The Most Heavenly Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe Ever

Crafting a mouthwatering sweet potato casserole brings pure comfort to your holiday table.

Layers of creamy, golden goodness promise a delightful side dish that everyone will adore.

Marshmallows create a dreamy topping that melts into rich, velvety sweet potatoes.

Warm spices dance through each spoonful, creating memories of cozy gatherings.

Grandma’s classic recipe gets a modern twist with this incredibly simple preparation.

Southern kitchens have long celebrated this crowd-pleasing favorite that feels like a warm hug.

You’ll want to savor every single bite of this irresistible casserole.

FAQs

• Are sweet potatoes healthy?

Sweet potatoes are packed with nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, and fiber. They’re low in calories and offer excellent health benefits, supporting eye health and boosting immune function.

• Can I use canned sweet potatoes instead of fresh?

Yes, you can substitute fresh sweet potatoes with canned ones. Drain and pat them dry before mashing. However, fresh sweet potatoes typically provide better texture and more robust flavor.

• How do I know if my sweet potatoes are cooked properly?

Sweet potatoes are done when a fork easily pierces through them without resistance. They should be tender but not mushy, with a soft and smooth consistency when mashed.

Why Sweet Potato Casserole Holds A Special Place

• Stress-Free Preparation: Boil, mash, and mix ingredients with minimal kitchen skills required, making this recipe perfect for beginners.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Combines sweet and nutty flavors that appeal to both kids and adults, ideal for family gatherings and holiday meals.
• Nutritious Indulgence: Packed with vitamin-rich sweet potatoes and protein from eggs, offering a delicious way to enjoy a nutritious side dish.
• Versatile Showstopper: Transitions seamlessly from weeknight dinners to special occasions, impressing guests with its delectable streusel topping and creamy texture.

Ingredients For Sweet Potato Casserole

• Sweet Potatoes: The star of the dish, providing a creamy and sweet base for the casserole.

• Brown Sugar, Vanilla Extract: These ingredients add depth and warmth to the sweet potato mixture.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor profile.

• Eggs: Help bind the casserole together and provide structure.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a smooth, creamy texture.
• Melted Butter: Contributes richness and helps blend the ingredients.

• Flour: Creates a crisp and crumbly topping texture.
• Pecans: Add a nutty crunch and complementary flavor to the sweet potato base.

How To Bake Sweet Potato Casserole

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Set your oven to 350F and generously coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Boil and Soften Potatoes

Place sweet potatoes in a large pot of water and boil until they’re super soft and easily pierced with a fork, typically 15-20 minutes.

Carefully drain the water.

Step 3: Create Creamy Potato Base

Transfer boiled potatoes to a spacious mixing bowl and mash until silky smooth.

• Brown sugar
• Eggs
• Melted butter
• Milk
• Vanilla extract
• Salt

Blend everything until the mixture is perfectly combined and luxuriously creamy.

Step 4: Prepare Casserole Foundation

Pour the potato mixture into the prepared baking dish, using a spatula to spread it evenly and create a smooth surface.

Step 5: Whip Up Crunchy Topping

• Flour
• Brown sugar
• Melted butter
• Chopped pecans

Mix until the ingredients form a delightful crumbly texture.

Step 6: Add Streusel Layer

Sprinkle the pecan streusel generously and evenly across the sweet potato base, ensuring complete coverage.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Look for a golden-brown topping and ensure the casserole is heated completely through.

Step 8: Rest and Serve

Allow the casserole to cool for 10 minutes, letting the flavors settle before serving this irresistible dish.

Tips For Classic Sweet Potato Casserole

• Select firm, bright orange sweet potatoes for the richest flavor and best texture.
• Boil potatoes with their skin on to retain more nutrients and prevent excess water absorption.
• Mash potatoes while they're warm to achieve a smoother, creamier consistency without lumps.
• Toast pecans briefly before adding to the streusel topping for an enhanced nutty aroma and deeper flavor.
• Prepare the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate overnight, allowing flavors to meld and develop more depth.

