Easy Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe | Julie Blanner (2024)

This is a must have, melt in your mouth sweet potato casserole recipe that is a crowd pleasing side dish for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

This dish will wow your guests, while taking just 10 minutes hands on time to make!

It’s the easiest side dish to make ahead for the holidays. Don’t skip this incredible classic sweet potato casserole.

Easy Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe | Julie Blanner (1)

Table of Contents

  • Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
  • Ingredients and Substitutions
  • Variations
  • Tools to Use
  • How To Make
  • Tips
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Serving Suggestions
  • How to Store
  • Leftover Ideas
  • Dietary Considerations
  • More Side Dish Recipes
  • Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
  • Explore More

Let’s celebrate life with something sweet and savory, shall we? This easy sweet potato casserole is no secret, but it is one of my favorite Thanksgiving side dishes.

Inspired by a classic side dish at one of our favorite steakhouses when we lived in Kansas City, this sweet potato casserole is old-fashioned and incredibly delicious.

As a kid, I used to make a meal out of side dishes. I’m still not the biggest fan of turkey, but I am always thrilled to try each and every side at a Thanksgiving celebration! These sweet potatoes are not exception.

Bonus? My girls absolutely love them, too!

I treat my sweet potato casserole recipe a little like a sweet potato pie. We’re using a little vanilla, and creating a crunchy crust with pecans and brown sugar.

I’m obsessed with sweet potatoes. If you are too, you don’t want to miss my sweet potato gnocchi recipe, sweet potato fries, oven roasted sweet potatoes or smashed sweet potatoes), especially for fall!

Easy Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe | Julie Blanner (2)

Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

This isn’t your grandma’s casserole, it’s a candied one – that even kids love! We call it a side dish, but it’s a dessert in disguise. If you love sweet and savory, this is the dish for you!

Why You’ll Love It

  • Sweet, but not too Sweet – Perfect balanced sweet and savory flavors
  • Simple Ingredients – So easy to throw together.
  • Make Ahead – This recipe is perfect to make ahead, and it feeds a crowd, too. It’s so easy to double or triple.
Easy Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe | Julie Blanner (3)

Ingredients and Substitutions

See printable recipe card for complete ingredients and instructions.

  • Canned Sweet Potatoes – Using canned sweet potatoes takes the work out of this recipe. You can also use roasted sweet potatoes here – any kind works as long as they are cooked. You’ll whip them in your mixer!
  • Sugar – White granulated works, but you can sub with brown sugar if you prefer.
  • Salt – To balance the sweet.
  • Vanilla Extract – It’s so easy to make your own homemade vanilla extract!
  • Eggs – Large size eggs, these help bind the casserole.
  • Butter – Salted butter works well, melted.

Topping

  • Brown Sugar – To help create a caramelized sweet topping.
  • Flour – All-purpose flour for binding the topping ingredients and creating the flavor of a sweet potato pie.
  • Pecans – These add the most delicious, savory crunch to balance all the creamy goodness of this sweet potato casserole!
  • Butter – Melted salted butter is what I generally what I have on hand, but you can use unsalted butter too.
Easy Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe | Julie Blanner (4)

Variations

  • Use fresh sweet potatoes instead – simply peel, cube and boil until soft, about 20 minutes, before mashing.
  • Add marshmallows on top for a sticky sweet classic addition.

How To Make

  1. Prep – Preheat oven as directed. Grease casserole dish.
  2. Combine first set of ingredients. Mix well. Pour into casserole dish. Easy Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe | Julie Blanner (6)
  3. Combine second set of ingredients and spoon on top of sweet potato mixture. Easy Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe | Julie Blanner (7)
  4. Bake – As directed, and allow to cool before serving.
Easy Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe | Julie Blanner (8)

Tips

  • Don’t skip the vanilla – it adds so much decadent fragrance to this dish.
  • The canned sweet potatoes in this recipe are the ultimate shortcut – nobody will ever know you used them!
  • Make it ahead! Simply bake when ready to serve.
Easy Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe | Julie Blanner (9)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sweet Potato Casserole?

I was first introduced to Sweet Potato Casserole at Ruth’s Chris. There are several copycat versions of their recipe with slight variations. This recipe includes canned or mashed sweet potatoes, sugar, salt, vanilla, eggs and butter and has a crunchy pecan topping made with brown sugar, flour, pecans and butter. It’s always a crowd pleaser!

Can you make this Thanksgiving side dish ahead of time?

You can make sweet potato casserole the day before and bake just before serving. It’s just one more reason to love that sweet potato goodness!

How long does sweet potato casserole last in the fridge?

For best results, make just a day in advance. You can store in an airtight container up to 3 days before baking and up to 4 days after.

Are yams and sweet potatoes the same thing?

At most grocery stores, they are sold as one and the same. However, in truth, they are entirely different. Authentic yams are a root vegetable most similar to yucca.

Easy Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe | Julie Blanner (10)

Serving Suggestions

  • Honey Glazed Ham
  • Apple Cider Glazed Pork Medallions
  • Rosemary Chicken
  • Chicken with Garlic Sauce and Caramelized Shallots
Easy Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe | Julie Blanner (11)

How to Store

  • At Room Temperature– Don’t leave this sweet potato casserole out for more than two hours.
  • Refrigerate– store in an airtight container up to 3 days before baking and up to 4 days after.
  • Freeze–store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to three months. You can make ahead and freeze before baking, or freeze your leftovers.

