This Smoked Gouda and Sweet Potato Casserole with Spiced Pecans is the perfect fall side dish as it is made lighter with cauliflower but is full of sweet and spicy flavor!
So I am kinda in a pickle. A Thanksgiving pickle if you will.
You see, Thanksgiving is all about traditions. Holidays for that matter, in my family, are all about traditions. So when the holidays roll around, the traditional side of me is crying out for a perfectly herb roasted turkey, my mom’s garlic mashed potatoes, my Nana’s cinnamon apple pie and my sweet potato casserole, sans the marshmallows.
But the foodie in me is begging to spice it up. Give the menu a new vibe. But we all know how that would go over. The aforementioned dish would only be eaten by a select handful of guests, myself being the majority. Mostly out of love and pity for the poor dish that is getting less love than it deserves.
This year, I broke down and switched the flavors up a bit but remained true enough that the dish still will get some love. As by the looks, it could pass as its brown sugary friend. Sneaky I know.
Since most sweet potato casseroles are drenched in melted butter, brown sugar and marshmallows (all things I do love), this year I ventured down the savory sweet potato casserole, healthy road. I am so glad I did too. Smoked gouda is mixed with sweet potatoes and turns this dish into pure bliss. How can it not? That cheese could stand alone and I swoon over it. To compliment the sweet and smoky flavors, I add some spice with some crunch. Because what sweet potato casserole is complete without pecans. They are the ideal match.
This healthy sweet potato casserole with pecan topping is pretty much idiot proof. So if you think you have a hard time boiling water, I assure you, this healthy smoked gouda sweet potato casserole will make you look like one stellar chef on Thanksgiving!
Oh ya, I should add that this dish is lightened up! Because let’s be real, if there is one day that we all splurge, it’s Thanksgiving! Cauliflower makes up half of the dish yet no one will have any clue you pulled a healthy switch-a-roo on them. Sorry Mr. WSAW, you just got fooled!
Forgot to ask…have you planned your Thanksgiving menu yet? I hope not, because between this casserole, a cinnamon roll pumpkin bread, a caramelized butternut squash with roasted grapes, quinoa and a Brussels sprout dish, your Thanksgiving goes off without a hitch!
meal prep tips:
-
this dish is ideal to prepare ahead of time, then bake the day of serving. Think Sunday prep day for the week ahead or for a holiday dinner!
This Smoked Gouda and Sweet Potato Casserole with Spiced Pecans is the perfect fall side dish as it is made lighter with cauliflower but is full of sweet and spicy flavor!
15 minPrep Time
55 minCook Time
1 hr, 10 Total Time
Yields 6
Save RecipeIngredients
- 3 cups cauliflower florets
- 4 cups sweet potatoes, cubed
- 1 tablespoon melted coconut oil
- 1 egg
- 3/4 cup shredded smoked gouda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 teaspoon pepper
- 3/4 cup pecans
- 1/2 teaspoon coconut oil
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment or a silicon baking sheet. Toss the cubed potatoes with the coconut oil. Lay out on baking sheet and season with salt and pepper. Roast for 20 -25 minutes or until soft and caramelized. Remove from oven and add to high powered blender.
- In small sauce pan, add the cauliflower and cover with water. Steam until fork tender. Drain and add cauliflower to a high powdered blender, along with the potatoes.
- Puree until smooth. Add the egg, smoked gouda, cinnamon, salt and pepper.
- Grease a 9x9 baking pan and add the potato mixture.
- In a small bowl, toss the pecans with the coconut oil and cayenne. Top the casserole with the pecans.
- Bake for 24 - 30 minutes, or until heated through.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
*The filling can be prepared ahead of time then baked the day of. It reheats wonderfully as well!
Hungry for more potatoes?
{Simple} Tuscan Roasted Red Potatoes
{5 Minute} Chili Spiced Healthy Sweet Potato Chips
Vanilla Pecan Sweet Potato Casserole
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