Ruth Chris Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

The Perfect Ruth Chris Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe You’ll Love

Let’s talk about a Ruth Chris sweet potato casserole that might just become your new favorite comfort dish.

Memories of holiday gatherings swirl around this creamy, decadent side that melts in your mouth.

Southern kitchens have long cherished these warm, inviting recipes that connect generations through simple ingredients.

A casserole so rich and smooth it feels like a culinary hug from your favorite relative.

Crispy pecan topping adds a delightful crunch that transforms ordinary sweet potatoes into something magical.

Soft, whipped sweet potatoes blend perfectly with a caramelized brown sugar crust that brings incredible depth to every single bite.

I promise this recipe will make you the star of your next family meal.

Why Ruth Chris Sweet Potato Casserole Steals the Spotlight

  • Elevate Comfort Food: Transform humble sweet potatoes into a luxurious, restaurant-quality side dish that feels like a warm culinary hug.
  • Texture Sensation: Experience a delightful contrast between the silky-smooth sweet potato base and the crunchy, caramelized pecan streusel topping that adds irresistible complexity.
  • Holiday Showstopper: Impress your family and guests with a gourmet-style casserole that brings sophisticated restaurant flavors directly to your holiday table, requiring minimal cooking skills and just 35 minutes of baking time.

What You’ll Need for Ruth Chris Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet Potato Base:
  • Sweet Potatoes: Creamy foundation of the casserole, providing a smooth and rich texture.
  • Butter: Adds richness and helps bind the ingredients together.
  • Granulated Sugar: Brings sweetness to complement the natural flavor of sweet potatoes.
  • Heavy Cream: Creates a luxurious and velvety consistency.
  • Eggs: Provide structure and help the casserole set properly.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor with warm, sweet notes.
  • Salt: Balances and heightens the other flavors in the dish.
Pecan Streusel Topping:
  • Pecans: Adds a crunchy texture and nutty flavor to the casserole.
  • Brown Sugar: Provides a deep, caramel-like sweetness to the topping.
  • Flour: Helps create a crumbly streusel texture.
  • Butter: Binds the streusel ingredients and adds richness.
Baking Essentials:
  • Baking Dish: Serves as the vessel for assembling and baking the casserole.

Step-by-Step for Ruth Chris Sweet Potato Casserole

Step-by-Step for Ruth Chris Sweet Potato Casserole

Step 1: Mash Sweet Potatoes

Scrub and clean sweet potatoes thoroughly. Boil or bake potatoes until they become soft and tender. Remove the skin and place the potatoes in a large mixing bowl. Use a potato masher or electric mixer to create a smooth, creamy texture. Ensure no lumps remain in the mashed potatoes.

Step 2: Create Silky Potato Base

Add these ingredients to the mashed sweet potatoes:
  • Melted butter
  • Granulated sugar
  • Heavy cream
  • Beaten eggs
  • Vanilla extract
  • Salt

Blend all ingredients until the mixture becomes ultra-smooth and consistent. Transfer the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly across the surface.

Step 3: Craft Crunchy Pecan Topping

In a separate bowl, combine:
  • Chopped pecans
  • Brown sugar
  • All-purpose flour
  • Melted butter

Mix the ingredients until they form a crumbly, delightful texture. The mixture should have a slightly clumpy consistency that will create a beautiful golden-brown crust.

Step 4: Layer and Bake

Sprinkle the pecan streusel generously over the sweet potato base, ensuring complete and even coverage. Place the baking dish in a preheated oven at 350°F. Bake for 30-35 minutes, watching for a gorgeous golden-brown topping and bubbling edges.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes. This allows the dish to set and makes serving easier. Present as a stunning side dish that will impress family and guests during holiday meals or special gatherings.

