Easy Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe (2024)

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There isn’t anything more classic than this easy Sweet Potato Casserole. Layers of sweet potatoes topped with marshmallows and pecans make this more like a dessert than a side dish. Yum!

Easy Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe (1)

This is an amazing recipe that completes your Thanksgiving dinner. At any holiday or special occasion, everyone expects to see this sweet potato casserole. I always sign up to bring it because it really is so easy.

If you are looking for the best sweet potato casserole marshmallow recipe, then this is the one to make. This recipe is perfect for Christmas, Easter and more.

If you love this sweet potato casserole, check out these recipes – Paula Deen’s Sweet Potato Casserole, Crock Pot Sweet Potato Casserole, or Candied Sweet Potato Recipe.

Table of Contents

  • What is the Difference between Sweet Potatoes and Yams?
  • Ingredients:
  • Variations Ideas:
  • Step by Step Instructions:
  • Recipe Tips:
  • Can I use Canned Sweet Potatoes?
  • Do you peel sweet potatoes before boiling?
  • Is it Better to Boil or Bake Sweet Potatoes for Casserole?
  • Frequently Asked Questions:
  • More Easy Casserole Recipes:
  • Easy Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

What is the Difference between Sweet Potatoes and Yams?

Sweet potatoes have a lighter skin and canned yams are much darker. The flesh is also different. Yams are dryer and not as sweet.

The flesh of Sweet potatoes have more moisture and also taste sweeter. They are both great Thanksgiving Side dishes.

Ingredients:

Easy Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe (2)
  • Sweet Potatoes
  • Light Brown Sugar
  • Unsalted Butter
  • Pecans
  • Cinnamon
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Mini Marshmallows

For the full list of ingredients and recipe, scroll to the bottom for the recipe card.

Variations Ideas:

  • Seasoning – For added flavor, feel free to sprinkle a teaspoon of pumpkin spice into the mixture.
  • Marshmallows – If you prefer, you can makes this casserole without the marshmallows.

Step by Step Instructions:

Easy Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe (3)

Step 1 – First, preheat the oven to 375°F. Next, grease a 9 x 13 Casserole Dish.

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Step 2 – Place sweet potatoes in a pot of boiling water. Simmer for 15 minutes to 20 minutes or until fork tender. Drain.

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Step 3 – In a large pot, mash the sweet potatoes with brown sugar. Then add in butter, cinnamon, and salt & pepper with a potato masher. You can also use a hand mixer.

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Step 4 – Fold in half of the pecans and spread into large bowl with the melted butter.

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Step 5 – Put the combined ingredients in a baking dish or baking sheet.

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Step 6 – Sprinkle with the marshmallows and the remaining pecans.

  • Step 7 – Bake Casserole – Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until marshmallows and baking are golden brown. Cook potatoes are heated through.
  • Step 8 – Serve and Enjoy – Make sure you keep an eye on the casserole. So that the marshmallows on top do not burn. It doesn’t take long for the cooked sweet potatoes, marshmallows and streusel topping to get golden brown.

Recipe Tips:

  • Stir Ingredients – Combine the ingredients in a medium bowl to create amazing texture.
  • Cooking Sweet Potatoes – You can easily cook the sweet potatoes ahead of time to save time when making this casserole recipe. Peeled and cubed sweet potatoes to cook the sweet potatoes faster.
  • Preparing Baking Dish – We recommend spraying the baking dish with cooking spray. This helps to make for easy cleanup and easy to serve.
  • Vanilla Extract – For a warm flavor, feel free to add in vanilla extract or maple syrup.
  • Marshmallows – If you prefer, you can make this recipe without marshmallows. You can use what you prefer. We recommend using mini marshmallows.

Can I use Canned Sweet Potatoes?

Yes, you can. You can use canned or frozen sweet potatoes when making this sweet potato casserole.

The canned sweet potato are smaller in size so take that into consideration when you are preparing your sweet potato casserole.

