Easy Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe with Brown Sugar Pecan Topping

Name: Easy Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe with Brown Sugar Pecan Topping
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 pounds baked sweet potatoes, peeled and mashed; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed; 1/2 cup milk or half-and-half; 2 large eggs, lightly beaten; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted; **For the Topping:**; 1 cup chopped pecans; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed; 1/4 cup unsalted butter, chilled and diced

BY Emily Parker November 24, 2025

Fluffy sweet potato casserole topped with a golden brown pecan streusel

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

This sweet potato casserole is designed to deliver a perfectly smooth, fluffy, and naturally sweet base topped with a golden, crisp finish. The recipe balances warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg with just the right amount of richness, creating a comforting side dish ideal for holiday meals or family gatherings. Each step is structured to prevent gumminess, enhance the natural flavor of the sweet potatoes, and ensure consistent results every time. Whether you’re preparing a festive spread or a cozy weekend dinner, this reliable method produces a classic, crowd-pleasing casserole that pairs beautifully with both savory and sweet dishes.

Table of Contents

Why Roasting Elevates Any Sweet Potato Casserole

The foundation of a superb sweet potato casserole isn’t the toppings or the spices; it’s how you cook the potatoes themselves. Many recipes call for boiling, but as someone who has cooked this dish for years, I strongly advise against it. Boiling introduces water into the potatoes, diluting their natural sugars and leading to a loose, sometimes runny, casserole.

The Maillard Reaction: Unlocking Deep Flavor

The best approach is to roast or bake them whole. This concentrates the natural sugars and triggers the Maillard reaction—the browning process that creates hundreds of new flavor compounds. This simple technique results in a filling that is naturally sweeter, richer, and creamier than any boiled version.

Prep Time Deep Dive: Choosing and Preparing Your Sweet Potatoes

Selection: Choose firm, bright-skinned sweet potatoes (often labeled as garnet or jewel yams). Avoid any with soft spots or blemishes.
Preparation: Prick the potatoes a few times with a fork and place them directly on a baking sheet. Roast at 400°F (200°C) until fork-tender, typically 45 to 60 minutes, depending on their size.
Cooling: Allow them to cool slightly before peeling and mashing. This makes the peeling process much easier and ensures you don’t incorporate too much liquid.

Simple Ingredients for a Flawless Sweet Potato Casserole Filling

The filling for this dish requires surprisingly few ingredients, letting the quality of the sweet potatoes shine through.

Essential Ingredients Checklist

3 pounds baked sweet potatoes, peeled and mashed
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup milk or half-and-half
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

All ingredients laid out to make the sweet potato casserole filling and topping

Expert Tip: Unsalted Butter vs. Salted

Based on my experience adjusting flavors for different palates, I recommend using unsalted butter for both the filling and the topping. This gives you complete control over the total sodium content of the dish. You can then add salt separately, ensuring the perfect savory counterpoint to the sweetness.

The Classic Pecan Streusel Topping: Perfect Texture and Crunch

The pecan topping is the signature textural element of this casserole, providing a crucial crunch to contrast the creamy filling.

How to Achieve the Perfect Streusel Consistency

The key to a good streusel is the cold butter. Cut the butter into small cubes and use a pastry blender or your fingertips to work it into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This ensures a beautifully crispy topping when baked.

Topping Ingredients:

1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup unsalted butter, chilled and diced

Nut-Free Topping Alternatives

If you are preparing this for someone with a tree nut allergy, you can easily substitute the pecans with seeds that provide a similar crunch, such as pumpkin seeds (pepitas) or sunflower seeds. Alternatively, a simple brown sugar and oatmeal crumble topping also works wonderfully.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Bake an Easy Sweet Potato Casserole

This is the tried-and-true method that guarantees a perfectly baked casserole every time.

Prepping the Potatoes and Making the Base

Mash: In a large bowl, combine the warm, mashed sweet potatoes with the granulated sugar, brown sugar, milk, beaten eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and melted butter.
Mix: Mix until all ingredients are fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth and creamy. Do not overmix, as this can make the texture gluey.
Transfer: Pour the sweet potato filling into a prepared 9×13 inch casserole dish.

