Name: Sweet Potato Casserole
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 large sweet potatoes; ½ cup granulated sugar; 1 tsp kosher salt; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 2 large eggs; ½ cup unsalted butter, melted; 1 cup light brown sugar, packed; ½ cup all-purpose flour; 1 cup chopped pecans; ½ cup unsalted butter, melted

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Short Description

A comforting, crowd-pleasing casserole made with creamy, sweetened mashed sweet potatoes and topped with a buttery pecan streusel. Perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy family dinners.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Classic comfort food: Rich, fluffy sweet potatoes with a crunchy, nutty topping.
Festive and crowd-friendly: Ideal side dish for holiday feasts or Sunday suppers.
Make-ahead ease: Assemble ahead and finish baking right before serving.
Balanced textures: Smooth, velvety base contrasts beautifully with crisp streusel.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Mashed Sweet Potatoes

4 large sweet potatoes
½ cup granulated sugar
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 large eggs
½ cup unsalted butter, melted

For the Streusel Topping

1 cup light brown sugar, packed
½ cup all-purpose flour
1 cup chopped pecans
½ cup unsalted butter, melted

Directions

Cook the sweet potatoes: Boil, bake, or microwave until soft and easily pierced (see notes for methods).
Preheat oven: Set to 375 °F (190 °C). Grease a 2‑quart baking dish with nonstick spray or coconut oil spray.
Mash the potatoes: In a large bowl, combine sweet potatoes, granulated sugar, salt, vanilla, eggs, and melted butter. Beat with an electric mixer for 4–5 minutes until smooth and fluffy.
First bake: Spread the mash into the prepared dish and bake for 25 minutes until heated through.
Make streusel: While the mash bakes, mix brown sugar, flour, pecans, and melted butter in a small bowl until crumbly.
Add topping: Sprinkle streusel evenly over the baked potatoes and return to the oven for another 10–15 minutes until the crumble is lightly browned and crisp.
Serve: Remove from oven and let set briefly, or cover with foil and serve within 30 minutes.

Servings and Timing

Serves: 6–8 people
Prep time: 15 minutes (plus sweet potato cooking time)
First bake: 25 minutes
Final bake: 10–15 minutes
Total time: Approximately 1 hour (excluding potato cooking method)

Variations

Marshmallow topping: Add mini marshmallows on top of the streusel for a sweet, gooey finish.
Spiced variation: Stir in 1 tsp ground cinnamon or nutmeg into the mashed potatoes.
Oat streusel: Replace half of the flour with old-fashioned oats for extra texture.
Maple twist: Drizzle 2 Tbsp pure maple syrup into the sweet potato mixture.
Gluten-free option: Use almond meal or gluten-free flour in the topping.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Rewarm in a 350 °F oven for 10–15 minutes until heated through.
Freezing: Freeze baked casserole (uncovered) for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight, then reheat covered with foil at 350 °F until warmed, and add fresh topping if desired.

FAQs

1. How can I cook the sweet potatoes?

You can boil peeled wedges for 20 min, bake whole at 400 °F for 45–60 min, or microwave each potato (pierced) for 8–10 min until soft.

2. Can I prepare ahead of time?

Yes—assemble and refrigerate (without topping) up to a day ahead. Bake when ready and add streusel later.

3. Can I reduce sugar?

Yes—reduce granulated sugar to ¼ cup and brown sugar topping to ½ cup, or use a sugar substitute.

4. What’s the best nut for the topping?

Pecans add classic flavor and texture, but walnuts or chopped almonds work well too.

5. Can I make it dairy-free?

Use vegan butter alternatives and omit eggs, or replace with flax eggs.

6. Is this gluten-free?

With gluten-free flour or oat flour in the topping, and using certified GF ingredients, yes.

7. Can I double the recipe?

Yes—use a larger baking dish and adjust baking time slightly (about 5–10 extra minutes).

8. What if I don’t have an electric mixer?

Mash by hand or with a potato masher, then stir thoroughly to ensure smoothness.

9. Can I make it less sweet?

Omit sugar entirely or reduce it to suit savory preferences—add spices like cinnamon for balance.

10. Can I top with fresh herbs?

Optional: Garnish with fresh thyme or rosemary for a savory accent.

Conclusion

This Sweet Potato Casserole is a comforting classic—creamy, sweet, and beautifully paired with a crunchy pecan streusel. It’s easy to make ahead, adaptable to dietary needs, and always a hit at holiday tables or cozy family meals. Enjoy the mix of fluffy potatoes and crisp topping in every heavenly bite!

Maggie