Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe: A Cozy Comfort Food Classic

Comfort beckons with this irresistible sweet potato casserole that promises pure culinary bliss.

Marshmallow clouds meet creamy orange goodness in a dish guaranteed to spark joy.

Southern kitchens have long celebrated this hearty side that warms hearts and satisfies souls.

Buttery notes dance alongside cinnamon whispers, creating a symphony of flavor you’ll adore.

Rich textures blend seamlessly, promising a memorable dining experience that feels like a warm embrace.

Soft, pillowy sweet potatoes underneath a golden-brown topping make this recipe a crowd-pleasing favorite.

Prepare to fall in love with every decadent, comforting bite that awaits you.

Sweet Potato Casserole With A Buttery Topping

• Quick Family Feast: Transforms basic sweet potatoes into a crowd-pleasing holiday side dish that everyone will love.
• Ridiculously Easy Prep: Takes just 15 minutes of hands-on time with simple ingredients and straightforward mixing technique, perfect for beginner cooks.
• Texture Sensation: Delivers a delightful contrast between creamy sweet potato base and crunchy pecan-cornflake topping, creating an irresistible mouthfeel.
• Festive Crowd-Pleaser: Ideal for thanksgiving, christmas, and family gatherings, bringing warmth and comfort to the holiday table with its nostalgic flavors.

What’s Added Into Sweet Potato Casserole

• Sweet Potatoes: A classic holiday side dish base, rich in nutrients and natural sweetness. Choose firm, smooth-skinned potatoes without bruises or soft spots.
• Milk: Adds creaminess and helps bind the casserole together. Whole milk provides the best texture and richness.
• Egg: Works as a binding agent to help the casserole hold its shape and create a smooth consistency.

• Brown Sugar: Provides deep caramel-like sweetness and helps create a golden color. Light or dark brown sugar can be used based on preference.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, complex notes. Pure vanilla extract offers the best taste.
• Ground Cinnamon: Adds warm, slightly spicy undertone that complements the sweet potatoes. Fresh ground cinnamon has the most vibrant flavor.

• Unsalted Butter: Contributes rich flavor and smooth texture. Softened butter blends more easily into the mixture.
• Salt: Balances and heightens the other flavors in the casserole. Adjust to personal taste preference.

Sweet Potato Casserole Cooking Process

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to a cozy 350°F (175°C) and get ready for a delicious adventure.

Step 2: Transform Sweet Potatoes

Grab your cooked sweet potatoes and transform them into a smooth, creamy mash using a potato masher or fork.

Step 3: Create a Flavor Explosion

• Brown sugar
• Butter
• Cinnamon
• Vanilla extract
• Egg
• Milk
• Salt

Stir everything together until you’ve got a harmonious, mouth-watering mixture.

Step 4: Prepare the Baking Vessel

Scoop the sweet potato blend into a baking dish, spreading it evenly.

Step 5: Craft the Crunchy Topping

• Crushed cornflakes
• Chopped pecans
• Melted butter
• Brown sugar

Blend until all ingredients are well acquainted.

Step 6: Sprinkle the Magic

Generously scatter the crunchy topping over the sweet potato base, creating a golden blanket of deliciousness.

Step 7: First Baking Round

Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the topping turns a beautiful golden brown.

Step 8: Marshmallow Finale

Dot the top with fluffy mini marshmallows and return to the oven for another 5-10 minutes until they’re perfectly toasted.

Step 9: Serve with Love

Pull out your masterpiece and serve it warm, ready to delight everyone at the table.

Sweet Potato Casserole – Best Tips

• Use a potato masher or hand mixer to create a creamy, lump-free sweet potato base for an ultra-smooth texture.
• Adjust brown sugar amount to suit your taste preferences, making the dish less or more sweet as desired.
• Toast pecans beforehand to enhance their nutty flavor and add extra crispiness to the cornflake topping.
• Watch marshmallows closely during the final baking to prevent burning and achieve a perfect golden-brown color.
• Prepare the casserole a day in advance and refrigerate, then bake just before serving for a stress-free holiday side dish.

