The Best Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe: Creamy, Cozy Comfort Food

When comfort meets culinary magic, this irresistible sweet potato casserole recipe delivers pure Southern charm.

Creamy, velvety sweet potatoes create a luscious base that melts in your mouth.

Topped with a crispy, golden pecan streusel, each spoonful promises a delightful contrast of textures.

The warm spices dance perfectly with the natural sweetness of the potatoes.

Butter and brown sugar weave their enchantment throughout the dish, creating a heavenly side that steals the spotlight at any gathering.

One bite, and you’ll understand why this casserole becomes the star of every holiday table.

Sweet Potato Casserole: Family Favorite Perks

• Elevate Holiday Gatherings: This sweet potato casserole transforms ordinary meals into spectacular celebrations, bringing warmth and excitement to family dinners and festive occasions.
• Customize with Ease: Swap pecans for different nuts or add marshmallows to create a personalized twist that suits every taste preference and dietary need.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Incredibly simple to prepare with basic ingredients, this recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimal cooking skills required, making it perfect for novice and experienced cooks alike.
• Nutritious Comfort Food: Packed with vitamin-rich sweet potatoes and offering a delightful balance of sweet and crunchy textures, this dish provides a healthier alternative to traditional desserts while satisfying comfort food cravings.

Sweet Potato Casserole Ingredient Checklist

• Sweet Potatoes: Fresh root vegetables that form the core foundation of this creamy casserole.
• Butter: Provides rich flavor and smooth texture to the sweet potato mixture.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps balance the natural flavor of sweet potatoes.
• Milk: Creates a creamy and smooth consistency in the casserole.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and help create a soft, custard-like texture.

• Vanilla Extract, Cinnamon, Salt: Add depth, warmth, and balance to the sweet potato base.

• Flour, Brown Sugar, Pecans: Create a crunchy, sweet, and nutty streusel topping that complements the creamy sweet potato base.

Simple Sweet Potato Casserole Steps

Step 1: Fire Up The Oven

Turn your oven to a cozy 350°F and lovingly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.

Step 2: Transform Sweet Potatoes

Submerge sweet potatoes in boiling water and cook until they’re fork-tender, around 15-20 minutes.

Drain completely and mash into a creamy texture.

Step 3: Create Magical Sweet Potato Base

• Melted butter
• Granulated sugar
• Whole milk
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Ground cinnamon
• Pinch of salt

Whisk everything until silky smooth and well combined.

Step 4: Fill Baking Dish

Pour the luscious mixture into your prepared baking dish, spreading evenly with a spatula.

Step 5: Craft Crunchy Pecan Topping

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

Mix until the texture resembles delicate crumbs.

Step 6: Sprinkle Topping

Generously scatter the pecan mixture across the sweet potato base, ensuring even coverage.

Step 7: Bake To Golden Perfection

Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, watching for a gorgeous golden-brown topping.

Step 8: Serve And Celebrate

Pull out your masterpiece, let it cool slightly, and serve warm to eager guests.

Tips for a Fluffy Casserole

• Use a potato masher or hand mixer for ultra-smooth sweet potato texture without lumps.
• Adjust sugar levels to suit your taste, reducing amount for a less sweet side dish.
• Replace some butter with Greek yogurt for a healthier, protein-rich version of the casserole.
• Add a pinch of nutmeg or ground ginger to complement the cinnamon and create a more complex taste profile.
• Pat pecans dry before adding to the crumble to maintain a crisp, crunchy topping texture.

New Takes on Sweet Potato Casserole

• Vegan Sweet Potato Delight: Replace eggs with flax eggs, use coconut milk instead of dairy milk, and swap butter for coconut oil or vegan butter.
• Gluten-Free Pecan Casserole: Use gluten-free flour blend instead of regular flour for the topping, ensuring celiac-friendly preparation.
• Maple Nut Alternative: Substitute white sugar with maple syrup for a richer, deeper flavor profile and use almond flour for a nutty topping variation.
• Low-Sugar Wellness Version: Replace sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener, reduce overall sweetness, and add extra cinnamon for natural sweetness.

Sweet Potato Casserole on the Table

• Festive Family Feast: Pair this sweet potato casserole with roasted turkey or honey-glazed ham for a classic holiday meal that brings everyone together.
• Southern Comfort Plating: Serve alongside crispy green beans, cornbread, and cranberry sauce to create a traditional Southern-style dinner spread that celebrates comfort food.
• Brunch Brilliance: Transform leftovers into a morning delight by topping a slice with a dollop of whipped cream or serving alongside scrambled eggs for a decadent weekend brunch experience.
• Dessert Twist: Elevate the dish by adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream or drizzling caramel sauce on top, turning this side dish into a show-stopping sweet finale for your meal.

Best Storage for Sweet Potato Casserole

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Cover with plastic wrap or lid to maintain freshness and prevent odors from spreading.
• Transfer cooled casserole to a freezer-safe dish. Wrap tightly with aluminum foil or freezer wrap. Keeps well for 2-3 months. Label with date for tracking.
• Thaw overnight in refrigerator. Warm at 350°F for 20-25 minutes, covering with foil to prevent topping from burning. Add extra pecans if desired for crunch.
• Place individual portions on microwave-safe plate. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute warmth evenly. Watch carefully to avoid drying out sweet potato mixture.

FAQs

• Can I use canned sweet potatoes instead of fresh ones?

Yes, you can use canned sweet potatoes. Drain them well and mash thoroughly before mixing with other ingredients.

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

Absolutely! Prepare the casserole up to the point of baking, cover, and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Add an extra 10-15 minutes to baking time when cooking from cold.

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

They’re done when a fork easily pierces through the potato with little resistance. They should be soft but not falling apart.

• Can I substitute pecans with another nut?

Certainly! Walnuts or almonds work great as an alternative topping if you prefer or have them on hand.

The Best Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

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4.6 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Comfort meets elegance in this classic Sweet Potato Casserole, a Southern delicacy that blends creamy mashed sweet potatoes with a crispy pecan streusel topping. Rich, golden, and irresistibly warm, you’ll savor each spoonful of this heartwarming holiday favorite.

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Ingredients

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Potatoes:

• 4 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced

Main Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted (113 grams)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100 grams)
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten

Liquid and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup milk (120 milliliters)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
2. Submerge whole sweet potatoes in boiling water and cook until fork-tender, approximately 15-20 minutes.
3. Drain potatoes and allow to cool slightly before peeling and mashing into a smooth consistency.
4. Whisk together mashed sweet potatoes with melted butter, granulated sugar, milk, eggs, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt until thoroughly combined.
5. Transfer the creamy potato mixture into the prepared baking dish, ensuring an even surface.
6. Create the crumble topping by combining flour, brown sugar, and melted butter until it resembles coarse crumbs.
7. Fold chopped pecans into the crumble mixture for added texture and nutty flavor.
8. Generously distribute the pecan crumble across the sweet potato base, covering the entire surface.
9. Place in preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, watching for a golden-brown topping and slight bubbling around edges.
10. Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle and topping to crisp.

Notes

• Swap regular sugar with coconut sugar or maple syrup for a lower glycemic index and more natural sweetness.
• Toast pecans before adding to the topping for an enhanced nutty flavor and extra crunch that elevates the entire dish.
• Consider using Greek yogurt instead of milk to increase protein content and create a creamier, richer texture in the sweet potato base.
• Prepare this casserole ahead of time by assembling and refrigerating up to 24 hours before baking, which helps blend flavors and simplifies holiday meal preparation.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 238
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 86 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 37 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg