Southern Sweet Potato Casserole + Video

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Southern Sweet Potato Casserole is rich and creamy, just like grandma used to make! Add a pecan streusel topping for extra crunch in each bite. With easy make-ahead instructions, this Southern sweet potato casserole recipe is perfect for the holidays!

titled: Southern Sweet Potato Casserole


 

Southern Sweet Potato Casserole

You don’t need to wait for the holidays to enjoy Southern style sweet potato casserole! It’s wonderful alongside pork tenderloin or even some simple chops.

Feeding a crowd? Cook a whole chicken in the smoker or air fryer and throw together a quick salad or some roasted veggies to round out the meal.

If you are, in fact, planning your next holiday meal, I’ve got you covered!

There’s a helpful guide to help you plan your menu as well as a handful of easy sides with make-ahead tips.

ingredients for sweet potato casserole

Tips for Making Roasted Sweet Potato Casserole

  • Use room temp ingredients. Allow the eggs and cream to warm on the counter while you boil the potatoes.

    This will help them blend easier into the base and prevent any texture changes when added to the hot potatoes. 
  • Swap out the nuts. While pecans are the classic choice, the topping for your roasted sweet potato casserole would be equally delicious with walnuts instead.
  • Make it extra Southern. Add a splash of your favorite bourbon to the base instead of vanilla extract. For the best flavor, avoid blends or bottom-shelf bottles.
  • Want to save some time? Cook the sweet potatoes in the microwave instead! Leave them whole and unpeeled, but rinse them to remove any dirt.

    Wrap each one in a paper towel while wet and microwave until soft — start with 10 minutes and add more time if needed.

    Then, slice open and scoop out the centers.
pot of mashed sweet potatoes with cream, butter, and spices

Make Ahead Instructions

We all know the holidays can get hectic, and counter space is the first to go! Assemble your Southern casserole ahead of time to cut down on day-off prep.

Simply prepare the base the day before and put it in your baking dish. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil and pop it in the fridge.

Then, bring Southern style sweet potato casserole to room temperature the day of, add the streusel topping, and bake. Easy peasy!

smoothing sweet potato mixture into baking dish

Southern Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe FAQ

Can I still add marshmallows on top?

Sure! Sprinkle them over the top of the roasted sweet potato casserole during the last 10 minutes of baking so they don’t burn.

Or, try my Boston Market copycat recipe instead.

Is it better to boil or bake sweet potatoes for casserole?

Boiling is the way to go — for several reasons!

First, this method is usually done faster and it’s easier to check the progress of the potatoes.

You also don’t have to worry about handling hot food while trying to scrape out every last bit from the peels.

Best of all, you can mix up the base for your Southern sweet potato casserole in the same pot you cooked with, meaning there’s one less dish to wash!

Why do you put eggs in sweet potato casserole?

Two whole eggs in this Southern sweet potato casserole recipe make the dish light, fluffy, and extra creamy!

sprinkling streusel topping over sweet potato base

Storing and Reheating Southern Casserole

If you manage to have any leftovers at all, transfer them to a sealed container and enjoy them within 3 to 5 days.

You can warm Southern casserole quickly in the microwave, but I recommend popping this dish back in the oven so the topping can crisp back up.

If you have an air fryer, you can reheat individual portions in there as well!

You can also freeze Southern sweet potato casserole!

Follow the make-ahead instructions above, then wrap the dish tightly with plastic wrap and foil.

Place in the freezer for up to 3 months and thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

Then, prepare the streusel topping and sprinkle it over the top before baking.

closeup: spoonful of sweet potato casserole with streusel topping

Enjoy!
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scoop of southern sweet potato casserole

spoon full of sweet potato casserole

Southern Sweet Potato Casserole

Donna Elick
Southern Sweet Potato Casserole is rich and creamy, with a pecan streusel topping for extra crunch in each bite. Make fresh or ahead of time!
5 stars from 1 review
Tried this recipe?Please comment and review!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Method Oven
Servings 12

Equipment

Ingredients
 

  • 5 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1″ pieces
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 large eggs, beaten

Topping

  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 9″x13″ casserole dish.
  • Fill a large pot with sweet potato pieces and water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cook until fork tender. Drain potatoes and place back into pot. Mash potatoes with a potato masher or blend with an electric mixer, until mostly smooth.
  • Add the remaining ingredients (except topping ingredients). Add the eggs last so they don’t cook when they hit the hot potatoes. Mix until combined.
  • Spoon the sweet potatoes into the casserole dish and smooth out. Set aside.
  • Prepare the topping: In a medium bowl, combine the topping ingredients and mix with a fork until crumbly.
  • Sprinkle the topping on the sweet potatoes.
  • Bake for 30-35 minutes until the streusel is crisp and golden brown.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Video

Donna’s Notes

To make ahead prepare the base the day before and place it in your baking dish. Then, bring it to room temperature the day of, add the streusel topping, and bake.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 499cal | Carbohydrates: 80g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 421mg | Sugar: 44g | Fiber: 7g | Calcium: 108mg | Iron: 2mg

All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
titled image (and shown): sweet potato casserole recipe

Originally published November 2013, updated and republished October 2023

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3 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I made this casserole for company over the weekend and it was so tasty. I think this will be the recipe I use for thanksgiving this year!

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