The holidays are coming up and we all know what that means: time to start thinking about our favorite family recipes! One of the most popular side dish recipes at Thanksgiving dinner is Sweet Potato Casserole. You can’t go wrong with this delicious, classic dish. It’s easy to make and it tastes so good you’ll want seconds (and thirds).
Do you have a favorite holiday dish? A go to recipe that you can whip up for any occasion. Well, this is mine. It’s simple and comforting, yet so rich and filling. And best of all it’s made from ingredients I always have on hand.
I’ve been making this Sweet Potato Casserole with marshmallows every year since my mom first taught me how to bake/cook when I was ten years old. Now it has become tradition in our family for Thanksgiving dinner but we also enjoy it throughout the holidays as well!
I’m excited to share the recipe with you so that you too can make this delicious sweet potato casserole your own and share in our family tradition! This is a recipe for your next Thanksgiving feast. You know, the one where you’re supposed to bring something sweet? Forget pumpkin pie and apple cobbler! Sweet potato casserole has got you covered.
Ingredients
- Sweet Potatoes – These are also known as yams. The sweet potatoes should be cooked and peeled before using them in the casserole dish. If you use canned or frozen, make sure that they are precooked variety.
- Light Brown Sugar – Adds a delicious sweetness to this dish & extra crunch to the top.
- Butter – Used to create the creamy mashed sweet potatoes base.
- Cinnamon – Adds a lovely spice to this casserole.
- Nutmeg – Complements the cinnamon with an earthy vibrant flavor.
- Milk – Helps to make the sweet potatoes extra creamy when mashed.
- Mini Marshmallows – Forms the “candied” top for this dish.
Directions
Wash sweet potatoes well to remove any dirt or dark spots. Peel away the skin using a potato peeler. Cube the sweet potatoes carefully with a knife on a cutting board. Cut into uniform sized pieces so they cook evenly in boiling water until fork tender–approximately 25 minutes depending upon thickness of slices).
Drain well then return to pan, or a large mixing bowl and mash with butter, sugar, and spices; add enough milk or cream to reach desired consistency. We needed 1/2 cup. Add mixture to your 9 x 13 casserole dish. Top with marshmallows and additional brown sugar.
Bake at 350 degrees F. for 15 minutes or until marshmallows are golden brown.
Make Ahead
This casserole can be partially made ahead to make it super easy for your holiday feast. Simply prepare your sweet potatoes, steam or boil them, mix them with the sugar, spices, milk, and butter. Do not add the marshmallows or bake. Simply cover your dish tightly, and add the marshmallows, and extra brown sugar right before baking.
Variations
The possibilities are endless, but here are a few of the best sweet potato casserole variations.
- Add candied walnuts, or pecans to the marshmallow topping.
- Use butternut squash in lieu of sweet potatoes.
- Pour additional melted butter over the marshmallows to make an even richer crust.
- Use heavy cream instead of milk for a richer taste.
Holiday Side Dishes
- Oven-Roasted Asparagus
- Zinfandel Cranberry Sauce
- Butternut Squash with Marshmallows
- Mashed Butternut Squash
- Easy Cheddar Biscuits
How to Make the Best Holiday Sweet Potato Casserole
Equipment
- 11 x 9 casserole dish
- 6- quart pan
- knife
- Cutting board
- Vegetable peeler
Ingredients
- 6 large sweet potatoes
- ½ cup light brown sugar divided
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg optional
Instructions
- Wash sweet potatoes well to remove any dirt or dark spots. Peel away the skin using a potato peeler. Cube the sweet potatoes carefully with a knife on a cutting board. Cut into uniform sized pieces so they cook evenly in boiling water until fork tender–approximately 25 minutes depending upon thickness of slices).
- Drain well then return to pan and mash with butter, sugar, and spices; add enough milk or cream to reach desired consistency. We needed 1/2 cup. Add mixture to your 9 x 13 casserole dish. Top with marshmallows and additional brown sugar.
- Bake at 350 degrees F. for 15 minutes or until marshmallows are golden brown. Serve right away.
I love Sweet Potatoes! These look delicious! Pinned and shared
I love sweet potato casserole. Thanks for giving us this lightened up version. Will have to give this a tryout over the holidays.
Ooh yummy, this looks fantastic! I am going to have to make this after the holidays since my family is sadly insisting that we dine out! Boo!
My mouth is watering! That looks so good!
We usually do a sweet potato casserole for Thanksgiving, but it didn’t make it to the menu for this year. Now I am really wishing it had!
SWEET! This is something that I will make or attempt to make tomorrow. I always end up messing this recipe up. I love the step by step instructions with the pictures. I looks so amazing
These look easy to make. I love sweet potatoes. They’re a nice change from regular potatoes.
Yum this looks sooo good! I love the marshmallows!
We have sweet potato casserole for Thanksgiving every year. It’s my sons favorite.
I’ll have to try this!
YUMMM.. I love Sweet potato casserole and this one looks delicious..thanks for sharing and giving me a simple idea on how to make this sweet dish
Looks yummy! Totally makes me hungry for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow! (Great pictures too!)
those Chinet Bake and Take Pans sure do come in handy, this looks so good. I going to try this in the morning, and add the nutmeg. I am sure the family will love it. Thanks for the tip on adding water for the steaming, I have scorched a few veggies before when my water went dry.
I make one very similar to this, except I mash the sweet potatoes and beat some eggs into them for more of a souffle consistency. I could eat sweet potatoes every day! Thanks for sharing your recipe, and happy Thanksgiving!
I can’t believe I’ve never tried sweet potato casserole, but now that you’ve thrown marshmallows on top, I need to change my ways. That looks delicious!
looks great – this is a family favorite this time of the year!
This sweet potato casserole would be perfect for Thanksgiving Dinner and Christmas Dinner I can’t wait to try it..