Irresistible Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe For Cozy Gatherings

Autumn brings a wave of warmth with this classic sweet potato casserole that promises pure comfort.

Creamy, mashed sweet potatoes blended with a touch of brown sugar create a delightful base for this beloved recipe.

The casserole delivers a perfect balance of sweetness and rich, hearty flavors that dance on your palate.

Topped with a crunchy pecan streusel, each bite offers a delectable contrast of textures.

The golden-brown surface hints at the deliciousness waiting beneath.

Soft, velvety sweet potatoes mingle with a crisp, nutty topping that elevates this dish from simple side to show-stopping sensation.

Prepare to fall in love with this irresistible comfort food that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 320 kcal

Servings: 13

What You Need For Easy Sweet Potato Casserole

• Sweet Potatoes: Creamy, nutrient-dense root vegetable with vibrant orange color and natural sweetness perfect for comforting casseroles.
• Butter: Adds rich, velvety texture and deepens overall flavor profile of the dish.
• Milk: Creates smooth, silky consistency and helps bind ingredients together.
• Eggs: Provide structural support and contribute to the casserole's luxurious custard-like texture.

• Brown Sugar: Delivers caramel-like sweetness and helps create golden-brown caramelization.
• Vanilla Extract: Introduces warm, aromatic depth that complements sweet potato's natural flavor.
• Cinnamon: Adds warm, spicy undertone that elevates the entire dessert's complexity.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies other ingredient flavors.

• Pecans: Brings crunchy texture and nutty richness, creating delightful contrast against creamy base.
• Flour: Helps bind streusel ingredients and provides crisp, crumbly texture.
• Additional Brown Sugar, Cinnamon, Melted Butter: Reinforces sweet, spiced character of the topping.

Kitchen Items For Easy Sweet Potato Casserole

• Large pot: For boiling and softening sweet potatoes.
• Colander: To drain cooked sweet potatoes thoroughly.
• Potato masher or hand mixer: Helps create smooth sweet potato texture.
• Large mixing bowl: Combines sweet potato mixture ingredients.
• Small mixing bowl: Prepares pecan streusel topping.
• 9×13-inch baking dish: Holds and bakes the entire casserole.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Mixes ingredients and spreads mixture evenly.
• Oven: Bakes the casserole to golden perfection.

How To Make Easy Sweet Potato Casserole

• Boil Sweet Potato Chunks

Toss chopped sweet potatoes into bubbling water. Cook until they’re super soft and easily pierced with a fork, around 15-20 minutes. Drain completely and mash until velvety smooth.

• Create Creamy Potato Base

Blend mashed sweet potatoes with warm butter, brown sugar, milk, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Mix until luxuriously silky. Transfer the luscious mixture into a greased baking dish, spreading evenly.

• Craft Crunchy Pecan Topping

In a separate bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, chopped pecans, cinnamon, and melted butter. Mix until the topping becomes delightfully crumbly. Sprinkle this golden mixture generously over the potato base.

• Bake Until Golden

Slide the casserole into a preheated 350F oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the top turns a gorgeous golden brown and edges become slightly crispy. For extra decadence, add marshmallows during the final 5 minutes and broil until they’re perfectly toasted.

• Serve and Savor

Allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes. Serve warm alongside your favorite holiday main dishes. Enjoy the comforting, sweet flavors that scream celebration!

Tips And Tweaks For Easy Sweet Potato Casserole

• Toasting Nutty Perfection: Lightly toast pecans in a dry skillet before adding to the streusel for an extra depth of rich, roasted flavor that elevates the entire dish.
• Creamy Mashing Magic: Use a potato ricer or hand mixer for ultra-smooth sweet potato filling, eliminating any lumps and creating a silky-smooth texture that melts in your mouth.
• Dairy-Free Delight: Swap butter with coconut oil and use almond milk to make this casserole completely dairy-free without losing any of the decadent, comforting taste.
• Make-Ahead Miracle: Prepare the entire casserole up to two days in advance, storing covered in the refrigerator. Simply bake when ready to serve, making holiday meal prep a breeze.
• Gluten-Free Goodness: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend in the streusel topping to make this recipe completely gluten-free and safe for those with wheat sensitivities.

