• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Carefree Kitchen
  • Home
  • Recipe Box
    • All Recipes
    • Appetizers
      • Cheese
      • Dips
    • Breakfast
      • Breakfast Casseroles
      • Eggs
      • French Toast
      • Muffins
      • Sweet Rolls
      • Quick Breads
    • Salads
    • Soups
    • Main Dish
      • Beef
      • Chicken
      • Pasta
      • Pizza
      • Pork
      • Seafood
      • Turkey
    • Sides
      • Potatoes
      • Rice
      • Veggies
    • Desserts
      • Bars
      • Cakes
      • Candy
      • Cookies
      • No-Bake
      • Pies
      • Flavored Popcorn
    • Breads
    • Sauces & Condiments
    • Drinks
  • Videos
  • About
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipe Box
  • Videos
  • Gift Guide 2020
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Sides

    Sweet Potato Casserole

    By Jill Baird · Published September 9, 2023 · 5 Comments

    sweet potato casserole with pecan crumble topping, pecan topping for sweet potato casserole.

    Sharing is caring!

    9300 shares
    • Share
    • Yummly
    • Twitter
    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video
    pinterest pin for sweet potatoes casserole
    sweet potato casserole with pecan topping
    pecan topping for sweet potato casserole
    sweet potato casserole pecan topping

    This Sweet Potato Casserole with is rich and buttery with a sweet, crunchy pecan streusel topping.  It’s a southern classic that can pass as either a side dish or dessert at your next holiday dinner.  

    Jump to:
    • Sweet Potato Casserole with Streusel Topping
    • Ingredients in Sweet Potato Casserole With Pecan Topping
    • Ingredients in Pecan Crumb Topping
    • Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel Topping Video Tutorial
    • How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole with Streusel Topping
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Storing and Reheating
    • Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

    Sweet Potato Casserole with Streusel Topping

    This Sweet Potato Casserole with streusel topping is an absolute must at Thanksgiving.  But, it’s such a family favorite that it also makes special appearances throughout the year.  The creamy, rich sweet potato filling, flavored with brown sugar and vanilla, is paired with a sweet and crunchy pecan crumble topping.

    Most often I serve Sweet Potato Casserole with pecan crumble topping as a side dish, but it’s absolutely sweet enough to pass as a dessert.  It’s also a perfect holiday recipe because the entire thing can be made a day in advance, or even frozen and baked at your leisure.  

    Sweet potato casserole with pecan topping in a baking dish with a serving removed. Sweet potato crumble. Sweet potato casserole with crumble topping.

    Looking for a recipe for Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows?  Never fear - we’ve got one of those too, along with plenty of other Thanksgiving favorites.

    Ingredients in Sweet Potato Casserole With Pecan Topping

    • Sweet Potatoes: You can use light-colored sweet potatoes, bright orange sweet potatoes or even a mix of them both.  Just make sure you wash and peel them before cooking.
    • Brown Sugar: This will give it a very rich and sweet taste.  Either light or dark brown sugar will work great. 
    • Eggs: any type of large eggs will work.  This helps to bind the casserole together.
    • Butter: salted butter is great, but unsalted works too.
    • Milk: I like to use whole milk or 2% milk, but any kind will be fine.  You can even substitute coconut milk.
    • Vanilla: pure vanilla extract tastes best.

    Ingredients in Pecan Crumb Topping

    • Pecans: use plain pecans without any seasoning or salt.  It doesn't matter if they are whole or chopped because you will be chopping them anyways.
    • Corn Starch: this helps hold all of the delicious butter in.
    • Brown Sugar: Light or dark brown sugar works great.
    • Butter: salted butter works great but unsalted work too.

    Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel Topping Video Tutorial

    How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole with Streusel Topping

    1. Cook and mash the sweet potatoes.  Add the diced sweet potatoes to a large pot.  Fill the pot with enough water to cover the potatoes, then bring to a boil.  Boil for 15-20 minutes or until fork-tender.  Drain, then return to the pot and use a potato masher to mash until they are smooth.
    2. Mix with other ingredients.  To the pot with the mashed sweet potatoes, add the brown sugar, eggs, butter, milk, and vanilla.  Stir and mash together until all ingredients are well combined.  Pour the sweet potato mixture into a greased 9" x 9" pan and set aside while you make the pecan crumble topping.
    3. Make the pecan crumble topping.  Add the brown sugar, corn starch, chopped pecans, and melted butter in a large mixing bowl.  Mix with a spatula until combined and crumbled, then sprinkle evenly over the sweet potato mixture.
    4. Bake.  Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 35 minutes, or until the pecan crumble topping is lightly golden brown on top.
    5. Serve.  Remove from the oven and place on a cooling rack for 5 minutes before serving.  Enjoy! 
    pecan topped sweet potato casserole in a baking dish. sweet potato with pecan topping. sweet potato casserole pecan topping. Crunchy sweet potato casserole. Sweet potato pecan topping. Pecan topping for sweet potato casserole.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I make Sweet Potato Casserole ahead of time and freeze?

    If you want to make this Sweet Potato Casserole ahead of time, prepare everything but do not bake.  Cover well with aluminum foil and store frozen for up to 2 months.  When it comes to time bake, let it thaw in the fridge overnight.  The next day, pull it out to room temperature while you preheat the oven and bake as directed.

    What’s the difference between sweet potatoes and yams?

