Best Sweet Potato Casserole
Add warmth and flavor to your holiday meal with this delicious sweet potato casserole! Creamy sweet potato filling topped with a crunchy pecan streusel.
Sweet potato casserole is a classic dish that imparts warmth and comfort to any meal, especially during the holiday season. This recipe combines the natural sweetness of roasted sweet potatoes with the richness of butter, brown sugar, and vanilla, resulting in a creamy and flavorful base. Topped with a crunchy pecan streusel, this casserole offers a delightful contrast of textures that will have everyone returning for another helping.
Whether you’re serving it as a side dish for Thanksgiving or as a comforting treat for a family dinner, this sweet potato casserole is sure to become a family favorite. It’s a crowd-pleaser!
Why You’ll Love It
Classic holiday favorite. This creamy sweet potato casserole with a buttery pecan topping brings warmth and comfort to any festive meal.
Perfect balance of textures. The smooth, fluffy sweet potato filling contrasts beautifully with the crisp, nutty streusel topping.
Easy to prepare ahead. You can make it in stages, refrigerate, and bake before serving—ideal for busy holiday kitchens.
Ingredient Notes
- Sweet potatoes – Use 2½ to 3 pounds of fresh sweet potatoes, scrubbed and boiled whole for easier peeling.
- Butter – Softened butter adds richness to the filling; cold butter makes the streusel crumbly.
- Brown sugar – Either light or dark brown sugar works; dark gives deeper caramel notes.
- Milk – Whole milk provides creaminess, but half-and-half or evaporated milk can substitute.
- Eggs – Lightly beaten eggs help the casserole set with a smooth, custardy texture.
- Vanilla extract – Brings a warm flavor that enhances the sweet potatoes.
- Flour – Used in the topping to bind the brown sugar and butter mixture.
- Pecans – Provide crunch and a toasted, nutty flavor in the streusel topping.
Steps to Make Sweet Potato Casserole
- Boil the sweet potatoes until fork-tender, then let them cool slightly.
- Heat the oven and butter a baking dish.
- Peel the sweet potatoes and mash them with butter, sugar, and salt until smooth.
- Whisk the milk, eggs, and vanilla together and stir into the mashed sweet potatoes.
- Spread the mixture in the prepared baking dish.
- Combine brown sugar, flour, and cold butter to form crumbs. Stir in the pecans.
- Sprinkle the topping over the sweet potato mixture.
- Bake until the topping is golden brown and the filling is set.
Make-Ahead Tip
Prepare the sweet potato filling the day before and refrigerate it in the baking dish. Store the topping separately. When ready to bake, let the casserole sit at room temperature for about 45 minutes, then sprinkle with the topping and bake as directed. If it’s still cold, allow a few extra minutes in the oven.Recipe Variations
- Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole: Add a splash of bourbon to the sweet potato filling mixture. The alcohol will all but disappear, leaving a rich, caramel-like flavor that pairs well with the brown sugar and pecans.
- Marshmallow and Pecans: Spread a layer of mini marshmallows over the pecan topping during the last 5 minutes or so of baking.
- Maple Pecan: Replace some of the brown sugar in the filling with maple syrup and drizzle maple syrup over the top of the baked casserole.
- Cranberry Pecan Topping: Incorporate some dried cranberries into the pecan topping to add a tart and chewy contrast to the sweet, crunchy topping.
What to Serve With Sweet Potato Casserole
- Poultry: It’s the perfect side dish for a holiday roast turkey or Sunday roast chicken. It’s also excellent with fried chicken.
- Ham: A sweet potato casserole complements ham’s salty, smoky flavors beautifully. Serve it with baked ham or ham steaks.
- Pork: Serve the casserole alongside pork tenderloin or a pulled pork meal.
- Beef: Add the dish to a roast beef dinner menu or serve it with steaks.
- Fish and Seafood: The sweet potatoes pair nicely with a fish like salmon. Or choose a milder fish like tilapia.
How to Store and Reheat
Refrigerate: Cool the sweet potato casserole and transfer to an airtight container within 2 hours. Enjoy leftovers within 3 to 4 days.
Freeze: For longer storage, freeze the whole casserole or individual portions in airtight containers. Label with the name and date and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight.
Reheat: Warm in a 350 °F oven or microwave until hot. The USDA recommends heating leftovers to a minimum internal temperature of 165 °F.
Best Sweet Potato Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 to 3 pounds sweet potatoes
- 1/2 cup butter , 113 grams (softened)
- 3/4 cup brown sugar , 159 grams (light or dark, packed)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup milk, 113 grams
- 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Topping
- 1/2 cup brown sugar , 106 grams (light or dark)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 64 grams
- 1/2 cup butter, 113 grams (cold)
- Pinch salt
- 1 1/2 cups pecans, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the Sweet Potatoes: Scrub the sweet potatoes and place them in a large saucepan. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to medium and cover the pan. Cook for 40 to 55 minutes or until they are tender. Drain and let them stand until cool enough to handle.
- Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish: Heat the oven to 375°F and butter a 2 to 2 1/2-quart casserole.
- Peel the Sweet Potatoes: Slip the skins off of the sweet potatoes and place them in a large bowl with 1/2 cup of softened unsalted butter, 3/4 cup of brown sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Combine the milk, eggs, and vanilla in a separate small bowl. Whisk until smooth. Use an immersion blender, whisk, or electric mixer to beat the sweet potato mixture until smooth. Add the egg mixture and whisk until well blended. Spread the mixture in the prepared baking dish.
- Prepare the Topping: Combine 1/2 cup of brown sugar, 1/2 cup of , 1/2 cup of cold butter, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Using your fingers, work the butter into the flour and sugar mixture to form crumbs. Work the pecans into the crumbs.
- Finish the Dish: Transfer the sweet potato filling to the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly. Sprinkle the pecan mixture over the filling.
- Bake: Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 35 to 45 minutes or until the filling is set and the topping is browned.
Nutrition
Disclaimer:
Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.
