Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping Recipe (2024)

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This Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping recipe will be a great addition to your Thanksgiving table! It is also the perfect side dish to any meal, any time of the year.

Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping Recipe (1)

Original post: June 2018 | Updated: November 2020

Why This Recipe Works

Sweet Potato Casserole is one of those classic dishes that originates in the Midwest but is enjoyed by people in every region. It is SO easy to make and it is SO delicious.

This dish is typically made for Thanksgiving dinner, but goes great with any holiday or any-day meal. How can you go wrong with buttery, sugary sweet potatoes topped with crunchy pecans and gooey marshmallows?

It’s a sweet potato lover’s dream come true! The prep for this recipe is minimal, cook time is short and you can easily prep it ahead of time and bake just before serving.

Check Out A Web Story On This Holiday Side!

Enjoy making Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping for your holiday meal by watching this easy tutorial.

How To Make Sweet Potato Casserole

Step 1

Boil 5 peeled and cubed sweet potatoes in a large saucepan for about 20 minutes, or until fork tender.

Step 2

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray. Drain the cooked sweet potatoes and mash them using a potato masher or hand mixer.

If you use a hand mixer, be sure not to over-mix or the potatoes will become gluey. Add the eggs, 1/4 cup butter, milk, pumpkin pie spice and brown sugar.

Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping Recipe (2)

Mix well and spread the mixture in an even layer in the prepared baking dish.

Step 3

Combine pecans, butter, flour and brown sugar in a large bowl and mix well.

Spread the pecan topping over the sweet potato layer.

Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping Recipe (3)

STEP 4

Bake for 25 minutes in the preheated oven.

Add mini marshmallows in an even layer 5 minutes before time is up.

Recipe Notes

  • This sweet potato casserole with marshmallows recipe calls for 1 cup of brown sugar total, but replace some or all of it with maple syrup, honey or agave nectar, if desired.
  • To make this recipe nut-free, replace the pecans with crushed pretzels! Or just go with a crumble topping, including the brown sugar flour mixture and topping with the butter.
  • Some of my readers are not fans of the marshmallows on top (it might be a Minnesota thing?), so feel free to omit, if desired.
  • Replace the fresh sweet potatoes with canned, if desired, but fresh is always best!

What To Serve With Sweet Potatoes

In need of ideas about what to serve alongside this tasty orange food? Check out this roundup of 20 delicious ideas: what to serve with sweet potatoes.

Can I Make This Dish In Advance

Yes! That is one of the things I love about this recipe. Prep Sweet Potato Casserole up to 2 days before baking, but leave the marshmallows off when you get to that part in the baking process.

This will save you 30 minutes, which is valuable time, especially if you are making this side dish on a holiday!

How To Freeze Sweet Potato Casserole

You can absolutely freeze sweet potato casserole! Layer the baking dish as directed, minus marshmallows. Seal tightly and store in the freezer for 3 to 4 months.

When ready to bake, allow to thaw completely (preferably overnight in the fridge) and bake as directed.

Sweet Potatoes vs Yams

I was confused for so many years after cutting into a sweet potato only to find white flesh. Was it really a sweet potato or was it a yam? It is rare to find an actual yam in a U.S. grocery store. What you are seeing when you go to the store are two varieties of sweet potatoes. Crazy, right?!

“Yams” at the store are actually sweet potatoes with brown skin and dark orange flesh. “Sweet potatoes” at the store are sweet potatoes with lighter skin and also lighter flesh.

This variety is more firm in texture and not as fluffy when cooked. When you purchase sweet potatoes for this dish, you will want to purchase the “yam” variety! No more potato confusion, phew!

Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping Recipe (4)

FAQ About Sweet Potatoes

Can sweet potatoes go bad?

You can tell whensweet potatoes are past their prime when they are mushy when squeezed. Blotchy patches may appear on the skin, as well as wrinkles.

Are sweet potatoes healthy?

