Name: Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow Topping
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Ingredients: 5 pounds sweet potatoes , peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks; 6 tablespoons heavy cream; 6 tablespoons unsalted butter , cut into 6 pieces; 2 teaspoons sugar; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 2 ounces cream cheese; 1 (10-ounce) package marshmallows , halved crosswise

Why This Recipe Works

Boiling the sweet potatoes for our Sweet Potato Casserole was a no go. It washed out the flavor and made for a watery casserole. But roasting took too long. Simmering the sweet potatoes in butter and cream did the trick.

Spices like ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon made our Sweet Potato Casserole taste more like dessert than a side dish. We stuck with salt and pepper. A small dose of cream cheese made the casserole richer without making it wetter. It also helped ensure the dish wasn’t too sweet.

Before You Begin

If you prefer silky-smooth potatoes, use a hand mixer to beat the potatoes in step 3. Use sharp, clean scissors sprayed with cooking spray (to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier) to snip the marshmallows in half through the equator.

Instructions

Combine potatoes, cream, butter, sugar, salt, and pepper in Dutch oven. Cook covered, stirring occasionally, over medium heat until potatoes begin to break down, 20 to 25 minutes.

Reduce heat to medium-low and continue to cook, covered, until liquid has been absorbed and potatoes are completely tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Meanwhile, adjust oven rack to upper-middle position and heat oven to 450 degrees.

Add cream cheese to pot. Using potato masher, mash until cream cheese is fully incorporated and sweet potatoes are smooth. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until potatoes are thickened, about 5 minutes.

Transfer potato mixture to 2-quart baking dish and top with single layer marshmallows. Bake until marshmallows are browned, about 5 minutes. Serve.MAKE AHEAD: After transferring sweet potato mixture to baking dish, mixture can be refrigerated, covered, up to 2 days. Microwave until warm for 4 to 7 minutes before topping with marshmallows and baking as directed.