Do you peel sweet potatoes before boiling?

Yes! Go ahead and peel the potatoes prior to boiling. This will make the entire process easier. After you peel the sweet potatoes, cut them into equal size cubes. This will help them to cook evenly when you boil them.

We like to make this recipe as easy as possible. So I usually will have the kids start peeling the sweet potatoes while I am working on the other dishes. I am all about team work when it comes to making our holiday meal.

Easy Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe (10)

Is it Better to Boil or Bake Sweet Potatoes for Casserole?

When making these sweet potato casserole you can boil or bake the sweet potatoes. It is all about your preference. The flavor of the casserole is still delicious no matter how you prepare.

We even have used leftover sweet potatoes to make this casserole.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How To Store Leftovers:

You can store in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. For your leftovers, cover and put in the refrigerator. This casserole stores so well. Make sure the casserole has come to room temperature before storing in an airtight container. This is the perfect recipe to make ahead of time.

Can you Freeze?

You can freeze this casserole for up to a month. When placing in the freezer be sure to wrap first with a plastic wrap and then with aluminum foil. Leave the pecan and marshmallow topping off you are planning on freezer.

More Easy Casserole Recipes:

  • Sweet Potato and Apple Casserole Recipe
  • 5 Ingredient Corn Casserole recipe
  • Skillet Green Bean Casserole Recipe
  • Easy Stuffing Recipe
  • Green Bean Casserole with Cream of Chicken
  • Try these other 50 Easy Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes and Easy Thanksgiving Casseroles Recipes

Make sure to leave us a comment if you try this Easy Sweet Potato Casserole. We love hearing from you.

Easy Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe (11)

Review

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Easy Sweet Potato Casserole

4.91 from 11 votes

There isn't anything more classic than this easy Sweet potato casserole. Layers of sweet potatoes topped with marshmallows and pecans make this so tasty.

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings 8

Cuisine American

Course Side Dish

Calories 411

Author Carrie Barnard

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds sweet potatoes peeled and cut into cubes
  • ½ cup brown sugar packed
  • 1/2 cup butter softened
  • ¾ cup pecans chopped divided
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon or to taste
  • 1/4 salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 cups miniature marshmallows

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9 x 13 pan.

  • Place sweet potatoes in a pot of boiling water. Simmer for 15 minutes or until fork tender. Drain.

  • In a large bowl, mash the sweet potatoes with brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, and salt & pepper.

  • Fold in half of the pecans and spread into prepared pan.

  • Sprinkle with the marshmallows and the remaining pecans.

  • Bake for 25 minutes or until marshmallows are golden brown and potatoes are heated through.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 411kcal, Carbohydrates 59g, Protein 4g, Fat 19g, Saturated Fat 8g, Cholesterol 31mg, Sodium 209mg, Potassium 633mg, Fiber 6g, Sugar 28g, Vitamin A 24486IU, Vitamin C 4mg, Calcium 73mg, Iron 1mg

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About the Author

Easy Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe (20)

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

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Easy Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you make a sweet potato casserole not runny? ›

Eggs and cream help stabilize the dish and prevent it from becoming too runny (a common complaint with many sweet potato casserole recipes). Make it as smooth or chunky as you like!

Why put egg in sweet potato casserole? ›

The egg is the all-important binder in a sweet potato casserole: it enriches and stiffens the mixture without making it heavy. Make sure to cool the mash slightly before adding the egg so it doesn't scramble, and to stir well so there are no streaks of cooked egg white in the finished dish.

How do you thicken up sweet potato casserole? ›

Choose orange sweet potatoes for the best flavor and sweetness. Brown sugar adds a depth of flavor with a hint of molasses and helps create a caramel-like sauce. All-purpose flour will help thicken the sauce and give some structure.

Should sweet potatoes be soaked before baking? ›

TIPS & TRICKS to Make this Recipe: The main secrets to achieving that incredible crispy texture, is to soak the cut sweet potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes. This helps remove the starch from the sweet potatoes so they´re not limp & soggy.

