If there’s one dish that steals the show at every holiday meal, it’s Sweet Potato Casserole. Creamy, silky sweet potatoes, a touch of warming spices, and that irresistible sweet-and-crunchy pecan topping—it’s pure comfort food magic that brings everyone running to the table. Whether you’re serving it up for Thanksgiving, a festive brunch, or just craving a little extra coziness, this crowd-pleasing favorite deserves to be the star of your side dish repertoire!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Sweet Potato Casserole is how a handful of classic ingredients come together for big flavor. Each element is essential—sweet potatoes give a natural lushness, while pantry basics and a handful of nuts create the perfect balance of creamy, crunchy, and sweet.
- Mashed sweet potatoes: Give your casserole that signature velvety texture and vibrant orange color; bake, boil, or steam, then mash until absolutely smooth.
- Granulated sugar: Balances the natural sweetness of the potatoes and builds a dessert-like richness (trust me, don’t skip!).
- Unsalted butter (melted): Adds luxurious silkiness and depth; use melted to blend evenly throughout the base.
- Large eggs (beaten): Essential as a binder, these help fluff up the casserole and give it structure.
- Whole milk: Lends creaminess and helps everything blend smoothly.
- Vanilla extract: A tiny splash goes a long way in rounding out the flavors with a gentle, aromatic sweetness.
- Ground cinnamon: That hint of spice takes this dish from good to great.
- Salt: Just enough to balance out the sweetness and bring all the flavors together.
- Packed light brown sugar (for topping): Melts into a caramelized layer that everyone will fight over.
- All-purpose flour (for topping): Helps create the signature crumbly streusel texture.
- Unsalted butter (softened, for topping): Blends into the topping for a buttery crunch.
- Chopped pecans (for topping): Add just the right amount of nuttiness and crunch to contrast the creamy base.
How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Dish
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly butter a 9×13-inch baking dish. This simple step not only keeps your casserole from sticking but also helps those tasty golden edges form around each serving—don’t skip it!
Step 2: Mix the Sweet Potato Base
In a large mixing bowl, combine your mashed sweet potatoes, granulated sugar, melted butter, beaten eggs, whole milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt. Stir it all together until the mixture is completely smooth and silky. This is your moment to make sure the base is perfectly blended—every bite should be lusciously creamy!
Step 3: Spread the Mixture
Pour your lovely sweet potato mixture into the prepared baking dish and smooth out the top with a spatula or the back of a large spoon. Take a second to admire that gorgeous orange color—it’s going to become your casserole’s signature glow.
Step 4: Make the Pecan Topping
In a separate medium bowl, stir together the brown sugar and flour. Add the softened butter, cutting it in with a fork or your fingers until everything resembles coarse crumbs (think sandy beach texture). Gently stir in those glorious chopped pecans to complete the crunchy sweet blanket for your casserole.
Step 5: Top and Bake
Sprinkle your pecan topping evenly over the sweet potato layer, covering from edge to edge. Pop it in the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is bubbling and fragrant. The hardest part is letting it cool for about 5–10 minutes before serving—but trust me, it’s worth the wait for those flavors to settle!
How to Serve Sweet Potato Casserole
Garnishes
I love showering the casserole with a handful of extra chopped pecans or even a dusting of powdered sugar just before serving. For a show-stopping finish, try a sprinkle of cinnamon or a drizzle of maple syrup to make every scoop look as special as it tastes.
Side Dishes
Sweet Potato Casserole is the ultimate partner for savory mains like roasted turkey, ham, or even crispy tofu. Pair it with simple green veggies (think green beans or brussels sprouts) and a tart cranberry sauce to balance out the sweetness and richness—it’s all about that holiday harmony!
Creative Ways to Present
Change up tradition by making individual mini casseroles in ramekins, or go super-decadent by dotting mini marshmallows across the top during the last 10 minutes of baking for that toasty, gooey finish. Serving buffet-style? Scoop the casserole into a big, beautiful bowl, swirling the topping for a rustic, inviting look.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Got leftovers? Sweet Potato Casserole keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to 4 days. Just cover the dish tightly with foil or transfer to an airtight container to maintain its freshness and texture.
Freezing
This casserole is a meal-prepper’s dream! Assemble the base and topping separately, then freeze (unbaked) for up to one month. Simply thaw overnight in the fridge, add the topping, and bake as usual when you’re ready to serve. Baked leftovers can be frozen, too—just wrap tightly and reheat in the oven to crisp up the topping.
Reheating
For best results, reheat Sweet Potato Casserole in the oven at 350°F until heated through, about 15–20 minutes. This brings the topping back to life and keeps everything creamy underneath. Microwave reheating works for single portions, but the topping will be softer.
FAQs
Can I make Sweet Potato Casserole ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can assemble the casserole (minus the topping) a day in advance, cover, and refrigerate. Add the topping just before baking for maximum crunch and freshness at serving time.
Can I use canned sweet potatoes instead of fresh?
Yes, canned sweet potatoes work in a pinch—just drain and mash them well to remove excess syrup. The flavor is a bit sweeter, so you might want to reduce the added sugar slightly and taste as you go.
What can I substitute for pecans in the topping?
If you have a nut allergy or simply prefer something different, try chopped walnuts, pumpkin seeds, or even rolled oats for a delightful crunch. The topping is wonderfully flexible to your preferences!
Is Sweet Potato Casserole gluten-free?
The traditional recipe uses all-purpose flour in the topping, but you can easily swap it for a gluten-free all-purpose blend or almond flour. Double-check all labels if you need a 100% gluten-free dish.
How do I know when my casserole is done baking?
The casserole is ready when the topping is golden brown and you see bubbling around the edges. The center should be set (but still moist), and a quick poke with a knife should come out mostly clean.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re serving it for a holiday feast or simply want to bring extra warmth to a weeknight dinner, Sweet Potato Casserole is the dish that always brings smiles and second helpings. I hope you fall in love with its comforting layers, irresistible topping, and sweet memories—come on, give it a spot at your next gathering. Happy cooking!
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Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the deliciousness of this classic Sweet Potato Casserole. Creamy mashed sweet potatoes topped with a crunchy pecan topping, this dish is a perfect side for any occasion.
Ingredients
Main Casserole:
- 4 cups mashed cooked sweet potatoes (about 4 large sweet potatoes)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Topping:
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and butter a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Prepare Sweet Potato Mixture: In a large bowl, mix sweet potatoes, sugar, melted butter, eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt until smooth. Spread into baking dish.
- Make Topping: Combine brown sugar and flour. Cut in butter, stir in pecans. Sprinkle over sweet potatoes.
- Bake: Bake for 30-35 minutes until topping is golden and casserole is heated through. Let cool before serving.
Notes
- This casserole can be made a day ahead and baked before serving.
- Add marshmallows in the last 10 minutes of baking for a classic topping.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: about 3/4 cup
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
