Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe (2024)

This Sweet Potato Casserole has a mashed sweet potato base and is topped with a buttery, brown sugar and pecan topping. The perfect Thanksgiving side dish!

This is the BEST Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe. Hands down. I love the holidays, especially Thanksgiving.

My favorite part about Thanksgiving is the side dishes.I would happily eat a heaping plate of side dishes than the actual turkey!

This recipe does not require very many cooking tools, you pretty much just need; a casserole dish, a large bowl, a mixing spoon, and a potato masher. Aside from being extremely easy to put together, this holiday meal is a family favorite. Every year I am asked to make this sweet potato recipe, and I am more than happy to because I love it too. The secret to these delectable creamy sweet potatoes is the top of the casserole, which is a streusel topping of crunchy pecans and melted butter.

A hot tip for this recipe is that you can actually substitute the butter for coconut oil to create a non-dairy delight! This recipe takes a quick trip to the grocery store for the ingredients you don’t already have on-hand, like fresh sweet potatoes, as displayed in the recipe below. This easy recipe will be perfect for any special occasion, not just Thanksgiving. The hardest part will be not eating the entire casserole by yourself!

Are you ready to make this easy sweet potato casserole recipe? The best part is that you can make it the night before and eat it the next day. You can transfer it to an airtight container or you can simply leave it in the casserole dish and wrap it with plastic wrap. We can’t wait for you to try our family favorite.

While this recipe doesn’t call for mini marshmallows or maple syrup, you’ll be surprised at how sweet and delicious it is. It’s a must on your Thanksgiving table, and your family members will ask you to bring it to all your holiday meals! It’s not just for special occasions though – you can make this dish at any time of year. This traditional sweet potato casserole is the best classic Thanksgiving side dish, and one of our favorite side dishes in general.

This Sweet Potato Casserole is the perfect combination of sweet and savory and the brown sugar topping gives the soft mashed potatoes some texture.

Do you have an Instant Pot? Our Instant Pot Sweet Potato Casserole will make your life even easier!

If you are planning Thanksgiving dinner, be sure to check out all of our favorite Thanksgiving recipes:

How To Cook a Thanksgiving Turkey
30 Minute Dinner Rolls
Grandma’s Thanksgiving Stuffing
Green Bean Casserole
Slow Cooker Creamy Mashed Potatoes
How To Make Turkey Gravy From Scratch
Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese
Strawberry Jello Fluff Salad
Easy Sweet Cornbread
Simple Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin Dump Cake
Fluffy Cranberry Salad
Twice Baked Potatoes Casserole

Ingredients in Sweet Potato Casserole:

sweet potatoes
sugar
salt
vanilla extract
eggs
butter
brown sugar
pecans
flour

How to make Sweet Potato Casserole:

The hardest part about this recipe is peeling and cutting the sweet potatoes!

Once you have peeled and cut your sweet potatoes, place them in a large pot, cover with water and boil for 20-30 minutes, or until tender.

Drain water from the pot.

Add sugar, salt, vanilla, eggs and butter to the pot of drained sweet potatoes.

Mash by hand or beat using an electric mixer until almost smooth and well combined.

Spread mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.

In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, pecans and butter to make the brown sugar crumble topping.

Sprinkle the brown sugar mixture in an even layer on top of the sweet potatoes.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes, or until topping is golden brown and potatoes are heated through completely.

Looking for more side dishes? Here are 60 of our favorite Christmas Dinner Sides to eat with Beef Tenderloin!

Can I double this recipe?

Yes! You can most definitely double this recipe, in fact we recommend it (it’s that good!).

We do recommend using two separate 9×13 inch pans, because one pan would be too small if you doubled it.

Can you make Sweet Potato Casserole ahead of time?

Yes! If you are making it ahead of time, keep the brown sugar topping separate and sprinkle it on top just before baking.

Cover and refrigerate the mashed sweet potato mixture and brown sugar topping separately in the fridge.

It will reheat best if you remove it from the fridge and let it warm up to room temperature before baking.