    While both sweet potatoes and yams are root vegetables with very similar appearances, tastes and textures, they are not quite the same.  In the U.S. grocery stores, sweet potatoes are often mislabeled as yams.  However, real yams from Africa and Asia aren’t super common in this country.  They are a little starchier and drier than sweet potatoes. 
     
    Basically, if your recipe calls for yams, you can go ahead and substitute sweet potatoes.

    Can I roast the sweet potatoes instead of boiling them?

    If you would rather roast the sweet potatoes, you can do so by peeling and slicing as directed.  Bake in a preheated 425 degree oven for about 45 minutes, or until tender.

    Is Sweet Potato Casserole a dessert or side dish?

    Sweet Potato Casserole is a southern classic that can pass for a side dish or a dessert.  It’s just sweet enough and just savory enough that it really works as both.  

    Storing and Reheating

    • Make-ahead: follow the recipe to make the sweet potato mixture and spread it into your prepared baking dish.  Cover with plastic wrap and store in the fridge overnight.  You can make the pecan crumb topping and store it separately in an airtight container in the fridge.  To bake, remove the baking dish and crumble it from the fridge while you preheat your oven.  Sprinkle the topping evenly and bake as directed.
    • Refrigerator:  store leftovers covered with plastic in the fridge for up to 4 days.
    • Freezer: you can freeze your unbaked casserole by wrapping well with aluminum foil and storing for up to 2 months.  Thaw overnight in the fridge, then pull out the baking dish as you preheat the oven.  Bake as directed.
    • To reheat: to reheat leftovers, you can warm them in a microwave.  Or, place the entire baking dish - covered with aluminum foil - into a 300-degree oven for about 15-20 minutes or until warmed through.
    Sweet potato casserole with pecan streusel topping
    Print

    Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

    This Sweet Potato Casserole is rich and buttery with a sweet crunchy pecan topping.  It’s a southern classic that can pass as either a side dish or dessert at your next holiday dinner.
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 35 minutes minutes
    Total Time 50 minutes minutes
    Servings 8 people
    Calories 480kcal
    Author The Carefree Kitchen
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 3-4 large Sweet Potatoes peeled and cut into 1" pieces (about 1 ¾ pounds)
    • ½ cup Brown Sugar
    • 2 whole Eggs beaten
    • 4 Tablespoons Butter
    • ½ cup Milk
    • 1 ½ teaspoon Vanilla Extract

    Pecan Crumble Topping

    • 1 cup Brown Sugar
    • ½ cup Corn Starch
    • 1 cup Pecans chopped
    • ⅓ cup Butter melted

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
    • Add the diced sweet potatoes to a large pot. Fill the pot with enough water to cover the potatoes, then bring to a boil. Boil for 15-20 minutes, or until fork-tender. Drain, then return to the pot and use a potato masher to mash until they are smooth.
    • To the pot with the mashed sweet potatoes, add the brown sugar, eggs, butter, milk, and vanilla. Stir and mash together until all ingredients are well combined.
    • Pour the sweet potato mixture into a greased 9" x 9" pan and set aside while you make the pecan crumble topping.
    • In a large mixing bowl, add the brown sugar, corn starch, chopped pecans, and melted butter. Mix with a spatula until combined and crumbled, then sprinkle evenly over the sweet potato mixture.
    • Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the pecan crumble topping is lightly golden brown on top.
    • Remove from the oven and place on a cooling rack for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 480kcal | Carbohydrates: 64g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 78mg | Sodium: 177mg | Potassium: 462mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 46g | Vitamin A: 13477IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 96mg | Iron: 1mg

    More of the Best Thanksgiving Recipes

    • Best Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes
    • Crockpot Turkey Recipe
    • Whole Turkey For Thanksgiving
    • Best Turkey Breast
    • No-Bake Cheesecake
    • Gingerbread Cookie Bars
    • No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake
    • More Easy Side Dishes
    • More Holiday Recipes

    This Sweet Potato Casserole with crumb topping is an absolute must during the winter holidays. It's topped with a sweet and crunchy streusel made with pecans and butter. 

    « Easy Baked Ziti Recipe
    Turkey and Rice Soup »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi! I'm Jill.

    I love sharing my love of food with you and helping you find easy solutions for all of your family's meals and delicious treats.

    Learn More

    Let's Be Friends!

    • Facebook
    • Instragram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

    Most Popular Posts

    • Molasses cookies with white buttercream frosting
      Soft Molasses Cookies
    • whole wheat cinnamon rolls recipe, how to make Easy cinnamon rolls.
      Whole Wheat Cinnamon Rolls
    • Homemade Crescent Rolls in a bowl, crescent rolls recipes.
      Homemade Crescent Rolls {Video}
    • easy pretzel toffee recipe, best christmas candy recipe.
      Pretzel Toffee
    • Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • gruyere scalloped potatoes, gruyere holiday potatoes
      Gruyere Scalloped Potatoes
    • smore cookies on a white parchement paper
      Peanut Butter S'mores Cups
    • christmas cookie recipe, egg nog cookies
      Eggnog Cookie with Eggnog Buttercream Frosting

    Explore More Recipes

    Footer

    About The Carefree Kitchen

    The Carefree Kitchen is where I get to share my love of food with you! Every recipe is tested and approved by my family and friends. These recipes are easy to prepare, nutritious, and delicious!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

    Copyright © 2023 · Privacy Policy · Disclaimer • Terms and Conditions

    9300 shares