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Sweet Potato Casserole is the kind of cozy, classic dish that makes any table feel like Thanksgiving. Soft, buttery mashed sweet potatoes are topped with a golden brown sugar and cinnamon pecan crumble that’s crisp, nutty, and completely irresistible. It’s the perfect balance of creamy and crunchy in every bite.
If you’re short on time, don’t worry. I’ll show you a few clever tips to cook your sweet potatoes in just a quarter of the usual time. Whether you serve this as a comforting side or a dessert-style indulgence, this easy Sweet Potato Casserole is bound to become a new family favorite.
What Makes This Sweet Potato Casserole So Good
I’ve made a lot of holiday sides over the years, but this Sweet Potato Casserole always steals the spotlight. The mashed sweet potatoes come out so creamy and buttery, and that brown sugar and cinnamon pecan topping? Absolute heaven. It bakes into a golden, crunchy layer that perfectly balances the soft sweetness underneath.
What I love most is how simple it is to make. This Sweet Potato Casserole recipe uses a few easy tricks to cook your sweet potatoes in a fraction of the usual time, which means less waiting and more enjoying. Whether you serve it as a side or sneak it in as a dessert, this easy Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans brings that cozy, homemade warmth to every bite.
What Goes Into This Sweet Potato Casserole
This Sweet Potato Casserole recipe keeps things simple and comforting with pantry staples and a few fresh ingredients that come together beautifully. Every bite is soft, buttery, and topped with that irresistible brown sugar pecan crumble that makes this dish so special.
- Sweet Potatoes: The star of the show. Cooked until tender and mashed until creamy, they create the perfect sweet and velvety base for the casserole.
- Butter: Melted butter adds richness and that classic buttery flavor that makes every spoonful indulgent.
- Vanilla Extract: A touch of pure vanilla deepens the flavor of the sweet potatoes and gives the casserole a subtle dessert-like aroma.
- Pecans: Crushed pecans bring a nutty crunch to the brown sugar topping, balancing the sweetness with texture and a hint of cinnamon warmth.
Note: Please see recipe card at the bottom for a full list of ingredients with measurements.
How To Make Sweet Potato Casserole
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 13 x 9 inch baking dish with cooking spray or a thin layer of butter. This helps the Sweet Potato Casserole bake evenly and lift out easily once done.
- Prepare the Sweet Potatoes: In a large bowl, combine the cooked and peeled sweet potatoes with sugar, milk, melted butter, vanilla, eggs, and salt. Beat until smooth and creamy, making sure everything is well incorporated.
- Fill the Baking Dish: Pour the sweet potato mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly with a spatula. This creates a smooth and even base that holds the pecan topping perfectly.
- Make the Pecan Topping: In another bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, melted butter, pecans, and salt until crumbly. The mixture should look like coarse crumbs that stick together when pressed.
- Assemble and Bake: Sprinkle the pecan mixture evenly over the sweet potatoes and dust with cinnamon sugar. Bake for 25 minutes or until the topping turns golden and slightly crisp.
- Broil and Serve: Switch your oven to broil and cook for another 5 to 10 minutes, until the topping crisps and browns. Let the casserole stand for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
For a truly cozy and festive spread, pair your Sweet Potato Casserole with Brown Sugar Mustard Glazed Ham for that perfect sweet-meets-savory balance. The caramelized glaze on the ham echoes the brown sugar and pecan topping beautifully. You can also serve it with Garlic Herb Chicken and Sweet Potato for an easy, well-rounded dinner that feels homemade and hearty.
Round out the table with Creamy Garlic Mushroom or a side of Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon for something earthy and crisp to cut through the casserole’s richness. Together, these dishes make your Thanksgiving table feel abundant, comforting, and full of flavor.
Tips For Making Sweet Potato Casserole
- I love using fresh sweet potatoes instead of canned. They have a deeper, more natural sweetness and a creamier texture once mashed.
- Microwave or boil your sweet potatoes to save time. I often microwave them in a covered dish with a splash of water, and they cook in a fraction of the time and peel easily once soft.
- Don’t skip the vanilla. It brings a warm, dessert-like flavor that makes the casserole extra special, especially when paired with the brown sugar pecan topping.
- For a little extra crunch, add a few whole pecans on top before baking. They toast beautifully in the oven and make your casserole look picture perfect for serving.
Recipe FAQ’s
Yes, you can freeze it. Let it cool completely, cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat in the oven until warmed through.
Absolutely! Prepare the sweet potato mash mixture the night before and refrigerate it, along with the crumb topping in a separate bag. Let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking, heat for 20 minutes without the topping, then add it and finish baking.
It’s ready when the center is hot, the topping is golden, and the edges are slightly bubbling. The pecan crumble should be crisp, not soggy. If your kitchen smells like butter and brown sugar, it’s perfect.
Sweet Potato Casserole VIDEO!
Sweet Potato Casserole
Ingredients
FOR THE SWEET POTATOES:
- 4 cups sweet potatoes cooked and peeled, see Notes
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup milk 2% or skim
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs whisked
- 1/2 teaspoon salt to taste
PECAN TOPPING:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar firmly packed
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 1/2 cup pecans crushed, blitz in a magic bullet or food processor for a smoother crumb
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons cinnamon sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a 13 x 9–inch baking dish with cooking oil spray (or grease with a light coating of butter); set aside.
FOR THE SWEET POTATOES:
- Beat sweet potatoes with the sugar, milk, butter, vanilla, eggs and salt. Mix well to combine. Pour into prepared baking dish. Set aside.
FOR THE TOPPING:
- Combine flour, brown sugar, butter, pecans and salt. Mix well to form crumbs. Sprinkle evenly over the sweet potatoes. Top evenly with the cinnamon sugar.
- Bake for 25 minutes or just until golden.
- Change oven settings to broil (or grill), and broil for 5-10 minutes, until the top has crisped a little and browned.
- Allow to stand for 5-10 minutes to set before serving.
Notes
Wrap 2 large sweet potatoes in one piece of paper towel each. Microwave on high settings for 8 minutes. Remove carefully from microwave and unwrap (being careful of the steam that will escape from inside the paper towels). Pierce all over with a fork, wrap again and microwave for a further 2 minutes until soft (if the centres are still a little hard, don’t worry they will continue to cook in the oven later).
Slow Roast OVEN Method:
Preheat oven to 220°C | 430°F. Spray a baking tray/sheet with nonstick spray and arrange 2 large sweet potatoes the tray. Roast for one hour in the oven, or until soft (check them after 40 minutes, pierce with a fork, and continue roasting if needed). ORIGINALLY POSTED NOVEMBER 23, 2016
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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This has become a required holiday and family gathering recipe. I try to make a favorite dish for each family member, and this is my Daughter in laws FAVORITE! I normally make a double batch so everyone can take home leftovers. Give it a try, you will not be disappointed!
Can I add bourbon to this casserole in place of milk
Can you turn this into a pie? And if so how long will you bake it in order for the pie crust to cook as well?
Wonderful sweet potato casseroles