Sweet Potato Casserole is a classic holiday side dish made with creamy mashed sweet potatoes, sugar, butter, milk, vanilla, and a brown sugar pecan topping. It bakes in a 9×13 pan until the top is lightly golden and the inside is smooth, sweet, and delicious.
We love serving this for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, potlucks, and Sunday dinners because it feels special but is still simple to make. The sweet potato base is soft and creamy, while the pecan topping adds just the right amount of crunch.
Complete your holiday meal with favorites like Roasted Turkey Breast, Turkey Gravy, Homemade Rolls, Stuffing, Green Bean Casserole, and Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes for a dinner everyone will remember.
Why you’ll love it + Why it works:
- Perfect for a Crowd: A 9×13-inch pan makes enough to feed family gatherings and holiday dinners.
- Make Ahead Friendly: Prepare it in advance so there’s less to do on the big day.
- Crunchy Topping: The buttery brown sugar pecan topping adds just the right amount of crisp texture.
- Holiday Classic: This Sweet Potato Casserole is a traditional side dish that belongs on every Thanksgiving and Christmas table.
Sweet Potato Casserole Ingredients
- Sweet potatoes (4 cups cubed): Creates the creamy base of the casserole with their naturally sweet flavor. Fresh sweet potatoes give the best texture.
- Sugar (½ cup): Sweetens the filling and enhances the natural sweetness of the potatoes.
- Eggs (2, beaten): Helps bind the filling together so it bakes up light and creamy.
- Salt (½ teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and brings out all of the flavors.
- Butter (4 tablespoons, softened): Adds richness and creates a smooth, creamy filling. We like using real butter for the best flavor.
- Milk (½ cup): Helps create a soft, fluffy texture. Whole milk makes the filling extra creamy.
- Vanilla extract (½ teaspoon): Adds warm flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweet potatoes.
- Brown sugar (½ cup): Sweetens the topping while adding a rich caramel flavor.
- All-purpose flour (1½ cups): Forms the base of the buttery crumble topping and gives it a crisp texture.
- Butter (3 tablespoons, softened): Combines with the flour and brown sugar to create a crumbly topping.
- Chopped pecans (½ cup): Adds crunch and a delicious nutty flavor. Toasted pecans provide even more flavor if you have the extra few minutes.
How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole
PREP. Preheat the oven to 325°F.
SWEET POTATOES. In a medium pot, cover sweet potatoes in water and cook over medium-high heat until tender; drain and mash.
In a large bowl, mix together the mashed potatoes, sugar, eggs, salt, butter, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Pour into a greased 9×13″ casserole dish.
CRUMBLE. Mix the brown sugar and flour in a medium bowl and cut in the butter until the mixture is coarse. Stir in pecans, and sprinkle the mixture over your sweet potato mixture.
BAKE. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the top is lightly brown.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Cook the sweet potatoes until they’re fork tender so they mash smoothly.
- Mash the potatoes while they’re still warm for the creamiest filling.
- Sprinkle the topping evenly over the casserole so every bite has a buttery crunch.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving so it sets up nicely.
Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups cubed sweet potatoes
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 eggs, beaten
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoon butter, softened
- ½ cup milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons butter, softened
- ½ cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F.
- In a medium pot, cover sweet potatoes in water and cook over medium-high heat until tender; drain and mash.
- In a large bowl, mix together the mashed potatoes, sugar, eggs, salt, butter, milk, and vanilla extract, until smooth. Poor in a greased 9×13" baking dish.
- Mix the brown sugar and flour in a medium bowl and cut in the butter until the mixture is coarse. Stir in pecans, and sprinkle the mixture over your sweet potato mixture.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until the top is lightly brown. ENJOY!
Notes
- Cook the sweet potatoes until they’re fork tender so they mash smoothly.
- Mash the potatoes while they’re still warm for the creamiest filling.
