3 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced into 1/8 inch rounds
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
1.5 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
4 slices turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled
Instructions
Step 1: Preparation. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or a light coating of oil to ensure the potatoes do not stick to the sides during the long baking process.
Step 2: Slicing the Potatoes. Peel your sweet potatoes and slice them into thin, even rounds, approximately 1/8 inch thick. Using a mandoline slicer is the best way to get uniform pieces, which helps the dish cook evenly. Set the sliced potatoes aside.
Step 3: Creating the Cream Sauce. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and cook for about one minute until fragrant. Whisk in the flour to create a roux and cook for another minute. Slowly pour in the milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Continue to cook until the sauce thickens slightly, then stir in the salt, pepper, and fresh thyme.
Step 4: Layering the Dish. Arrange half of the sweet potato slices in the prepared baking dish, overlapping them slightly. Pour half of the cream sauce over the potatoes and sprinkle with half of the shredded cheddar cheese and half of the crumbled turkey bacon. Repeat with the remaining potatoes, sauce, cheddar, and turkey bacon. Top everything with the shredded parmesan cheese.
Step 5: Baking to Perfection. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 15 to 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork and the cheese on top is bubbly and golden brown.
Step 6: Resting. Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for about 10 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to set and makes it much easier to scoop out clean portions.
