Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
Sweet Potato Casserole with an irresistible crunchy pecan topping is the ultimate Thanksgiving side dish! It’s right up there with classic Mashed Potatoes! The sweet potato center is soft, fluffy and puffs up slightly like a soufflé.
We are major sweet potato fans over here! Some of our favorites include Scalloped Sweet Potatoes, Sweet Potato Soup and Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Bacon. This Sweet Potato Casserole is a staple for our holiday dinners.
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Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
There’s nothing more comforting than a sweet potato casserole. The sweet smells, luxurious texture and that crisp nutty topping! This is like a side dish and dessert in one. It is satisfying and truly flavorful. It’s also really easy to make! This sweet potato bake is my sister Tanya’s recipe and the dish she brings to every year for Thanksgiving.
Can Sweet Potato Casserole be Made Ahead?
Yes! You can make the sweet potato mixture, transfer to a casserole dish then cover and refrigerate overnight. Just before baking, make the simple pecan crumble and bake. If starting with cold sweet potatoes, increase the bake time by 5 minutes. This casserole is a one-pot meal for easier everything, but you can absolutely cook the potatoes in a regular pot and transfer to a 9×13 casserole dish to bake.
Ingredients for Sweet Potato Casserole:
You will need 4 lbs of Sweet potatoes (about 4 large sweet potatoes), which results in 6 cups of mashed sweet potatoes. We add an egg/sugar/butter mixture to the sweet potatoes which gives the sweet potatoes incredible texture and flavor and causes them to puff up slightly.
The addition of craisins is optional but that little bit of tang is a nice flavor contrast. Also, the pecans go in raw and toast in the oven.
How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole:
1. Peel and chop sweet potatoes into 1″ chunks. Cover with water and boil 10-15 minutes until fork-tender. Mash or use an electric hand mixer for super creamy potatoes.
2. Preheat Oven to 350˚F. In a bowl, whisk together: 3 eggs and 1/2 cup sugar. Whisk in 6 Tbsp melted butter and 1/2 Tbsp vanilla. Stir butter mixture into sweet potatoes then fold in 1 cup craisins and spread into a 9×13 casserole dish.
How to Make Pecan Topping:
1. This is the easiest topping for a sweet potato casserole. In a bowl, combine 2/3 cup brown sugar and 1/3 cup flour. Add 3 Tbsp of diced cold butter and rub the butter with the sugar mixture using your fingertips until pea-sized crumbs form. Stir in the pecans. You can use a pastry blender to keep your hands clean.
2. Sprinkle mixture evenly over sweet potato mixture and bake uncovered at 350˚F uncovered for 35-40 minutes or until hot and sweet potatoes start to puff at the edges.
Can I Add Marshmallows?
We love the crisp buttery pecan crumble topping which adds a great contrast to the creamy mashed potatoes. You can Make a Marshmallow topped Sweet Potato Casserole if you prefer, just stir in about 1 1/2 cups of mini marshmallows into the topping and sprinkle evenly over the top.
More Thanksgiving Menu Ideas:
These are the recipes that appear on our holiday table year after year. I hope you find some new favorites in this list.
- Juicy Roast Turkey – with the best Gravy
- Cranberry Sauce – homemade is best
- Prime Rib Roast – don’t forget Horseradish Sauce
- Green Bean Casserole – from scratch!
- Apple Pie – with an all-butter crust
Watch Natasha Make Easy Sweet Potato Casserole:
Watch the video tutorial and you’ll see just how easy this is! If you make this recipe for Thanksgiving or Christmas, I’d love to hear about it.
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Sweet Potato Casserole
Easy Sweet Potato Casserole with an irresistible crunchy pecan topping. This recipe is so flavorful. The sweet potatoes are soft, smooth and puff up slightly while baking.
