Sweet Potato Casserole is a must make side dish for any Thanksgiving feast! Family and friends will be smiling from ear to ear when they gather around the table and see this gorgeous casserole with fluffy sweet potato filling and pecan streusel topping.
You know what the best part of Thanksgiving is, right? Eating all of the leftovers the next day! Thankfully, this Sweet Potato Casserole reheats like a dream. Pair it next to some Turkey Noodle Soup that’s made with leftover turkey!
Sweet Potato Crunch Casserole
Listen, we love candied yams as much as the next family, but they can take a step to the side… Because this Sweet Potato Casserole recipe is the new star of the show! Trust us, this might just get more attention than your turkey this year.
Sweet potato filling is sweetened and spiced with brown sugar and cinnamon and is baked to perfection beneath a layer of crunchy pecan streusel. It’s an easy Thanksgiving side dish that’s made with lots of love… and butter!
How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole
The most important step of all is to enjoy those warm and cozy smells your kitchen will be filled with as this autumnal casserole bakes.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and spray a 9×13 casserole dish.
- Boil a pot of salted water, then toss in your peeled and diced sweet potatoes. Cook for 20-25 minutes until tender. Drain and transfer to a bowl.
- Time to make the topping! Combine the butter, brown sugar, and flour. Stir in the pecans and keep in the fridge until ready to use.
- Beat the potatoes with an electric mixer until smooth. Beat in the eggs, brown sugar, butter, vanilla, cinnamon, salt, and pepper.
- Spread the mixture into your baking dish and top with the streusel topping. Bake for 40-45 minutes.
- Let it cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Sweet Potato Crunch Tips and Variations
- Feel free to use canned sweet potatoes if you’d prefer. Simply mash them, combine the potatoes with the other filling ingredients, add the topping and bake as directed.
- When you cube the potatoes, be sure to cut them into the same sized pieces. Otherwise, they won’t boil evenly.
- We recommend prepping the ingredients beforehand. For example, go ahead and chop the pecans, melt the butter, etc. That way you won’t have to stop what you’re doing to prepare your ingredients – they’ll already be ready to grab.
- If you don’t have a 2.5-quart casserole dish, grease an 11×13-inch baking dish.
- There’s a small chance your streusel could burn and caramelize in the oven. To avoid this, cover the dish with a loose aluminum foil tent.
Can I use yams instead of sweet potatoes?
Yes! All you need to do is make the substitution and adjust the boiling time slightly (more or less time depending on the size of the cubes).
What other spices can I add?
We’ve found that cinnamon adds just the right amount of fall flavor. You can add even more with nutmeg, ground cloves, or allspice if you’d like.
Storage and Reheating
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge, any leftovers you have of this Sweet Potato Casserole with pecan streusel will stay fresh for up to 3 days.
Freezing: Let the casserole completely cool to room temperature. In a freezer safe container, it’ll stay good in the freezer for up to 2 months. Let it thaw in the fridge prior to reheating.
Reheating: You can reheat your chilled leftovers in the microwave! Just zap it in 30 second intervals, checking the warmth each time it stops.
Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel
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Suggested Equipment
Ingredients
Streusel Topping:
- 5 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
- ⅔ cup light brown sugar
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
Filling:
- 3 pound(s) sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted (4 tablespoons)
- ½ tsp. kosher salt
- ¼ tsp. ground cinnamon
- ⅛ tsp. ground nutmeg
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F, and grease a 2.5 quart baking dish or 11 x 7-inch pan. Set aside.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil, and add the sweet potatoes. Cook until they are soft and fork tender, about 20 to 25 minutes. Drain and transfer to a large bowl to cool.3 pound(s) sweet potatoes
- While the potatoes cool, make the topping. In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. The mixture will be crumbly. Stir in the pecans, then set aside.5 Tbsp. unsalted butter⅔ cup light brown sugar½ cup all-purpose flour¼ tsp. ground cinnamon1 cup pecans
- Use an electric mixer to beat the sweet potatoes until smooth. Add the brown sugar, butter, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Mix until just combined, then add the beaten eggs. Continue to mix until the eggs are incorporated.½ cup light brown sugar¼ cup unsalted butter½ tsp. kosher salt¼ tsp. ground cinnamon⅛ tsp. ground nutmeg2 large eggs
- Spread the sweet potato mixture into the prepared baking dish, and top with the streusel topping. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes until the top is golden brown and the center is set.
- Let the casserole cool for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Emily
Friday 25th of November 2022
i made this yesterday for Thanksgiving! I followed the recipe over all but made just a few changes/substitutions( added a little pure vanilla, nutmeg a splash of heavy cream and probably about a half cup of extra honey pecans in the sweet potato mixture because the more the better) I took the tinfoil off at 45 minutes and baked it for another 10-12 to give the topping a little more golden crust,I also think the pepper gave it a great taste that really pulled it all together so subtly. First time making sweet potato casserole, definitely won't be the last because everyone loveddd it! it truly was one of the stars of Thanksgiving dinner. Wish I could share the photo because I was so proud of how it came out!
John
Saturday 26th of November 2022
Thank you for commenting and rating the recipe. The vanilla, heavy cream, and other substitutions/changes sound wonderful. Kim and I are thrilled the casserole turned out so well. Thanks again, Emily, we wish you a lovely weekend!
Amber
Wednesday 23rd of November 2022
Really good and easy recipe! My new favorite way to make sweet potatoe :)
John
Thursday 24th of November 2022
Thank you Amber! We appreciate the comment and the recipe rating. Have a lovely day :)
Peggy
Tuesday 1st of November 2022
You only use 3 Oz of sweet potatoes? I don’t think so.
Kim
Tuesday 1st of November 2022
Hi Peggy!
That's a typo. It should say 3 pounds. I just updated the recipe, so it should be correct now. Have a great evening! :)