Sweet potatoes are packed with nutrients and vitamins. They are high in fiber, antioxidants, vitamin C and magnesium. They are also low in calories and can contribute to having a healthy gut!

Are sweet potatoes gluten free?

Sweet potatoes do not contain gluten, making them a safe food to eat on a gluten-free diet.

Are sweet potatoes good for dogs?

Cooked sweet potatoes are actually very gentle on digestive systems and they contain a lot of nutrients, making them safe for your pups to consume.

Can sweet potatoes be frozen?

For best results, either partly or fully cook sweet potatoes before freezing.They will last in the freezer for up to 12 months when package well.

Are sweet potatoes low carb?

There are approximately 25 g of carbohydrates in a 5-inch long sweet potato, making them about 10 g less than a regular potato of the same size.

How many calories in a sweet potato?

There are approximately 110 calories in a 5-inch long sweet potato, making them about 50 calories less than a regular potato of the same size.

Sweet Potato Recipes

If you can’t get enough of the tuberous root vegetable, check out these delicious recipes:

  • Perfect Baked Potatoes
  • Roasted Sweet Potatoes
  • Healthy Lunch Bowl with Sweet Potatoes
  • Baked Potato Chips

Mac and Cheese Recipes for Thanksgiving – 13 Delicious Ideas!

Mac and cheese is a Thanksgiving staple! Read on for some scrumptious mac and cheese recipes for Thanksgiving that you can make this year! You’ll find a ton of options to choose from in this roundup.

Thanksgiving Recipes

  • MyMom’s Mashed Potatoesrecipe is the BEST and goes great with any main dish, any time of year. You’ll never need another mashed potato recipe again!
  • Done in just 30 minutes with a delicious glaze that everyone will love, Instant Pot ham recipe makes dinner or your next holiday meal easy!
  • This is the best hash brown casserole recipe and it only requires 4 ingredients, 1 dish and 1 hour in the oven. Great for breakfast or a dinner side!
  • Caramel Pecan Bars are a delicious replacement for pecan pie. These bars are packed with caramel and pecans and are easier than pie to make so you can get to enjoying them quicker!
  • ThisCrockpot Mac and Cheese recipe is creamy and cheesy and just plain DELICIOUS. This comfort food comes together quickly and easily.
  • Tater Tot Hotdishis the perfect holiday comfort food. Whether it’s the main dish or a side, everyone at the table will be satisfied.
  • If you want to have low carb options available, try thisCauliflower Stuffing recipe! It’s an easy, healthy side dish for your next holiday meal and it is low carb, gluten freeanddelicious!

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Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping Recipe

This Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping recipe will be a great addition to your Thanksgiving table! It is also the perfect side dish to any meal, any time of the year.

5 from 5 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 35 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 12

Calories: 412kcal

Author: Megan Porta

Ingredients

Filling

  • 5 sweet potatoes peeled and cut into chunks
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup butter melted (1 stick)
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar

Topping

  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup pecans chopped
  • 1/4 cup butter melted
  • 5 cups miniature marshmallows

Instructions

Make The Filling

  • Fill a large saucepan halfway with water and bring to a boil over high heat. Add sweet potato chunks and boil for 20 minutes, or until a fork easily goes through the centers of the potatoes. Drain and mash. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and coat a 9×13 pan with cooking spray; set aside.

  • Add the eggs, 1/2 cup butter, milk, 1/2 cup brown sugar and pumpkin pie spice to the mashed potatoes. Mix well and pour into prepared baking dish, spreading into an even layer.

Make The Topping

  • In a medium bowl, combine the 1/2 cup brown sugar, flour, pecans and 1/4 cup melted butter. Mix and pour evenly over sweet potatoes. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, adding the marshmallows for the last five minutes of baking. Serve warm!