Ingredients
- 4 lbs sweet potatoes 6 cups mashed
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 5 Tbsp unsalted butter melted and slightly cooled
- 1/2 Tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup craisins dried cranberries
- 2/3 cup brown sugar packed
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter cold, diced
- 1 cup pecans coarsely chopped
Instructions
How to Make Mashed Sweet Potatoes:
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Peel and chop sweet potatoes into 1" chunks. Add to a large pot with enough water to cover surface of potatoes and bring to a boil. Cook uncovered at a medium/low boil about until easily pierced with a fork (about 10-15 minutes). Drain and mash (mash with an electric mixer to make it even creamier).
How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole:
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Preheat Oven to 350˚F. In a large bowl, whisk together 3 eggs, 1/2 cup sugar, 6 Tbsp melted butter and 1/2 Tbsp vanilla. Stir butter mixture into cooked sweet potatoes then stir in 1 cup craisins. Spread sweet potato mix evenly into a 9x13 casserole dish.
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In a small bowl, combine 2/3 cup brown sugar and 1/3 cup flour. Add butter and use your hands to rub the mixture together until pea-sized crumbs form. Stir in 1 cup chopped pecans. Sprinkle over sweet potatoes and bake at 350˚F uncovered for 35-40 min or until hot and sweet potatoes start to puff at edges.
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen
This sweet potato casserole recipe was updated 11/15/19. We upgraded the photos and added a video tutorial. Here is an image from the original recipe:
Q: What is your all-time favorite way to prepare sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving? I would love to hear from you in a comment below :).
Natasha Kravchuk
Scalloped Sweet Potatoes 
Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe 
Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole 
Green Bean Casserole (From Scratch) 
Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Bacon 
Our Top 10 Classic Thanksgiving Recipes 
Hi! I'm Natasha Kravchuk. Here you'll find delicious, trusted recipes with easy step-by-step photos and videos. 
Can I cut this recipe in half. I only have 4 people over for dinner. Thanks
Hello Carol, yes you can. When you’re at the recipe, click on Jump to recipe and click the number of servings. You can adjust it so the ingredients will be adjusted too.
Do you think I could make this dish with squash instead of sweet potatoes? Thanks.
Just saw the previous comment from Terry! No need to reply again.
Can I substitute oven roasted squach for the boiled sweet potatoes?
Hi Terry, I haven’t tasted that but if you do I would love to know how you like that! It sounds delicious!
Hi Natasha! I’ve been watching your videos and I really love your recipes. Just earlier, I tried your sweet potato casserole recipe and it tastes really good. So sad I couldn’t go out and buy pecans so I made use of what’s on hand. I used almond instead but it still tastes great. I’m Mae Prias from the Philippines, by the way.
I am so glad that you loved this recipe even without the pecans! Almond is a great substitute too so it’s good that you used that instead.
My family has been making this recipe for years with slightly different amounts of the same ingredients except the craisins. It is really delicious and special to my family each year.
Hi Sarah. Good to know that you’ve already been making this recipe for years now. It’s also an all-time favorite in our household.
I boil my potatoes and let cool.too much work to peel and dice.
Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Jean! I hope you give our recipe a try soon
Made your sweet potato casserole for Christmas dinner.Was a big hit ,delicious and so easy.Thanks
You’re welcome! I’m so glad you enjoyed that!
I saw this recipe on Facebook and had to try it for my family Chanukah/Turkey dinner. It was a hit! Not a crumb left! Thanks for an easy and delicious new recipe that is sure to become a family favorite.
That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite!
Made this yummy casserole for Christmas! Even my picky 91 year old father in law loved it !!!
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great review!
I made the sweet potato casserole for Christmas Eve family dinner and it was a HIT.
There was not a bite left.
It will now be my go to sweet potato casserole for every holiday.
I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us, April!
We made this for Thanksgiving! It was very yummy. Love the cranberries in it.
That’s so great, Michelle! Thank you so much for sharing that with me!
Hi Natasha.
I made this sweet potato casserole for Thanksgiving and it was a big hit. My daughter actually requested that I make it for Christmas Eve to go with the ham. Thank you for all your great recipes.
Sounds like you found a new family favorite, Carol!
I have arthritic hands and peeling the hard sweet potatoes is impossible. Would canned sweet potatoes work?