What makes sweet potato casserole runny? ›

Boiling drains out flavor and also makes the sweet potatoes wet. If you bake the sweet potatoes and don't add liquid, you will not have watery sweet potato casserole. Add more potato and no liquid also you could use potato flakes to thicken them to the texture you like.

How do you make a casserole less runny? ›

Thicken a meat casserole the most popular way with flour.

Add some flour to your pan after you've browned the meat and before adding any liquid. This way, the flour will soak up the juices and fat in the pan. Add about one teaspoon of flour at a time until you get the right thickness.

Can I leave eggs out of sweet potato casserole? ›

Eggs (or not!)

– I've made this sweet potato casserole with and without eggs, both ways are delicious. The eggs act as a binder and gives the casserole a light and fluffy texture. Without eggs, the casserole doesn't have as much structure but it still silky smooth and tastes delicious.

Why do you need to soak sweet potatoes before cooking? ›

Place all your wedges into a bowl of cold water, give them a swish around with your hand and allow them to soak for at least 30mins, but the longer the better. This will pull out the starch from the potato and prevent them from going gloopy in the centre once baked. Drain away water and thoroughly dry the wedges.

Why do Americans put marshmallows on sweet potato casserole? ›

Most people point to a 1917 pamphlet by the Angelus Marshmallow Company as the first time sweet potatoes and marshmallows came together. This company is believed to be the first to commercially-produce and sell the squishy white marshmallows we know, roast, and snack on today.

How many sweet potatoes for 3 cups? ›

Note: 3 cups sweet potatoes is about 3-4 large sweet potatoes.

How do you tell when sweet potato casserole is done? ›

Sprinkle the topping evenly over the sweet potato mixture, then pop it into the oven and let it bake for 40 to 45 minutes. You will know it's done when the topping is lightly browned and the center of your casserole is set and firm.

Should I rinse canned sweet potatoes? ›

Canned sweet potatoes are typically cooked and packed with a syrup or sweetened liquid to enhance their flavor and preserve their texture. Rinsing can help reduce the amount of added sugars on the surface, but it won't significantly alter the nutritional composition.

Why are my sweet potatoes still hard after baking? ›

The reason they are hard in the middle is cook them longer or on a higher temperature. Soaking will not help soften your sweet potato unless you are putting the potato and water in a pot on the stove and cooking it. If your sweet potato is still hard it's not cooked enough.

What is the healthiest way to eat sweet potatoes? ›

Boiling sweet potatoes retains more beta-carotene and makes the nutrient more absorbable than other cooking methods such as baking or frying. Up to 92% of the nutrient can be retained by limiting the cook time, such as boiling in a pot with a tightly covered lid for 20 minutes.

Should you boil sweet potatoes before baking? ›

In other words… do sweet potatoes need parboiling before roasting? Absolutely not. While many might choose to parboil the sweet potatoes before cooking for a shorter cooking time, we advise against it. Roasting sweet potatoes bring out their caramelized flavor yet leave the inside soft and custardy.

What do I do if my potato bake is too runny? ›

Try letting the dish rest for 10 minutes or so to let the water get absorbed and let the sauce thicken. Try cooking your recipe longer.

Should sweet potato casserole be firm? ›

you should see it firm, but still paste like. Once it bulges and you start to see cracks, it will be overcooked. You don't need anything of those fancy gadgets for casserole! You can grab a potato masher or whisk and mash them up.

How do you keep a casserole moist? ›

Pro Tip: Avoid Dry Casserole.

The best way to prevent it from drying out is to add a little bit of water, around ¼ cup, to the top of it. Allow the water to seep between the food and the sides of the baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil to seal in the moisture.

How do you remove excess water from sweet potatoes? ›

Completely dry the sweet potatoes with a tea towel or paper towel. Before starting to peel, let the potatoes sit on a towel, so it absorbs the excess water.

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