Sweet & Savory: The Best Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe Ever

Sweet potato casserole has been my secret weapon during holiday gatherings for years.

Creamy, marshmallow-topped goodness always sparks conversations around the dinner table.

Nobody can resist this delightful side dish that combines comfort with indulgence.

Friends constantly ask me to share my special recipe.

My grandmother first taught me her classic technique decades ago.

Warm spices and a crispy topping make this casserole irresistibly delicious.

Come experience a mouthwatering journey that will become your new favorite holiday tradition.

Classic Sweet Potato Casserole Done Right

• Unbelievably Easy Preparation: Whip up this delightful casserole with minimal cooking skills, requiring simple steps like boiling, mashing, and mixing ingredients that even beginner cooks can master confidently.
• Time-Saving Holiday Hero: Perfect for busy family gatherings, this recipe takes less than an hour from start to finish, delivering maximum flavor with minimal effort during hectic holiday cooking sessions.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food: Appeals to all ages with its sweet, creamy texture and crunchy pecan topping, making it a universally loved side dish that transforms ordinary meals into memorable experiences.
• Versatile Seasonal Delight: Transitions seamlessly from thanksgiving tables to everyday dinner sides, offering a nutritious and indulgent option that celebrates sweet potatoes' natural richness while satisfying sweet and savory cravings.

Ingredients Inside The Best Sweet Potato Casserole

• Sweet Potatoes: Creamy, soft foundation of the casserole, providing rich orange color and natural sweetness.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps create smooth, creamy texture.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and provide structure to the casserole.

• Granulated Sugar: Enhances overall sweetness and balances natural potato flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic flavor depth to the dish.
• Salt: Brings out and balances all other flavors in the casserole.

• Butter: Provides rich, smooth taste and helps create luxurious mouthfeel.

Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe Routine

Step 1: Prepare Baking Environment

Warm up the oven to 350°F.

Generously coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Transform Sweet Potatoes

Submerge sweet potatoes in boiling water until they’re fork-tender.

Drain completely and mash them into a silky, lump-free consistency using a potato masher or electric mixer.

Step 3: Blend Creamy Base

• Granulated sugar
• Whole milk
• Eggs
• Melted butter
• Pure vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Whisk everything together until the mixture becomes incredibly smooth and well incorporated.

Step 4: Fill Baking Dish

Transfer the luxurious sweet potato mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly with a spatula.

Step 5: Craft Crunchy Topping

• Brown sugar
• All-purpose flour
• Melted butter
• Chopped pecans

Stir until the ingredients form a crumbly, irresistible topping.

Step 6: Add Crunchy Layer

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

Step 7: Bake To Perfection

Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 30-40 minutes.

Watch for a gorgeous golden-brown topping that signals it’s ready to devour.

Sweet Potato Casserole Tips Everyone Should Know

• Whip sweet potatoes while still warm to ensure a smoother, creamier consistency without lumps.
• Toast pecans before adding to the topping for a deeper, more intense nutty flavor and extra crispiness.
• Swap white sugar with maple syrup or honey for a more natural sweetness and complex flavor profile.
• Prepare the casserole up to two days in advance and refrigerate, then bake just before serving to save time during holiday cooking.
• Replace milk and butter with coconut milk and coconut oil for a delicious vegan and lactose-free version of the casserole.

Reheat Classic Sweet Potato Casserole Easily

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 4 days.
• Transfer cooled casserole to a freezer-safe dish. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, lasting up to 3 months.
• Thaw overnight in refrigerator. Warm at 350°F for 20-25 minutes, covering with foil to prevent burning.
• Heat individual portions in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming. Add a splash of milk to maintain moisture.

Sweet Potato Casserole Favorites

• Enhance Bourbon Brilliance: Match the casserole with a smooth bourbon like Maker's Mark, which highlights the nutty pecan notes and caramel undertones of the dish.
• Elevate Wine Selection: Choose a slightly sweet Riesling or Gewürztraminer that balances the rich, creamy sweet potato flavors and cuts through the buttery topping.
• Create Protein Perfection: Serve alongside roasted turkey or honey-glazed ham, where the sweet casserole's richness beautifully complements the savory meat proteins.
• Boost Dessert Companion: Add a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream on the side to create a decadent contrast between warm casserole and cold, creamy sweetness.

Classic Sweet Potato Casserole with Serving Options

• Vegan Sweet Potato Mash: Replace eggs with flax eggs, use coconut milk instead of dairy milk, and swap butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine for a plant-based version.
• Gluten-Free Nutty Casserole: Substitute regular flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend in the topping to make the recipe celiac-friendly.
• Marshmallow Crunch Variation: Skip the pecan topping and layer mini marshmallows over the sweet potato mixture for a classic holiday-style casserole with added sweetness.
• Low-Sugar Option: Reduce sugar content by using monk fruit sweetener or stevia, and incorporate cinnamon and nutmeg for enhanced natural sweetness without extra calories.

FAQs

• Are sweet potatoes nutritious?

Sweet potatoes are packed with vitamins A and C, fiber, and potassium. They’re a superfood that boosts immunity and supports eye health.

• Can I use canned sweet potatoes?

Fresh sweet potatoes are best for this recipe. Canned varieties can be too soft and may alter the texture and flavor of the casserole.

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

Insert a fork into the potatoes. If it slides in easily without resistance, they’re perfectly cooked and ready to mash.

• What if I'm allergic to pecans?

You can substitute pecans with chopped walnuts or omit nuts entirely. The topping will still be delicious with just the brown sugar and flour mixture.

The Best Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 8 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Southern comfort meets holiday magic in this irresistible Sweet Potato Casserole, blending creamy mashed potatoes with a crunchy pecan topping. Warm spices and marshmallow swirls create a dessert-like side dish that promises to become your family’s new festive favorite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 4 cups sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed (960 milliliters / 4 cups)
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/4 cup melted butter (60 milliliters / 1/4 cup)

Liquid and Sweetening Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100 grams / 1/2 cup)
• 1/2 cup milk (120 milliliters / 1/2 cup)

Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven and prepare a spacious baking vessel with a light coating of oil to prevent sticking.
2. Submerge whole sweet potatoes in rapidly boiling water, cooking until a fork easily pierces through the flesh.
3. Carefully drain the potatoes and transfer to a large mixing bowl, mashing thoroughly until a velvety, lump-free texture emerges.
4. Incorporate sugar, milk, eggs, melted butter, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt into the mashed sweet potatoes, whisking until the mixture becomes completely uniform and silky.
5. Gently transfer the creamy sweet potato blend into the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly to create a smooth surface.
6. Create a delectable topping by combining brown sugar, flour, additional melted butter, and roughly chopped pecans in a separate mixing bowl.
7. Distribute the crunchy, sweet topping across the entire surface of the sweet potato base, ensuring a consistent layer that will transform into a golden, crisp crust during baking.
8. Slide the casserole into the preheated oven, allowing it to bake until the topping achieves a rich, caramelized brown color and the edges become slightly bubbling and crisp.
9. Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for a few minutes, allowing the flavors to settle and the texture to become perfectly set before serving.

Notes

• Customize sweetness by adjusting sugar levels to suit personal taste preferences.
• Select firm, unblemished sweet potatoes for the best texture and flavor profile.
• Experiment with alternative toppings like marshmallows or coconut flakes for diverse variations.
• Prepare casserole ahead of time and refrigerate, allowing flavors to meld before baking for enhanced depth.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Side Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg