1-First Step: Get the oven and baking pan ready Start by preheating your oven to 500°F. That high temperature is part of what makes this dish so good, because it helps the outside of the sweet potatoes brown quickly before the centers dry out. While the oven heats, grab a 9×13-inch metal baking pan. A metal pan is important here because it conducts heat well and helps with those golden edges. If you want to peel the sweet potatoes, go ahead and do it now. Peeling is optional, so you can keep the skin on if you like a more rustic feel. Cut the potatoes crosswise into 1-inch-thick rounds. Try to keep them as even as possible so they roast at the same speed. Uneven pieces can lead to some slices turning mushy while others stay underdone.

2-Second Step: Mix the seasoning base In a large bowl, combine the melted butter, olive oil, kosher salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together until the seasoning looks smooth and glossy. This mix is what coats the potatoes and helps them develop that rich roasted flavor. Add the cut sweet potatoes and rosemary to the bowl. Toss gently but thoroughly so every slice gets coated. You want the potatoes covered on all sides, but be careful not to break them apart. The rosemary should cling to the oil and butter so it roasts right into the surface of the potatoes.

3-Third Step: Arrange the potatoes for roasting Place the coated sweet potatoes in the baking pan in a single layer, cut-side up. This part matters more than people think. If the potatoes overlap too much, they steam instead of roast, and you will miss out on the crispy, golden edges that make this recipe so satisfying. Drizzle any remaining butter mixture over the top so none of that flavor goes to waste. At this point, the pan may look a little crowded, but as long as the potatoes are in one layer, you are in good shape. If needed, use two pans instead of forcing them together. Giving them space is one of the easiest ways to get better browning.

4-Fourth Step: Roast until the bottoms turn golden Place the pan in the oven and roast the potatoes for 15 minutes. During this first stage, the bottoms will start to turn light golden-brown. That is your first sign that the recipe is heading in the right direction. The butter and oil mixture will begin working with the natural sugars in the potatoes, creating flavor right away. Try not to open the oven too often. Keeping the heat steady helps the browning happen faster. If your oven runs cool, the potatoes may need a few extra minutes, but 15 minutes is a great place to start.

5-Fifth Step: Flip and roast again Remove the pan from the oven and use a spatula or tongs to carefully flip each potato round. This gives the other side a chance to brown and helps both sides develop that deeply caramelized look. Return the pan to the oven and roast for another 15 minutes. By the end of this stage, the bottoms and tops should be deep golden-brown. The edges may look almost candy-like, which is exactly what you want. This is the point where the sweet potatoes start looking irresistible.

6-Sixth Step: Add broth and garlic Now pour the low-sodium broth into the pan, then add the smashed garlic cloves. The broth should collect around the sweet potatoes, not cover them. It adds moisture and helps create the soft, melting center that gives this recipe its name. The garlic will mellow in the hot pan and bring a gentle savory note to the finished dish. Return the pan to the oven and roast for 15 more minutes. During this last phase, the potatoes become very tender and most of the broth gets absorbed. If you gently press a piece with a fork, it should feel soft but still hold together.

7-Final Step: Serve while hot Once the sweet potatoes are tender and the liquid has mostly disappeared, take the pan from the oven. Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle a bit. Transfer the sweet potatoes to a serving platter and spoon any garlic and pan juices over the top. These are best served warm, right after roasting, when the edges are crisp and the inside is creamy. They make a beautiful side dish for everything from roast chicken to holiday turkey. If you are planning a full meal, they pair nicely with comforting recipes like classic chocolate chip cookies for dessert after a savory dinner.