Sweet potato casserole is a favorite at most tables during the holiday season. But at our house, we love to have it any time of the year. The comforting dish with its sweet potato mixture of brown sugar, fresh sweet potatoes, mini marshmallows, and warm holiday spices just makes you feel satisfied and comfortable. Whether you are making it for your Thanksgiving table, Christmas dinner, or just a family meal, you can make sweet potato casserole easily in minutes.

There are many versions of sweet potato casserole whether you make a simple sweet potato casserole with just a few ingredients or a loaded sweet potato casserole with toasted pecans, cinnamon filling, and a creamy buttery marshmallow topping. You may be using your grandmother’s recipe or starting your own new tradition to pass on to the kids and grandkids. No matter what, every great recipe needs sweet potatoes, butter, brown sugar, marshmallows, and spices.

The sweet potato casserole dish was first printed in 1796 in the American Cookery Book by Amelia Simmons. She titled it potato pudding and the easy recipe was made with eggs, milk, sugar, butter, and sweet potatoes. You can make sweet potato casserole ahead of time and keep it in the fridge overnight so all you have to do is bake it when you are ready. You can find other serving suggestions and tips at the bottom of the page.

Choosing the best sweet potatoes

If you are buying fresh sweet potatoes, get small- to medium-sized spuds with smooth skin, no cracks, and no bruises. They should be firm too. Never buy squishy or soft sweet potatoes. You can also use canned sweet potatoes if you like. Many grocery stores even have diced frozen potatoes you can use to save time.

The best variety will have copper skin and orange flesh but there are different kinds that have tan or golden-brown skin with white, yellow, and even purple flesh. All sweet potatoes are high in vitamins A, B6, and C as well as fiber and potassium but the ones with the orangest flesh have the most beta-carotene, which is also vitamin A.

Ingredients

  • Sweet potatoes
  • Unsalted butter: If you are using salted butter, just leave out the salt from the recipe.
  • Dark brown sugar: You can also use light brown sugar.
  • Pumpkin pie spice: Or you can just use ground cinnamon.
  • Vanilla extract
  • Large eggs
  • Kosher salt

Topping ingredients:

  • Chopped pecans
  • Melted butter
  • Brown sugar
  • All-purpose flour

Making sweet potato casserole

Add peeled and chopped sweet potatoes to boiling water and let them boil in a large pot for 20 minutes. While you wait, add the rest of the ingredients to a large mixing bowl and then put it in a greased baking dish. Once the cooked sweet potatoes are cooled, mash them with a potato masher. Then, mix the mashed sweet potatoes with the casserole ingredients. Last, you will mix up the topping ingredients and put the mixture on top of the casserole before baking for 25 to 30 minutes or until it is lightly browned.

Other ideas for sweet potato casserole

Everyone seems to have their own favorite sweet potato casserole recipe. Some people add other ingredients to their casserole dishes like eggs, whole milk or heavy cream, regular sugar, and different kinds of spices to their sweet potato recipes. Others add dried cranberries or raisins, chopped apples, or even chocolate chips. For the topping, it is often maple syrup or honey with sugar and chopped pecans or walnuts.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to boil my sweet potatoes first?

Whether you boil your potatoes first or just bake them depends on your favorite cooking methods. To make sure your potatoes are done, though, and to cut down on oven time, use the boiling method for your sweet potato recipe. Just boil them until they are fork-tender and then add the rest of the ingredients for buttery mashed sweet potatoes.

Can I make my sweet potato casserole ahead of time?

Yes, for a make-ahead recipe, you can boil your potatoes and mix everything the recipe calls for and add it to your prepared baking dish. Then, cover it with plastic wrap and keep it in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake it. You can make it and refrigerate it for two or three days before cooking.

Can I use canned sweet potatoes or yams?

For an easy sweet potato casserole recipe, feel free to use a couple of cans of yams or sweet potatoes instead of making your own. You will not have to worry about peeling, chopping, and boiling them. Just mash them and add them to the rest of the ingredients. This will save you almost an hour of prep time!

Tips and recipe notes

  • You can freeze sweet potato casserole, but it is best to do it without the topping. Just put it in a freezer-safe airtight container and it can be kept frozen for up to 90 days.
  • For best results, thaw overnight before you reheat sweet potato casserole.
  • Use a non-stick cooking spray for your prepared casserole dish or prepared pan.
  • Instead of using a potato masher, you could use a hand mixer or even a large bowl and wooden spoon.
  • Alternatively, you could use a Dutch oven instead of a pot to boil your potatoes. Once the water is boiling, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer.
  • If you want less sweetness, cut the sugar in half and use just a sprinkling of miniature marshmallows.
  • Make your casserole in the slow cooker to save oven space. Just pour it all into the pot, mix it up, and let it cook on high for five hours.
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F before baking.
  • Add milk or cream until your mashed sweet potato mix is the desired consistency.
  • For extra buttery sweet potato casserole, use browned butter.