Description
This easy sweet potato casserole is a comforting and delicious side dish perfect for holiday meals and family dinners. Creamy mashed sweet potatoes are flavored with warm spices and vanilla, topped with a crunchy pecan and brown sugar streusel, and optionally finished with melty mini marshmallows for a touch of sweetness and nostalgia.
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potato Mixture
- 4 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Topping
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup mini marshmallows (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare it for baking the casserole later.
- Boil sweet potatoes: In a large pot, add the peeled and cubed sweet potatoes and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook for 10-15 minutes until the potatoes are fork-tender. Drain well and return them to the pot.
- Mash the potatoes: Use a potato masher or fork to mash the boiled sweet potatoes until smooth without lumps.
- Mix in flavorings: Stir in the milk, melted butter, brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt into the mashed sweet potatoes. Mix thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Transfer to baking dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and spread the sweet potato mixture evenly inside.
- Prepare the topping: In a small bowl, combine the chopped pecans, brown sugar, and melted butter. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the sweet potatoes in the baking dish.
- Add marshmallows (optional): If you like a sweeter, gooier topping, scatter mini marshmallows evenly over the pecan topping.
- Bake the casserole: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden, bubbly, and crispy.
Notes
- For a dairy-free version, substitute milk and butter with plant-based alternatives.
- Chop pecans finely if you prefer a less chunky topping.
- Marshmallows are optional but add a classic sweet touch reminiscent of traditional holiday casseroles.
- Make sure to drain the sweet potatoes very well after boiling to avoid a watery casserole.
- This can be prepared ahead and baked just before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
