Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe (VIDEO) (2024)

Our Sweet Potato Casserole with pecan streusel topping is the ultimate holiday side dish. This classic recipe features a fluffy and satisfying sweet potato layer topped with a streusel topping that’s so crunchy and buttery. It’s so easy to make that this family favorite is sure to earn a permanent spot at your family’s table.

This is the best sweet potato casserole recipe I’ve ever tasted, so it is always served on our Thanksgiving menu alongside our Juicy Roast Turkey, an unforgettable Turkey Gravy, Green Bean Casserole, and Pumpkin Pie. In fact, we love it so much it makes an appearance at Christmas, Easter, and sometimes family meals throughout the year.

Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe (VIDEO) (1)

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Sweet Potato Casserole Video

Watch Natasha make this sweet potato casserole and you’ll see just how easy this is! If you make this recipe for Thanksgiving or Christmas, I’d love to hear about it.

The Best Sweet Potato Casserole

We are major sweet potato fans over here, and we can’t seem to get enough. This sweet potato bake is my sister Tanya’s recipe and the dish she brings every year for Thanksgiving.

There’s nothing more comforting than the sweet smells, luxurious texture, and crisp nutty topping. It’s sweet enough for dessert, but not too sweet to be served beside Prime Rib Roast on Christmas.

Here’s why you’ll love it this holiday season—and all year around:

  • So simple and easy to make
  • Make ahead and freezer-friendly
  • Easy to scale up or down for big or small parties
  • Crowd-pleasing that doubles as a side dish and dessert in one
  • Can be made vegan and gluten-free
  • Customizable topping—including marshmallows!
Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe (VIDEO) (2)

Ingredients

Our sweet potato casserole recipe features the best Fall ingredients combined to make the ultimate comfort dish.

  • Sweet Potatoes – You’ll need 4 lbs or 4 large potatoes for about 6 cups once mashed. Choose firm potatoes with dark, blemish-free and even-colored skin
  • Egg, Sugar, Butter, and Vanilla – give the potato layer incredible texture, flavor, and airiness. It almost puffs like a souffle. See below for vegan substitutes
  • Dried Cranberries – while optional, Craisins give the mixture a bit of tang to contrast the heavy flavors and sweetness.
  • Brown Sugar – use light brown sugar for a more subtle flavor and dark brown sugar for a more deep caramel sweetness
  • Flour – all-purpose works great, or swap with your favorite gluten-free flour substitute for gluten-free sweet potato casserole
  • Butter – binds the streusel topping and balances the sweetness. Replace with vegan butter for dairy-free sweet potato casserole
  • Pecans – adds great crunch, substitute with walnuts or they but can be omitted to be allergy-friendly, coarsely chop or leave whole
Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe (VIDEO) (3)

Pro Tip

While fresh sweet potatoes taste best in this recipe, you can use canned yams. You’ll need 3 large 29 oz cans, but be sure to drain well and cut the butter in the filling to 3 Tbsp to account for the added moisture.

Substitutions

Try some of these easy swaps to make the casserole your own:

  • Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole: Replace the eggs with 3/4 cup applesauce or you can omit them, but it won’t be as airy. Also, replace the butter with your favorite butter substitute.
  • Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows: cover the streusel or replace the streusel topping with mini marshmallows.
  • Adjust the white sugar to your liking. For example, make a less sweet filling by reducing sugar to 1/4 cup or replacing it with your favorite sugar substitute.
  • Add a splash of maple syrup to the filling for a hint of maple flavor
  • Change the texture: Leave the sweet potatoes in chunks for a dish similar to Southern candied yams, or on the other hand, try to whip the potatoes in a stand mixer for a more airy potato layer.

How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole

In just a few easy steps, you can make this irresistible recipe for sweet potato casserole.

Make the Sweet Potato Filling

  • Peel and chop sweet potatoes into 1″ chunks. Cover with water and boil for 10-15 minutes until fork-tender. Mash with a potato masher or use an electric hand mixer for super creamy potatoes.
  • Preheat Oven to 350˚F. In a bowl, whisk together: 3 eggs and 1/2 cup sugar. Whisk in 6 Tbsp melted butter and 1/2 Tbsp vanilla. Stir butter mixture into sweet potatoes then fold in 1 cup craisins and spread into a 9×13 casserole dish.
Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe (VIDEO) (4)

How to Make the Streusel Topping

This is the easiest pecan topping for a sweet potato casserole and you’ll love the crunchy texture.

  1. Combine 2/3 cup brown sugar and 1/3 cup flour. Add 3 Tbsp of diced cold butter and rub the butter with the sugar mixture using your fingertips until pea-sized crumbs form. Stir in the pecans. You can use a pastry blender to keep your hands clean.
  2. Sprinkle mixture evenly over sweet potato mixture and bake uncovered at 350˚F uncovered for 35-40 minutes or until hot and sweet potatoes start to puff at the edges.
Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe (VIDEO) (5)

Pro Tip

For a sweeter flavor, bake the sweet potatoes. Simply wash the outside, pierce the skin with a fork several times, and then place on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for 45 minutes. Then remove skins before mashing.

Make-Ahead

The holidays can get busy so you’ll appreciate that this is make-ahead friendly and no one will know you prepped it early.

  • Prep Ahead – You can make the sweet potato layer and spread it into the dish. Make the topping, but keep it separately in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. When ready to bake, add the topping to the potatoes before baking.
  • Refrigerate Leftovers – Once completely cooled, cover and refrigerate for 3-5 days
  • Freezing Leftovers – Cover with foil or in a freezer-friendly container, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
  • To Reheat – Bake in a preheated 350˚F oven for 20 minutes or until heated through.

Common Questions

Can I substitute canned yams?

Yes, but we encourage you to consider cooking your own sweet potatoes since they taste that much better than canned. You’ll need 3 large cans. Also, don’t forget to drain the yams well and reduce the sugar to make up for the moisture and syrup.

Are canned yams and sweet potatoes the same?

If you’re wondering what’s the difference between sweet potatoes and yams, check out this explanation from Eating Well Magazine. The canned yams are actually sweet potatoes by the wrong name and are usually packed in a sugary syrup. Fresh sweet potatoes are packed with fiber, beta-carotene, vitamin C, and potassium, and you control the sugar. Try using fresh! You’ll love the flavor and it’s so easy!

Can I double the recipe?

Absolutely. This doubles well, although you may need to increase cooking time. Just be sure the casserole is warmed all the way through.

Can I add marshmallows?

We love the crunchy pecan topping, but here’s a trick if your guests are used to sweet potato casserole with marshmallows. Add about 1 1/2 cups of mini marshmallows on top of the streusel topping. The best of both versions! You can also substitute mini marshmallows for the streusel topping.

What to Serve with Sweet Potato Casserole

We make this casserole year-round, but it’s best known on holiday menus. Try serving it alongside these other delicious sides:

  • Roast Turkey
  • Deviled Eggs
  • Au Gratin Potatoes
  • Oven-Roasted Broccoli
  • Soft Dinner Rolls
Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe (VIDEO) (6)

With its crunchy pecan topping and sweet spiced mashed sweet potato layer, our sweet potato casserole recipe is the perfect addition to your holiday table. Wow your guests with a scoop of this delicious dish at your next potluck.

More Sweet Potato Recipes

If you love this sweet potato casserole recipe, then you won’t want to miss these other sweet potato recipes.

  • Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
  • Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Bacon
  • Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
  • Roasted Sweet Potato Salad
  • Creamy Sweet Potato Soup
  • Baked Sweet Potato

Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

5 from 185 votes

Author: Natasha Kravchuk

Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe (VIDEO) (8)

Easy Sweet Potato Casserole with an irresistible crunchy pecan topping. This recipe is so flavorful. The sweet potatoes are soft, smooth and puff up slightly while baking.

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Ingredients

Servings: 10 as a side dish

  • 4 lbs sweet potatoes, 6 cups mashed
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 6 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 1/2 Tbsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup craisins, dried cranberries
  • 2/3 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour, or gluten-free flour substitute
  • 3 Tbsp unsalted butter, cold, diced
  • 1 cup pecans, coarsely chopped

Instructions

How to Make Mashed Sweet Potatoes:

  • Peel and chop sweet potatoes into 1" chunks. Add to a large pot with enough water to cover surface of potatoes and bring to a boil. Cook uncovered at a medium/low boil about until easily pierced with a fork (about 10-15 minutes). Drain and mash (mash with an electric mixer to make it even creamier).

How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole:

  • Preheat Oven to 350˚F. In a large bowl, whisk together 3 eggs, 1/2 cup sugar, 6 Tbsp melted butter and 1/2 Tbsp vanilla. Stir butter mixture into cooked sweet potatoes then stir in 1 cup craisins. Spread sweet potato mix evenly into a 9×13 casserole dish.

  • In a small bowl, combine 2/3 cup brown sugar and 1/3 cup flour. Add butter and use your hands to rub the mixture together until pea-sized crumbs form. Stir in 1 cup chopped pecans. Sprinkle over sweet potatoes and bake at 350˚F uncovered for 35-40 min or until hot and sweet potatoes start to puff at edges.

Nutrition Per Serving

483kcal Calories75g Carbs5g Protein19g Fat7g Saturated Fat76mg Cholesterol124mg Sodium699mg Potassium7g Fiber40g Sugar26135IU Vitamin A4.5mg Vitamin C85mg Calcium1.9mg Iron

  • Full Nutrition Label
  • Nutrition Disclosure

Nutrition Facts

Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

Amount per Serving

Calories

483

% Daily Value*

Fat

19

g

29

%

Saturated Fat

7

g

44

%

Sodium

124

mg

5

%

Potassium

699

mg

20

%

Carbohydrates

75

g

25

%

Fiber

7

g

29

%

Sugar

40

g

44

%

Protein

5

g

10

%

Vitamin A

26135

IU

523

%

Vitamin C

4.5

mg

5

%

Calcium

85

mg

9

%

Iron

1.9

mg

11

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: sweet potato casserole

Skill Level: Easy

Cost to Make: $$

Calories: 483

Natasha Kravchuk

Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe (VIDEO) (9)

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

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Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe (VIDEO) (2024)

FAQs

How do you make sweet potato casserole not runny? ›

Maple syrup, a dash of cinnamon, brown sugar and vanilla all make an appearance for an incredible flavor. It's hearty and satisfying. Eggs and cream help stabilize the dish and prevent it from becoming too runny (a common complaint with many sweet potato casserole recipes). Make it as smooth or chunky as you like!

