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Deliciously creamy Sweet Potato Casserole with a crunch topping is a must-have for holidays and family meals!
Sweet Potato Casserole is a classic side dish for holidays and Sunday meals. If you’re a sweet potato fan, be sure to check out our Parmesan Roasted Sweet Potatoes or Pork Stuffed Sweet Potatoes.
sweet potato casserole with pecan topping
Sweet potatoes are mostly consumed in the fall, especially at Thanksgiving, but we like to enjoy them all year long. There are so many ways to prepare them, and this particular side dish is great for any holiday or Sunday meal.
This best Sweet Potato Casserole recipe has the perfect mix of sweet and savory. It’s almost a dessert, but not quite as sweet as Pumpkin Pie. The creamy sweet potatoes topped with a crumbly topping are simple and delicious!
Bookmark this Thanksgiving recipe for your holiday menu because it is sure to be a hit!
how to make sweet potato casserole
This dish really is beyond simple!
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.
Preparing the potatoes
Kick it up a notch by topping it with marshmallows (pretty much the same recipe with even more sweetness on top)!
Yams vs sweet potatoes. Yams are not very common in U.S. grocery stores, so when people talk about yams they are often referring to sweet potatoes. However, the two have distinct differences so make sure to use the right ingredient.
- Sweet Potatoes have reddish skin and orange, white, or purple flesh. It has a sweet flavor.
- Yams have rough brown skin with pale flesh. They are neutral in flavor.
Best way to cube and boil sweet potatoes.
Peel the sweet potatoes and then cut them into cubes that are equal in size so they all cook at the same rate.
- Cover the potato cubes with 1-2 inches of water.
- If the cubes are 1-inch, then boil for 12-15 minutes. If the cubes are closer to 2-inches, boil them for 20-25 minutes.
- To check for doneness, pierce with a fork. It should easily slide through without any resistance.
- Be aware that overcooking the sweet potatoes can cause the cubes to absorb excess water which then causes the casserole to be runny.
Recipe Tips
How to mash. Drain the cooked sweet potato cubes and use a potato masher to break them up. Then smooth them out to the desired texture with an electric mixer. Some people like a silky smooth casserole while others like a more textured casserole.
Avoid a runny casserole.
- Don’t over-boil the potato cubes.
- Drain the cooked cubes completely before mashing.
- Bake the casserole in the center of the oven at the correct temperature. The top should be browned and the center should be set and not runny.
- Cool, uncovered so that the steam can escape and not get trapped.
Variations. Flavor it with cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger. Add marshmallow topping or a dolloped meringue topping. Use chopped walnuts or almonds.
Storing info
Make ahead of time. 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 leftover easy Sweet Potato Casserole in a Tupperware in the fridge for 3-4 days and reheat in the microwave.
Serve Sweet Potato Casserole with
Sweet Potato Casserole is most common in November and served with a Thanksgiving Turkey. But this amazing dish is perfect all year long.
Some favorite main dishes that it pairs well with include Honey Glazed Ham, Roasted Chicken, and even Grilled Steak.
Serving suggestions. This particular Sweet Potato Casserole recipe feeds 10-12, so if you are looking to make it for a lot of people for a holiday, we recommend doubling or even tripling it and serving it in several dishes.
- 10-12 guests – 1 batch
- 20-24 guests – Double batch
- 30-35 guests – Triple batch
For more sweet potato recipes, check out:
- Candied Sweet Potatoes
- Roasted Sweet Potato Cubes
- Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes
- Mashed Sweet Potatoes
- Hasselback Sweet Potatoes
- Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows
More Collections: Sides, Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups cubed sweet potatoes
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 4 tbsp butter softened
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 tbsp butter softened
- 1/2 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!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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!