Easy Sweet Potato Casserole
This Praline Topped Sweet Potato Casserole will win over the whole family! A quick-to-prepare Thanksgiving side dish recipe that trumps the marshmallow version. My dad commented, “this tastes like candy,” as he went for his second helping!
Even if you think you don’t like sweet potatoes, this Southern Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe will change your mind!
Why You Must
- It’s definitely decadent enough for a holiday side dish!
- The process is not taxing, in fact, it’s very easy to make.
- Like my dad said after his first bite, “It tastes like candy!” Though recently, I cut the amount of sugar in half and it’s still plenty sweet! I’ve given a range in the recipe card.
How to Make
- Mash your sweet potatoes. I prefer using baked sweet potatoes as boiled ones can be too watery.
- Preheat oven to 350º and butter a 2-quart baking dish.
- Combine sweet potatoes, sugar, vanilla, and milk, and mix well. Pour into baking dish and smooth top.
- Mix the flour, brown sugar, and pecans. Cut in butter until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
- Sprinkle the topping over the sweet potatoes.
- Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
Expert Tips
After recommending our local Junior League’s sweet potato recipe to a friend, I realized I hadn’t posted this Sweet Potato Casserole recipe with you all. These candied sweet potatoes are a more elegant version of the classic marshmallow-topped casserole.
- I like baking and mashing my own sweet potatoes to use in this recipe. Using canned sweet potatoes will eliminate those steps.
- I’ve cut down the sugar from the original recipe. Taste the filling before adding the topping and adjust according to your palate.
- I use pecans in the topping but feel free to use walnuts if you prefer those.
- PRO-Tip: This casserole can be assembled the day before to streamline your holiday prep. Just bring it to room temperature before baking (or add more time if you bake right from the fridge).
Frequently Asked Questions
Bake, boil or open and drain a can of sweet potatoes. Use a potato ricer, masher, or mixer, and process until smooth. Add milk, sugar, and/or seasonings to taste.
For this recipe, the mashed sweet potatoes will be measured out as part of the recipe, so there is no need to add any seasonings.
It depends on the recipe. Many are topped with marshmallows but this one is crowned with a mixture of brown sugar, flour, butter, and pecans.
The sweet potatoes have vanilla, sugar, and milk added to them. Additional ingredients can include cinnamon and other spices, maple syrup, and/or nuts.
Yams are not commonly sold in the US even though some canned sweet potatoes are labeled as yams. A yam’s flesh can be white, yellow, purple, or pink and the skin is dark and bark-like. They’re starchier than sweet potatoes and not as sweet.
Sweet potatoes have moister flesh that can be white, orange, rosy-colored, or purple. Their skin is smoother.
Yes! Both the topping and the mashed and sweetened sweet potato mixture can be made a day or two ahead of time. Store the components in the refrigerator, but bring them out to take the chill off for about an hour before baking.
Spread the sweet potatoes in your baking dish, then crumble on the topping. Bake as directed, but note that it may take extra time if it does not come to room temperature after being in the fridge.
Single servings can be microwaved. To reheat the whole casserole, cover it with foil and place it in a 300-degree oven for 15-20 minutes depending on how much is in the dish.
Yes, your leftovers can be frozen for up to 3 months if it’s kept airtight. The praline topping might get a little soft when it defrosts, but it will still be tasty.
Be forewarned, though. This dish could almost pass for a dessert, so it’s perfect for a carb-heavy turkey day meal. But it may be a wee bit too sweet to serve any time but a holiday, but definitely worth the calorie splurge!
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Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
A terrific sweet potato recipe that will convert even your biggest naysayer!
Ingredients
- 3 cups mashed cooked sweet potatoes (about 3 large)
- ¼-½ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¼-½ cup milk
Topping:
- ⅓ cup flour
- ⅔ cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup butter
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350º.
- Butter a 2-quart baking dish. Set aside.½⅓¼⅔
- Combine sweet potatoes, sugar, vanilla, and milk and mix well. Pour into baking dish and smooth top.
- Mix the flour and brown sugar. Cut in butter until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
- Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
Notes
Adapted from Winners cookbook
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 363Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 21mgSodium: 100mgCarbohydrates: 50gFiber: 4gSugar: 33gProtein: 4g
40 Comments on “Easy Sweet Potato Casserole”
I love anything sweet potato and can’t wait to try your recipe!
Hope you enjoy, Shaunda! It’s perfect for the holidays.
