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My Southern Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping is the casserole of your dreams! Creamy whipped sweet potatoes with cinnamon and nutmeg, all topped off with crunchy pecans and sweet brown sugar instead of marshmallows. This is the best sweet potato recipe ever!
Jump to:
- What ingredients are in sweet potato casserole?
- Are yams and sweet potatoes the same thing?
- How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole without Marshmallows
- How do you thicken sweet potato casserole?
- Why are there eggs in sweet potato casserole?
- Is it better to boil or bake sweet potatoes?
- Can you make sweet potato casserole ahead of time?
- How to Store
- Does sweet potato casserole freeze well?
- What goes with sweet potato casserole?
- Best Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes
- Thanksgiving Potluck Ideas
- 📌 Pin it for later!
- 📋 Recipe
- 💬 Reviews
Isabel, I tried it and it was a hit with family and friends! I took it to a church Thanksgiving celebration and they raved about it! It was very delicious andI will be saving this as one of my favorites for Thanksgiving. ❤️
Veronica on Pinterest
What ingredients are in sweet potato casserole?
Our easy recipe requires just a handful of simple, fresh ingredients.
The best part is that you can make a delicious southern sweet potato casserole recipe using fresh sweet potatoes just as easily as if you were cracking open a can.
For the Casserole
- Large sweet potatoes
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Butter, melted
- Evaporated milk
- Vanilla
- Cinnamon
- Salt
- Nutmeg
For the Pecan Topping
- Brown sugar
- Butter, melted
- Chopped pecans
- Flour
Are yams and sweet potatoes the same thing?
Actual yams and sweet potatoes are not the same; however, most varieties of yam you find at the supermarket are actually sweet potatoes.
True yams have tough brown skin that looks like tree bark, while sweet potatoes have soft, light brown to reddish-brown or even purple skin.
There are three kinds of sweet potatoes: white, orange, and purple. We use regular orange sweet potatoes for this dish. Select sweet potatoes without any blemishes or bruises for the best results.
How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole without Marshmallows
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Pierce sweet potatoes all over with a fork, then place on a baking sheet. Bake until tender, about 60 minutes.
- Once cool enough to handle, peel and add them to a large mixing bowl. Whip with an electric hand or stand mixer until fluffy and smooth. You can also use a potato masher or fork instead for a coarser mash.
- Add sugar, eggs, butter, evaporated milk, vanilla, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg to the sweet potatoes. Mix until combined.
- Add the mixture to a square, 9 by 9-inch casserole dish. Spread the potatoes out evenly.
- Add butter, brown sugar, chopped pecans, and flour to a separate bowl, and mix well. Spread the pecan topping on top of the casserole in the dish, then bake for 30-35 minutes until heated through. Serve, and enjoy!
For full ingredient measurements and tips, keep scrolling to the recipe card below!
How do you thicken sweet potato casserole?
If you want to thicken your casserole a bit more, add an extra egg and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
Why are there eggs in sweet potato casserole?
Eggs help thicken the casserole and keep it at the perfect consistency.
Make sure to let your mashed sweet potatoes cool down enough before you beat in the eggs, so that it mixes through and does not cook.
Is it better to boil or bake sweet potatoes?
For sweet potato casserole, baking sweet potatoes is the way to go. Baked sweet potatoes have a deeper flavor than boiling, and so make a much more flavorful casserole.
Can you make sweet potato casserole ahead of time?
YES! You can easily turn this into the perfect make-ahead sweet potato casserole by cooking your sweet potatoes and whipping them up ahead of time.
Store them in your casserole dish, tightly covered in the refrigerator, for a couple of days.
You can also make the topping ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator, separate from the casserole.
The day that you’re ready to bake it, spread the topping on top and pop it in the oven.
How to Store
Our casserole will last up to 5 days in the refrigerator in an air-tight container.
Does sweet potato casserole freeze well?
Yes! Prepare the potatoes as instructed, but make the topping on the day you plan to bake the casserole.