Sweet Potato Casserole Keeps Creamy If Stored Correctly

• Store leftover sweet potato casserole in an airtight container for up to 4 days, keeping it in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Wrap the casserole tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months; best to freeze without the marshmallow topping.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat uncovered at 350°F for 20-25 minutes until heated through, adding fresh marshmallows during the last 5 minutes for a crispy topping.
• Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating; be careful not to overheat and dry out the casserole.

Meal Companions for Sweet Potato Casserole

• Pair Sweet Bourbon Cocktail: Mix bourbon, orange bitters, and maple syrup for a rich, warming drink that complements the sweet potato's caramelized flavors.
• Serve Roasted Pork Tenderloin: The savory, herb-crusted meat balances the casserole's sweetness and provides a protein-packed main course that matches the dish's rustic warmth.
• Match Crisp Hard Cider: Select a dry apple cider with subtle tartness to cut through the casserole's richness and refresh the palate between bites.
• Complement Spiced Pecan Ice Cream: Scoop vanilla ice cream mixed with candied pecans for a decadent dessert that echoes the casserole's nutty, sweet profile.

Classic Potato Salad Swaps

• Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole: Replace butter with coconut oil, use plant-based milk, swap egg with flax egg, and top with vegan marshmallows or dairy-free granola.
• Gluten-Free Version: Substitute cornflakes with gluten-free corn or rice cereal, ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Low-Sugar Alternative: Use monk fruit sweetener instead of brown sugar, reduce overall sweetness, and add more warming spices like nutmeg and ginger.
• Nut-Free Option: Skip pecans, replace with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for crunch, maintaining the same topping texture and flavor profile.

FAQs

• Can I use a different type of nut instead of pecans?

Yes, you can substitute pecans with walnuts or almonds for a similar crunchy texture in the topping.

• Is it possible to make this casserole ahead of time?

You can prepare the sweet potato mixture and topping separately, refrigerate them, and assemble just before baking to save time on the day of serving.

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

The sweet potatoes should be soft and easily pierced with a fork when they’re fully cooked. You can boil or roast them until they reach this tender consistency.

• Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Replace butter with coconut oil or dairy-free margarine, and use a plant-based milk like almond or oat milk to make the casserole dairy-free.

Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

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4.5 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Creamy Southern sweet potato casserole delivers comforting holiday magic with marshmallow clouds and buttery pecan crunch. Hungry families gather around this classic dish, savoring familiar flavors that connect generations with delicious memories.

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Ingredients

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Proteins and Produce:

• 3 pounds sweet potatoes or yams (peeled, cut into cubes, and cooked)
• 1 egg

Dairy and Sweeteners:

• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter or margarine
• 1/4 cup milk (3.25%)

Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven and prepare a baking dish with a light coating of cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2. Thoroughly mash the cooked sweet potatoes until smooth and creamy, eliminating any large lumps.
3. Incorporate brown sugar, softened butter, ground cinnamon, pure vanilla extract, beaten egg, whole milk, and a pinch of salt into the mashed sweet potatoes, stirring until the mixture is completely homogeneous.
4. Carefully spread the sweet potato mixture into the prepared baking dish, ensuring an even surface.
5. Create the crunchy topping by combining crushed cornflakes, roughly chopped pecans, melted butter, and additional brown sugar in a separate mixing bowl.
6. Generously distribute the nutty, crispy topping evenly across the sweet potato base, covering the entire surface.
7. Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake until the topping turns a rich golden brown and the edges begin to bubble slightly.
8. Artfully arrange mini marshmallows across the top of the casserole in a decorative pattern.
9. Return the dish to the oven for a brief final baking, watching carefully to achieve a perfectly toasted, lightly caramelized marshmallow topping.
10. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes before serving to let the flavors meld and the casserole set.

Notes

• Boost the nutritional value by leaving the sweet potato skin on, which contains extra fiber and nutrients.
• Swap traditional butter with coconut oil or vegan butter to make the recipe dairy-free and suitable for plant-based diets.
• Control the sweetness by adjusting brown sugar quantities or using alternative sweeteners like maple syrup or honey for a more complex flavor profile.
• Ensure even cooking by cutting sweet potatoes into uniform sizes before boiling or roasting to guarantee consistent texture throughout the casserole.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Side Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 100 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg