Sweet Potato Casserole

4.41 from 120 votes

This easy Sweet Potato Casserole recipe with pecans is perfect for the holidays or a delicious, comforting side dish throughout the year.

Prep Time15

Cook Time55

Total Time1 10

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Author: Jamie Sherman

Equipment

Ingredients

Casserole

4-5 large sweet potatoes or 3 cans, 16 ounces each sweet potatoes or yams
3 large eggs slightly beaten
½ cup granulated white sugar
½ cup evaporated milk
½ cup unsalted butter 1 stick
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon salt

Topping

½ cup all-purpose flour
½ cup light brown sugar packed
¼ cup unsalted butter, melted 1/2 stick
¾ cup pecans chopped

Instructions

Cook sweet potatoes on the stove or drain canned yams. Mash potatoes or yams.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
In a large bowl, combine sweet potatoes/yams, eggs, sugar, evaporated milk, butter, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth and well combined. Transfer the potato mixture to the baking dish.
In a medium bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, and butter until crumbly. Stir pecans into the flour mixture. Sprinkle flour mixture over sweet potato/yam mixture.
Bake for 50-55 minutes or until golden brown and sweet potatoes are set.
Serve immediately. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.

Notes

You may notice the omission of a classic topping - marshmallows! You are free to add those in. I prefer the casserole without it. I know, I know! Different strokes and all that. 🙂 If you choose to use them, you'll want to add them close to the end of the baking time, during the last few minutes. Be sure to keep an eye on them, so they don't burn.
I’ve seen other additions that may be tasty: coconut or coconut milk, bourbon, vanilla pudding, cayenne pepper, and pineapple. I can’t personally vouch for any of them, but I’d LOVE to hear your experiences with them.
The eggs are an integral part of this recipe. It's the binder that holds everything together without making the dish too heavy - so don't omit them!
Sweet potato casserole makes for great leftovers, by the way - especially cold. 😉

NOTE: I am VERY excited to tell you that, yes, this recipe can be doubled! However, doubling the recipe will affect the cooking time. If you make more sweet potato casserole than the recipe calls for, ensure it comes out golden brown before serving.

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