrup
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ºF.
- In a medium bowl, toss sweet potatoes with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper, raisins and shallots.
- Place sweet potato mixture in a 9×13 inch-baking dish.
- In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add pecans and stir until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add maple syrup and stir until most of the liquid has been absorbed, about 3 minutes.
- Top potatoes with caramelized toasted pecans, cover with aluminum foil and bake in preheated oven 50-60 minutes or until sweet potatoes are tender.
Jacque says
I have these ingredients so wanting to try. However Im a little confused…is it meant to be a savoury dish to accompany meat for eg or is it a dessert? With the maple, raisins and nuts it seems sweet?
thanks
Laura Fuentes says
It’s a side dish. Enjoy!