Hi Carole, I honestly haven’t tried that. it may be worth experimenting though. I think it could still work with well-drained canned sweet potatoes. Please let me know if you test that out.
you could microwave the sweet potatoes in that potato bag or just like a baked potato-it comes out nice and moist and then easy peasy to peal and cut up skipping the boiling water and then go ahead with the rest of the recipe and easy on the hands
I make a similar recipe which calls for baking the sweet potatoes, then split and scoop out with a spoon. If canned doesn’t work for you perhaps baking would be a solution.
Carole, try cooking the sweet potatoes in the oven, let them cool and then scoop the meat out. That is a much easier way than peeling them. It works great.
Made this recipe for Thanksgiving this year and it was an absolute hit! There were no leftovers and everyone asked for the recipe. Made your mashed potato recipe last year as well and got the same response. Amazing!! Thank you Natasha
That’s just awesome, Jessica! Thank you for sharing that awesome feedback and review with us!
Hi Natasha,I made this recipe this year for Thanksgiving and OMG it became my favorite dish,I’m not waiting for next year to make this again,I’ll be probably making this every week and freeze it in small portions. It’s so so delicious. I pretty much cooked the Thanksgiving dinner using your recipes for the Turkey,the turkey gravy and the green beans.I love al your recipes,thank you!
You’re welcome, Angela! I’m so glad you liked this dish & so inspired knowing you used several of our recipes for Thanksgiving! That’s so great!
Wow! Just wow! This was amazing. I made it for Thanksgiving and everyone was reluctant to try it because we have never had sweet potato casserole before. Everyone, including my super picky husband, loved it. Will be making again for Christmas!
Don’t you just love it when that happens! Thank you for the great review, Amber!
Same here,we’ve never made sweet potato casserole before.It was so easy to make this and absolutely delicious
I’m so glad to hear that! Thanks for sharing that with me.
Did you realize that your directions for the topping don’t say to include the pecans in it?
Oh my goodness you’re right! I had it in the print-friendly recipe but not at the top. Thank you so much for pointing that out. Fixed! wouldn’t be the same without them.
Hi Natasha,
Looks fabulous, is there a substitute for the flour, grandma is
Gluten free?
Thank you
Hi Kathy, I would suggest using a 1:1 gluten-free flour to substitute to keep this a gluten-free sweet potato casserole.
Hi Natasha! I need to 1/2 this recipe. What do you think the cooking time should be? I will prepare in advance so it will be baked cold. Thank you. Love your recipes!
Hi Doreen, I have not baked it halved so I cannot advise on the time. If you test that I’d love to know how that turned out. If you use half the size of baking dish and the casserole is the same height, you would bake for about the same amount of time (maybe 5 minutes less).
Thanks Natasha! I’ll wing it since I’m the only sweet potato lover in my house. Wish me luck on the egg and a half! Happy Holidays!
Happy Holidays, Doreen! I hope you love this recipe!
One of my favorite Sweet Potato Casseroles is to drain large can of juice from a pineapple can (rings) and mix the juicewith sour cream (1 sm. tub). Cut about 5 to 6 cooked potatoes into 1/2″ to 1″ slices to coat sides in flour to fry in butter for a light brown crust. Layer slices into a casserole dish, pour sour cream mixture, sprinkle brown sugar, and top with crushed or rings of pineapple. Repeat layers and bake at 350 degrees until sour cream mixture looks like a puffy cream and dish is slightly toasted on top or until fully baked (approx. 45 min.). You may need 2 large cans of pineapple, 1-rings for top, 1- chunks or crushed for layers. Delicious! Our family tradition for Sweet Potato Casserole!
Thank you so much for sharing that with me!
My recipe is similar and also delicious. Will have to try it with the berries. Where did you get that 9×13 dish I love it!!
Hi Mindy, that dish is from Fred Meyer. I have a similar one linked in the post above.
Hi Mindy, we used this pan here. I hope that helps.
