This 20-minute recipe is ideal for a weeknight dinner or for your holiday table. Leftovers are great too! Sweet potatoes are amazing. And when cooked in the microwave, then mashed with tasty ingredients such as butter and cinnamon, they are a real treat. These tasty additions make the naturally delicious root vegetable even more palatable, and the preparation is done entirely in the microwave - can you say EASY? Oh, and leftovers are excellent too!
Ingredients
You’ll only need six simple ingredients to make this tasty side dish. The exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below. Here’s an overview of what you’ll need: Sweet potato: I use one VERY large sweet potato in this recipe. You can use smaller ones if that’s all you can find, and microwave them for a shorter time. Unsalted butter: I love using creamy European butter, but any butter will be great. Whole milk: You can also use heavy cream or half-and-half. Maple syrup: Honey works too, but using it will result in a slightly thicker mash. Kosher salt: If using fine salt, you should reduce the amount you use. Cinnamon: Make sure it’s fresh! A stale spice can easily ruin a dish.
Instructions
Making these mashed sweet potatoes is so easy! Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps: You start by cooking the sweet potato in the microwave. While it’s cooking, add the rest of the ingredients to a microwave-safe bowl, then heat the mixture in the microwave. Mash the potato, then add it to the butter-maple mixture and mix well. That’s it! SO easy.
Expert tip
I like a fairly rustic mash, so I simply use a fork, then use a rubber spatula at the very end, as shown in the video below. For a smoother mash, you can use a hand mixer.
Frequently asked questions
Variation
For a savory version of this recipe, simply omit the maple syrup and cinnamon. Add ¼ cup grated Parmesan and ½ teaspoon garlic powder. Both versions are excellent - it’s up to you whether you prefer the sweet or the savory one. If you like your sweet potatoes savory, you could also try these flavorful sweet potato cakes.
Serving suggestions
This super versatile side dish goes with so many main dishes! I do tend to serve it with any of the following:
Honey garlic chickenRoasted pork tenderloinBeef tenderloin roastOven-baked salmon
Storing leftovers
Leftovers keep well in the fridge, in an airtight container, for 3-4 days. I gently reheat them in the microwave, covered, on 50% power. This is one of those recipes where leftovers taste almost as good as the freshly made dish. Unlike regular potatoes, which are best eaten fresh.
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