Flavorful Twists For Sweet Potato Casserole

• Vegan Sweet Potato Delight: Replace eggs with mashed banana or flax eggs, use coconut milk instead of dairy milk, and swap butter with coconut oil for a plant-based version.
• Gluten-Free Comfort Casserole: Substitute all-purpose flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend in the streusel topping to make the recipe celiac-friendly.
• Nut-Free Autumn Bake: Eliminate pecans from the streusel and replace with pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds for those with nut allergies.
• Low-Sugar Wellness Option: Reduce brown sugar amount, use monk fruit sweetener, and add cinnamon and nutmeg for natural sweetness and depth of flavor.

What To Serve With Sweet Potato Casserole

• Southern Comfort Plating: Serve this warm casserole as a cozy side dish alongside roasted turkey or glazed ham during holiday gatherings, letting the sweet and nutty flavors complement the main course.
• Dessert-Style Twist: Transform this casserole into a decadent dessert by adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on top, creating a delightful sweet potato pie-like experience.
• Brunch Companion: Pair this casserole with crispy bacon, scrambled eggs, and fresh buttermilk biscuits for a hearty Southern-style weekend brunch that will satisfy everyone at the table.
• Potluck Showstopper: Bring this crowd-pleasing dish to community gatherings or family reunions, knowing it travels well and can be served warm or at room temperature, always impressing fellow food lovers.

How To Keep Sweet Potato Casserole Fresh

• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days, ensuring the casserole cools completely before storing.
• Wrap tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent moisture loss and maintain flavor integrity.
• Freeze portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

• Thaw frozen casserole overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Warm in the oven at 350F for 15-20 minutes, covering with foil to prevent excessive browning.
• Microwave individual servings for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to distribute heat evenly.
• Add a splash of milk when reheating to restore moisture and prevent dryness.

Creamy Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

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4.8 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Delightful sweet potato casserole delivers comfort straight from Southern kitchens with layers of creamy mashed potatoes and crunchy pecan topping. Hearty side dishes like this connect families around dinner tables and warm hearts during festive gatherings.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) milk

Sweeteners:

• 1/2 cup (100 g) brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Fats and Seasonings:

• 1/2 cup (113 g) unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Topping Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (60 g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (100 g) brown sugar
• 1/4 cup (57 g) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup (100 g) chopped pecans

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and generously coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
2. Place sweet potatoes in a large pot of water and boil until easily pierced with a fork, approximately 15-20 minutes. Drain thoroughly and transfer to a spacious mixing bowl.
3. Vigorously mash the sweet potatoes until achieving a silky, uniform texture. Incorporate brown sugar, eggs, melted butter, milk, vanilla extract, and salt, stirring until ingredients are fully integrated.
4. Transfer the velvety sweet potato mixture into the prepared baking dish, using a spatula to create an even surface.
5. Craft the streusel topping by combining flour, brown sugar, melted butter, and chopped pecans in a separate mixing bowl. Blend until the mixture resembles coarse, crumbly texture.
6. Distribute the streusel topping evenly across the sweet potato base, ensuring complete coverage.
7. Position the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, watching for a golden-brown streusel and ensuring the interior is thoroughly heated.
8. Remove from oven and allow the casserole to rest and slightly cool for 10 minutes before serving, which helps the dish set and enhances flavor melding.

Notes

• Enhance the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes by roasting them instead of boiling, which concentrates their rich flavor and caramelizes their sugars.
• Create a gluten-free version by substituting all-purpose flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend in the streusel topping.
• Transform this dish into a lighter option by reducing butter and using Greek yogurt or coconut milk as a creamy alternative.
• Experiment with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger to add warmth and depth to the sweet potato base, making the casserole more complex and aromatic.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 387 kcal
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 47 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg