Full of flavor and perfect for making ahead, this homemade sweet potato casserole will steal the show at your next holiday meal. Crunchy sweet brown sugar pecan crumble covers every bite of this buttery sweet potato mash. After your first forkful, you’ll already be thinking about going for seconds!
I originally published this recipe in 2015 and have since added new photos, a video tutorial, and more helpful success tips.
Side dishes are, without a doubt, the best part of a classic Thanksgiving meal. Don’t get me wrong—I love my Thanksgiving pies. But we’re talking creamy from-scratch green bean casserole, flaky soft dinner rolls, and flavorful cornbread stuffing.
Today’s recipe for homemade sweet potato casserole is a family favorite. Enjoy a smooth and creamy sweet potato mash topped with a crunchy, toasty, praline-esque pecan topping. Because it’s a little sweet, I like to serve this casserole with a sprinkle of sea salt and some savory fresh thyme or rosemary. A lovely balance of texture and flavor!
Why You’ll Love This Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
- Creamy + crunchy = wonderful contrasting textures in every bite
- Buttery sweet potato mash with a hint of vanilla
- Cinnamon-spiced brown sugar pecan topping
- Sweet + salty—a decadent way to get your vitamin A!
- You can conveniently prep it a couple days in advance
One reader, Susi, commented: “Very easy to make and was a big hit at Thanksgiving! Prepared the potatoes and topping the night before so was a quick dish to put together and bake on the day. The pecan topping and sweet potatoes together were divine! ★★★★★”
10 Ingredients in This Thanksgiving Side Dish
- Sweet potatoes: You need 2 pounds (908g) for this casserole, which is 3 extra large sweet potatoes or 5 small/medium sweet potatoes. Don’t go overboard on the potatoes because the mash will end up tasting heavy and dense. If you buy a large bag and have leftovers, try my sweet potato turkey chili for an easy post-Thanksgiving weekend meal.
- Butter: For unparalleled buttery flavor.
- Brown sugar: I prefer dark brown sugar in this casserole, but light works too. You’ll use some in both the sweet potato mash and the pecan crumble topping.
- Eggs: For structure—they turn this into a casserole, rather than a pile of mashed sweet potatoes.
- Half-and-half: Half-and-half keeps this dish extra creamy. If you have heavy cream on hand for your other cooking and baking needs (like whipped cream & pumpkin pie), you can use that instead.
- Vanilla extract: For just a hint of delicate, aromatic flavor.
- Salt: Brings out all the flavors, and balances the sweetness.
- Flour: Gives structure to the crumbly topping.
- Cinnamon: Complements both the sweet potato and pecan flavors.
- Pecans: Buttery, nutty pecans are the jewels in the sweet potato casserole crown!
Plus, finishing touches like thyme or rosemary and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt round out the entire dish.
One reader, Christine, commented: “The fresh rosemary and sea salt made it…*chef’s kiss*. ★★★★★“
Boil & Mash the Sweet Potatoes
Start by peeling the sweet potatoes with a vegetable peeler. Boil them in a large pot of water until they’re nice and tender. Let them cool for about 15 minutes, and then mash. You can use a potato masher and some arm muscle for this, but I usually just use my mixer. Once they’re as smooth as you’d like (feel free to leave some chunks if you prefer them that way!), beat in the eggs, brown sugar, heavy cream, vanilla, and salt. These are all the ingredients you need for the sweet potato layer.
FAQ: Can I Use Yams Instead of Sweet Potatoes in This Casserole?
For the best taste and texture, I recommend using sweet potatoes instead of yams.
The names of these two starchy root vegetables are often used interchangeably, but they are actually different, and originate from different continents. Native to Central and South America, sweet potatoes typically have orange flesh and a pinkish-brown skin, and are sweeter and creamier in texture when cooked. Native to Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean, true yams have white flesh and a bark-like skin, with a drier, starchier texture—more like a regular baking potato.
You could, however, use purple sweet potatoes if you can find them!
Easy Crunchy Pecan Topping
We’re finishing this sweet potato casserole with a delicious crumbly, praline-esque pecan topping. The crunchy texture contrasts so beautifully with the creamy, buttery sweet potato mash. It comes together quickly and easily, and uses some of the same ingredients as the sweet potato layer.
If you love the cinnamon-y brown sugar pecan topping here, you’ll enjoy something similar on this pumpkin French toast casserole and this cranberry Christmas cake.
Can I Use Marshmallows on This Sweet Potato Casserole?
Yes. If you love marshmallows on your sweet potato casserole, you can certainly add them. I wouldn’t leave off the pecan topping, though. (You’ll really miss that texture!) Add the marshmallows towards the end of the bake time. See recipe Note below for details.
How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole Ahead of Time
This easy side dish can be prepared ahead of time, which we all know is a total lifesaver leading up to Thanksgiving dinner! Here’s how to get started:
- 1–2 days before serving: Boil and mash the sweet potatoes, add the remaining ingredients to the sweet potatoes, and smooth into a baking dish. Prepare the topping in a separate bowl. Cover each separately and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
- Day of serving: Spoon the topping over the sweet potato layer and bake.
- Freezing instructions: If assembled, the unbaked casserole can be frozen up to 2 months. Take it out of the freezer and thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Bring the casserole to room temperature and bake.
More Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes
- Cornbread Stuffing and Sausage & Herb Stuffing
- Green Bean Casserole
- Dinner Rolls and Cornbread
- Cranberry Sauce
- Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese
- Candied Sweet Potatoes
- Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Tarts
And of course… dessert. Here are our favorite Thanksgiving pie recipes, including classics like pumpkin pie, apple pie, and pecan pie. Don’t forget turkey pot pie for any leftover Thanksgiving turkey!
Print
Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe with Pecan Topping
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes
- Yield: serves 8
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Creamy, comforting, and simple sweet potato casserole with a crunchy pecan crumble on top. Texture and flavors are spot on!
Ingredients
- 2 pounds (908g) sweet potatoes, peeled (about 5 small/medium)
- 1/3 cup (5 Tbsp; 71g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup (100g) packed light or dark brown sugar (I prefer dark)
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1/2 cup (120ml) half-and-half or heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Topping
- 1/3 cup (41g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 1/2 cup (100g) packed light or dark brown sugar (I prefer dark)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/3 cup (5 Tbsp; 71g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 and 2/3 cups (210g) pecan halves or chopped pecans
- optional: fresh rosemary or thyme, and flaky sea salt for garnish
Instructions
- Place the sweet potatoes in a large pot or dutch oven and cover them completely with water. Bring water to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes or until the potatoes are tender. Drain the water and allow the sweet potatoes to cool for 15 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan (or a similar size casserole dish, or a 12-inch oven-safe skillet). Set aside.
- Place the cooked sweet potatoes in a large mixing bowl. Using a handheld or stand mixer, beat the potatoes until relatively smooth—I like to leave some chunks for texture. For your reference, you will have about 4 cups of mashed sweet potatoes. Add the butter, brown sugar, beaten eggs, half-and-half, vanilla, and salt. Spoon/pour the mixture into prepared pan.
- For the topping: In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon together. Using a silicone spatula, fold in the melted butter and pecans until the mixture is totally combined. Spoon evenly over potatoes.
- Bake for 30–40 minutes or until golden brown on top. Allow to cool for 5 minutes, then top with a little fresh thyme or rosemary and a sprinkle of sea salt. Serve warm.
Notes
- Make Ahead & Freezing Instructions: This is a great make ahead recipe! Here’s how to get started 1–2 days before: Prepare sweet potatoes through step 3, then prepare the topping. Cover each separately and refrigerate for up to 2 days. On the day of serving, assemble and bake. Assembled, unbaked casserole can be frozen up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, bring to room temperature, and continue with step 5. Baked casserole can be frozen up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, bring to room temperature, and bake at 350°F (177°C) until warmed through.
- Special Tools (affiliate links): Large Pot (such as a Dutch oven) | Vegetable Peeler | 9×13-inch Baking Pan | Glass Mixing Bowls | Electric Mixer (Handheld or Stand) | Whisk | Silicone Spatula | Flaky Sea Salt
- Adding Marshmallows: If you love marshmallows on top of your sweet potato casserole, you can certainly add them. Bake as directed above, but 5 minutes before it’s done, add 1 cup marshmallows on top and then finish baking.
I’m making this casserole at night and will be bringing it to a friend’s for dinner tomorrow. After taking it out of oven tonight I’ll leave it on the counter to cool, then during the day tomorrow should I refrigerate it or is it ok on counter til I reheat for tomorrow’s dinner?
I would refrigerate it during the day and reheat for dinner.
This is THE BEST recipe I’ve ever made. I made this dish for Thanksgiving for my family of 15. My 9 yr. old nephew loved it so much he went back for seconds on a full stomach. Then when I was taking orders for dessert he told me he thought this dish was the dessert! I then made this the following week for Friendsgiving. One of the young girls texted me asking for the recipe so she could fix it for a dinner she was having. Thank you for sharing your amazing recipes!
Can I make the topping with gluten free flour?
Hi Charlotte, we haven’t tested it, but let us know if you do!
This casserole was amazing! Not at all overly sweet. Winner, winnner, chicken dinner!!!
Made for the first time for our friendsgiving meal this year…10 stars! The best part were the super dark corners (sugar from sweet potato caramelized into a delicious caramely flavor!!) What a treat.. Wished I had made more but it’s so simple I’ll have no trouble remaking. It’s went so quickly at our gathering and everyone RAVED over it!
This was fantastic! I’ve tried a dozen different recipes and this one will be a keeper!! The only thing I did different was make it dairy-free using Miyoko’s cultured butter and coconut cream. Everything else was prepared as written. Didn’t even need marshmallows!
Definitely a dessert! These tasted very decadent. Would be perfect as a dessert. I think if I make these again I will cut down the sugar, they were a little too sweet for me.
Besides the fact that it made the inside of my car smell divine on the way to my parents’ house, the dish itself was so good. Even my dad, who is not a sweet potato fan, had seconds. It was easy to make but that will be my secret since I was getting so many kudos
I made the sweet potato casserole for a party and it was a it. I plan on making it for Thanksgiving too.
I accidentally bought white sweet potatoes, do you thinking will task ok?
Hi Lisa, they will work too!
Sally does it again! I’m a big fan of recipes on this site. When I thought of finding a new sweet potato casserole recipe I looked here first. This is the best sweet potato casserole. I’m excited to serve it. Thank you for all your great recipes!
We’ll baking the sweet potatoes make a difference
Hi Roberta, you could bake them with the skins on and then peel them after they cool. The bake time will be longer than the boiling time. Hope you enjoy it!
I make a very similar sweet potato casserole every year but I think I will switch it up this year and try your topping recipe. I always scrub the sweet potatoes and roast them in their skins first, then slice open when cool and scoop out the sweet potatoes before mashing. The roasting step (instead of boiling) saves on peeling and gives the casserole a more caramel-y flavor.
Would it be okay to chop the pecans, or best to leave them whole?
Elizabeth, you can use chopped or whole – whichever you prefer!
For gluten free is it possible to use oat flour instead of regular flour for the topping? Thank!
Hi Kim, we haven’t tested that but let us know if you do!
How many servings does this make?
About 8.
Very similar to what I’ve made for years. My family would revolt without it. But I’ve always used salted butter. Gonna go halvies this time!
Can I use canned yams for this recipe?
Hi Kathy, fresh will yield best results. I do not recommend canned yams.
Can I substitute maple syrup for the brown sugar? Equal amounts? Thanks!
Hi Jean, you can certainly try it. I would slightly reduce the amount since it’s liquid. Let me know how it turns out.
Could I substitute butternut squash for the sweet potatoes?
Hi Kay, that swap would work just fine.
Is there any difference in quality if I do freeze the casserole before or after baking? Trying to make food as far ahead as possible without sacrificing quality.
Hi Barb, we’ve tested it both ways, with fantastic results each time. It really depends on how much time you’ll have to finish baking or warm up the thawed casserole.
If I add an orange liqueur would you suggest altering the amount of half & half?
Hi Janet! We would try redoing the half & half by the amount of orange liquor you add.
Hi Sally! This looks AMAZING. We are a small group for Thanksgiving, any chance I can half the recipe in a 8×8 baking dish? If so, would there be any changes, for example, baking time? Thank YOU!
Hi Amy, thank you! Yes, you can halve it and bake in an 8-inch baking dish.