Are you searching for the ultimate, show-stopping side dish for your holiday table? The kind of soulful, comforting casserole that is the absolute first thing to disappear at every Thanksgiving and Christmas feast? This incredible, from-scratch-tasting Classic Sweet Potato Casserole with a crunchy pecan streusel is that perfect recipe. We’re talking an impossibly creamy, rich, and custardy sweet potato filling, all baked under a beautiful, golden-brown, and buttery pecan-brown sugar streusel topping.
This isn’t just another sweet potato recipe; it’s a guide to mastering a legendary Southern classic—the sophisticated, “no-marshmallow” version. We’ll show you the simple but crucial secrets to the most velvety, non-stringy filling and a perfectly crunchy topping that never fails. This is a satisfying, soulful, and deeply impressive dish that is perfect for making ahead and is destined to become the star of your holiday spread.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Recipe Overview: The Ultimate Make-Ahead Holiday Side Dish
What makes this Sweet Potato Casserole so spectacularly delicious is its incredible combination of textures and its wonderful, deep and comforting flavor. This recipe is a masterpiece of classic, festive cooking. The base of the casserole is a rich and luscious, custard-style sweet potato filling. Tender, boiled sweet potatoes are mashed and then enriched with brown sugar, milk, and eggs, which is the secret to its beautiful, sliceable set. The real magic, however, is the topping: a simple, from-scratch brown sugar and pecan streusel, which bakes into the most incredible, golden-brown, and crispy crust that provides the perfect textural contrast to the creamy sweet potatoes below.
| Metric | Time / Level |
| Total Time | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Active Prep Time | 20 minutes |
| Difficulty Level | Easy |
| Servings | 8-10 |
The Flavors of the Feast: The Essential Ingredients
This iconic dish uses a handful of high-quality, simple ingredients to create its signature rich and comforting flavor.
- The Sweet Potato Filling (The Creamy Heart!):
- The Sweet Potatoes: A classic, holiday staple! This recipe uses a simple boiling method for a quick and easy preparation.
- The Custard Base: The secret to a truly rich and sliceable casserole, not just a bowl of mashed sweet potatoes, is the addition of eggs. The eggs bake into a beautiful, light custard that gives the filling its signature, luscious texture.
- The Crunchy Pecan Streusel (The Crown Jewel!):
- The “Holy Trinity” of Streusel: A classic and perfect combination of all-purpose flour, brown sugar, and melted butter. The molasses in the brown sugar provides a deep, rich, and caramel-like flavor that is the perfect complement to the sweet potatoes.
- Toasted Pecans: For the best, most intense, and nuttiest flavor, it is highly recommended to toast your pecans before you chop them. This simple, 5-minute step makes a world of difference!
The Casserole Masterclass: The Secrets to a Perfect Bake
This recipe uses two simple but brilliant techniques that guarantee a flawless, impressive result.
- The Fluffy Mash: The number one secret to a creamy, non-stringy sweet potato filling is to not overwork your potatoes. For the absolute best, silkiest result, you can pass your cooked potatoes through a food mill or a potato ricer. A simple, handheld potato masher is the next best choice. It is best to avoid a food processor or a blender, which can make the potatoes gummy.
- The “Clumpy” Streusel: The secret to a perfect, crunchy, and rustic-looking streusel is to mix it just until it “clumps together.” You don’t want a fine, sandy mixture or a uniform dough. Those beautiful, buttery clumps are the key that will bake up into a wonderfully crunchy and textural topping.
Step-by-Step to the Best Sweet Potato Casserole
This elegant, festive side dish is a joy to prepare.
Part 1: The Art of the Creamy Sweet Potato Filling
Step 1: First, preheat your oven to 350°F ($175^{\circ}C$). Generously butter a 2-quart baking dish.
Step 2: In a large pot of salted water, boil your 1 3/4 pounds of peeled and cubed sweet potatoes for 15 to 20 minutes. You will know they are perfectly done when they are very tender and can be easily pierced with a fork with no resistance.
Step 3: Drain the potatoes well and let them cool slightly. Mash the sweet potatoes until they are smooth.
Step 4: In a large bowl, whisk together your 4 tablespoons of melted butter, the mashed sweet potatoes, the 1/2 cup of milk, the 1/4 cup of packed brown sugar, the 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, the 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and the 2 large eggs.
Step 5: Transfer this mixture to your prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer.