I’ve never used sweet potatoes for sweet dishes (Except for pancakes). I know this might sound odd, but I prefer savoury sweet potato recipes. But I must admit this casserole looks so good that I will be willing to give it a try 🙂
I know I’d love this! And your spinach soufflé is still on my list of things to make. Happy Thanksgiving Planning LIz:@)
This is the prettiest sweet potato casserole ever. Can’t wait to try it!
That topping though! SO good!!! It’s the perfect mix of flavors and it adds a crunchy texture. Perfect.
I love this version so much more than the gooey marshmallow classic. The praline topping is perfection!
This is really amazing! I will definitely make this again for Thanksgiving!
Such a delicious recipe, thank you for sharing! I’m going to make this for Thanksgiving for sure!
The praline topping is EVERYTHING! This was a big hit last year and will definitely be making another appearance on our holiday table!
I’m going to need to make this for thanksgiving! the praline topping sounds amazing
I love this topping yum!!
I make a very similar version of this every year for Thanksgiving. I don’t care if I have any turkey, or any of the other Thanksgiving dishes, but I always have to have this. Love that you called it praline. Mmm.
Beautiful sweet potato casserole… perfect for any Thanksgiving table. 🙂
Even though I love a sweet potato casserole, I’ve never made one. I love yours and the praline topping! I’m holding on to this one for Christmas. Great ideas for Thanksgiving! Hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving Liz!
Love the praliné look amazing!!
Joe always makes sweet potato casserole for his daughter to take to her holiday meals. He just had me print yours so he could make it for her this year 🙂
Yummy! You’ve given me a great idea!
I would scoop all of the praline topping off and no one else would get any! That’s mean itsn’t it? OK, I would only scoop off half of the praline topping.
I love your Thanksgiving menu selection of the beautiful and delicious side dishes! One special bread I would love to make is the Pumpkin Challah! Simply amazing and gorgeous! xo
I’ve heard a lot of people say that their Thanksgiving menu is sacred and never shall it be altered! We’re a bit the same with our Christmas menu – we don’t like too many curve balls thrown in. There are some recipes that are just really special and tend to only be used on very special occasions and there will be hell on earth if any of these don’t appear on the table! Your praline topped sweet potato looks like a great turkey accompaniment xx
The praline topping looks so amazing!
The praline looks absolutely gorgeous my friend! Great idea on the casserole 😀
Cheers
CCU
Wow, that is some side dishes, everything looks so so good.
Love the classics and the buns, I need to make em’.
Man servant would love this. But this year he is getting sweet potato latkes. Suffer, baby!
How very delicious, Liz. Great recipe, one I’d like to try!
Smile. We’re about the classics too. I’m keeping things simple this year (letting mom do most of the cooking….we’re just bringing pie). I should pass this casserole her way though! Thank you for sharing!
Lizzy,
Your hubby ate the casserole even with the pecans? It looks delicious and my hubby would love it.
Annamaria
Moomie’s buns – I can hear them calling me all the way down here! I must have them!
and this gorgeous casserole. It’s much like mine and I’ll definitely be eating this on Thanksgiving.
What a great “collection” of holiday recipes! The Holiday Fruit Salad caught my eye – it sounds wonderful and your Moomies buns look great too! That sweet potato casserole sounds amazing. Happy week as you prepare for your Thanksgiving!!
This sweet potato casserole looks great
Thanks for the recipes Liz! I love sweet potatoes and that praline topping looks so delicious. I also appreciate that you gave us the whole line up and saved us from digging deep into the “bowels” 🙂
I plan around with Thanksgiving dishes leading up to the day but when it comes to Thanksgiving that is my mom’s show and it is always the same. Just how I want it.
We eat at a friend’s home and I’m taking a similar casserole…every one seems to enjoy it. Your spinach soufflé is calling my name. I might have to take it as well. 🙂
I waffle back and forth between sweet and savory sweet potatoes dishes. Happy early thanksgiving and thanks for the recipes,
Yes please! I love sweet potato casserole! I have to make a mini version every year because no one in my home really likes it. 🙁
Sounds like a great holiday line-up! Happy Pre-Thanksgiving Week:@)
Wow, what a pretty casserole Liz! I love sweet potatoes and can’t stop staring at that wonderful praline topping!
This is very similar to the casserole I make each year. I love it, especially the pecan topping. I crave it year round.
Oh you had me at the praline topping!