Name: Sweet Potato Casserole
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 6 people
Ingredients: 4 cups sweet potato (baked (approx 3-4 large sweet potatoes or 4-5 medium sized)); 1/4 cup brown sugar; 2 eggs (beaten); 1/2 teaspoon salt; 4 tablespoons butter (softened); 1/2 cup milk or evaporated milk; 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract; 3/4 cup packed brown sugar; 1 tsp cinnamon; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; ¼ cup butter (softened); 2/3 cup chopped pecans

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Sweet Potato Casserole- This decadent sweet potato casserole is topped with a brown sugar pecan crumble, and make the perfect easy side for your Thanksgiving table.

The flavors of this sweet potato casserole are everything you want for this tasty side dish, buttery, richly flavored sweet potato, and a nice sweet topping. But in addition to the taste, it is an easy, and convenient dish to make. It can be made ahead and reheated day of to cut down on the work the day of.

Sweet Potato Casserole in a baking pan with a serving spoon

How do you make easy sweet potato casserole?

Every family has their own version of a sweet potato casserole. Some like it sweeter, some like it savory. I know once we had a Friendsgiving, and one of our guests brought sweet potatoes that has been mixed with heavy cream, and some orange juice, and the flavors were really interesting, but it is was quite good.

The point is, whether you like sweet potato casserole with marshmallows, or Paula Deen’s sweet potato casserole, the majority are made the same way, and this is not a difficult to get right dish.

How do you make easy sweet potato casserole? The basic steps are:

Cook sweet potatoes
Mash them up, mixing in some spices, eggs, and milk
Top with your favorite toppings
Bake

I have tried all the versions of sweet potato casserole, and this one with the brown sugar pecan crumble topping remains my favorite. My kids love the marshmallows. But I like to save my marshmallows for the dessert table.

How do you make sweet potatoes with brown sugar and marshmallows in the oven?

However, if you love marshmallows on yours, all is not lost, in fact, there are a few things you can do to still get your sweet potatoes with brown sugar and marshmallows.

Add marshmallows at the very end and turn the oven to broil. Broil for 2-3 minutes until marshmallows are slightly browned. This gives you two sweet layers on top, and a fun crunchy surprise until the marshmallows.
Mix marshmallows in with the brown sugar pecan crumble, and top the casserole. If you do this, just be sure to bake for the first 20-25 minutes covered with foil so as not to burn the marshmallows.

Can you make sweet potato casserole ahead?

Absolutely! One of the best parts of this easy sweet potato casserole is you don’t have to worry about it on the big day. I know my oven and thoughts on Thanksgiving are full, and juggling one more side dish can be overwhelming. But this can be prepped a few days before.

You can make it completely a couple days ahead, or just parts of it. For example, sometimes I will cook my sweet potatoes ahead, then mash and mix the day of. Other times, I do the whole thing, and just wait to cook until the day of. Or cook it and everything, then just reheat the day of.

This site is all about the Eazy Peazy, so just do what is easiest for you and don’t stress.

Sweet potato casserole close up on a fork

How do you mash sweet potatoes for a casserole?

When making the sweet potatoes you need to mash the potatoes, the thing is you are going to be mixing in a bunch of other stuff. So I typically just use a hand mixer to make it quick and easy. Plus you get a nice smooth filling that way too.

But other options include:

MY LATEST RECIPES

Wire potato Masher
Forks
Wire Whisk

Why Bake Sweet Potatoes Not Boil for Sweet Potato Casserole?

I like to keep things simple over here, but I also love making things taste amazing. And with sweet potato casserole, how I suggest you do the initial cook of the sweet potatoes checks both boxes. Roasting them in the oven is going to bring out a lot of amazing flavors. And intensify the natural sweetness, and caramelize some of the natural sugars in the sweet potatoes.

Plus, roasting on a sheet pan in the oven is a lot less stress and mess then boiling stove top. But stove top boiling is faster, so if you get in a jam for time, boil away. It isn’t going to ruin this sweet potato casserole. You just get a bit better flavor by roasting instead of boiling, and less chance of watery sweet potato casserole.

If you choose to boil, keep the following in mind:

Boil whole in the skin- this will help keep them from getting watery
Don’t poke holes in the skins- You don’t want water to get into the sweet potatoes.
Keep an eye on them – You want them cooked enough, but not overcooked. But if they are under cooked they will not be smooth and creamy. So watch them.
They are very easy to peel when you boil them. Also when you bake them.

Do what is best for you!

Sweet potato casserole in a spoon with a brown sugar pecan crumble topping