Sweet Potato Casserole

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. View our Privacy Policy.

Sweet Potato Casserole is a classic Thanksgiving side dish. Sweet potatoes are mixed with spices and pecans and topped with warm marshmallows.

For more delicious Thanksgiving side dish recipes, try my Squash Casserole with Stuffing, Sugar Free Cranberry Sauce, and Rosemary Sweet Potatoes.

Sweet Potato Casserole Ingredients

To make this classic Thanksgiving side dish recipe, you will need the following (scroll down to the recipe below for exact amounts and variations):

• Sweet potatoes
• Brown Sugar
• Maple syrup: The maple syrup can be substituted with honey or replaced with brown sugar.
• Salted Butter: You can use unsalted butter if desired.
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg
• Vanilla extract
• Salt
• Mini marshmallows: If you don’t have mini marshmallows, feel free to cut up full sized marshmallows and use those instead.
• Pecans: The pecans can be substituted with walnuts

How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Prepare sweet potatoes. Place the sweet potatoes into a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and let simmer for 15-20 minutes or until very tender. Drain and set aside to cool for 5 minutes. Transfer the sweet potatoes to a large bowl and mash with a potato masher until smooth.
3. Mix the ingredients. Mix sweet potatoes with sugar, maple syrup, butter, cinnamon, vanilla extract, nutmeg, and salt until well combined. Optional: Add ½ cup of chopped pecans into mixture.
4. Bake the casserole. Spoon the sweet potato mixture into a lightly greased 9×13 inch pan. Spread in an even layer. Sprinkle the pecans on top. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until bubbly.
5. Top with an even layer of marshmallows. Turn oven to broil and return pan to oven. Cook for 1 minute until marshmallows have turned a golden brown (keep a close eye to avoid burning).

Storage Instructions

After storing your sweet potato casserole in an airtight container at room temperature, you can freeze it for up to two months.

It can also be stored in the refrigerator for up to five days. Although this casserole does not have any eggs, don’t leave at room temperature for too long.

What are Sweet Potatoes?

Sweet potatoes are a starchy root vegetable that have a sweet taste. There are white and purple sweet potatoes, as well as the deep orange sweet potatoes that are most commonly used during the holidays. 

I thought I knew what a sweet potato was until I went to buy them myself at the grocery store for the first time. There were different kinds of sweet potatoes to choose from. To make things even more confusing, sometimes sweet potatoes are mistakenly called yams. 

Do I Have to Include Extra Pecans in the Filling?

Adding extra pecans to the sweet potato mixture is a completely optional step. However, it does give the casserole a nice extra contrast in texture. Some people prefer a creamy casserole, and some like the crunch. You get to choose.

What Do I Do if the Marshmallows Don’t Look Right?

The marshmallows give that extra kick of sweetness to make the casserole truly delectable. However, they can be a little tricky to bake.

When you broil the marshmallows in the oven, they will cook very quickly. Watch them closely because they can go from golden brown to burnt in the blink of an eye. If your marshmallows do burn, just scrape off the burnt layer and try again with another layer of marshmallows.

Sweet Potato Casserole

Author: Emily Pecoraro

Sweet Potato Casserole is a classic Thanksgiving side dish. Sweet potatoes are mixed with spices and pecans and topped with warm marshmallows.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved!

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 55 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Course Side Dishes

Cuisine American

Servings 12

Calories 176 kcal

Equipment

• OXO Good Grips 3-piece Mixing Bowl Set
• 9×13 Glass Baking Dish

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 3-4 medium sweet potatoes peeled and chopped
• ▢ ½ cup light brown sugar
• ▢ 2 tablespoons real maple syrup
• ▢ ¼ cup salted butter melted
• ▢ 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ▢ ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ▢ ½ teaspoon salt
• ▢ ¼ cup toasted pecans roughly chopped + Optional ½ cup chopped pecans
• ▢ 2 ½ cups mini marshmallows

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Place the sweet potatoes into a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and let simmer for 15-20 minutes or until very tender.
• Drain and set aside to cool for 5 minutes.
• Transfer the sweet potatoes to a large bowl and mash with a potato masher until smooth.
• Mix sweet potatoes with sugar, maple syrup, butter, cinnamon, vanilla extract, nutmeg, and salt until well combined. Optional: Add ½ cup of chopped pecans into mixture.
• Spoon the sweet potato mixture into a lightly greased 9×13 inch pan. Spread in an even layer.
• Sprinkle the pecans on top.
• Bake for 30-40 minutes or until bubbly.
• Top with an even layer of marshmallows. Turn oven to broil and return pan to oven. Cook for 1 minute until marshmallows have turned a golden brown (keep a close eye to avoid burning).

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 176kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 1gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 170mgPotassium: 222mgFiber: 2gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 8136IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 33mgIron: 1mg

The nutrition information is calculated using online nutrition calculators and may not be accurate. It is provided as a general guide only.

Tried this recipe?Mention @emilyenchantedfood or tag #emilyenchanted!

The recipe and photos contained herein are the property of Emily Enchanted© and may not be copied.