Sweet Potato Casserole
Creamy, buttery mashed sweet potatoes with a hint of vanilla and warm spices, topped with a crunchy brown sugar pecan streusel. A classic Southern comfort dish that doubles as a side or dessert, this casserole is golden, bubbly, and utterly irresistible at holiday gatherings.
For 8 servings
- prep
Preheat the oven and prep the baking dish.
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with a small amount of butter.
- boil · ~20 min
Boil the sweet potatoes until fork-tender.
1.Place cubed sweet potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water.2.Add salt to the water.3.Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer.4.Cook until potatoes are very tender, about 15–20 minutes.TIPStart in cold water. It helps the potatoes cook evenly from edge to center. - prep
Drain and mash the sweet potatoes.
Drain the potatoes well and return them to the warm pot. Mash until smooth with a potato masher or fork.
TIPLet the potatoes steam-dry in the hot pan for a minute after draining. Less water means a creamier, richer casserole. - mix · ~5 min
Mix the sweet potato base.
1.Add 3 tablespoons butter to the hot mashed sweet potatoes and stir until melted.2.Mix in ¼ cup brown sugar, warm milk, beaten egg, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg.3.Whisk until the mixture is smooth and well combined.TIPTaste the mixture before adding the egg and adjust the sweetness or spice to your liking. - assemble
Spread mixture in the baking dish.
Transfer the sweet potato mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer with a spatula.
- mix · ~3 min
Make the pecan streusel topping.
1.In a medium bowl, combine the remaining ¼ cup brown sugar, all-purpose flour, and remaining 1 tablespoon butter.2.Use your fingers or a fork to mix until the mixture looks like coarse, damp sand.3.Fold in the chopped pecans until evenly distributed.TIPMake sure the butter is cold for the best crumbly texture. Room-temperature butter will make a paste instead of a crumble. - assemble
Top the casserole with the streusel.
Sprinkle the pecan streusel mixture evenly over the sweet potato layer, completely covering the top.
- bake · ~30 min
Bake until golden and bubbly.
Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the topping is deep golden brown and the edges are bubbling.
TIPFor an extra-crunchy top, switch the oven to broil for the last 1–2 minutes and watch it closely so it doesn't burn. - rest · ~10 min
Rest the casserole before serving.
Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest on a wire rack for 10 minutes. This helps it set up and makes it easier to scoop neat servings.
TIPServing it too hot will make it runny. The 10-minute rest is key for the perfect soft-but-sliceable texture.
What to keep in mind.
7 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Boil sweet potatoes in salted water starting cold for even cooking.
- 2Let drained potatoes steam-dry in the hot pot for 1 minute to remove excess moisture.
- 3Taste the sweet potato base before adding the egg to adjust sweetness or spices.
- 4Use cold butter for the streusel to achieve a crumbly, sandy texture.
- 5For an extra-crunchy top, broil the casserole for 1–2 minutes at the end, watching closely.
- 6Let the casserole rest 10 minutes after baking so it sets and scoops neatly.
- 7Make ahead: assemble without topping, refrigerate, then add streusel and bake.
Adapt it for your goals.
Vegan
Replace butter with vegan butter (or coconut oil) and use a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water) and plant-based milk. A perfect plant-based holiday side.
gluten freeGluten-free
Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend or almond flour for the streusel topping. Ideal for gluten-sensitive guests.
lower sugarLower-sugar
Reduce the brown sugar by half in both the mash and topping, or swap for a sugar-free sweetener like monk fruit. This tones down sweetness without losing texture.
extra crunchy toppingExtra crunchy topping
Add 1/4 cup rolled oats and 2 tbsp chopped walnuts to the streusel for more texture and a toasty flavor. Great for those who love a hearty crumble.
savory sweetSavory-sweet
Add 1/2 tsp smoked paprika and a pinch of cayenne to the sweet potato base. The subtle heat balances the sweetness beautifully for a dinner side.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Rich in Vitamin A
Sweet potatoes are one of the best sources of beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A for healthy vision and immune function.
Good Source of Fiber
With the peel left on during boiling (or from the potato flesh itself), this dish provides dietary fiber that supports digestion and satiety.
Heart-Healthy Pecans
Pecans contain monounsaturated fats and antioxidants, which may help support heart health by lowering bad cholesterol levels.
Contains Protein from Egg
The egg adds a small amount of high-quality protein, helping the casserole set and providing essential amino acids.
Natural Sweetness with Less Refined Sugar
The sweet potatoes contribute natural sugars, allowing for less added sugar compared to many dessert-like casseroles.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, but drain them very well and skip the boiling step. Use about 4 cups of drained mashed canned sweet potatoes for best results.