Tips for Rich and Creamy Sweet Potato Casserole

  • Boost Sweet Potato Smoothness: Mash potatoes while still warm to achieve a silky, lump-free texture that blends perfectly with other ingredients.
  • Customize Pecan Crunch: Toast pecans before chopping to enhance their nutty flavor and add an extra layer of depth to the streusel topping.
  • Prevent Topping Burn: Cover the casserole with aluminum foil if the streusel starts browning too quickly, ensuring an evenly golden and crispy topping.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the sweet potato base and streusel separately up to 24 hours in advance, then assemble and bake just before serving for stress-free holiday cooking.
  • Dietary Adaptation: Swap heavy cream with coconut milk and use gluten-free flour to make this classic dish suitable for lactose-intolerant or gluten-sensitive guests.

Keep Ruth Chris Sweet Potato Casserole Fresh and Tasty

  • Refrigerate Leftovers: Transfer remaining casserole to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or lid to maintain freshness and prevent moisture loss.
  • Freeze Portions: Package individual servings in freezer-safe containers or wrap securely in aluminum foil. Frozen sweet potato casserole will keep well for 2-3 months without losing its delicious flavor and texture.
  • Reheat in Oven: Warm refrigerated or thawed casserole at 350F for 15-20 minutes. Cover with foil to prevent the pecan topping from burning while ensuring the center heats evenly. Remove foil during the last 5 minutes to crisp up the streusel.
  • Microwave Option: For quick reheating, zap individual portions on medium power for 1-2 minutes. Stir halfway through to distribute heat and prevent cold spots. Add a splash of cream to restore moisture if needed.

What Goes Well with Sweet Potato Casserole

  • Pair with Robust Red Wine: Select a full-bodied zinfandel or pinot noir to complement the sweet and rich flavors of the casserole, cutting through its creamy texture and enhancing the nutty pecan notes.
  • Match with Roasted Meats: Serve alongside herb-crusted turkey, glazed ham, or roasted beef to create a harmonious balance between the sweet potato's sweetness and the savory protein's depth.
  • Create Bourbon Beverage Companion: Mix a classic bourbon old fashioned or smooth bourbon neat to echo the caramelized sugars and enhance the warm, comforting profile of the casserole.
  • Refresh with Sparkling Cider: Pour a crisp, slightly effervescent apple cider to cleanse the palate and provide a light, fruity contrast to the dense, buttery sweet potato dish.

Creative Twists on Ruth Chris Sweet Potato Casserole

  • Marshmallow Cloud Topping: Replace the pecan streusel with a layer of fluffy marshmallows, creating a gooey, sweet crown that melts into a golden-brown blanket over the creamy sweet potato base.
  • Coconut Crunch Transformation: Swap pecans with toasted coconut flakes and add a sprinkle of cinnamon to the streusel, bringing a tropical texture and warm, nutty flavor to the classic casserole.
  • Maple Bourbon Infusion: Incorporate a splash of bourbon and maple syrup into the sweet potato mixture, deepening the richness and adding a sophisticated adult twist to the traditional recipe.
  • Savory Herb Spin: Mix in fresh thyme and rosemary to the sweet potato base, then top with crispy bacon bits and grated parmesan cheese for a more complex, savory interpretation of the dish.

All Your Sweet Potato Casserole Questions

  • What makes Ruth's Chris Sweet Potato Casserole so special?

This casserole is famous for its perfect balance of creamy sweet potato base and crunchy pecan streusel topping. The combination of rich ingredients like heavy cream and butter creates an indulgent, restaurant-quality side dish that elevates any meal.

  • Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the sweet potato mixture and streusel topping separately a day in advance. Keep them refrigerated and assemble just before baking. This makes holiday meal prep much easier and less stressful.

  • Are there any tricks to getting the perfect streusel topping?

The key is to mix the pecans, brown sugar, flour, and melted butter until it’s crumbly but not too wet. Sprinkle it evenly over the sweet potato base for a consistent, golden-brown topping that adds amazing texture and flavor to the dish.

  • Is this recipe suitable for people who aren't big fans of super sweet desserts?

Absolutely! While the casserole has sweetness from sugar, it’s balanced by the natural flavor of sweet potatoes and the nutty pecans. It’s more of a sophisticated side dish than an overly sugary dessert.