A hand mixing the creamy mashed sweet potato casserole filling in a large glass bowl

Mixing, Assembling, and Baking Time Instructions

Prepare Topping: In a separate medium bowl, combine the topping ingredients (pecans, flour, brown sugar, and diced butter). Mix until crumbly.
Assemble: Sprinkle the pecan streusel evenly over the top of the sweet potato filling.
Bake: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30–35 minutes.

Knowing When Your Casserole is Done

The casserole is done when the edges are set, the center is firm to the touch (not liquidy), and the pecan topping is a deep, golden brown. If the topping begins to brown too quickly, you can loosely cover the dish with aluminum foil for the remaining bake time.

Make-Ahead, Storage, and Freezing Your Sweet Potato Casserole

This dish is one of the best holiday dishes for prepping ahead of time.

Overnight Prep for Stress-Free Gatherings

You can prepare the entire casserole—both the filling and the topping—up to 24 hours in advance.

Filling Only: Mix the filling and spread it into the dish. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Do not add the topping yet.
Topping Storage: Keep the streusel topping in a separate airtight container in the refrigerator.
Baking Day: Remove both the filling and topping from the fridge 30 minutes before baking. Sprinkle the cold topping over the filling and bake as directed.

Reheating Casserole for Best Results

Leftovers should be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat a single serving, the microwave works fine. To reheat the entire dish, cover it loosely with foil and bake at 300°F (150°C) until heated through, about 15–20 minutes.

Serving Suggestions and Perfect Pairings

While it is often reserved for the holidays, this sweet potato casserole is versatile and delicious year-round.

Classic Holiday Meal Pairings

This rich and comforting dish pairs perfectly with savory proteins and brighter, acidic sides. It complements roasted chicken and is wonderful alongside light, fresh vegetable dishes. It also provides a lovely contrast to other starchy sides, perhaps served next to a light and creamy pasta like our Creamy Italian Pasta Salad. The contrasting textures and temperatures make for a balanced and satisfying plate.

Creative Ways to Enjoy Leftover Casserole

Breakfast: Top a scoop of cold leftover casserole with yogurt and granola for a quick breakfast.
Waffles: Stir a spoonful into your waffle batter for a unique twist on breakfast sweets.
Stuffed Vegetables: Use a small amount as a filling for baked bell peppers or squash.
Simple Side: It can also be served simply with a crisp side salad, such as our colorful Bow Tie Pasta Salad.

Nutrition Facts and Dietary Swaps for Sweet Potato Casserole

While undoubtedly indulgent, sweet potatoes are nutrient-dense, offering significant amounts of Vitamin A and fiber.

Disclaimer

This content is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional dietary or medical advice.

Making the Recipe Dairy-Free or Vegan

This recipe can be easily adapted for dietary needs:

Dairy-Free Milk: Substitute the milk or half-and-half with a neutral-flavored plant-based milk, such as almond milk or oat milk.
Vegan Butter: Use a high-quality plant-based butter alternative in both the filling and the topping.
Vegan Eggs: For a vegan version, substitute the two large eggs with a flax egg (2 tablespoons ground flaxseed mixed with 6 tablespoons water, allowed to sit for 5 minutes). Note that this may slightly change the texture.

Don’t miss to follow us in pinterest.

Sweet Potato Casserole FAQs

Should I boil or bake the sweet potatoes?

Always bake or roast them. Roasting concentrates the sugars, yielding a richer, naturally sweeter, and less watery filling. Boiling introduces excess moisture that can result in a runny or gluey casserole.

Can I make this with canned sweet potatoes?

Yes, you can use canned sweet potatoes for convenience. Ensure they are drained very well and reduce the amount of added sugar in the recipe, as canned varieties are often packed in syrup or heavy juice.

What is the best way to store leftovers?

Store leftovers tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to four days. To freeze, wrap the cooled casserole tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Easy Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe with Brown Sugar Pecan Topping

Why Roasting Elevates Any Sweet Potato Casserole

The Maillard Reaction: Unlocking Deep Flavor

Prep Time Deep Dive: Choosing and Preparing Your Sweet Potatoes