Ways To Serve Easy Sweet Potato Casserole

• Festive Family Feast: Serve this sweet potato casserole alongside roasted turkey or glazed ham for a classic holiday meal that brings everyone together.
• Brunch Delight: Transform leftovers into a morning treat by pairing a slice with crispy bacon and scrambled eggs for a hearty weekend breakfast.
• Dessert Upgrade: Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream to turn this side dish into an indulgent dessert that satisfies sweet cravings.
• Potluck Showstopper: Bring this crowd-pleasing casserole to gatherings, where its golden pecan topping and creamy filling will make you the star of the party.

Storing And Saving Easy Sweet Potato Casserole

• Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor retention by covering tightly with plastic wrap or sealed lid.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire casserole up to 2 days before serving, keeping it unbaked in the refrigerator. Simply remove from fridge 30 minutes before baking to reach room temperature.
• Freezer-Friendly Method: Wrap the casserole securely in double layers of aluminum foil and freeze for up to 3 weeks. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating at 350F for 20-25 minutes.
• Reheating Technique: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or reheat the entire dish in the oven at 350F, covered with foil to prevent moisture loss and maintain the crispy pecan topping's texture.

Comforting Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

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• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Southern sweet potato casserole blends creamy mashed potatoes with a crunchy pecan topping. Comfort cuisine from family kitchens brings warmth to your holiday table.

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Ingredients

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• 3 lbs (1.36 kg) sweet potatoes (about 4–5 medium, peeled & cubed)
• 2 large eggs
• ¼ cup (60 ml) milk (or heavy cream)
• ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup (220 g) brown sugar, packed
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup (60 g) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (50 g) chopped pecans (or walnuts)
• ¼ cup (57 g) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup mini marshmallows

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Instructions

1. Potatoes Preparation: Cube sweet potatoes uniformly and boil in salted water until fork-tender, approximately 15-20 minutes, then drain completely.
2. Mashing Process: Transfer boiled potatoes to a large mixing bowl and mash until silky smooth, eliminating all lumps for a creamy consistency.
3. Flavor Infusion: Blend melted butter, brown sugar, milk, eggs, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt into mashed sweet potatoes, stirring until the mixture becomes a uniform, luxurious cream.
4. Casserole Assembly: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and spread the sweet potato mixture evenly, creating a perfectly leveled base for the streusel topping.
5. Streusel Creation: In a separate bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, chopped pecans, ground cinnamon, and melted butter, mixing until a delectable crumbly texture forms.
6. Topping Application: Distribute the pecan streusel generously and evenly across the sweet potato base, ensuring complete coverage for maximum flavor and texture.
7. Baking Technique: Position the casserole in a preheated 350°F oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, monitoring until the surface turns golden-brown and edges begin to bubble.
8. Final Flourish: Optionally, add marshmallows during the last 5 minutes of baking and briefly broil to achieve a puffy, caramelized topping.
9. Serving Preparation: Remove from oven and allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes, enabling the dish to set and facilitating easier serving of this festive side dish.

Notes

• Prevent Soggy Potatoes: Drain sweet potatoes completely after boiling to remove excess moisture, ensuring a creamy yet firm texture in your casserole.
• Customize Nut Options: Swap pecans with walnuts or almonds for different flavor profiles, or omit nuts entirely for nut-sensitive diets.
• Control Sweetness Level: Adjust brown sugar quantity based on potato sweetness and personal preference, tasting mixture before baking for balanced flavor.
• Achieve Perfect Streusel: Mix streusel ingredients until they form loose, pea-sized crumbs for optimal crunchiness and even distribution across the casserole surface.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 44 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg