This is the One Easter Dish Your Guests Will Secretly HATE!

Some traditions are better left on the buffet table! A Nashville chef’s bold take on a classic holiday dish is stirring up Easter dinner debates. 🌐 #News #NashvilleTN #Tennessee #Lifestyle

NASHVILLE, TN — The cloying sweetness. The gooey texture. The toasted marshmallows. That infamous casserole dish has been causing polite smiles and secret gags for generations. But now, one Nashville, Tennessee chef is calling it out. Private chef Marcus Dorsey says it’s time to retire sweet potato casserole with marshmallows—and he’s not mincing words.

Chef’s Critique of a Classic

“People pretend to love it,” Dorsey said, “but most are just being nice. The flavors clash with everything else on the plate.” He’s cooked for dozens of Easter gatherings and says guests will often take a scoop, then push it around their plate or toss it once no one’s watching. Dorsey’s solution? Swap sugar for spice. He’s urging folks to try roasted sweet potatoes with smoked paprika and rosemary instead. “It respects the root vegetable and doesn’t turn dinner into dessert,” he added.

Data Backs the Divide

According to a 2022 YouGov poll, 34% of Americans admit they’ve faked liking a holiday dish to be polite. And sweet potato casserole regularly shows up on “most-hated holiday foods” lists. The dish, originally a 1917 creation by a marshmallow company, was more marketing than tradition (Library of Congress). Even more telling: a 2023 Statista report found that nearly 4 in 10 Americans prefer savory Easter sides over sweet ones.

Still, Dorsey isn’t out to shame grandmas or mess with memories. “It’s okay to outgrow a dish,” he said. “You can love the past and still taste something new.” His Easter tables now feature seasonal greens, rosemary roasted carrots, and a lemon-thyme butter ham. No mini marshmallows in sight.

Did You Know?

Roughly 20% of Americans say food traditions cause tension at family holiday meals. (Source: YouGov, 2023)
Sweet potatoes are one of the top three most wasted vegetables in the U.S., largely due to uneaten leftovers from holiday meals. (Source: USDA, 2022)
Americans waste about 305 million pounds of food during Easter week alone. (Source: ReFED, 2021)

Moment for Reflection

Traditions shape us—but they don’t have to define us. Even Jesus surprised His followers by breaking bread with those they didn’t expect. Whether it’s a new recipe or a changed heart, grace often shows up in the unfamiliar. Maybe this Easter, God is inviting us to try something new at the table—and in our lives.

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RELATED TOPICS: Food | Holidays | Lifestyle