Get ready for the best sweet potato casserole recipe you've ever tasted! Or rather, the best TWO recipes since we're showing you two ways to make candied sweet potato casserole! We keep it classic with marshmallows or you can choose a pecan streusel topping!
Sweet potatoes are one of the most iconic dish of the holidays - sweet or savory.
Everyone knows this classic side dish and almost everyone adores it. There's lots of dispute over what goes into making candied sweet potato casserole!
Both variations of this classic sweet potato casserole recipe are loaded with the sweet potato filling we all love.
But then you have the option of either marshmallows or a brown sugar pecan topping for your casserole. Both are long-time favorites at any get-together, and both are delicious.
Serve up your favorite version of this easy casserole for Thanksgiving or any special occasion. It goes great with oven roasted turkey, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, and all your other holiday favorites!
Why You Will Love this Recipe
- No matter how you top it, this side dish is a classic holiday treat that everyone loves.
- A favorite sweet potato recipe for any gathering.
- Easy to make for groups large and small!
Ingredients
It only takes a few simple ingredients to make this delicious casserole with sweet potatoes. You'll find everything you need easily at your local grocery store.
Here's what you need to pick up to make this recipe. You can find the full ingredient list along with quantities in the recipe card at the end of the post.
- Sweet potatoes: Choose fresh potatoes without any wrinkles or bad spots.
- Butter: Unsalted butter works great so you have more control over the seasoning in this dish. It adds a richness to the casserole you won't get from oils.
- Brown sugar: Use light brown sugar for the sweet potatoes and the topping. It's richer in flavor than granulated sugar.
- Pecan halves: You can also use pieces for the halves make more of a splashy look for the casserole topping.
- Cayenne: Just a touch of spice to balance out the sweetness.
- Marshmallows: Use small marshmallows as I find they melt more quickly and look nicer.
How to Make Candied Sweet Potatoes
It only takes a few simple steps to make this recipe. Whether you make sweet potatoes with marshmallows or brown sugar pecan sweet potato casserole, you'll be in and out of the kitchen in a flash.
We're hitting the highlights here, but you'll find the full instructions in the recipe card at the end of the post.
Make the Sweet Potatoes
The method is the same for the sweet potatoes regardless of the topping you choose.
- Melt the butter in a Dutch oven, then add all the sweet potatoes, brown sugar, water, salt and pepper to the pot. Cook until the sweet potatoes are tender. Then remove the lid and simmer until the liquid becomes a glaze.
- Transfer the sweet potatoes to the casserole dish.
- Choose and make your topping.
Make Sweet Potato Casserole with Praline Topping
- Combine the pecans, brown sugar, egg white and cayenne pepper.
- Mix it all together.
- Top the sweet potatoes in the casserole dish with the brown sugar pecan topping. Bake at 450 degrees until toasted and crisp.
Make It With Marshmallows
- Top the sweet potatoes in the casserole dish with marshmallows and bake at 450 until melted and browned.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
TOP TIP: Cube your sweet potatoes into half-inch to 1-inch squares. That's the perfect size for even cooking and easy eating.
Substitutions and Variations
- No Pecans?: Although the pecan topping is the crowning achievement in this delectable dish, consider chopped almonds, shredded coconut, or walnuts as substitutes.
- Add Different Spices: Sprinkle the top of the casserole with a little nutmeg, cloves, pumpkin pie spice, or cinnamon, or mix in one-half teaspoon into the sweet potato mixture.
- Add Some Extract: Consider adding some more flavor to your sweet potato mixture with a teaspoon of vanilla or maple extract.
- Want a Creamier Consistency? Skip some or all of the water needed and add cream instead.
- No sweet potatoes? Use butternut squash, acorn squash, or pumpkin instead.
If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy this sweet potato pie recipe.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an air-tight container for up to 5 days.
Freezer: Wrap the dish in a double layer of cling wrap and a layer of foil or place the casserole in an air-tight, freezer-safe container an freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheat: Place the casserole in a baking dish and cover with foil. Bake for 15 minutes at 300 degrees.
Making Sweet Potato Casserole Ahead
Prepare the sweet potato filling. Place it in a casserole dish, but don't add the topping.
Store in the refrigerator for up to a five days before baking or in the freezer for up to three months as long as its in an airtight freezer container.
When you're ready to cook it, defrost it overnight. Add the topping and continue to bake following the instructions. It may need to cook longer since the sweet potato mixture is cold.
How to Serve
Of course, this casserole is perfect with your favorite turkey dinners, Thanksgiving, or Christmas recipes. Some other great pairings include:
Tips
- Cube your sweet potatoes into pieces about ½ to 1-inch pieces for even cooking and easy eating.
- The filling is already cooked and warmed so there's no need to bake your dish longer than necessary to melt the marshmallows or crisp the pecans.
FAQ
No. Yams are firmer and starchier, while sweet potatoes are softer and naturally sweet.
No. Yams and sweet potatoes are so far removed from one another that substituting one for the other will drastically change the flavor of the dish.
The dish began as a sweet side or dessert in the south, but over the years, its popularity has spread throughout North America and even beyond.
More Sweet Potato Recipes
Candied Sweet Potato Casserole Two Ways
Equipment
- heavy deep pot (dutch oven) dutch oven or oven proof soup pot
Ingredients
Pecan Topping
- 2 ¼ cups pecan halves
- ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg white, lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne or black pepper
Marshmallow Topping
- 4 - 4 ½ cups mini marshmallows
Instructions
Sweet Potato MIxture
- In a large Dutch oven, over medium high heat, melt butter. Add the sweet potatoes, brown sugar, water, salt and pepper. Stir until blended.
- Bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium low, cover, and cook until sweet potatoes are fork tender, 45 to 60 minutes. Stir regularly.
- When the sweet potatoes are tender, remove the lid and bring the sauce to a rapid simmer over medium-high heat. Continue to simmer until the sauce has reduced to a glaze, 7 to 10 minutes.
- Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 450 degrees. Pour the potato mixture into a 13 by 9-inch baking dish (or a shallow casserole dish of similar size).
Marshmallow Topping
- Sprinkle marshmallows all over the top of your casserole. Use as many marshmallows as you want to cover the top.
- Bake or broil until marshmallows are melted and brown.
Pecan Topping
- Combine all of the ingredients in a medium sized bowl and mix together.
- Sprinkle topping over top of the potatoes. Bake until the pecans are toasted and crisp, 10 to 15 minutes.
- Serve immediately and enjoy every bite!
Notes
- Cube your sweet potatoes into pieces about ½ to 1-inch pieces for even cooking and easy eating.
- The filling is already cooked and warmed so there's no need to bake your dish longer than necessary to melt the marshmallows or crisp the pecans.
Nutrition
This post was originally published in December 2020. It has been updated with new images and content.
Sheila says
I just want to say that these are awesome! I was very apprehensive about making these. I had my brother over on the weekend and his kids gobbled it up. They are usually pretty picky so thanks 😊 I made the casserole with both toppings on it and it was amazing.
Karin and Ken says
I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed this casserole and put both toppings on it. I love it that way. Thank you for taking the time to let me know. As always I’m grateful. All the best. Karin
Pat says
WOW What an amazing casserole We added both toppings together and ate all of it. I just had to add the marshmallows too and they tasted perfectly with those pecans. This recipe is a definite keeper!
Karin and Ken says
Thank you for all of your kind words! I’m so glad you enjoyed my favorite sweet potato casserole! We love it too with both toppings. The more the better! All the best. Karin