If you’re looking for a show-stopping side that practically sings with warmth, color, and Southern hospitality, Southern Sweet Potato Casserole is absolutely it. This classic holiday favorite combines creamy mashed sweet potatoes with a rich, buttery topping that’s bursting with brown sugar and pecans. Whether you’re making it for Thanksgiving, a cozy Sunday dinner, or just because you crave something sweet and comforting, this casserole brings together the best of old-fashioned flavor and sheer crowd-pleasing magic.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll be amazed at how a handful of simple, everyday ingredients come together to make such a memorable dish! Each one plays a key role in creating the silky smooth texture, golden color, and irresistible crunch of this Southern Sweet Potato Casserole.
- Mashed sweet potatoes: The creamy, naturally sweet base and star of the show—roast or boil them for best results.
- Granulated sugar: Just the right hint of sweetness to enhance the flavor of the sweet potatoes.
- Large eggs: These help bind everything together, making the casserole set up beautifully as it bakes.
- Whole milk: Adds a luxurious richness and helps achieve that perfectly smooth texture.
- Unsalted butter (melted): Butter brings out the flavor of the potatoes and gives the filling a silky mouthfeel.
- Vanilla extract: A splash of vanilla warms up the flavors and gives the casserole a bakery-fresh aroma.
- Salt: Just a pinch balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
- Brown sugar (packed): Used in the topping, it caramelizes beautifully while baking and adds deep, molasses-like sweetness.
- All-purpose flour: Helps the crumble topping hold together for that classic, crunchy finish.
- Chopped pecans: Toasty and nutty, they add irresistible crunch and a touch of Southern flair.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Gently binds the topping ingredients together for perfect, crumbly texture.
How to Make Southern Sweet Potato Casserole
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Baking Dish
Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray—this ensures your Southern Sweet Potato Casserole comes out neat and easy to serve, with no precious bits stuck to the bottom.
Step 2: Mix the Sweet Potato Filling
In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed sweet potatoes, granulated sugar, eggs, milk, melted butter, vanilla extract, and salt. Use a hand mixer or a sturdy whisk to blend everything together until it’s silky smooth and creamy. This step is where the luscious base of your casserole is born!
Step 3: Assemble the Base Layer
Pour the sweet potato mixture into your prepared baking dish, smoothing it out with a spatula so it’s nice and even. This layer should look invitingly orange and already smell fantastic!
Step 4: Make the Crunchy Pecan Topping
In a separate bowl, blend the brown sugar, flour, chopped pecans, and softened butter. Use a fork (or your fingers, if you like) to work the mixture until it forms a crumbly, chunky topping. This pecan crust will bake up golden and crisp, adding the signature contrast to your Southern Sweet Potato Casserole.
Step 5: Add the Topping and Bake
Sprinkle the topping evenly over the sweet potato layer, making sure every bite gets a little bit of that sugary, nutty crunch. Slide the dish into your preheated oven and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is bubbling gently around the edges.
Step 6: Cool and Serve
Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes—this helps it set up and makes serving easier. Now all that’s left is to gather everyone around and dig in!
How to Serve Southern Sweet Potato Casserole
Garnishes
For a festive touch, sprinkle extra toasted pecans or a handful of mini marshmallows over the top during the last 10 minutes of baking. The marshmallows get gooey and golden, while the nuts add even more crunch and visual flair—perfect for making your Southern Sweet Potato Casserole look as stunning as it tastes.
Side Dishes
This casserole is a dream alongside roasted turkey, baked ham, or even a simple rotisserie chicken. Pair it with classic sides like green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, or buttery cornbread, and you’ve got a Southern-inspired feast that feels both homey and special.
Creative Ways to Present
Try baking the casserole in individual ramekins for a personal touch at dinner parties, or serve it in a pretty oval dish for family-style gatherings. You can even scoop leftovers into mason jars for adorable, portable desserts—Southern Sweet Potato Casserole truly shines in any setting!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Southern Sweet Potato Casserole tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors deepen as it chills, making those next-day bites even more irresistible.
Freezing
You can freeze the casserole before or after baking! Wrap the dish tightly in foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating, and you’ll have a ready-made treat for busy nights or surprise guests.
Reheating
To reheat, cover with foil and warm in a 325°F oven until heated through, about 20–25 minutes. For a crispier topping, remove the foil for the last 5 minutes of baking. Individual portions can be microwaved for a quick treat, too.
FAQs
Can I make Southern Sweet Potato Casserole ahead of time?
Absolutely! Prepare the casserole (including the topping) up to a day in advance, cover, and refrigerate. When you’re ready to bake, just pop it in the oven and add a few extra minutes to the baking time if needed.
What’s the best way to mash sweet potatoes?
Roasting sweet potatoes whole in their skins gives them the deepest flavor and easiest texture to mash, but boiling works if you’re pressed for time. Just make sure to drain well and mash thoroughly for a velvety base.
Can I use canned sweet potatoes instead of fresh?
You can, but be sure to drain them thoroughly and reduce the added sugar slightly, since canned sweet potatoes are often packed in syrup. Fresh sweet potatoes will always deliver the best flavor and texture for your Southern Sweet Potato Casserole.
Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free?
Definitely! Swap in your favorite non-dairy butter and unsweetened plant-based milk for the dairy ingredients. It’s a simple adjustment, and the results are still rich and delicious.
Can I add marshmallows to the topping?
Of course! For the classic touch, scatter mini marshmallows over the top during the last 10 minutes of baking. They’ll puff up and turn golden brown, adding a gooey, nostalgic finish to your casserole.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something magical about sharing a pan of Southern Sweet Potato Casserole with the people you love. It’s cozy, festive, and always a hit—so don’t be surprised if it becomes a requested favorite at your table, too. Give this recipe a try and let it bring a little Southern sunshine to your next meal!
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Southern Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Southern Sweet Potato Casserole is a classic holiday side dish featuring creamy mashed sweet potatoes topped with a crunchy pecan and brown sugar streusel. It’s perfectly balanced with sweetness and a buttery, nutty topping that bakes to golden perfection. Ideal for Thanksgiving or any family gathering, this comforting casserole is easy to prepare ahead and sure to delight everyone at the table.
Ingredients
Sweet Potato Mixture
- 4 cups mashed sweet potatoes (about 4–5 medium sweet potatoes)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup whole milk
- ½ cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
Topping
- 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (softened)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Mix Sweet Potato Base: In a large bowl, combine the mashed sweet potatoes, granulated sugar, eggs, whole milk, melted butter, vanilla extract, and salt. Stir the mixture until it’s smooth, creamy, and well blended.
- Spread in Dish: Pour the sweet potato mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish and spread it out with a spatula to create a smooth surface.
- Prepare Topping: In a separate bowl, mix together brown sugar, all-purpose flour, chopped pecans, and softened butter. Use a fork to combine these ingredients until the mixture forms a crumbly texture.
- Add Topping: Sprinkle the crumbly pecan topping evenly over the sweet potato layer in the baking dish.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is heated through.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before serving. This helps the flavors meld and makes it easier to serve.
Notes
- You can prepare this casserole up to a day in advance and refrigerate it before baking to save time on the day of serving.
- For an extra touch of sweetness and a traditional holiday look, add mini marshmallows on top of the casserole during the last 10 minutes of baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 23g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