Hello Natasha! I love your recipes! I’ve turned into a better chef (mom cook) after watching your videos! I have one question about this casserole, I admidtly am making wayy too much food for Thanksgiving and wondering if the base casserole could be halfed and frozen? I’ve noticed alot of the marshmallow comments so I’ve decided to swap the craisins for tiny hot cocoa marshmallows. I’ll let you know know how it turns out! Thank you! Happy Holidays!
Hi Nathalie, I have not tested freezing it but halving the recipe should work great.
Hi, can i omit the eggs.
Hi Alesha, we always make it with the eggs but I think it would still work without them. It would be a slightly different texture but still will work.
Hi Alesha, we always make it with the eggs but I think it would still work without them. It would be a slightly different texture but still will work.
hi Natasha! I’m making this recipe today but all I have on hand are walnuts. Do you think they will be okay, or will the walnuts overpower the flavor? I’m trying to avoid driving to the store again!
Hi Adrianna, I haven’t tested that with walnuts to advise but I think it could work. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe
Can you make this ahead of time?
Hi Pam, yes please see the make-ahead instructions in the post which should help.
Hi Natasha, love your recipes so much. And so does my family. Do you have any Turkey stuffing recipe or just stuffing recipe? Would like to make one with your help.
I’m so glad you love our recipes. That is so wonderful to hear. Unfortunately, we don’t have a stuffing recipe posted yet, but when I come up with something wonderful, I will be sure to share it.
mmm this is so amazing! An awesome way to prepare those sweet potatoes. Just in time for the holidays. Thanks!
You’re welcome, Matt! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review
This is the only way I will eat sweet potatoes. So so good!
That’s so great Katie! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe!
Natasha,
ALL of your recipes are amazing!
Actually I am using your turkey and gravy recipes for Thanksgiving. My son happen to see your sweet potato casserole on my Facebook page and requested it for Thanksgiving.
Thank you so much for turning this 70 year old ( not so great cook) into an amazing cook
Have a blessed Thanksgiving
Awww that’s the best! Thank you so much for sharing that with me. I’m all smiles!
It’s not the holidays without this at the table. Looks amazing!
I agree! Sweet Potatoes are a must!
I can not wait to try this recipe for Thanksgiving! What an EXCELLENT idea adding a bit of chopped cranberry to the recipe! I was happy to see how to add the marshmallows as my [adult /lol] daughter would be very disappointed with out them…but personally I would love this recipe better “without ” the marshmallows. Thank you so much for this Amazing Cooking site! It is definitely my favorite Food site!
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great review, Cindy!
This is the same recipe my mom makes, however, she adds 2 T of bourbon. It takers it over the top. Alcohol cooks out, so it’s safe for kids.
Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
This casserole is perfection! We loved all the flavors and how easy it is to make!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I had Friendsgiving last weekend and made this as one of my sides. All of it was gone and everybody asked me for the recipe.
Thank you Natasha for a great dish as always!
That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite!
After it’s baked, do you eat it hot or cold?
We love it hot or warm 🙂
I am taking the sweet potato casserole for a Thanksgiving dinner. As the oven will have the turkey, can I cook the casserole at home and then warm it up in the oven when the turkey comes out 4 hours later.
I think that may work well Carol! I hope you like it!
I made this recipe for Thanksgiving 2 ways. I had to divide it because my nephew is allergic to nuts. So I made half following the recipe and the other half substituting marshmallows for the pecans. They both came out FANTASTIC. There were no leftovers (which made me very sad because I was looking forward to leftovers). Can’t wait to make it again next week when I have friends over.
Thank you, Natasha, for a delicious recipe.
You’re welcome Renee! I’m happy to hear the recipe is such a success! Thanks for sharing your excellent review!
I made this dish for this Thanksgiving. Everybody loved it! I used yams instead. Will make it again for next holiday!
Awesome, I’m happy to hear that!
Delicious! Just the right amount of sweetness without tasting like dessert.
I’m glad you love it! Thanks for sharing!