Prepare the mashed sweet potatoes, then allow them to cool. Place in a freezer-safe baking dish wrapped tightly with foil and plastic wrap, and label with the freezing date. Freeze for up to 3 months.
When ready to bake, remove the dish from the freezer and let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Prepare the pecan topping, spread it on top, and bake as instructed. Enjoy!
It was delicious 😋 It went so fast I never got a photo! Thanks!
Lala on Pinterest
What goes with sweet potato casserole?
Thanksgiving first comes to mind when we think about serving baked sweet potato recipes, but this dish is also excellent with ham.
- Honey Sriracha Air Fryer Ham
- Instant Pot Ham Recipe with Brown Sugar Glaze
- The Easiest Honey Glazed Ham Recipe
It’s also a great holiday potluck dish or a side for any meal of the year, especially as a part of your buffet menu ideas. Try it with our Garlic Butter Turkey and a side of Portuguese Chorizo Stuffing.
Best Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes
For tips on thawing turkey in time for Thanksgiving, take a look at my guide on How to Thaw Turkey!
You could even enjoy this dish as a dessert (it is similar to a sweet potato pie recipe, after all!). Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Thanksgiving Potluck Ideas
Try more of our best holiday side dishes for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and more!
- Instant Pot Sage Sausage Stuffing
- Green Bean Casserole with Fresh Green Beans)
- Baked Creamed Corn Casserole
- Easy Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
- Best Creamy Mashed Potatoes
📌 Pin it for later!
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📋 Recipe
Southern Sweet Potato Casserole
Equipment
- 9 by 9-inch casserole idsh
Ingredients
- 4-5 sweet potatoes large
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1 stick butter melted
- ½ cup evaporated milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
Pecan Topping
- ½ stick butter melted
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup pecans chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Pierce sweet potatoes several times all over with a fork, and place on a baking sheet. Bake until tender, about 60 minutes.Once cool enough to handle, peel and add to a large mixing bowl. Whip potatoes with an electric mixer until fluffy and smooth. You need about 4 cups of whipped sweet potatoes.For coarser potatoes, or if you don't have an electric mixer, you can also use a potato masher or a fork.
- Add sugar, eggs, butter, evaporated milk, vanilla, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg to the potatoes. Mix until combined.
- Spread the sweet potato mixture evenly in a 9 by 9-inch baking dish.
- Add butter, brown sugar, flour, and chopped pecans to a bowl, and mix well. Spread evenly on top of the potatoes. Bake for 30-35 minutes until heated through.
Video
Notes
- Make it ahead of time: Turn this into a make ahead sweet potato casserole by cooking your sweet potatoes and whipping them up ahead of time. Store them, tightly covered, in a casserole dish in the refrigerator, for up to a couple of days ahead of time. You can make the topping ahead of time by simply preparing it and storing it to spread on before baking.
- Freeze it: Prepare the potatoes as instructed but make the topping on the day you plan to bake it. Thaw the casserole in the refrigerator overnight, and you are good to go!
Nutrition
Photography by Kristen King
Liz @ Books n' Cooks says
This looks really amazing!
David says
I am not a big fan of the sweet potatoes but i decided to try them out in this combination. I have to say that i am pleased i did. Thank you.
Em Beitel says
We are SO glad you tried it, David! We love this take on Sweet Potato Casserole.
Amanda says
I just made a DOUBLE batch of this. Can’t wait to show off in front of my family. Thanks for the recipe.
Em Beitel says
Awesome! Thanks so much for letting us know, Amanda!
Jack says
Mine is in the oven now. It smells so good. I tried a tiny bit with a spoon and i think it will taste as amazing as it smells.
Em Beitel says
So glad to hear it, Jack!
Anne says
This is such a wonderful recipe! I have made it many times now, and my family, particularly my parents, love it!
Em Beitel says
Thank you so much, Anne!
Jason says
Thank you for this absolutely wonderful recipe! I made this for Thanksgiving and got great reviews. Now i am making it again for my friends.
Em Beitel says
That is awesome! Thank you so much, Jason!