We are moving past marshmallows and on to a more sophisticated delicious sweet potato casserole. This creamy sweet potato casserole with pecans will have you and all your family going back for seconds. Creamy sweet mashed potatoes with a candied pecan topping and baked to perfection.
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Why This Recipe Works
This easy sweet potato casserole recipe is perfect for your Thanksgiving dinner or any other holiday meal. It has become a favorite at our house for years and years. We love it along side a smoked turkey breast or ham. You're going to love it just as much as we do because:
- It is a modern twist on the traditional canned sweet potatoes or yams with marshmallows.
- It uses fresh ingredients and has a lovely sweet touch.
- Can be made ahead and warmed before the big meal.
About The Ingredients
All of the ingredients for this recipe can be purchased at your local grocery store. Here are a few items to note:
- Sweet potatoes - when purchasing sweet potatoes, look for ones that have a smooth, free of soft spots, or that have sprouted. You can also use and equal amount of fresh yams in this recipe. Both are delicious.
- Brown sugar - I've chosen brown sugar as the sweetened in this recipe because I love the depth that it gives. You can use granulated sugar, maple syrup or even honey in its place.
- Chopped pecans - this is for the topping. You can find these pre-chopped on the baking aisle in your grocery store.
- Pantry Items - you'll need a handful of items from your fridge and pantry like eggs, milk, butter, vanilla and flour.
For a complete list of ingredients please see the recipe card below.
How To Make Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans
This recipe comes together so easily, let me show you just how to do it!
Step 1: Prep
Star by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Wash and peel and your potatoes.
- Cut into 2 inch cubes.
- Transfer cubed sweet potatoes to a 4 qt sauce pan.
- Cover with water and bring to a boil. Let them boil for about 15-20 minutes, or until fork tender. Drain.
Step 2: Prepare The Topping
- While the potatoes are cooking, prepare the topping but adding brown sugar, flour, and pecan to a medium bowl.
- Toss to combine.
- Add in melted butter.
- Stir until everything is well incorporated. Set aside.
Step 3: Assemble and Bake
- In a large mixing bowl, add the eggs.
- Whisk until smooth.
- Add in brown sugar, vanilla, and milk. Stir to combine.
- Add in butter.
- Add drained and cooked sweet potatoes.
- Using a hand mixer, beat potato mixture until smooth.
- Evenly spread mashed sweet potatoes in a 9x13 baking dish that has been sprayed with non-stick spray.
- Top with reserved pecan streusel topping. Spread evenly. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes until bubbly.
How To Serve
This dish is a classic holiday side, here are a few ideas of how to serve:
- Alongside a brined and baked turkey, with mashed potatoes and gravy.
- Serve with a pressure cooker ham and bacon green beans.
- Serve with a fried turkey and stuffing.
Variations
This recipe lends itself to a number of fun variations. Here are a few ideas:
- Herbs - add in rosemary or thyme for an earthy touch.
- Marshmallow topping - if you like the traditional marshmallow topping, swap it out. This is delicious with marshmallows on top instead of the pecans.
Pro Kitchen Tips
Here are a few tricks I use in the kitchen when making this dish:
- Use a titan peeler. It is literally the best vegetable peeler I've ever used and makes your work go fast!
- Use pre-chopped pecans to save time. These are found in a bag in the baking aisle of your grocery store.
FAQs
Yes! It's one of my favorite parts of this recipe. Prepare everything except for baking. Cover and store in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve heat in the oven until bubbly - about 30-40 minutes.
This will last up to 5 days if stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
More Delicious Thanksgiving Sides
For more Thanksgiving recipes, check out these:
Also check out our roasted sweet potatoes for another fun sweet potato recipe.
KEEP IN TOUCH!
If you tried this homemade sweet potato recipe or any other recipe on the blog then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave us a comment below. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest to see what else we’re getting up to!
Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans
Ingredients
Potatoes
- 3 lbs Sweet Potatoes
- 2 Eggs
- ½ Cup Brown Sugar
- ½ Cup Butter softened
- ⅓ Cup Milk
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla
Topping
- 1 Cup Brown Sugar
- 1 Cup Chopped Pecans
- ½ Cup Flour
- ⅓ Cup Butter melted
Instructions
- Rinse and peel sweet potatoes,then cut in to large chunks and boil in large pot of water.
- When potatoes are fork tender, drain.
- While boiling, prepare topping:
- Combine pecans, flour, brown sugar, and melted butter.
- Stir until well combined. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, add eggs and beat until smooth.
- Add in sugar, butter, milk, and vanilla.
- Add drained, cooked, sweet potatoes to the bowl.
- Use hand mixer to beat until smooth.
- Pour into a greased 9x13 baking dish.
- Spread prepared topping evenly on top.
- Bake uncovered at 350 degress for 20-25 mins.
Erin V says
this was so yummy at thanksgiving, we just had to have it again the next week.
Bethany Barrow says
This is my favorite of your recipes. I made it twice in the middle of the summer last year. It honestly makes my mouth water thinking of it.
Aubrey says
Bethany!! I'm so glad you like it! I love it as well and definitely don't wait for Thanksgiving to make it :)