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Ruth Chris Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

Ruth Chris Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe


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4.7 from 15 reviews

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Creamy Ruth’s Chris sweet potato casserole delivers southern comfort with its luscious marshmallow topping and rich buttery base. Comfort meets indulgence in this classic side dish that promises to elevate any holiday meal with its irresistible blend of sweet and smooth flavors.


Ingredients

Scale

Sweet Potato Base:

  • 3 cups (about 4 large) sweet potatoes, cooked and mashed
  • ½ cup (115 grams / 4 ounces) unsalted butter, melted
  • ½ cup (100 grams / 3.5 ounces) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (120 milliliters / 4 fluid ounces) heavy cream or milk
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Pecan Streusel Topping:

  • 1 cup (120 grams / 4.2 ounces) chopped pecans
  • ½ cup (100 grams / 3.5 ounces) brown sugar, packed
  • ⅓ cup (42 grams / 1.5 ounces) all-purpose flour
  • ⅓ cup (75 grams / 2.6 ounces) unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

  1. Transform orange-hued sweet potatoes into a creamy, luxurious base by thoroughly mashing them until completely smooth and velvety, eliminating any potential lumps.
  2. Infuse the sweet potato mixture with rich butter, delicate cream, whisked eggs, aromatic vanilla, and a gentle sprinkle of salt, blending everything into a harmonious, silky consistency.
  3. Transfer the luscious sweet potato blend into a generously buttered baking vessel, ensuring an even, elegant spread across the entire surface.
  4. Craft a decadent topping by combining crunchy, roughly chopped pecans with caramel-like brown sugar and a whisper of flour, creating a textural contrast to the creamy base.
  5. Drizzle melted butter over the pecan mixture, gently folding until the ingredients form a crumbly, enticing streusel that promises a delightful crunch.
  6. Lavishly distribute the pecan streusel across the sweet potato landscape, covering every inch with the nutty, sugary topping.
  7. Slide the casserole into a preheated oven, allowing it to bake until the top transforms into a golden-brown canvas and the edges bubble with anticipation.
  8. Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest momentarily, allowing the flavors to meld and settle before presenting this indulgent side dish to eager diners.

Notes

  • Opt for fresh, high-quality sweet potatoes to ensure a rich, creamy texture and optimal flavor depth.
  • Whip sweet potatoes thoroughly to eliminate lumps, creating a smoother, more luxurious casserole consistency.
  • Consider roasting sweet potatoes instead of boiling to enhance their natural caramelized sweetness and concentrate flavors.
  • Customize the topping by experimenting with alternative nuts like walnuts or almonds for a unique twist on the classic recipe.
  • Reduce sugar content by using half the recommended amount or substituting with natural sweeteners like maple syrup for a healthier version.
  • Prepare the casserole a day ahead and refrigerate, allowing flavors to meld and making holiday meal preparation easier.
  • Transform this side dish into a dessert by adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream on top when serving.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Side Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 385
  • Sugar: 22 g
  • Sodium: 200 mg
  • Fat: 24 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 42 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Jenna Stewart

Jenna Stewart

Head Chef & Recipe Innovator

Expertise

Farm-to-Table Cooking; Seasonal Menu Development; Visual Plating Techniques; Flavor Layering and Simple Prep Hacks.

Education

The Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY

  • Program: Associate Degree in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Hands-on training in classic and modern techniques, global cuisines, and flavor development, combined with real-world experience in restaurant operations, business management, and industry internships.

Jenna Stewart is the inventive spirit behind many of our standout dishes at Pro of Delicious Creations. A proud graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, she built her skills mastering both classic recipes and fresh, modern twists.

Now, Jenna celebrates the beauty of seasonal, local ingredients, often sourced from her garden and nearby markets, to create recipes that are bursting with flavor yet easy to follow. When she’s not experimenting in the kitchen, Jenna loves exploring nature on hikes and discovering new treasures at local co-ops.

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