5.0 from 1 vote

Sweet Potato Casserole is a holiday dish that has been enjoyed for generations. It’s a delightful treat that is made to perfectly balance the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes with a buttery pecan topping. It’s a holiday staple that compliments the Thanksgiving dinner plate. Sweet potato casserole adds a nostalgic element that undeniably brings warmth to you holiday table. Today I will share with you this simple, easy to follow, delicious recipe.

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How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Sweet Potato Mixture:

Sweet Potatoes: The base of the casserole, these sweet potatoes provide a naturally creamy and sweet foundation.
Eggs: Eggs act as a binder, giving the casserole its smooth and cohesive texture.
Milk: Milk adds creaminess and ensures a silky consistency for the sweet potato mixture.
Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla enhances the natural sweetness and adds a warm, aromatic flavor.
Sugar: Sugar sweetens the dish to dessert-like perfection without overpowering the natural sweetness of the potatoes.
Salt: A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
Butter: Butter enriches the mixture with a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Nutmeg: Nutmeg introduces a nutty, warm spice that complements the sweetness.
Cinnamon: A dash of cinnamon adds a cozy, aromatic flavor that ties everything together.

For the Topping:

Purpose Flour: Flour forms the base of the crumbly topping, giving it structure and texture.
Brown Sugar: Brown sugar adds sweetness and a hint of molasses flavor to the topping.
Butter: Butter binds the topping ingredients together, creating a crispy, golden crust.
Pecans: Chopped pecans add a crunchy, nutty finish that contrasts perfectly with the creamy sweet potato filling.

You Will Need

Watch Video Tutorial for Sweet Potato Casserole

Instructions for Sweet Potato Casserole

Step 1: Prepare Your Sweet Potatoes

Set your oven to 350°F so it’s ready for baking once your casserole is assembled. Fill a large pot with water and then add your sweet potatoes. Allow your sweet potatoes to cook for 35 to 40 minutes, or until they are soft enough to be easily pierced with a fork. Once they are done, drain the water and let the sweet potatoes cool completely. Pro Tip: Cooling the sweet potatoes makes peeling easier and ensures they mix smoothly with the other ingredients.

Step 2: Prepare the Topping

Add your pecans to a food processor and chop them into small, even pieces. If you prefer a chunkier texture, pulse the pecans lightly. If you don’t have a food processor, you can place the pecans in a ziploc bag and gently pound them with a mallet. In a separate bowl, combine the brown sugar, all-purpose flour, chopped pecans and butter. Using a fork or a pastry cutter, mix until the topping is crumbly and well combined. This buttery, nutty topping is what gives the casserole its signature crunch.

Step 3: Make the Sweet Potato Mixture

Once your sweet potatoes are cool, peel them and place them in a stand mixing bowl and begin mixing. Add the sugar and butter and continue mixing until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Incorporate the egs and milk, mixing thoroughly to ensure the eggs are fully incorporated. Stir in the salt, nutmeg, cinnamon and 1 vanilla extract. Mix until all ingredients are well combined. The spices and vanilla extract enhance the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes, creating a perfectly balanced base.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake

Pour the sweet potato mixture into a baking dish and evenly spread the mixture in your dish to ensure it cooks uniformly. Sprinkle the prepared topping over the sweet potato mixture, distributing it evenly across the surface. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. The topping should become golden and slightly crispy while the sweet potato base remains soft and creamy. Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. This dish is best enjoyed warm, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.

Why We Love Sweet Potato Casserole

This recipe is a holiday favorite because it is a perfect balance of flavor and texture. The natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes is enhanced by pecan and brown sugar topping. The contrast between the creamy sweet potato base and the crunchy pecan topping adds a satisfying bite to every spoonful, making it a true crowd-pleaser.

The warm spices, like cinnamon and nutmeg, bring a cozy holiday vibe that’s sure to fill your kitchen with festive cheer. For the best results, opt for fresh, high-quality sweet potatoes; their firm texture and rich flavor make all the difference.