Easy Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe | Julie Blanner (12)

Leftover Ideas

  • Make sweet potato pancakes or waffles
  • Add it on top of toast for breakfast
  • Make sweet potato casserole muffins
Easy Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe | Julie Blanner (13)

Dietary Considerations

  • Make it nut free by eliminating pecans
  • Make it gluten free by eliminating or replacing all purpose flour in topping
  • Vegetarian

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Easy Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe | Julie Blanner (18)

5 from 10 votes

Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

By Julie Blanner

A must have, melt in your mouth sweet potato casserole recipe that is a crowd pleasing last minute side dish for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 30 minutes mins

Total: 40 minutes mins

Servings: 12

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Ingredients

  • 40 ounces sweet potatoes canned, strained
  • 1 cup white granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla
  • 2 eggs size large
  • ½ cup butter melted

Topping

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease casserole dish.

  • In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, combine sweet potatoes, sugar, salt, vanilla, eggs and melted butter.

  • Pour into casserole dish.

  • In a small mixing bowl with a spatula, spoon or fork, combine brown sugar, flour, pecans and butter. Spoon on top of sweet potato mixture.

  • Bake 30-35 minutes. Allow to cool 15 minutes before serving.

Julie’s Tips

Tips and Variations

  • You can replace canned sweet potatoes with 3 cups mashed sweet potatoes.
  • This dish can be made ahead and baked when ready to serve.
  • Add marshmallows before baking for even more sticky sweet decadence!

How to Store

  • At Room Temperature– Don’t leave this sweet potato casserole out for more than two hours.
  • Refrigerate– in an airtight container for up to five days.
  • Freeze–store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to three months. You can make ahead and freeze before baking, or freeze your leftovers.

Video

Calories: 353kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 68mg | Sodium: 345mg | Potassium: 72mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 35g | Vitamin A: 529IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1mg

Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.

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Easy Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe | Julie Blanner (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep sweet potato casserole from being 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!

How to thicken up sweet potato casserole? ›

However, if you prefer a really thick sweet potato casserole, you can add about 2-3 tablespoons of flour to your sweet potato batter and this will help the mixture to thicken. This is an especially good idea if using fresh sweet potatoes.

Why add eggs to 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.

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. That said, if you do not have the time, you can still get crispy baked sweet potato fries by using high heat and a little drizzle of olive oil.

What is the liquid coming out of my baked sweet potato? ›

The ooze is actually referred to as "sap." It is made up of sugar and starch combined with the moisture found in the vegetable, and it escapes out of the damage made from the knife. The sap really equals the sweetness. If it's pouring out of your potato, that means it's a sweet and delicious vegetable.

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 know when your sweet potato casserole is done? ›

Sprinkle the topping evenly over the sweet potato mixture, then pop it into the oven and let it bake for 40 to 45 minutes. You will know it's done when the topping is lightly browned and the center of your casserole is set and firm.

How do you moisten a casserole? ›

How do you moisten a dry casserole? Add a little water or milk to the top of the it before reheating. Allow the liquid to seep in between the casserole and the baking dish, without overflowing. Cover the top with aluminum foil.

How to make sweet potatoes less watery? ›

I was never a huge fan of mashed sweet potatoes until I discovered a technique from Cook's Illustrated. They simmer the potatoes right in the cream rather than boiling them in water. This is a complete game changer to say the least! Instead of a watery mash, you end up with an ultra creamy texture guaranteed to please.

How do you make a casserole taste better? ›

Fresh herbs or citrus zest can also punch up flavors with a bit of welcome brightness for a long-cooked dish, as can adding some heat in the form of a dash of hot sauce, a generous pinch of minced or sliced fresh chili pepper, or a shake of red pepper flakes.

Why do Americans put marshmallows on sweet potato casserole? ›

According to an article from Saveur Magazine documented by the Library of Congress, the first recipe of mashed sweet potatoes with marshmallows dates to 1917, when "marketers of Angelus Marshmallows hired Janet McKenzie Hill, founder of the Boston Cooking School Magazine, to develop recipes for a booklet designed to ...

Are candied yams and sweet potato casserole the same thing? ›

You may not want to substitute true yams in your Candied Yams recipe since their flavor isn't the same as the sweet potatoes in the dish. They can be substituted for sweet potatoes in more savory dishes.

Why do you put oil on sweet potatoes before baking? ›

If I'm planning to, I rub the sweet potatoes in a small amount of olive oil before baking to crisp them up and add extra flavor. After baking, let the potatoes cool slightly, split the tops open, and dot with butter that will melt from the residual heat. Season with a little salt and pepper, and you're ready to go.

Do sweet potatoes taste better baked or boiled? ›

Why You Should Bake Sweet Potatoes Instead. While boiling makes sweet potatoes tender, it doesn't help much with their flavor.

Do you rinse sweet potatoes before baking? ›

To make oven baked sweet potatoes, you will need the following ingredients: Sweet potatoes: Scrubbed and rinsed, to remove any dirt. If you are baking multiple sweet potatoes at the same time, it's also helpful to choose a batch of sweet potatoes that are similarly-sized so that they will bake evenly.

How do you keep sweet potato mash from getting watery? ›

Try draining the potatoes better next time And don't over beat/ blend but if you want to thicken them up Try some Wondra quick mix flour, corn starch Or some breadcrumbs . Actually sweet potatoes can be mashed without using marjorine or butter. Mashing without the use of butter or marjorine will make it thicker.

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 potato casserole? ›

1 teaspoon of corn starch to 1 cup of casserole liquid, mxi it well and add it to the casserole. Give a good stir and when it bubbles a bit it will thicken.

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