Name: Southern Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients: 4 cups mashed sweet potatoes (about 4 large sweet potatoes, peeled and boiled); ½ cup granulated sugar; ½ cup brown sugar; 2 large eggs; ½ cup whole milk; ¼ cup unsalted butter (melted); 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon; ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg; pinch of salt; ½ cup brown sugar; ⅓ cup all-purpose flour; ⅓ cup unsalted butter (softened); 1 cup chopped pecans

Description

Southern Sweet Potato Casserole is a comforting, classic holiday side dish made with creamy mashed sweet potatoes, warm spices, and a rich brown sugar pecan topping. This beloved Southern staple combines a silky sweet base with a crunchy, buttery finish—perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any cozy gathering.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Sweet Potato Base:

4 cups mashed sweet potatoes (about 4 large sweet potatoes, peeled and boiled)
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
½ cup whole milk
¼ cup unsalted butter (melted)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
pinch of salt

For the Pecan Topping:

½ cup brown sugar
⅓ cup all-purpose flour
⅓ cup unsalted butter (softened)
1 cup chopped pecans

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Instructions

Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) ensuring it reaches the correct temperature before baking.
Mix sweet potato base: In a large mixing bowl, combine mashed sweet potatoes, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, milk, melted butter, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Mix thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Prepare baking dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking, then spread the sweet potato mixture evenly into the dish.
Make pecan topping: In a separate bowl, mix brown sugar, all-purpose flour, and softened butter until crumbly. Stir in the chopped pecans thoroughly to distribute evenly.
Add topping and bake: Sprinkle the pecan topping evenly over the sweet potato mixture. Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is set.
Cool and serve: Remove from oven and let the casserole cool slightly before serving to allow it to set further and enhance flavors.

Notes

You can prep the casserole a day ahead and bake it just before serving to save time on the day of your event.
For a twist, swap the pecan topping with mini marshmallows added during the last 10 minutes of baking for a sweeter, gooey finish.