Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe (2024)

Sweet potato casserole is one of those Thanksgiving dinner traditions that sometimes gets more attention than the turkey itself. This sinfully delicious sweet potato casserole recipe is filled with fluffy sweet potatoes on the inside and a crunchy pecan topping.

Sweet potato casserole is the perfect side dish for turkey, ham, or any other light meat. This recipe is very adaptable, you can add more vanilla or cinnamon for your own tastes, you can also substitute the light brown sugar for dark brown sugar. The taste will be richer without being sweeter. If you really want to up your sweet potato casserole game, try dark muscovado sugar. Once you go muscovado in your sweet potato casserole, you may never go back to regular brown sugar.

No matter how you make this recipe, either following it exactly or making adjustments for your own flavor preferences, it’s a definite side dish superstar that won’t leave you with leftovers.

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Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

Casserole Ingredients:

4 cups mashed sweet potatoes
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 cup melted butter
1/3 cup light cream

Topping Ingredients:

1 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup flour
1 cup chopped pecans
1/3 cup butter, melted

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Directions:

1. Mix casserole ingredients together, beating well until smooth.

2. Place into greased 2 quart casserole dish.

3. Combine brown sugar and flour for topping, being sure to smooth any lumps.

4. Add pecans and butter to topping mixture. Pour topping evenly over top of sweet potatoes in casserole dish.

5. Bake in preheated 350 degree F oven for 25 to 35 minutes. Serves 8.

Can My Kids Help Me With This Recipe?

Having your kids help you cook is a great thing. Cooking with your kids will give you many lasting memories together, and will help you teach them important life skills. If you're wondering whether you can make this recipe with your kids, the answer is yes! This is a relatively simple recipe to put together, making it perfect for kids.

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Of course, before inviting your kids to help you in the kitchen, you should ensure they understand kitchen safety. Your kids should know to never touch a hot surface. They should know to never point sharp objects at another person. While carrying a sharp object, the point should face the floor and they should not run. In fact, they should not be running in the kitchen at all. They could fall and seriously injure themselves. Keep young children away from hot surfaces and sharp objects.

With this recipe, you can have your kids help you mix together the ingredients. Take turns beating the ingredients until this step is finished. Then, have them help you make the topping! If any of your children are too young to handle a mixer, this is a step they can help you with instead. Don't let small children place anything in the oven. They can watch, but they're too young to safely handle this step.

Your children will appreciate the food they eat more if they have to help prepare it! The younger you start teaching your children how to cook, the better off they'll be. Of course, you should never rely on your children to cook for you. It is your responsibility as a parent to provide for them. Considering that, though, there's absolutely nothing wrong with having them lend you a helping hand.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©VeselovaElena/ via Getty Images.

Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you make a sweet potato casserole not runny? ›

Eggs and cream help stabilize the dish and prevent it from becoming too runny (a common complaint with many sweet potato casserole recipes). Make it as smooth or chunky as you like!

Why put egg in sweet potato casserole? ›

The egg is the all-important binder in a sweet potato casserole: it enriches and stiffens the mixture without making it heavy. Make sure to cool the mash slightly before adding the egg so it doesn't scramble, and to stir well so there are no streaks of cooked egg white in the finished dish.

What's the difference between sweet potato pie and sweet potato casserole? ›

The difference is that sweet potato casserole can either have a toasted marshmallow top or a crunchy brown sugar/nut top and is made with brown sugar in the casserole. Sweet potato pie is made with white sugar, has nothing on top, but can be served with whipped topping.

Why is my sweet potato still hard after baking? ›

The reason they are hard in the middle is cook them longer or on a higher temperature. Soaking will not help soften your sweet potato unless you are putting the potato and water in a pot on the stove and cooking it. If your sweet potato is still hard it's not cooked enough.

How do you make a casserole less runny? ›

Thicken a meat casserole the most popular way with flour.

Add some flour to your pan after you've browned the meat and before adding any liquid. This way, the flour will soak up the juices and fat in the pan. Add about one teaspoon of flour at a time until you get the right thickness.

How do you make a casserole less watery? ›

10 Tips To Fix Or Prevent Watery Casseroles
  1. Prep Vegetables Ahead Of Time. Vegetables boiling on a stove - Solstock/Getty Images. ...
  2. Add A Starch. ...
  3. Experiment With Pasta Or Grains. ...
  4. Take The Lid Off. ...
  5. Drain Fat From Meat. ...
  6. Choose A Dry Or Low-Fat Cheese. ...
  7. Sprinkle Seeds Into Your Bake. ...
  8. Remove Excess Liquid.
Oct 29, 2023

Why do you soak sweet potatoes before baking? ›

The cold water bath helps rinse the starch off the sweet potatoes so they're a bit more crispy.

How do you thicken a sweet potato casserole? ›

Add more potato and no liquid also you could use potato flakes to thicken them to the texture you like. Either with plain(all purpose) flour or cornflour mixed in milk to disolve first themn poured in ( not too much liquid just enough to disolve the powder).

Why do Americans put marshmallows on sweet potato casserole? ›

Most people point to a 1917 pamphlet by the Angelus Marshmallow Company as the first time sweet potatoes and marshmallows came together. This company is believed to be the first to commercially-produce and sell the squishy white marshmallows we know, roast, and snack on today.

How do you know when sweet potato casserole is done? ›

you should see it firm, but still paste like. Once it bulges and you start to see cracks, it will be overcooked. You don't need anything of those fancy gadgets for casserole! You can grab a potato masher or whisk and mash them up.

What variety of sweet potato is best for casserole? ›

Jewel. With copper skin and deep-orange flesh that's moist and tender when cooked, the jewel is a go-to potato for traditional baking and casseroles.

When should you not eat sweet potatoes? ›

How to tell if sweet potatoes have gone bad. If your sweet potato is soft in spots, smells rotten, or oozes a mysterious liquid, that potato should be discarded. Another sign that sweet potatoes have taken a turn for the worse is if they start growing stalky purplish sprouts.

Should you peel sweet potatoes before boiling? ›

There is not much difference between boiling sweet potatoes with the skins on versus peeling them, but you will get a boost of fiber and potassium if you keep the skin on. The skin also adds a subtle texture to each bite. If you're looking for a smoother mash, peel the potatoes first before boiling.

What is the sticky stuff coming out of my sweet potato? ›

Initially, it may be off-putting, but it's actually indicative of a healthy potato and a flavorful meal. FoodsGuy explains that this thick, white, sticky liquid is just a mixture of sugar and water from the sweet potato leaking a bit after getting excited by the prospect of being part of such a delicious meal.

How do you thicken up sweet potato casserole? ›

Choose orange sweet potatoes for the best flavor and sweetness. Brown sugar adds a depth of flavor with a hint of molasses and helps create a caramel-like sauce. All-purpose flour will help thicken the sauce and give some structure.

What do I do if my potato bake is too runny? ›

Try letting the dish rest for 10 minutes or so to let the water get absorbed and let the sauce thicken. Try cooking your recipe longer.

How do you thicken runny sweet potatoes? ›

You can use what you have on hand: Flour, cornstarch, or powdered milk are all solid options that are probably already in your pantry. For what it's worth, we recommend sticking with cornstarch—it has twice the thickening power of flour and it's safe for gluten-free diets.

Should sweet potato casserole be firm? ›

you should see it firm, but still paste like. Once it bulges and you start to see cracks, it will be overcooked. You don't need anything of those fancy gadgets for casserole! You can grab a potato masher or whisk and mash them up.

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