Notes

  • This sweet potato casserole with marshmallows recipe calls for 1 cup of brown sugar total, but replace some or all of it with maple syrup, honey or agave nectar, if desired.
  • To make this recipe nut-free, replace the pecans with crushed pretzels! Or just go with a crumble topping, including the brown sugar flour mixture and topping with the butter.
  • Some of my readers are not fans of the marshmallows on top (it might be a Minnesota thing?), so feel free to omit, if desired.
  • Replace the fresh sweet potatoes with canned, if desired, but fresh is always best!

Nutrition

Calories: 412kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 59mg | Sodium: 190mg | Potassium: 405mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 35g | Vitamin A: 13775IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 70mg | Iron: 1mg

Did you make this recipe?If you loved this recipe, please rate the recipe and leave a comment below!

Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are the best toppings for sweet potatoes? ›

A good yogurt sauce can make a sweet potato complete, but of course you can always pile on other toppings, too. Drizzle your potato with yogurt sauce, then top with crumbled cooked sausage, especially spicy merguez or chorizo. Or, if you have any leftover roasted or braised meat, shred or chop it and crisp in a pan.

How do you keep a sweet potato casserole from getting runny? ›

How can I keep my sweet potato casserole from becoming watery? The sweet potato mixture will set up as it cools, but for an even thicker texture, you can add a spoon of cornstarch or flour to the filling before baking.

What are the ingredients in Savannah classic sweet potato casserole? ›

INGREDIENTS: Sweet Potatoes, Sugar, Water, Brown Sugar, Praline (sugar, pecans, butter cream, natural flavoring, corn syrup, salt), Liquid Margarine (soybean oil, water, vegetable mono & diglycerides, salt, natural flavor (includes milk), Vitamin A palmitate added, Vitamin D3).

What brings out the flavor of sweet potatoes? ›

Browning butter packs in tons of flavor, without dulling the sweet potatoes. Slow-roasting the sweet potatoes activates endogenous enzymes that bring out their natural sweetness. A touch of maple syrup, butter, and a bit of chopped thyme are the only embellishments these naturally sweet sweet potatoes need.

What makes sweet potatoes better? ›

They're high in fiber and antioxidants, which protect your body from free radical damage and promote a healthy gut and brain. They're also incredibly rich in beta carotene, which is converted to vitamin A to support good vision and your immune system.

Why put eggs in sweet potato casserole? ›

A really good sweet potato casserole filling should be light and moist, not dense. If it's dense, then you may not have added an often overlooked ingredient—an egg. An egg adds lift, structure and volume and makes the filling more custard-like.

How do I thicken up my sweet potato casserole? ›

However, if you prefer a really thick sweet potato casserole, you can add about 2-3 tablespoons of flour to your sweet potato batter and this will help the mixture to thicken. This is an especially good idea if using fresh sweet potatoes.

How long can sweet potato casserole sit out? ›

"Cooked food should not sit at room temperature more than two hours before putting it in the refrigerator or freezer (or one hour when the temperature is above 90°F)," she notes.

What variety of sweet potato is best for casserole? ›

Jewel. With copper skin and deep-orange flesh that's moist and tender when cooked, the jewel is a go-to potato for traditional baking and casseroles.

Why is my sweet potato casserole so watery? ›

Why is my sweet potato casserole watery? If you overcook your sweet potatoes, they may begin to absorb too much liquid, making them watery. It's important to cut your potatoes into equal-sized pieces so that they all cook at the same rate. Make sure to remove them from the steamer as soon as they are fork-tender!

Do you peel sweet potatoes before boiling for casserole? ›

There is not much difference between boiling sweet potatoes with the skins on versus peeling them, but you will get a boost of fiber and potassium if you keep the skin on. The skin also adds a subtle texture to each bite. If you're looking for a smoother mash, peel the potatoes first before boiling.

What tastes good on top of a sweet potato? ›

topping ideas:

Chives. Greek yogurt, or tzatziki. Guacamole. Creamy avocado cilantro lime dressing.

References

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