Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping - CopyKat Recipes (2024)

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by Stephanie Manley, Last Updated 1 Comment

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Sweet potato casserole with pecan topping is good any time of the year, don’t just have it for Thanksgiving. These mashed sweet potatoes covered with a lovely brown sugar pecan crust are sure to be a family favorite.

Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping - CopyKat Recipes (1)

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Southern Sweet Potato Casserole

This Southern sweet potato casserole combines a sweet creamy inside with optional coconut and is covered with a lovely nutty and sweet crust using pecans. This easy sweet potato casserole recipe is good any time of the year, not just on Thanksgiving. It goes perfectly with glazed ham or pork roast and green beans.

Even those who think they don’t like sweet potatoes will love this casserole. The crunchy pecan topping makes a nice contrast to the sweet potatoes and is much better than marshmallows. This dish is fantastic, smells great when cooking, tastes amazing and travels easily. This is an awesome, easy-to-make side dish. You can also eat it warm for dessert with ice cream!

How to Cook the Sweet Potatoes

Boiling – Add peeled and cubed sweet potatoes to a large pot of salted water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then lower the heat and simmer until the potatoes are very tender (15-20 minutes). Drain, allow to cool, and mash.

  • Tip: Boil the sweet potatoes whole until soft. Then the skin falls off, making them very easy to mash.

Baking – How to Bake Sweet Potatoes (Recommended) – Your casserole will be much more flavorful if you use baked sweet potatoes. Baking brings out the syrup and helps with caramelization. Preheat your oven (400 degrees). Rinse and pat dry the whole potatoes, coat the skins with some vegetable oil, place in a pan, and bake until tender (approximately an hour, depending on how big the potatoes are). It’s also a lot easier than boiling – just cut the baked potatoes in half and scoop out the goodness – no peeling!

Using Canned Sweet Potatoes – You can, of course, use canned sweet potatoes to make things easier, but your casserole won’t taste as good. One large 40 oz. can is just over 4 cups.

  • Tip: Boil them in the syrup for a while to get them somewhat mushy, then drain and mash them.

Sweet Potato Casserole Tips

  • Don’t substitute other nuts for the pecans. This Southern sweet potato casserole is just not the same without the true Southern nut meant for sweet potatoes.
  • If you want, toast the pecans before you add them to the topping. This is not absolutely necessary because they will be in the oven later, but if you would like more flavor from the pecans, toast them lightly – do not let them burn!
  • Add some spice, e.g., pumpkin spice or cinnamon and nutmeg. You could also choose to add cloves or ginger. Also double the vanilla if you want.
  • For a real Southern sweet potato casserole touch, add a touch of bourbon. Use 1/8 to a 1/4 cup.
  • Use half & half, cream, or evaporated milk instead of regular milk.
  • This is a sweet casserole. If you like, you can reduce the sugar. If you want to control the sweetness, add the sugar gradually and taste your mashed sweet potatoes as you go along. Start at 1/8 cup and add from there as needed, keeping in mind that the casserole will sweeten up as it bakes.
  • This easy sweet potato casserole could easily be made vegetarian/vegan/diabetic by altering the dairy/sugar ingredients.

Can This Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe Be Made Ahead of Time?

Yes, prepare the casserole the day before and store it in the fridge overnight. Take it out about an hour before baking to bring the dish closer to room temperature. You can also make the topping ahead or prepare it the next day.

This sweet potato dish can also be made in advance and placed in your freezer unbaked. Cover the casserole dish with plastic wrap and then foil over that. Take out of the freezer a day ahead and thaw in the fridge. Bake as usual. Turns out great!

You could also mix up a big batch of the topping and keep in a zip lock bag in your freezer.

Sweet Potato Casserole With Pecan Topping

This easy sweet potato casserole recipe might turn out to be your signature Thanksgiving dish that will get filed in your favorite recipes album. If you have any leftovers, they taste great with scrambled eggs for breakfast the next morning.

Ingredients

Here’s a list of what you need:

  • Mashed sweet potatoes
  • White sugar
  • Vanilla extract
  • Eggs
  • Butter
  • Milk
  • Coconut (optional)
  • Brown sugar
  • All-purposeflour
  • Pecans
Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping - CopyKat Recipes (2)

How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping

  1. Beat sweet potatoes, white sugar, vanilla, eggs, butter, milk, and coconut (if using) with a mixer until well blended.
    Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping - CopyKat Recipes (3)
  2. Place mixture into a 2-quart casserole dish that has been well greased with butter.
  3. Combine brown sugar, flour, and pecans in a bowl.
    Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping - CopyKat Recipes (4)
  4. Spread pecan topping over the sweet potato mixture.
  5. Bake at 350 degrees for 55 minutes.
Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping - CopyKat Recipes (5)

Love sweet potatoes? Try these recipes!

  • Slow Cooker Sweet Potatoes
  • Whipped Sweet Potatoes
  • Candied Pecan Sweet Potatoes
  • Sweet Potato Souffle
  • Sweet Potato Puffs
  • Sweet Potatoes with Horseradish Recipe
  • Sweet Potato Casserole with Oats and Marshmallows
  • Baked Sweet Potato with Brown Sugar and Cinnamon

Favorite Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes

  • Martha Stewart Mac and Cheese
  • Roasted Brussel Sprouts
  • Garlic Green Beans
  • Boiled Carrots

Be sure to check out more of my easy side dish recipes and the best Thanksgiving recipes to make for a special family dinner.

This recipe is by Virginia McDowell. Jefferson City, Mo. 1984.

Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping

This Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping is a family favorite.

5 from 2 votes

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Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Sweet potato casserole

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 12

Calories: 371kcal

Author: Stephanie Manley

Ingredients

  • 4 cups mashed sweet potatoes
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 teaspoons vanilla
  • 4 eggs
  • 4 ounces butter
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 1 cup coconut (optional)

Topping

  • 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons butter

Instructions

  • Beat casserole ingredients in mixer until well blended. Put unto a 2-qt. long casserole dish that has been well greased with butter. Mix and spread topping ingredients over the sweet potato mixture. Bake in 350 degrees oven for 55 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 371kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 141mg | Potassium: 266mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 6695IU | Vitamin C: 1.2mg | Calcium: 47mg | Iron: 1.2mg

About Stephanie Manley

I recreate your favorite restaurant recipes, so you can prepare these dishes at home. I help you cook dinner, and serve up dishes you know your family will love. You can find most of the ingredients for all of the recipes in your local grocery store.

Stephanie is the author of CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home, and CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home 2.

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Comments

  1. Alicia

    Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping - CopyKat Recipes (7)
    I fixed this for my family and they enjoyed it so much they ate it for dessert as well. Thanks for sharing we love the broccoli casserole as well.

    Reply

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Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping - CopyKat Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Why put egg in 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.

How do you make sweet potato casserole not watery? ›

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!

What are the ingredients in Savannah classic sweet potato casserole? ›

INGREDIENTS: Sweet Potatoes, Sugar, Water, Brown Sugar, Praline (sugar, pecans, butter cream, natural flavoring, corn syrup, salt), Liquid Margarine (soybean oil, water, vegetable mono & diglycerides, salt, natural flavor (includes milk), Vitamin A palmitate added, Vitamin D3).

Can I leave eggs out of sweet potato casserole? ›

Eggs (or not!)

– I've made this sweet potato casserole with and without eggs, both ways are delicious. The eggs act as a binder and gives the casserole a light and fluffy texture. Without eggs, the casserole doesn't have as much structure but it still silky smooth and tastes delicious.

What is the purpose of adding a topping to a casserole? ›

Casserole toppings are used for color, variety in texture; protects protein ingredients and identify common toppings.

Can you overcook sweet potato casserole? ›

(Another hot tip if you're boiling your sweet potatoes: Don't overcook them! They tend to absorb water, which could make the filling watery.)

How do you thicken up sweet potato casserole? ›

Choose orange sweet potatoes for the best flavor and sweetness. Brown sugar adds a depth of flavor with a hint of molasses and helps create a caramel-like sauce. All-purpose flour will help thicken the sauce and give some structure.

How do you make a moist casserole? ›

Pro Tip: Avoid Dry Casserole.

The best way to prevent it from drying out is to add a little bit of water, around ¼ cup, to the top of it. Allow the water to seep between the food and the sides of the baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil to seal in the moisture.

How does Ina Garten bake sweet potatoes? ›

directions
  1. Preheat oven to 425*F.
  2. Cut sweet potatoes in wedges or like french fries.
  3. Place wedges on large baking pan or cookie sheet. ...
  4. Now sprinkle over brown sugar, salt, and black pepper. ...
  5. Spread out in a single layer. ...
  6. Place back in oven and bake another 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy on the outside.

What is in Cracker Barrel loaded sweet potato? ›

#20 Loaded Baked Sweet Potato

When we say loaded, we mean it! We top our soft baked sweet potato with Brown Sugar Cinnamon Butter, a toasted Marshmallow, Butter Pecan Syrup, and Candied Pecans. Try it with our Maple Bacon Chicken or Grilled Sirloin Steak for an amazing flavor combination.

What brings out the flavor of sweet potatoes? ›

Slow-roasting the sweet potatoes activates endogenous enzymes that bring out their natural sweetness.

What meat pairs best with sweet potato? ›

Let's delve into the meats that harmonize best with sweet potato mash, creating a perfect balance of savory and sweet.
  1. Pork Tenderloin: A Symphony of Flavors. ...
  2. Roasted Duck: An Opulent Pairing. ...
  3. Grilled Chicken: A Lighter Complement. ...
  4. Braised Beef Short Ribs: Comfort in Every Bite. ...
  5. Seared Salmon: An Unexpected Harmony.

What is the most popular sweet potato? ›

The most common varieties in the U.S. are the Beauregard (the most widely grown cultivar), the jewel, and the garnet (also sometimes known as red yams).

How do you thicken a sweet potato casserole? ›

Add more potato and no liquid also you could use potato flakes to thicken them to the texture you like. Either with plain(all purpose) flour or cornflour mixed in milk to disolve first themn poured in ( not too much liquid just enough to disolve the powder).

Does egg thicken casserole? ›

Their ability to hold up to four times their weight in moisture makes eggs a good thickener for sauces, custards and curds. The proteins in eggs coagulate or set at different temperatures.

What is the purpose of eggs in a baked goods recipe? ›

Eggs play an important role in everything from cakes and cookies to meringues and pastry cream — they create structure and stability within a batter, they help thicken and emulsify sauces and custards, they add moisture to cakes and other baked goods, and can even act as glue or glaze.

What is the purpose of putting an egg in mashed potatoes? ›

Adding egg yolks to a pot of mashed potatoes is an easy, dairy-free texture and taste upgrade that doesn't require any special techniques. The yolks harbor all the flavorful fats and emulsifying components and will thus effectively unify the fat and water in potatoes, translating to a smoother, uniformly creamy pot.

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