Southern Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe + Video
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
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!
Grab your casserole dish and get ready to whip up this sweet potato mixture! The recipe card proves how simple and easy it is to use fresh sweet potatoes!
I love making this easy sweet potato casserole for Thanksgiving dinner, or a simple Sunday dinner as well.
The creamy sweet potatoes paired with the pecan topping make me forget that other side dishes even exist.
You’ll find this as a staple for holiday meals and at the holiday table, and that’s just because it really is the best sweet potato casserole recipe ever.
The warm spices are just part of the reason that this is such a popular recipe – but I love being able to use other everyday ingredients as well. It’s the perfect side dish with simple ingredients for family gatherings.
And it curbs my sweet tooth as well! Find out why this is a family favorite in our house during the holiday season!
Table of Contents
Southern Sweet Potato Casserole
You don’t need to wait for the holidays to enjoy Southern style sweet potato casserole! Or, how about a savory option? 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.
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.
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!
Southern Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe FAQ
Sure! Sprinkle them over the top of the roasted sweet potato casserole during the last 10 minutes of baking so they don’t burn. I prefer the brown sugar mixture and crunchy pecans, but you can add marshmallows or mini marshmallows easily enough.
Or, try my Boston Market copycat recipe instead. This classic Southern sweet potato casserole is a delicious dish as well!
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!
Two whole eggs in this Southern sweet potato casserole recipe make the dish light, fluffy, and extra creamy! The first time that I made this classic recipe, I was a bit skeptical as well – but it works and just adds to the rest of the comforting flavors! It’s perfect for your Thanksgiving menu – I promise!
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.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
Don’t miss a thing! Follow us on
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram
Other Dessert Recipes
Southern Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe + Video
Equipment
- 9×13-inch baking pan This set is one of my favorites! It comes with a lid for easy storage and is great for dinner casseroles too.
- mixing bowls I like to have a variety of sizes on hand, and this set has them all.
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
Nutrition
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.
Originally published November 2013, updated and republished September 2024
Disclosure: Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link your price will remain the same and The Slow Roasted Italian will automatically receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting us, it helps us keep creating new recipes.
Welcome!
Weโre Donna and Chad, the dream team behind The Slow Roasted Italian. Our focus is on taking complicated OUT of the kitchen. Life is busy enough, making meals should be fast and easy, to help make your life as simple as possible. Read More >>
I Love sweetpotatoes plus they estogen for us women yummy
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!
Want to add amazing flavor to your topping โฆ toast your pecans or walnuts for a few minutes