Hi! I was thrilled to see this featured in an email, because my husband recently tried a similar recipe at work. He raved about it and even emailed it to me. I took one look and was shocked because it calls for so much added sugar. Your recipe uses half the amount, perhaps even less. I was going to try adjusting it myself, but wasn’t sure about how much. This looks perfect. Thank you.
My pleasure JoAnn! I hope you love the recipe! Please let me know what you think.
Thank you for the recipe!
Do you serve it hot, worm or cold?
Gosha, I would serve it warm or hot. It reheats easily.
This looks great. I make something similar, but due to an egg allergy, I use orange juice.
That is a great tip! Thank you for sharing! Are you omitting the eggs?
Hi Natasha! Excited to make this for thanksgiving, however I wonder if I could substitute sugar with maple syrup or maybe not add any sugar at all inside the sweet potatoes since they are already sweet and there’s some sugar on top? I don’t know if that would alter the taste much. Thank you for the recipe!
Hi Ani, it would cause the casserole to be less sweet but if you are looking to reduce sugar, that would still work, the flavor just wouldn’t pop quite as much.
Hi Natasha, how far in advance would it be k to prepare this ? Thank you and have a very happy thanksgiving!
Mary, please see “make ahead tip” in the third paragraph of the post.
Thanks – I didn’t read thoroughly lol 😏
I use my mom’s recipe, which is much the same without the craisins. I don’t use orange juice, but many do with the marshmallow topped sweet potatoes instead of this crunchy topping. Since I will have both lovers of each this year, I will not add the orange juice (it’s too prominent, and not needed with the crunch topping), but I will alternately “stripe” the top, crunch mixture and marshmallow topping. Maybe all will be happy this way!
Thank you for sharing!! I do like the idea of marshmallows and it is clever to stripe the top!
Ah! I have a similar recipe and it’s a fan favorite. Mine has more streusel on top with small diced nuts, no berries. I add orange juice for acidity and flavor. So delicious!
That does sound good! Thanks for sharing Brianne!
thank you for this recipe, a nice new version, at least to me, of what I usually make, so thank you for this twist!
My pleasure Sabrina! I hope you love the recipe!
Natasha – I am a huge fan of your Apple Cinnamon Slab Pie! This will be the 3rd time that I will be making it for my siblings, parents, and friends. I stumbled across it while searching for similar apple recipes online. I was attracted to your blog because it was so down to earth and easy to follow. I love trying new things and I will definitely keep up with your blog. New fan! (P.S you are absolutely stunning… I cannot get over your amazing skin!)
I’m happy to hear how much you are enjoying my site Fatima! Thanks you for your sweet and encouraging comments!
Hi! If I make the Ahead of time and add the egg mixture to the hot potatoes and the right into my refrigerator, will the texture get funny because the eggs will kind of cook from the hot potato’s?
Hi Pat, it won’t get funny if the eggs are mixed into the butter and sugar before mixing with the sweet potatoes. It will work to make this ahead, but you will need to bake a little longer if baking this right from the refrigerator. Make sure it is hot in the center and you can double-check with an instant-read thermometer that it reaches a minimal internal temperature of 165˚F in the center since there are raw eggs added to the casserole.
This is so pretty to eat Natasha 😊
Thanks Inna! I agree 🙂
Glad to find this way of preparing sweet potatoes. I usually prepare the bake using mozzarella but this one is new thing to me. Thank you for sharing !
I hope you love it! And I would like to hear more about your version. Sounds interesting and I always love to experiment! 🙂
Dear Natasha,
Glad you’re interested in this savory version. It combines sweet potatoes with mozzarella, Parmesan, bacon and poppy seeds. I do not know if it is OK to attach the link of the dish I have published so you can see the details. Anyway here it is:
http://www.2pots2cook.com/2016/12/29/savory-sweet-potato-cheesy-casserole/
Of course, if you do not prefer to show other people’s posts, feel free to delete my answer, no problem at all.
I hope you will enjoy our savory version 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing! I love the idea of a savory sweet potato casserole 🙂