Creamy, mashed sweet potatoes topped with buttery, brown sugar pecan streusel like topping adds the BEST side to your holiday meal!
And, side note, this sweet potato casserole doesn’t just have to be eaten at the holidays! In fact, we just had it for Father’s Day yesterday paired with steak. So yummy!
This sweet potato casserole is a comfort food for me! We have this for Thanksgiving dinner every year, and it evokes so many wonderful memories. 🙂
What is comfort food?
Comfort food is any type of food that provides a sense of well-being or nostalgia, often associated with positive emotions or memories. It’s the kind of food that people turn to when they’re feeling down, stressed, or seeking a familiar and satisfying meal. Comfort food varies greatly from person to person and can include dishes like macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, chicken soup, chocolate chip cookies, or even a favorite childhood meal. These foods often have a comforting texture, aroma, or flavor that evokes feelings of warmth and security.
We’d love for you to leave a comment below and tell us what your favorite comfort food is!
:: PIN THIS SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE ::
What is sweet potato casserole?
Sweet potato casserole is a classic comfort food dish often served during holiday meals, particularly Thanksgiving and Christmas, in many parts of the world. It typically consists of mashed sweet potatoes mixed with ingredients such as sugar, butter, and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Some recipes also incorporate additional toppings such as marshmallows, pecans, or a streusel topping made with flour, butter, and brown sugar.
The dish strikes a balance between sweet and savory flavors, making it a popular side dish that complements a variety of main courses. Its creamy texture and rich taste evoke feelings of warmth and nostalgia, making it a comforting addition to any meal, especially during festive gatherings.
Some people like sweet potato casserole with a marshmallow topping, but we love this sweet potato casserole with a buttery, nutty streusel like topping. So good! The nut topping adds a satisfying crunch and additional depth of flavor to the creamy sweet potatoes, creating a delicious contrast in textures. It’s a popular variation that enhances the dish’s overall appeal. It’s typically a holiday dish, but there’s no reason not to make it any time of the year!
I was gifted this casserole dish for my wedding and I use it so much! I love everything about it and would definitely recommend it.
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What do I need to make this sweet potato casserole?
- sweet potatoes
- sugar
- milk
- eggs
- butter
- vanilla
- pecan pieces
- baking powder
- flour
Scroll down for the printable recipe card
Peel and slice your sweet potatoes.
Boil until tender. Drain well.
In a mixing bowl, mash them until smooth.
Add the sugar, milk, eggs, butter and vanilla. Mix thoroughly.
Pour into a buttered casserole dish or 9 x 13 pan to bake.
Mix the topping ingredients and spread over the potatoes and bake for 15 minutes longer.
Sweet Potato Casserole
Sweet potato casserole with a buttery, nutty streusel like topping; the nut topping adds a satisfying crunch and additional depth of flavor to the creamy sweet potatoes, creating a delicious contrast in textures!
Ingredients
- 3 cups mashed sweet potatoes (about 2 large or 3-4 medium)
- 1/3-1/2 cup white sugar
- 3/4 cup milk
- 2 eggs
- 4 Tbsp. butter
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- Topping ingredients:
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 cup pecan pieces
- 1/2 stick butter cut into small pieces
- 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 cup flour
Instructions
- Peel and dice the sweet potatoes.
- Boil until tender, about 20 minutes or until a fork can pierce through easily.
- Using a stand mixer or hand held mixer, beat until smooth.
- Add the sugar, milk, eggs, butter and vanilla. Beat until smooth.
- Pour into a buttered 9 x 13 casserole or 2-3 quart casserole dish.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
- While the sweet potato casserole is baking, mix together the topping ingredients being sure to cut in the butter until the topping is like coarse crumbs.
- Spread the topping over the potatoes. Return to the oven and bake for 15 minutes at 400 degrees or until golden brown.
Notes
To make this ahead, follow the directions for making the casserole. Refrigerate until ready to bake. Add in an extra 10-15 minutes of baking time if coming cold from the refrigerator.
The topping ingredients can be mixed together ahead of time just holding off on mixing in the butter. Later mix in the butter and follow the directions for adding the topping and baking.
To get the sweet potatoes a bit softer and easier to dice, I like to peel them, microwave for 5 minutes and then dice. It's much easier to cut the potatoes this way!
Not a fan of sweet potatoes? No worries, we have a great family recipe for mashed potato casserole. It’s a fave around here!
