Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans

This Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans is a family favorite that has been tested and tweaked into pure Thanksgiving side dish perfection! It’s so easy to make by simply combining puréed sweet potatoes with butter, maple syrup, and cinnamon and then topping with a crunchy and sweet pecan crumble.

Favorite Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans

The time has finally come. My family’s sweet potato casserole with pecans has been tested and tweaked and revamped to absolute perfection. And I cannot wait to share the recipe with you!

While I’ve always loved the flavors, as I’ve gotten older the overly sweet dish using canned yams was not quite all it was cracked up to be.

So over the past few years I have slowly evolved the recipe by:

• Using fresh, boiled sweet potatoes instead of canned yams
• Subbing pure maple syrup to replace some of the sweetener
• Pureeing the potatoes so they’re silky smooth and creamy
• Reducing the amount of butter and sugar used to make it slightly “healthier”

Oh ya, and that pecan topping?! The ratio of butter to sugar to flour is just right so you get that crunchy crumble with hints of cinnamon all throughout.

If you want the rest of our family’s Thanksigving spread, make sure you check out this Cajun Cornbread Dressing and Green Bean Casserole from Scratch!

Ingredients

To make this Sweet Potato Casserole recipe you need:

• Sweet potatoes. Garnet or jewel are the best options, avoid purple or Japanese, though. You can use canned yams if needed, but the end result will be a bit sweeter. Avoid fresh yams; they’ll be too starchy. (Here’s more info on Yams vs. Sweet Potatoes.)
• Sugar. Plain white sugar will work, but you can also sub in coconut sugar if you prefer.
• Brown sugar. Perfect for the topping, brown sugar adds extra flavor. You can also substitute with coconut sugar if you’d like to make it refined sugar-free.
• Maple syrup. Look for the pure maple syrup for the most flavor and try to avoid the processed, maple-flavored syrup.
• Butter. Unsalted is best, but be sure to adjust the amount of added salt if you sub in salted butter. This is used both in the sweet potato mixture and the topping.
• Eggs. Whisked eggs help bind the base. You can use flax eggs if needed.
• Cinnamon. This earthy spice adds a warm, fall flavor.
• Flour. You can use regular, all-purpose flour or opt for a gluten-free 1-to-1 blend.
• Pecans. Smaller pieces are best, so buy chopped or do it yourself.

How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole

The basic steps for making this Sweet Potato Casserole recipe are simple to follow:

1. Prepare the Potatoes

You’ll need to wash and scrub about three pounds of sweet potatoes. Be sure to dry each one with a towel.

Once clean, remove the skin from each potato using a vegetable peeler. Use a sharp knife to cut each one into chunks. Aim for about 1-inch pieces so they cook evenly and quickly.

2. Boil the Potatoes

After the potatoes are rinsed, peeled, and diced, fill a Dutch oven with about 10 cups of water. Add the potatoes to the pot, ensuring they are completely covered with water by about one inch. Give a liberal sprinkle of salt, this adds so much flavor to the potatoes.

Bring it to a boil. Then, reduce the heat to medium-low to ensure a rapid simmer for around 10 to 12 minutes.

Stir the potatoes a few times while cooking. When they are fork-tender, drain them into a colander in the sink.

3. Purée the Potatoes

You can do this step in a couple of different ways.

For the absolute fluffiest, smoothest texture, dump all of the potatoes into a food processor. Be sure it can hold at least 11 cups or you won’t be able to fit all of the ingredients.

However, if you don’t have a food processor, you can simply mash them in the pot with a potato masher. Use some elbow grease to really work the lumps out.

Whether you are using the processor or masher, add the sugar, maple syrup, melted butter, whisked eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt before you purée the mixture.

Process for around 20 to 30 seconds until there are no lumps left. Or, mash well until the sweet potato filling is thoroughly mixed and smooth.

4. Make the Pecan Topping

In a medium or large mixing bowl, add the softened butter, packed brown sugar, flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.

Use a fork to mix the ingredients until everything is combined. It will still be crumbly, though.

Add in the chopped pecans. Be sure the pecans are raw and NOT toasted, though. Stir a little more until the topping is mixed well.

5. Top and Bake

Preheat the oven to 350℉.

Spray a 7X10-inch baking dish with a non-stick cooking spray, or rub with a thin layer of oil or butter. Use a spatula to spread the potato mixture across the bottom, smoothing the top. Then, sprinkle the pecan topping over the sweet potatoes.

Bake the casserole in the oven for 40 to 45 minutes. The topping will be firm and a golden-brown color. Once you let it sit for about 10 minutes, you are ready to enjoy this delicious side!

Prep-Ahead Directions

You can make this casserole in its entirety up to 2 days in advance. Then, you simply need to pull it out of the fridge 30-60 minutes before baking so it can come to room temperature.

Then, follow the directions above to bake it.

Or, you can cook and purée the potatoes beforehand if needed then prepare the casserole the day of.

How to Store Sweet Potato Casserole?

• To Store: Place leftovers in an airtight container and leave them in the fridge for up to 4 to 5 days.
• To Freeze: You can either tightly wrap unbaked OR baked and completely cooled sweet potato casserole and place it in the freezer for up to 3 months. For best results, freeze the toppings separate from the base.
• To Reheat: To warm up the entire casserole, let it sit at room temperature for an hour, then bake it in a 300℉ oven for 30 minutes or so. For single servings, you can use the microwave.

FAQs

What to Serve with Sweet Potato Casserole

This Sweet Potato Casserole is delicious with Thanksgiving dinner or any of these recipes whenever you make them:

• Spatchcock Chicken and Gravy Without Drippings
• Filet Mignon
• Air Fryer Meatloaf
• Air Fryer Shrimp
• Lamb Kofta
• Air Fryer Salmon

More Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes

When you’re ready to plan Thanksgiving dinner, don’t forget about these delicious sides:

• Mashed Sweet Potatoes
• Air Fryer Carrots
• Bacon Balsamic Brussels Sprouts
• Green Beans Almondine
• Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
• Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
• Sausage Stuffing
• Wild Rice Stuffing
• Cranberry Orange Sauce