Why put egg 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 do you make a casserole less runny? ›

10 Tips To Fix Or Prevent Watery Casseroles
  1. Prep Vegetables Ahead Of Time. Vegetables boiling on a stove - Solstock/Getty Images. ...
  2. Add A Starch. ...
  3. Experiment With Pasta Or Grains. ...
  4. Take The Lid Off. ...
  5. Drain Fat From Meat. ...
  6. Choose A Dry Or Low-Fat Cheese. ...
  7. Sprinkle Seeds Into Your Bake. ...
  8. Remove Excess Liquid.
Oct 29, 2023

How do you make a sweet potato casserole not stringy? ›

Then to make it essentially string free, push the hot sweet potatoes through a good quality kitchen sieve with the back of a large spoon. After cooking the sweet potatoes run them through a ricer. Boil them chopped into large portions - skin on with a slit in the skin for easy peel back.

Why do you soak sweet potatoes before baking? ›

The cold water bath helps rinse the starch off the sweet potatoes so they're a bit more crispy. That said, if you do not have the time, you can still get crispy baked sweet potato fries by using high heat and a little drizzle of olive oil.

Can I leave eggs out of sweet potato casserole? ›

Eggs (or not!)

– I've made this sweet potato casserole with and without eggs, both ways are delicious. The eggs act as a binder and gives the casserole a light and fluffy texture. Without eggs, the casserole doesn't have as much structure but it still silky smooth and tastes delicious.

Why do Americans put marshmallows on sweet potato casserole? ›

According to an article from Saveur Magazine documented by the Library of Congress, the first recipe of mashed sweet potatoes with marshmallows dates to 1917, when "marketers of Angelus Marshmallows hired Janet McKenzie Hill, founder of the Boston Cooking School Magazine, to develop recipes for a booklet designed to ...

What goes with sweet potato casserole? ›

Sweet potato casserole seems like it would be a dessert given the sugar and marshmallows, but it's Thanksgiving and anything goes! I always serve this as a side dish along with all the other good stuff like mashed potatoes and stuffing and save the pumpkin pie and apple cake for dessert!

Can you eat sweet potato casserole left out overnight? ›

Once they've been cooked, however, they should go in a shallow airtight container or zip-top bag in the fridge. They'll stay good there for about five days. Tip: You shouldn't leave cooked sweet potatoes at room temperature for more than two hours, as this can promote bacteria growth and cause foodborne illness.

What to put on sweet potatoes besides butter? ›

Other combinations that aren't just butter:

Green salsa (for a sweet potato) Miso + gochujang. Miso + honey + Thai chiles, red pepper flakes, or sambal. Black tahini.

Can I use canned sweet potatoes instead of fresh? ›

Canned or frozen sweet potatoes may be substituted for the fresh form in any recipe calling for cooked sweet potatoes as the starting point. Canned sweet potatoes are generally smaller in diameter because of their better canning qualities.

Can you overcook sweet potatoes? ›

Unfortunately, yes! If your sweet potatoes cook too long in the oven they can overbake and become dry. The insides will become mushy. Moving your sweet potato cubes around and checking them periodically can help avoid overcooking.

Are yams and sweet potatoes the same? ›

No, yams and sweet potatoes are not the same. Yams have rough, dark brown skin that is often compared to tree bark, and their flesh is dry and starchy like a regular potato. Sweet potatoes have smooth reddish skin, softer flesh (when cooked), and a sweet flavor.

What do I do if my potato bake is too runny? ›

Try letting the dish rest for 10 minutes or so to let the water get absorbed and let the sauce thicken. Try cooking your recipe longer.

How do you keep sweet potato mash from getting watery? ›

How Do I Make Sure My Mashed Sweet Potatoes are Not Watery? To make sure your potatoes aren't watery, don't overcook the potatoes. It's also important to drain the potatoes completely once you're done boiling them to avoid having unwanted water lingering in your pot.

How can I thicken up my sweet potatoes? ›

Forget what the mixer chick said, make your mashed sweet potatoes like you would normal mashed potato, then heat up a frying pan/skillet until it's super hot, add a bit of oil or butter as extra lubricant, and throw some mash in it, it will evaporate some moisture and make it thicker, plus give it a slight toasty ...

How do you remove excess water from sweet potatoes? ›

Freezing sweet potatoes drives excess water out of the potato, resulting in an interior with more concentrated flavor.

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