Southern Sweet Potato Casserole

Southern Sweet Potato Casserole has a rich, sweet, and buttery flavor with a delicious pecan topping. It’s an exquisite side dish for all occasions, not just the holidays!

As a kid, I hated sweet potatoes. Thankfully we didn’t eat them often! Whenever one of my family members would offer me some sweet potatoes at the holidays, my response was always “potatoes aren’t supposed to be sweet.”

Well, I’ve changed my tune on that front. Now I love sweet potatoes for the holidays! I enjoy these delicious Vanilla and Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes, but I REALLY love this Southern Sweet Potato Casserole with a pecan topping!

They’re really the perfect complement to our holiday meal – a little sweet, a little salty, and a LOT delicious!

This Southern Sweet Potato Casserole is not only SUPER easy and quick to put together, but it is also the perfect dish to make ahead of time to save time while you are preparing the holidays dishes.

It may be an ideal side dish for your table, but believe it or not, it is so sweet and tasty that some may say it is delicious enough to be a dessert. 😉

Either way, I’m sure your family will love this casserole no matter when or where you serve it!

Don’t forget to serve this easy southern sweet potato casserole along with our Herb Stuffing, Easy Scalloped Potatoes, and Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad With Bacon!

Ingredients Needed For Southern Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

• Sweet Potatoes – cooked and mashed before assembling the casserole
• No-Salt Butter – melted butter for the casserole, room temperature for the topping
• Brown Sugar – packed, you will be using brown sugar in the casserole and topping
• Heavy Cream – regular heavy cream
• Vanilla
• Salt
• Eggs – use large, fresh eggs
• Pecans – finely chopped (I like to use the food processor for that!)
• Flour – all-purpose
• Salt

For the full recipe, including exact measurements, please check the handy printable recipe card at the bottom of this recipe!

How To Make Southern Sweet Potato Casserole

A little salty, a little more sweet, and a whole lotta yummy. Here’s how to make the last sweet potato casserole you’ll ever make!

Step 1

Begin by preparing a baking dish with non-stick spray and pre-heating the oven to 350 degrees.

Step 2

Thoroughly combine and mix sweet potatoes, melted butter, brown sugar, heavy cream, vanilla, salt, and eggs in a large bowl.

Step 3

Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.

Step 4

In a small mixing bowl, combine all topping ingredients together and sprinkle over the sweet potato mixture.

Step 5

Bake for 35 – 45 minutes until set and brown on the top.

Southern Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe Notes And Tips

• For gluten-free casserole, use your favorite gluten-free flour substitute.

• If your sweet potato mixture is a little thin, just add a little bit of flour at a time until you reach the desired thickness.

• If you prefer the flavor of toasted pecans, simply pop them in the oven for about for about 8 – 10 minutes at 350 degrees.

Variations Of Southern Sweet Potato Casserole To Try

• Add some mini-marshmallows to the top of the casserole during the last 5 – 10 minutes of baking. This is personal choice as you may not prefer marshmallows with (or in place of!) the delicious crunchy topping of this casserole.

• Add some fresh cranberries to your sweet potato mixture prior to baking for a delicious sweet, tangy, and savory flavor.

• If you decide to roast the pecans, add a dash of cinnamon, approximately 1/4 tsp, prior to roasting. Who can resist a little cinnamony flavor to this already delicious casserole.

FAQs

Can I prepare this Southern Sweet Potato Casserole ahead of time?

YES! Preparing this casserole ahead of time is a great option. You will need to prepare the sweet potato mixture and spread it into the baking dish. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap or air-tight cover and place in the refrigerator for 3 – 5 days.

You can prepare the topping but place it in a resealable plastic bag or air-tight container and place it in the refrigerator. You will want to wait until you are ready to bake to add the topping to the sweet potato mixture. Then bake as directed.

Can I freeze the Southern Sweet Potato Casserole?

Absolutely! This casserole will freeze wonderfully. Once you have prepared the sweet potato mixture, spread it in a baking dish and allow it to cool completely.

Wrap tightly or store in an air-tight container. The casserole will freeze for up to 3 months.

When you are ready to bake, remove from the freezer and allow to thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Make and add the topping to the thawed dish and bake as directed.

What is the best way to prepare the sweet potatoes for mashing?

Sweet potatoes can be baked in the oven at 425 degrees for approximately 45 minutes. Be sure to scrub them clean underwater and then prick with a fork or knife 4 – 5 times all around the potato.

Once they are cooked through, remove them from the oven and peel.

A second method of cooking your sweet potatoes is to boil them (this is my favorite). Peel and cut them into approximately 2-inch pieces. Rinse, place them in a large pot, cover them with water and bring to a boil until tender or about 15 – 20 minutes.

What is the difference between yams and sweet potatoes?

Most people think that yams and sweet potatoes are basically the same things. However, that’s not true!

Sweet potatoes have a softer, reddish skin with a creamy, sweet inside.

Yams have a rough, brown outside and are much starchier than sweet potatoes.

More Yummy Holiday Side Dishes To Try

If you love this Southern Sweet Potato Casserole, try these other holiday favorites too!

• Cauliflower Stuffing Casserole
• Turkey Leftover Stuffing Muffins
• Mashed Potato Puffs (2 Ways)
• Apple Cranberry Coleslaw