25 Best Sweet Potato Side Dishes for Thanksgiving and Beyond

There are so many things to love about fall—especially all of the comforting, seasonal foods that show up on everyone's tables. Chilly fall nights were made for pumpkin desserts, cozy soups, fall salads, and—of course—sweet potatoes in every form. If you're a sweet potato fan like Ree Drummond is, you'll love this collection of the best sweet potato side dishes.

Sweet potatoes are an extremely versatile food, and this guide is packed with recipes for every palate and occasion. Planning out your Thanksgiving menu? We included plenty of classic crowdpleasers, like a marshmallow-topped sweet potato casserole that comes together in the slow cooker, and a savory version that's topped with breadcrumbs. If you're looking for a dish that's equally festive but less expected, try the scalloped sweet potatoes, whip up a batch of pillowy sweet potato gnocchi, or bake some sweet potato biscuits or cornbread. You'll also find plenty of sweet potato side dish recipes that go beyond Thanksgiving and can complement any fall meal—sweet potato fries, anyone?

Whether you like your sweet potatoes baked or mashed, sweet or savory, scalloped or stuffed, you're bound to find inspiration in this list of the best sweet potato side dishes.

This decadent, pecan-topped sweet potato casserole was a staple of Ree's childhood Thanksgivings. "It’s technically a side dish…but if the world was a logical place, it would fall under the category of desserts," Ree says. "It’s sweet, crunchy, and beautiful."

Get Ree's recipe.

SHOP CASSEROLE DISHES

These salty, buttery, oven-baked fries are one of Ree's all-time favorite snacks. Pair them with a simple spicy mayo: Just mix three parts mayonnaise with one part Sriracha.

Get Ree's recipe.

SHOP SRIRACHA

For a side dish that looks almost as good as it tastes, try this colorful mix of sweet and red-skinned potatoes, carrots, beets, and rutabagas. You can also swap in parsnips, red onions, or turnips.

Get the recipe from Dara Michalski.

SHOP SHEET PANS

Spiralized sweet potatoes form the base of this cheesy taco casserole. Serve it with chips for a fun taco night side dish or make it the main event.

Get the recipe from Brenda Score.

SHOP SPIRALIZERS

If marshmallow-topped sweet potato casseroles aren't your thing, try this savory version. It's topped with panko breadcrumbs, fresh sage, and finely grated Parmesan cheese. The recipe also calls for low-fat milk and only two tablespoons of butter, so it's a great choice if you're looking for a lighter side dish.

Get the recipe from Dara Michalski.

SHOP CASSEROLE DISHES

Turn leftover holiday ham into this tasty brunch side dish. Roast the chopped ham with shredded sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and garlic until the veggies crisp up and caramelize—delicious!

Get the recipe from Natalie Perry.

SHOP FOOD PROCESSORS

Save yourself some precious oven space by whipping up this sweet potato casserole in your slow cooker. Add a layer of mini marshmallows during the last five to 10 minutes of cooking for an ooey, gooey topping.

Get the recipe at Damn Delicious.

SHOP SLOW COOKERS

For a real showstopper, consider this flavorful twist on scalloped potatoes. Chipotle chile sauce and smoked gouda cheese amp up the heat.

Get the recipe at Ambitious Kitchen.

SHOP BAKEWARE

Creamy mashed sweet potatoes are a tasty complement to pretty much any main dish. This easy version calls for just four ingredients: sweet potatoes, butter, milk, and salt. You'll also find instructions for adding optional toppings like candied bacon and garlic herb butter.

Get the recipe at Dinner at the Zoo.

SHOP POTATO MASHERS

You need only four additional ingredients to whip up these tasty stuffed sweet potatoes: shallots, cauliflower, chickpeas, and a satay simmer sauce. Frying the shallots in a pan gives each bite a satisfying crunch.

Get the recipe at Sweet Potato Soul.

SHOP SKILLETS

Mashed garnet yams give these biscuits their unique texture and color. They're also packed with fall flavor thanks to warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom.

Get the recipe at Butter Be Ready.

SHOP SPICES

Whether you're new to air frying or you're a seasoned pro, you'll be hooked on these lightened-up fries. They're done in just 17 minutes and require minimal cleanup, so they're an ideal weeknight side dish.

Get the recipe at Feel Good Foodie.

SHOP AIR FRYERS

Looking for a festive holiday appetizer, snack, or side dish? Top baguette slices with roasted sweet potato cubes, homemade sunflower butter, and pomegranate seeds.

Get the recipe at Love & Lemons.

SHOP PARCHMENT PAPER

Who would say no to a side of pizza? This restaurant-worthy pie is dressed up with thinly sliced sweet potato, red onion, kale, and balsamic vinegar.

Get the recipe at Two Peas & Their Pod.

SHOP PIZZA PEELS

Skip the store-bought chips and make these easy homemade ones. You'll need only two ingredients: sweet potatoes and olive oil—although a little sea salt won't hurt!

Get the recipe at Minimalist Baker.

SHOP OLIVE OIL

Is there anything more comforting than a bowl of soup as the weather cools down? This one is packed with fragrant spices like smoked paprika and Jamaican allspice. Top it with diced pancetta and serve with grilled cheese sandwiches.

Get the recipe at Butter Be Ready.

SHOP BOWLS

This skillet cornbread is ideal for anyone following a vegan diet or just avoiding dairy. In addition to sweet potato puree, it's made with yellow cornmeal, almond milk, and pure maple syrup.

Get the recipe at Orchids + Sweet Tea.

SHOP SKILLETS

This isn't your typical side salad! It's packed with tasty, nutritious ingredients, including roasted sweet potatoes, sweet dark red cherries, lightly candied walnuts, and creamy goat cheese.

Get the recipe at Ambitious Kitchen.

SHOP SALAD BOWLS

These homemade tots are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside. The secret is mashing cooked sweet potatoes with grated Parmesan and garlic, then rolling them in panko breadcrumbs.

Get the recipe at Half-Baked Harvest.

SHOP SHEET PANS

Chickpeas and steamed or baked sweet potatoes form the base of this creamy hummus. Flavorful mix-ins like fennel seeds, miso, and cayenne pepper take it to the next level.

Get the recipe at Sweet Potato Soul.

SHOP DIP BOWLS

Homemade gnocchi may seem like an intimidating project at first, but this recipe breaks down the process into easy-to-follow steps. Mash the cooked sweet potato with ricotta, Parmesan, egg, and flour to make light, pillowy bites.

Get the recipe at Damn Delicious.

SHOP DINNERWARE

For a sweeter side dish, you'll love this recipe for camotes enmielados (Mexican candied sweet potatoes). The potatoes are simmered in a Dutch oven with a syrup made from piloncillo, cinnamon, star anise, and cloves.

Get the recipe at Isabel Eats.

SHOP DUTCH OVENS

Hasselback potatoes are great for holiday entertaining because they look impressive but are actually pretty simple to make. A homemade garlic herb butter takes this sweet potato version to the next level.

Get the recipe at Carlsbad Cravings.

SHOP KITCHEN KNIVES

This tart would be a perfect Thanksgiving side dish or even just a delicious fall lunch. A cheesy kale and leek filling is layered with thin sweet potato slices.

Get the recipe at The Woks of Life.

SHOP TART PANS

It's the classic holiday side dish, with a twist! This version has sweet potatoes and a decadent béchamel sauce made with comté cheese and chanterelle mushrooms. Use a mandolin to get thin, uniform potato slices.

Get the recipe at A Cozy Kitchen.

SHOP MANDOLINS