- Sprinkle the topping evenly over the casserole so every bite has a buttery crunch.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving so it sets up nicely.
Nutrition
Recipe FAQ
Prepare the streusel topping, but refrigerate separately in a Ziploc bag. The prepared potato filling can be kept, covered, in the fridge for 2-3 days. When ready to make, add the topping and bake as directed.
Store leftovers in a container in the fridge for 3-4 days and reheat in the microwave.
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This recipe was first shared October, 2017.
Will this recipe work with canned sweet potatoes?
You can use canned sweet potatoes for this recipe. Just be sure to drain them well and reduce the added water or milk slightly to avoid a runny casserole
I’m very interested in this recipe, but CANNOT use the pecans (or any nuts – dietary restrictions) in the streusel topping. Could ai substitute rolled oats? Would any additional modifications need to be made if I do? TIA
Absolutely! You can substitute rolled oats for the pecans. While I haven’t tired it with this specific recipe this is how I would mix the topping- Use ¾ cup oats in place of the nuts, mix with ¼ cup melted butter plus 2 tablespoons brown sugar.
Made this last year and was a huge hit. One of the only items where there were zero leftovers. Can’t wait to make again this year.
The perfect mix of potatoes & sweetness- not over the top like marshmallows. Easy to make. I like really creamy so I blended the cooked potatoes in my food processor. Will make this again for a friend recovering from surgery- sure to be a pick up for her
Loved this! Will definitely make for the holidays. I think I will add a small can of crushed pineapple next time. It was very taste as is though.
Delicious casserole. The topping adds just the right crunch. Anything sweet potato is good but this is the best.
My husband loves sweet potatoes and this recipe is just for him. The crunchy topping takes it up a notch. Will definitely be making again.
I have never added pecans to the top of my Sweet Potato Casserole, I will try the next time I make these. I am sure this will be a nice addition.
I have made this several times for the holidays. So delicious and everyone loves it. I encourage everyone to try this. Easy to follow directions and beautiful pics.
This recipe looks so good I am definitely going to try it for Thanksgiving. I love all of the recipe suggestions of Lil Luna and go to her emails first thing in the morning for dinner
Sweet potatoes are just so delicious, anytime of the year. But, A sweet potato casserole just smells of Thanksgiving. I just love trying different recipes from Lil Luna. Happy Holidays!!
Don’t just save this recipe for Thanksgiving ~ it is delicious all year round! Scrumptious with or without nuts ~ for those who have an allergy or prefer no nuts.
Who doesn’t love this casserole? I serve it every year for Thanksgiving but why not Easter? It will be perfect along side my sweet honey glazed ham. Thanks for the recipe….yours is so easy to make!
You’re welcome! And I couldn’t agree more… it’s always a good occassion for a sweet potato casserole! 😉
Fantastic and so easy to make! Huge hit for thanksgiving
Love sweet potatoes 🍠
My personal favorite for Thanksgiving! Tastes like dessert…
I always make this recipe on the holidays and is loved by all. It is so delicious, it takes the place of dessert! It is very easy to make.
I always make Sweet Potato Casserole for the holidays. It is our all-time favorite potato recipe that takes the place of dessert!
This is my favorite potato dish for Thanksgiving. I’ve never cared for the candied sweet potatoes with marshmallows, but
fixing them this way gives me the sweetness and crunch I love. Most times I eat this as my dessert. Sweet potatoes are much healthier for you as well. I use Japanese Sweet potatoes as they are sweeter, firmer and not stringy like regular sweet potatoes and can still be cooked in any of the same ways you would a regular potato
Can’t wait to make this for Thanksgiving, it looks delicious. Much better than the one with marshmallows. My husband might actually eat sweet potatoes this year.
This is my all time favorite dish to eat at thanksgiving! It just melts in your mouth! I look forward to it every year 🙂 thanks Kristin for this amazing recipe 🙂
I’ll be making sweet potato casserole on Thanksgiving. It is my absolute favorite. I love the crunchy sweet topping.