More delicious holiday recipes:

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The best sweet potato recipes:

Instant Pot Baked Sweet Potatoes
Brown Sugar Bacon Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Twice Baked Bacon and Chive Sweet Potatoes
Maple Bacon Sweet Potatoes
Coconut Pecan Sweet Potatoes
Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Mash

Serves: 8

The Best Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

5 from 4 votes

This Sweet Potato Casserole has a mashed sweet potato base and is topped with a buttery, brown sugar and pecan topping. The perfect Thanksgiving side dish!

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Ingredients

Sweet Potato Mixture

6 sweet potatoes peeled and cubed
¾ cup sugar
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs beaten
¼ cup butter melted

Brown Sugar Topping

1 cup brown sugar
⅓ cup flour
1 cup chopped pecans
3 Tablespoons butter melted

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Peel and cube sweet potatoes and place in a large pot. Fill with water until potatoes are completely submerged.
Bring to a boil and boil for 20-30 minutes or until sweet potatoes are tender. Drain water.
Add sugar, salt, vanilla, eggs and butter to the pot of drained sweet potatoes.
Mash potatoes by hand or use a hand mixer to beat until well combined and almost smooth.
Pour mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, pecans and butter to make topping.
Sprinkle topping on top of sweet potato mixture.
Bake for 30 minutes or until topping is golden brown and sweet potatoes are heated through completely.

Notes

If you are making this casserole ahead of time, keep the brown sugar topping separate and sprinkle it on top just before baking. Cover and refrigerate the mashed sweet potato mixture and brown sugar topping separately in the fridge.
The casserole will reheat best if you remove it from the fridge and let it warm up to room temperature before baking.

Nutrition

Calories: 542 kcal · Carbohydrates: 86 g · Protein: 6 g · Fat: 21 g · Saturated Fat: 8 g · Cholesterol: 67 mg · Sodium: 350 mg · Potassium: 684 mg · Fiber: 7 g · Sugar: 53 g · Vitamin A: 24422 IU · Vitamin C: 4 mg · Calcium: 92 mg · Iron: 2 mg

Equipment

9×13-inch Baking Pan
large pot

Recipe Details

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

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Liz says:

Nice and simple. Thank you.
Deon | ipinnedit.com says:

Ohhhhhhh, yum! This one does look like a keeper! Question: This recipe calls for cooked sweet potatoes. Do you think it matters whether they are baked or boiled?
Cheryl says:

Sounds similar to the one a dinner theater we like to go to makes. http://lacomedia.com/souffle_recipe.htm Very good! I make it every year.
Sandy_of_WV says:

Wondering the same thing... does it matter if the sweet potatoes are baked or boiled?Boiling is much faster. :)
Cyd says:

Baked or boiled both work fine!! :)
Cyd says:

Does not matter, bake or boiled both work great!
Apple Dapple Pancakes - www.appledapplepancakes.blogspot.com says:

This looks so good! Can't wait to make it! I love sweet potatoes!
Christina says:

This looks great! Would this recipe be ok if made a day or two in advance?
Annie says:

I've been doing this recipe for years it is an all time family favorite, i usually add a cup of coconut to the topping and orange zest to the sweet potato mixture... Pretty darn good. :)
Cyd says:

It would be fine a day or two. Just keep it covered well and then heat up when ready!
Bammie5 says:

Ohhhh, just made this and all pretty in the freezer. And then remenberd I forgot the 1/4 cup of butter! Do you think I need to make it again? Or maybe add it on the top,
Jennifer says:

Making this today for Thanksgiving! Sounds yummy!
Jolie says:

Thanksgiving Eve I needed a recipe for a Sweet Potato casserole, went on Pinterest & was so confused as to which one recipe to use. I selected this recipe, which the only difference was I added some cinnamon, & it was absolutely delicious. Now I didn't mention that I have never dared for or made a Sweet Potato casserole, however I couldn't eat enough of it as well as my family. The consensus was it was the best Sweet Potato casserole everyone had ever eaten. Thank You for an excellent recipe & I will now start following your site. FIVE STAR RECIPE !!!
Brillante says:

I made this for Thanksgiving and LOVED it. I've always been so skeptical about making sweet potatoes sweeter in casseroles like this and the marshmallows always scared me away. I think that sweet potatoes are just so good as is! But this was AWESOME. Loved it and I will totally be making it again. It was like a little bit of pre-dessert dessert on my Thanksgiving plate :). Thanks for sharing!
Shirley schans says:

Can this recipe be doubled? Would I just double each ingredient ad listed?
Cyd says:

Yes, just double all of the amounts of each ingredient. It would work best to make two separate 9 x 13 inch pans. If you double it and put it all in one baking dish, it would be too much.
Alyssa says:

Funny! My mom had made this same one since I can remember and I love it. I even ousted it on my cooking blog, too. http://whitneywhisk.blogspot.com/2011/11/sweet-potatoes.html?m=1
Kristine says:

I have made one similar to this with roasted bananas instead of the sugar. Very tastie!
Casey says:

Made this dish for thanksgiving and it was everyone's favorite dish. I was so glad because I've never made anything like it before. Thanks for a great, easy recipe!! I have tried several recipes from this site and so far they have all been delicious.
Rhonda wardell says:

Can you put this in a crock pot? If so, how long? Thank you.
Jessica says:

I followed the directions exactly and this casserole was DELICIOUS!! My family raved about it. I will be making this at every Thanksgiving from now on. Thank you !!
Cyd says:

Hi Jessica. You made our day with your sweet comment on the Sweet Potato Casserole. We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Will Barron says:

This is what I grew up eating for Thanksgiving! Some like marshmallows, I prefer the brown sugar pecan topping. Love your recipes! Got one for grandmas chicken n dressing (not stuffing)?
S Starr says:

This is delicious, my favorite!
Amy Pletcher says:

What are the steps for the instant pot to cook the sweet potatoes? I want to shorten my time of prep by doing that this year instead of boiling them.
Momma Cyd says:

Here is a recipe for instant pot sweet potatoes. You can follow these instructions. https://www.sixsistersstuff.com/recipe/instant-pot-baked-sweet-potatoes/
Judy says:

This is sooooo good. I could eat the entire dish in one go, if I didn't refrain myself!
Pam says:

Can you use canned sweet potatoes? If so, what size can?
Sharon says:

Can you used canned sweet potatoes and if so what size can and how much?
Kristy Landsem says:

My sweet potatoes are really small. About how many pounds do you use?
Momma Cyd says:

We just use about 6 medium sweet potatoes. If yours are smaller then just add a few more.
Momma Cyd says:

Canned sweet potatoes are generally smaller in diameter because of their better canning qualities. Six to eight canned sweet potatoes are approximately the equivalent of four medium fresh sweet potatoes.

About The Author:

Contributor

This post was written by a past contributor of Six Sisters' Stuff. We appreciate all of the creative contributions that make Six Sisters' Stuff an amazing resource for families!

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FAQs

Why do you put eggs in sweet potato casserole? ›

A really good sweet potato casserole filling should be light and moist, not dense. If it's dense, then you may not have added an often overlooked ingredient—an egg. An egg adds lift, structure and volume and makes the filling more custard-like.

Keep Reading ›

Why do you soak sweet potatoes before baking? ›

The cold water bath helps rinse the starch off the sweet potatoes so they're a bit more crispy. That said, if you do not have the time, you can still get crispy baked sweet potato fries by using high heat and a little drizzle of olive oil.

Explore More ›

How do you make sweet potato casserole not watery? ›

It's hearty and satisfying. Eggs and cream help stabilize the dish and prevent it from becoming too runny (a common complaint with many sweet potato casserole recipes).

Explore More ›

Do sweet potatoes taste better baked or boiled? ›

Baking whole sweet potatoes in the oven or cutting them into cubes and roasting them caramelizes the potatoes' starchy flesh, making it sweeter and giving it a silky smooth texture. Even if you are making mashed sweet potatoes, they will taste better with oven-cooked potatoes.