Part 2: The Perfect Pecan Streusel and Final Bake
Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine the 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour, the 1/2 cup of packed brown sugar, the 4 tablespoons of melted butter, and the 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Mix until the mixture is moist and begins to clump together.
Step 2: Stir in your 3/4 cup of chopped pecans.
Step 3 (The Best Part!): Sprinkle this beautiful streusel mixture evenly over the top of your sweet potatoes.
Step 4: Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. You will know the casserole is perfectly done when the center is mostly set and the topping is a beautiful, deep golden brown. Serve hot.
Sweet Potato Casserole (with Crunchy Pecan Streusel!)
A classic and comforting recipe for a traditional Sweet Potato Casserole, a perfect side dish for a holiday meal. The dish features a smooth and creamy filling made from mashed sweet potatoes, enriched with butter, milk, and brown sugar. The casserole is finished with a sweet and crunchy streusel topping made with flour, brown sugar, butter, and chopped pecans, then baked until golden brown and bubbly.
Ingredients
- For the Filling:
- 3 to 4 large sweet potatoes (about 1 3/4 pounds), peeled and cubed
- 1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted, plus more for buttering the baking dish
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 large eggs
- For the Topping:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3/4 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter a 2-quart baking dish.
- Place the peeled and cubed sweet potatoes in a large pot of salted water. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, until the potatoes are very tender. Drain the potatoes well.
- Make the Filling: In a large bowl, mash the cooked sweet potatoes. Whisk in the melted butter, milk, brown sugar, vanilla, salt, and eggs until smooth.
- Pour the sweet potato mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Make the Topping: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, melted butter, and salt. Mix until the mixture is moist and clumps together. Stir in the chopped pecans.
- Sprinkle the topping mixture evenly over the sweet potatoes.
- Bake: Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the casserole is mostly set in the center and the topping is golden brown.
- Serve hot.
Notes
- This is a quintessential side dish for holiday meals, especially Thanksgiving.
- For a smoother filling, you can use an electric mixer to blend the sweet potato mixture.
- Ensure the sweet potatoes are boiled until they are very tender, which will make them easier to mash into a smooth consistency.
- This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and baked just before serving.
What to Serve With Your Sweet Potato Casserole
This beautiful and savory-sweet dish is a quintessential and incredibly versatile holiday side dish. It is the perfect accompaniment to almost any fall or winter main course.
- Holiday Roasts: It is an absolute must-have alongside a classic Roasted Turkey, a Glazed Ham, or a beautiful Prime Rib.
- Weeknight Dinners: It is also a fantastic, comforting side for a simple roasted chicken or some pan-seared pork chops.
For more recipe follow my pinterest account
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
This is the ultimate make-ahead holiday side dish!
- Make-Ahead: This is a perfect make-ahead dish! You can prepare and fully assemble the entire, unbaked casserole up to 2 days in advance. Simply cover it tightly and store it in the refrigerator. When you are ready for your dinner, you may need to add 15-20 minutes to the total baking time.
- Storage: Store any leftovers, well-covered, in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Reheating: The best way to reheat this dish is to simply place it back in a 350°F oven for about 20-30 minutes, until it is warmed through and bubbly.
Frequently Asked questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can I make this with the classic marshmallow topping instead?
Yes, absolutely! Simply prepare the sweet potato filling as directed. For the last 10 minutes of baking, you can top the casserole with a generous layer of mini marshmallows and bake until they are puffed up and golden brown.
Q2: Can I make this side dish ahead of time for a holiday dinner?
Yes, this is an ideal make-ahead side dish. You can fully assemble the unbaked casserole up to two days in advance. When you are ready for your dinner, you can simply pop it in the oven to bake.
Q3: Can I roast the sweet potatoes instead of boiling them?
Of course! Roasting your sweet potatoes is a fantastic method that will result in an even deeper, sweeter, and more concentrated flavor. Simply pierce your whole sweet potatoes with a fork and roast them in a 400°F oven for about 45-60 minutes, until very tender. Then, you can scoop out the flesh and proceed with the recipe.
Q4: Can I use a different kind of nut?
Yes! This classic streusel topping would also be fantastic with chopped, toasted walnuts. For a nut-free version, you can simply omit the pecans and add about 1/2 cup of old-fashioned rolled oats to the streusel for a delicious, crunchy texture.
Q5: Can I make this recipe dairy-free or vegan?
It would require significant substitutions. You would need to use a plant-based milk, a vegan butter substitute, and a vegan egg replacer for the filling. The final flavor and texture would be different, but it could be a delicious alternative