Sweet Potato with the marshmallow and pecans.
I will be trying that this holiday season. And mashed potatoes. Not the same day.
This dish is a breeze to make and a favorite of my husband around the holidays. He absolutely loves this Sweet Potato Casserole! In fact, it’s so popular with the rest of the family, he asks me to hide some so he can enjoy the leftovers himself 🙂
Awesome Sweet Potato side dish. Great flavor and the crunchy topping takes to a ten!
I recently had this at a friend’s early Thanksgiving party; I must say it was the most amazing side dish I have ever eaten> Definitely a keeper for years to come. I am going to my granddaughters for this Thanksgiving, and I am going to make it for them.
Delicious. As good mom. Bring back good memories
I have never liked sweet potatoes until THIS recipe!! The topping makes these almost like dessert…so yummy!
I am making this for Thankgiving
Perfect for the holidays (and good for you)!!!
One of my favorites, especially at Thanksgiving! Excellent recipe!
This has always been a family favorite for every Thanksgiving!! Can’t go wrong!
Sweet potato casserole is a Thanksgiving classic and I plan on making this particular recipe for my Thanksgiving dinner this year. Thanks for sharing!
LOVE SWEET POTATO AND PECANS
Sweet potatoes are the best. Mashed sweet potatoes, even better.
My Mima always made this every Thanksgiving and Christmas. It’s a real holiday meal with these traditional sides.
Love this recipe! It is a “must” make recipe every year. Everyone loves it and I have been asked for the recipe many times.
Lil Luna has some of the best recipes! I’m a chef at a assisted living home, and I love to use your recipes! I will be using this delicious casserole for my Thanksgiving dinner this year, and years after. 🥰
I’ve used this recipe before and it turned out wonderfully. Looking forward to it again this year.
Every Thanksgiving I make this dish ,, and I even make through out the year especially,,, when my son will say Mama will you please make me your Sweet potato casserole,,, I have my own recipe but MS. Kristyn,, I will make your recipe this year,, and most definitely ,, one of your desserts for my Mama.. Thank you ,,, I love your emails,, Happy Holidays to you & your little ones.. God Bless you
This looks like the perfect sweet potato casserole. I’ll be making it for Thanksgiving. Thanks so much for the recipe!
WINNER WINNER WINNER!! This one is going to be making an appearance on my Thanksgiving table FOR SURE!!
Love love love. I look forward each Thanksgiving to eat this sweet forbidden dish.
Have to have a good sweet potato casserole for Thanksgiving (or anytime) and this is a great one!! I can always trust Lil’ Luna recipes!
Will be on my Thanksgiving and Christmas menu. We love sweet potato casseroles and this one is delicious. A definite keeper.
Sweet potato casserole with marshmallows on top is a family favorite for Thanksgiving. It’s a tradition and I like this homemade recipe vs from the canned yams.
I can’t wait to try this for Thanksgiving. My husband loves sweet potato casseroles. But he can be real picky. But I know he’ll love this one. The past several years have been rough for our family. Our families can’t get together like I would love for us too so i try to make some special dishes for us when we have our a thanksgiving dinner.
We love our sweet potato casserole. It would not be Thanksgiving without it!
Love this easy recipe. Definitely will be part of my Thanksgiving dinner.
This is a winner every time I make it. So so good!
Loved this verson of Sweet Potatoes.
Definitely making the sweer potato casserole. My family loves them and this will be a new way to enjoy them. Thanks!
10/10 This is such a great recipe. We will be attending 2 Thanksgiving dinners this year. I plan to make the Funeral potatoes for 1 and Sweet Potato Casserole for the other.
I normally make sweet potato casserole every Thanksgiving because I love having dessert with dinner. Yes! This is a dessert in my book. It cuts through the savory meat sweats, cleanses the palate. I prefer the nut topping over the marshmallows since I am an adult and tastes change. I make mine almost exactly like this. I just add a little extra flavoring to it. If you’re looking for a very tasty side dish, you found it here!
