This super easy Sweet Potatoes Casserole combines buttery creamy sweet mashed sweet potatoes with a crunchy pecan topping. It is one of our favorite side dishes for the holidays and it is a family favorite for Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas!
Thanksgiving is right around the corner. It will be here before you know it so you had better have your ducks in a row. I like to try out new recipes before the big day so I am sure my guests will be pleased with the results. I have tested this one many times so there is no need to make yet another trial run. However, if you decide you must try it before the big day this casserole is absolutely scrumptious with baked chicken or roasted pork loin. This recipe makes about twelve servings so plan accordingly.
How do you make Sweet Potato Casserole?
First scrub, dry, and prick those sweet potatoes with a fork. Place on a baking sheet and bake for about one hour or until they are fork tender turning the sheet halfway through the baking process. Let the potatoes cool long enough to handle. Scoop the contents out with a spoon or peel the skins away with your fingers. Either process works so just do whichever process seems to be working the best.
Now in a large bowl mash together the sweet potatoes, brown sugar, beaten eggs, salt, softened butter, evaporated milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, ground cloves, and nutmeg with a potato masher or hand mixer. Spread the sweet potato mixture into a 9×13 inch or equivalent size baking dish. In a medium bowl combine brown sugar and flour. Using a pastry knife cut in the butter until the mixture is crumbled. Finally, stir in the chopped pecans and then spread the pecan crumble topping in an even layer over the sweet potato filling in the casserole dish. Bake for about thirty minutes turning the broiler on low for the last couple of minutes of baking.
Recipe notes and helpful tips
- For optimal flavor and texture use baked sweet potatoes as it brings out the natural sweetness in the potatoes. However, in a pinch, you can boil them in a large pot or use canned sweet potatoes just drain them well.
- Maple syrup can be substituted for the granulated sugar.
- Chop your pecans fairly fine so they blend well with the topping and spread nicely over the sweet potatoes.
- If desired, sprinkle the top with 2 cups of mini marshmallows after 15 minutes of baking.
- I like to turn the broiler on for the last couple of minutes of baking to lightly brown the top. But stay very close by and keep an eye on it as I have always found broilers very unpredictable.
- To prepare sweet potato casserole ahead of time hold the pecan topping in a separate air-tight container and sprinkle it on right before baking.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power or cover with aluminum foil and place in a 300-degree oven for 20-30 minutes or until hot.
Prepare Sweet Potato Casserole Ahead of Time
Make this casserole 1-2 days in advance. Prepare the casserole up to the point of adding the pecan crumble topping. Cover well and refrigerate. Remove the casserole from the fridge 40 minutes prior to baking to bring it to room temperature. Remove any covering and add the pecan topping. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
Other delicious holiday sides to try!
Best Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
Mashed Sweet Potatoes
- 3 large sweet potatoes
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 5 tablespoons butter softened
- 3/4 cup evaporated milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Crunchy Pecan Topping
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2/3 cup all purpose flour
- 8 tablespoons butter softened
- 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
Instructions
- Scrub, dry, and prick sweet potatoes with a fork. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 1 hour at 425 degrees or until fork tender turning the sheet halfway through the baking process. Let cool long enough to handle easily.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Scoop sweet potatoes out of the skin with a spoon and place them in a large bowl. Add sugar, beaten eggs, salt, butter, evaporated milk, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Mix well with a potato masher or on low with an electric mixer. Spread the mixture in the greased baking dish.
- In a medium bowl combine brown sugar and flour. Using a pastry knife cut in the butter until the mixture is crumbled. Stir in pecans; sprinkle mixture over sweet potatoes. Bake for 30 minutes; turn the broiler on low for the last 1 1/2-2 minutes of baking just to lightly brown the top.
Notes
- For optimal flavor and texture use baked sweet potatoes as it brings out the natural sweetness in the potatoes. However, in a pinch, you can boil them or use canned sweet potatoes just drain them well.
- Maple syrup can be substituted for the granulated sugar.
- Chop your pecans fairly fine so they blend well with the topping and spread nicely over the sweet potatoes.
- I like to turn the broiler on for the last couple of minutes of baking to lightly brown the top. But stay very close by and keep an eye on it as I have always found broilers very unpredictable.
- This recipe can be prepared ahead of time however hold the pecan topping in a separate air-tight container and sprinkle it on right before baking.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power or cover with aluminum foil and place in a 300-degree oven for 20-30 minutes or until hot.
Nutrition
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Diana
I made this yesterday for Thanksgiving for my guests and everyone raved about it. I used to make the typical casserole with marshmallows but this was so much better.
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much, Diana! So glad that you and your guests liked the sweet potato casserole!
Jasmine Martin
I am a big fan of sweet potato pie and this sweet potato casserole looks so freaking tasty. I am going to have to make this for my family this year!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Jasmine, Enjoy!
Nayna Kanabar
This sweet potato casserole is the best I have ever tried. We are going to make it again for our Thanksgiving celebration.
Ann
This is the second time making it, I did double up , I had a big group. They loved it.
Now I’m making it for someone to take home . I will put topping separate, they can top it when they heat it up.
Can it be frozen in the pan without topping for a couple of days?
Beth Pierce
Yes it can be. Just make sure your pan is freezer safe. They will ned to thaw it in the fridge overnight.
Yeah Lifestyle
Such a healthy and delicious recipe! I am going to try this as I do love pecan and sweet potato so it sounds like a winning combination
Tammy
This sweet potato casserole looks absolutely delicious! I love yams so this is definitely something to make for Thanksgiving!
Mosaic design
Great sweet potato casserole! It was so yummy. I love casseroles, perfect for winter.
Julie
I love sweet potato casserole! This looks amazing!
Kelly
I actually have some sweet potatoes that I need to use, this looks soooo delicious 😋
Natasha Mairs
I really love casserole dishes this time of year. This sweet potato recipe is so yummy and easy to make.
Laura
I love sweet potato but I am not used to making it sweet but it really turned out delicious.
Samantha Donnelly
I do love sweet potatoes and this casserole was so yummy. My picky son even loved it. We will make this one again soon.
Luna S
The crust on this looks so crunchy & delicious.
briannemanzb
This is one of my favorites of all your recipes! Super easy but so yummy
Alita Pacio
I’d love a great sweet potato casserole. I cannot wait to make this
Gervin Khan
This sweet potato recipe looks really delicious and easy.
Such a mouthwatering dish. Yum!
Brent
This looks amazing! Couldn’t agree with you more about baking the sweet potatoes too – adds so much wonderful flavour.
Beth Pierce
Thanks Brent! Enjoy!
Catalina
There is no Thanksgiving without a sweet potato casserole. So yummy!
Sandra
This looks really amazing! Such a great recipe to add to our Thanksgiving table!
Sara Welch
Thanksgiving isn’t Thanksgiving without this fabulous dish! Definitely adding this to my Thanksgiving menu this year! Delish!
Allyson Zea
Totally adding this to my Thanksgiving menu! Thank you!
annie
This is just how I like my sweet potatoes!
jade manning
This is an awesome way of having sweet potato! Truly delicious recipe!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert
This super easy Sweet Potato Casserole seriously making me hungry!