Planning ahead? You can prepare the sweet potato mixture and topping a day in advance—just keep them separate in the fridge and assemble right before baking. And if you love to make a recipe your own, there are plenty of options to customize! Swap pecans for walnuts or almonds, adjust the sugar for a less sweet version, or add mini marshmallows during the last five minutes of baking for a classic twist.

This sweet potato casserole is not just a dish; it’s a tradition waiting to be shared! 🥧✨

Serving Suggestions

Sweet Potato Casserole pairs beautifully with Thanksgiving classics like turkey, cranberry sauce, and stuffing. It can also double as a dessert, especially when topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Storage and Reheating

If you have leftover sweet potato casserole, it can be easy stored in the refrigerator. Make sure to store your casserole is an airtight container. Sweet potato casserole can be store in the fridge for up to 4 days.

If you want to enjoy a sweet potato casserole much later, It is possible to freeze. I recommend freezing it without the pecan topping. Storing your casserole in an airtight container can keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.

When reheating your casserole whether from the fridge or freezer, warm it in the oven at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes, or until it has heated through.

Refrigeration:
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezing:
Freeze the casserole (without the topping) for up to 3 months. Add the topping fresh before reheating.
Reheating:
Warm the casserole in the oven at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.

A Sweet Tradition

Sweet Potato Casserole is more than just a dish; it’s a holiday tradition that everyone loves. Whether you’re sharing it at your family’s Thanksgiving gathering, a Friendsgiving, or a holiday potluck, this recipe is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Its blend of flavors and textures makes it a standout side dish that leaves everyone coming back for more.

With its comforting flavors and ease of preparation, Sweet Potato Casserole deserves a spot on your holiday menu. Try this recipe, and let us know how it turns out! What are your favorite twists on this classic dish? Share your tips and stories in the comments below.

Other Great Recipes

Sweet Potato Casserole

Recipe by Soul Food Cooking

5.0 from 1 vote

Course: SidesCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

hour

minutes

Calories

300

kcal

Ingredients

3 large sweet potatoes
2 eggs
½ cup of milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup of sugar
½ teaspoon of salt
¼ cup of butter
½ teaspoon of nutmeg
1 teaspoon cinnamon
For the Topping:
1 ¼ cups of all-purpose flour
1 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons butter
1 cup pecans

Directions

Set your oven to 350°F.
Fill a large pot with water and add your sweet potatoes. Allow them to cook for 35 to 40 minutes, or until they are soft enough to be pierced easily with a fork.
Once done, drain the water and let the sweet potatoes cool completely.
Add the pecans to a food processor and chop them into small, even pieces. If you prefer a chunkier texture, pulse the pecans lightly.
In a separate bowl, combine: 1 cup of brown sugar, 1¼ cups of all-purpose flour, the chopped pecans and 3 tablespoons of butter.
Using a fork or a pastry cutter, mix until the topping is crumbly and well combined.
Once your sweet potatoes are cool, peel them and place them in a mixing bowl. Using a stand mixer, add the sweet potatoes, ½ cup of sugar and ¼ cup of butter.
Continue mixing until the butter melts and the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Add 2 eggs and ½ cup of milk to the sweet potato mixture. Mix thoroughly to ensure the eggs are fully incorporated.
Add ½ teaspoon of salt,½ teaspoon of nutmeg, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and continue mixing until all ingredients are well combined.
Pour the Sweet Potato Mixture into a Baking Dish:
Evenly spread the mixture in your dish to ensure it cooks uniformly.
Sprinkle the prepared topping over the sweet potato mixture, distributing it evenly across the surface.
Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. The topping should become golden and slightly crispy while the sweet potato base remains soft and creamy.
Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

Soul Food Cooking

Sweet Potato Casserole: A Comforting Thanksgiving Classic