How do you thicken up sweet potato casserole? ›

The casserole needs at least 15-20 minutes to cool before serving. The casserole sets up as it cools. However, if you prefer a really thick sweet potato casserole, you can add about 2-3 tablespoons of flour to your sweet potato batter and this will help the mixture to thicken.

Read The Full Story ›

How many sweet potatoes is 4 cups? ›

For cooking purposes, 1 pound of sweet potatoes equals about three medium whole, 2 cups mashed or 3½ to 4 cups chopped.

Keep Reading ›

Is it better to peel sweet potatoes before or after boiling? ›

There is not much difference between boiling sweet potatoes with the skins on versus peeling them, but you will get a boost of fiber and potassium if you keep the skin on. The skin also adds a subtle texture to each bite. If you're looking for a smoother mash, peel the potatoes first before boiling.

Learn More ›

Should sweet potatoes be peeled before baking? ›

Whether or not you peel the potato is completely personal preference; we leave ours on as I enjoy the texture. If you are serving children or sensitive eaters, consider peeling the sweet potatoes before roasting. Cut Uniform-ish Pieces.

Read On ›

Should I wash sweet potatoes before baking? ›

They're dirty! Washing the sweet potatoes not only eliminates actual particles of dirt, but it also introduces some moisture to the skin, which prevents it from turning tough or leathery in the high heat of the oven.

Learn More Now ›

How do you know when your sweet potato casserole is done? ›

Bake for about 40 minutes, uncovered, or until the topping is nicely browned. Let cool slightly before serving. If you'd like to break up the preparation of this dish a bit, feel free to make and refrigerate the streusel a few days ahead.

Tell Me More ›

Can I use canned sweet potatoes instead of fresh? ›

Canned or frozen sweet potatoes may be substituted for the fresh form in any recipe calling for cooked sweet potatoes as the starting point. Canned sweet potatoes are generally smaller in diameter because of their better canning qualities.

Learn More Now ›

Are yams and sweet potatoes the same? ›

Yams and sweet potatoes differ in flavor and appearance, and they are not related. Sweet potatoes are in the morning glory family, while yams belong to the lily family. Yams aren't as sweet as sweet potatoes, and they are starchier and drier. Their texture and flavor are more similar to potatoes or yuca.

Get More Info ›

Do you peel sweet potatoes before boiling for casserole? ›

Do I Need to Peel Before Boiling? You do not need to peel sweet potatoes before boiling. If leaving the peel on, you will need to pierce the skin of the potato with a fork a few times. Also, boiling a sweet potato with the peel will require slightly more time for it to cook through.

Find Out More ›

What makes sweet potatoes taste better? ›

Freeze Time for Sweeter Sweet Potatoes

So if you want a sweet, sweet potato, you have to cook it until it reaches 135–170°F (57–77°C). And you want to keep sweet potatoes in that range for as long as possible. That will maximize how sweet the potatoes taste.

What is the purpose of eggs in a baked goods recipe? ›

Eggs play an important role in everything from cakes and cookies to meringues and pastry cream — they create structure and stability within a batter, they help thicken and emulsify sauces and custards, they add moisture to cakes and other baked goods, and can even act as glue or glaze.

Does egg thicken casserole? ›

The proteins in eggs coagulate or set at different temperatures. This results in thickening but it means that eggs must be cooked gently and heated carefully or they will scramble rather than thicken a sauce or other mixture.

Know More ›

What is the purpose of putting an egg in mashed potatoes? ›

Adding egg yolks to a pot of mashed potatoes is an easy, dairy-free texture and taste upgrade that doesn't require any special techniques. The yolks harbor all the flavorful fats and emulsifying components and will thus effectively unify the fat and water in potatoes, translating to a smoother, uniformly creamy pot.

View Details ›

Why do we add eggs to baked goods? ›

When added to a recipe, eggs take on a few roles. They may be used to add structure, flavor, texture or act as a leavening agent. Interestingly, depending on whether the recipe calls for whole eggs, egg whites and egg yolks also affect what an egg does during baking.

Get More Info Here ›