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    Home » Recipes » Sides

    Candied Sweet Potato Casserole Two Ways

    Published: Nov 3, 2022 · Modified: Jan 4, 2023 by Karin and Ken · This post may contain affiliate links. 2 Comments

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    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!

    Collage of marshmallow sweet potaot casserole on plate at top and brown sugar pecan sweet potato casserole on plate at bottom

    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!

    Closeup shot of spoon in casserole dish full of marshmallow sweet potato casserole.

    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.

    Overhead shot of individual ingredients for sweet potato casserole recipe in bowls

    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.

    1. 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.
    Overehead shot of raw, cubed sweet potatoes in Dutch oven.
    Overhead shot of cooked sweet potato cubes in Dutch oven.
    1. Transfer the sweet potatoes to the casserole dish.
    2. Choose and make your topping.
    Sweet potatoes placed into a prepared casserole dish.

    Make Sweet Potato Casserole with Praline Topping

    • Combine the pecans, brown sugar, egg white and cayenne pepper.
    • Mix it all together.
    Overhead shot of brown sugar pecan sweet potato casserole topping ingredients.
    Overhead shot of brown sugar pecan topping mixture in bowl.
    • Top the sweet potatoes in the casserole dish with the brown sugar pecan topping. Bake at 450 degrees until toasted and crisp.
    Overhead shot of baked brown sugar pecan sweet potato casserole

    Make It With Marshmallows

    • Top the sweet potatoes in the casserole dish with marshmallows and bake at 450 until melted and browned.
    Overhead shot of marshmallows sprinkled over sweet potato cubes in casserole dish
    Overhead shot of baked marshmallow sweet potato casserole
    • Serve immediately and enjoy!
    Marshmallow sweet potato casserole being spooned out of casserole dish
    Spoonful of brown sugar pecan sweet potato casserole being put onto plate

    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.

    Closeup shot of fork in plateful of brown sugar pecan sweet potato casserole

    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:

    • Oven-roasted turkey
    • Air fryer spiral ham
    • Green bean casserole
    • Macaroni and cheese

    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

    Are yams and sweet potatoes the same?

    No. Yams are firmer and starchier, while sweet potatoes are softer and naturally sweet.

    Can you use yams in place of sweet potatoes?

    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.

    Why do we eat sweet potatoes at the holidays?

    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.

    Closeup shot of plateful of marshmallow sweet potato casserole

    More Sweet Potato Recipes

    • Sweet Potato Biscuits
      Sweet Potato Biscuits
    • How to Make Candied Sweet Potatoes
    • Sweet Potato Sheet Pan
    • Easy Creamy Sweet Potato Soup
    A collage image showing the two different ways to make candied sweet potato casserole.

    Candied Sweet Potato Casserole Two Ways

    Karin and Ken
    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!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 30 mins
    Cook Time, Divided 1 hr 25 mins
    Total Time 1 hr 55 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12 servings
    Calories 494 kcal

    Equipment

    • 13 x 9 inch cake pan
    • Measuring cups and spoons
    • Sharp knife
    • cutting board
    • heavy deep pot (dutch oven) dutch oven or oven proof soup pot
    • wooden spoon
    • medium bowl

    Ingredients
      

    • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 stick, cut into 1-inch chunks
    • 5 pounds sweet potatoes about 8 medium, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
    • 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
    • 2 teaspoons salt
    • 1 teaspoon pepper
    • ½ cup water

    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

    Nutrition reflects the sweet potatoes with pecan topping. 
    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.
    How to Make 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.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 494kcalCarbohydrates: 72gProtein: 5gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 700mgPotassium: 772mgFiber: 8gSugar: 40gVitamin A: 27059IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 101mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword candied sweet potato casserole
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    This post was originally published in December 2020. It has been updated with new images and content.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Pat

      November 07, 2022 at 11:54 am

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • Karin and Ken

        November 07, 2022 at 12:11 pm

        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

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    Welcome!

    Ken and Karin

    We are the kitchen divas: Karin and my partner in life Ken.

    We have been attached at the heart and hip since the first day we met, and we love to create new dishes to keep things interesting. Variety is definitely the spice of life!

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