I use this recipe every year for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. Instead of chopping the pecans, I leave them in halves and use them to entirely cover the top of the casarole. Makes a nice decoration on top. Also, easier to remove for those that don’t like pecans.
My very favorite way to eat sweet potatoes! The topping is amazing- so much better than marshmallows!
Everyone in the family will love this recipe!! It will be expected year after year!!
Love anything sweet potato. Will defiinitly be trying this.
Yum. I can’t wait to make these for Thanksgiving this year.
This is our all time favorite sweet potato dish. We have it every Thanksgiving dinner. The topping is so yummy!
Great tasting and easyh to put together.
This my favorite dish on Thanksgiving, actually I make it year round! Sometimes I do add marshmallows as well.
Sweet Potato casserole is my favorite side dish for Thanksgiving dinner. My mom always used a marshmallow topping but I prefer a pecan topping.
This looks amazing! Can’t wait to spice up my normal sweet potato casserole this year! 😊
Just like what I loved pre-made & can no longer find. Thanks for sharing.
I can’t wait to try sweet potato casserole for Thanksgiving!
Love this dish! We make this every year when I go home for the holidays.
This is the recipe I’ll use this year! I LOVE sweet potatoes and usually hide a leftover portion for myself. 😂. Thanks for the recipes!
Best sweet potato recipe. My family love this with the Thanksgiving dinner. It makes them look forward to the New England Pumpkin Pie.
One of the only ways I’ll eat sweet potatoes. It’s really good. I’m not a fan of candied sweet potatoes, so this is perfect.
Can you use canned sweet potatoes for this recipe? If so, how many cans would you suggest if I triple your recipe?
Sure, you could use canned. I haven’t ever tried using them but they should be interchangeable and still taste great when mashed up. With that said, my best guess would be to use 3 of the 40 oz cans? Give or take!
I love sweet potatoes in all forms and this casserole is really delicious and perfect for holiday dinners! My in-laws loved it too!
This recipe was so good and the only way I’ll eat sweet potatoes at Thanksgiving! It’s more like dessert than a side dish. The crumb topping is so good much better than putting marshmallows on sweet potatoes.
LOVE!!!! Even our non-sweet potato eater loved it!!! Never disappointed with any of your recipes.
Awe, thank you so much for saying that!! That makes me so happy!
A great side dish foR any fall gathering. Just like mashed potatoes and a great topping to go with it!
I have never been a big sweet potato fan but this recipe was really good!! i loved the topping it added a great texture
My mom always made sweet potatoes with marshmallows on top, which I never cared for. I like this version with the brown sugar and crunchy pecans on top.
Love the topping. Perfect for a Thanksgiving side dish.
This is the perfect Fall side dish! I will definitely be adding this to our Thanksgiving menu! So YUMMY!
My family is going to love these!!! The brown sugar & crunch adds even better flavor to the sweet potatoes! Definitely making this for my family!
Was just wondering if the butter is sAlted or unsalted. Thank u.
I like to use unsalted, so I can control the salt 🙂
Love this recipe. Made it for Christmas dinner everyone loved it.
Glad it was a hit! Thank you for letting me know 🙂
Hello, love Sweet Potato Casserole. Have you ever used Sweetened Condensed Milk, it is so yummy and creamy along with the brown sugar. My mouth is watering. 🙂
No. I haven’t. I will have to try! Thank you for sharing!
Sweet SWEET potato casserole bake! What a wonderful way to enjoy my favorite fall vegetable.
Four cups is how many potatoes???
Four c.is how many potatoes??
Depending on size, but I like to think that one potato is about one cup 🙂
I love sweet potatoes, but like you, didn’t always, only learned to love and appreciate them over time, a great recipe, love the topping too, thank you and thank you for the other links as well
You are so welcome!! The topping is so good! Thank you!