This Southern Sweet Potato Casserole is a must-have dish on your Holiday table. It's made with creamy sweet potatoes, chopped pecans, and topped with golden browned, crispy marshmallows.
This traditional old fashioned sweet potato casserole recipe is perfect for any Holiday meal, but if you are looking for a delicious change try our Baked Sweet Potato Slices!
Plus, it's easy to make ahead of time! You'll love the delicious flavor and comforting texture of this casserole.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
If you've lived in the south, then you know that there is nothing like a good old fashioned sweet potato casserole. This dish is the perfect combination of sweet and savory, and it's sure to please everyone at your table.
Plus, it's really easy to make - all you need is a few simple ingredients. So if you're looking for a delicious and easy-to-make side dish, be sure to try out this southern sweet potato casserole!
For the instructions on making this a Sweet Potato Casserole without Eggs, see the Variations section below.
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Ingredients
Most the ingredients for this easy sweet potatoes casserole are probably in your pantry. Preheat your oven to 375 F and grease the inside of a 8x8 inch casserole baking dish with non stick cooking spray.
Here's what you need to make this old fashioned, Southern Sweet Potato Casserole:
- 40 oz Can of Sweet Potatoes (also called canned yams).
- Egg
- Brown Sugar
- Maple Syrup
- Butter
- Salt
- Cinnamon - Ground.
- Nutmeg - Ground.
- Vanilla extract
- Chopped Pecans
- Mini Marshmallows - Or, use the scissors and cut large marshmallows into quarters.
PRO TIP: You can use Apple Pie or Pumpkin Pie spice blend instead of the individual spices!
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Southern Sweet Potato Casserole
You can use a hand masher or an electric hand mixer. When I double this recipe for a holiday, I use a much bigger bowl and the hand mixer.
Drain and Mash the Sweet Potatoes
- Open the can of sweet potatoes, and drain the liquid off of the. Pour them in a mixing bow. Add the maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract.
- Using a potato masher, or an electric hand mixer, smash or whip the sweet potatoes until smooth.
Add The Pecan Layer
- Spread the mashed sweet potatoes over the bottom of the 8x8 inch casserole dish. Smooth it out evenly.
- Sprinkle the chopped pecans over the top of the mashed sweet potatoes.
Top with Marshmallows
- Cover the top of the pecans with an even layer of miniature marshmallows.
Bake In The Oven
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes at 375 degrees F, or until the marshmallows are toasted. Remove pan from oven and serve.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Southern Sweet Potato Casserole with Dutch Oven Turkey Breast, Air Fried Turkey Breast, and Ocean Spray Cranberry Orange Relish.
We have some additional Holiday side dishes that would be perfect for completing your Holiday meal such as our Spinach Artichoke Baked Pasta, Baked Brie with Cranberries, and Angus Barn Chocolate Chess Pie.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
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Equipment
You will need an 8x8 inch oven safe casserole dish and a hand mixer or a potato masher when making this casserole.
Variation
- Sweet Potato Casserole without Eggs - If you need to avoid eggs, you can easily do so with this recipe. Instead of mixing in one beaten egg into the cold mashed sweet potatoes, add 1 tablespoon of Xanthan gum. Blend it into a small portion of the mash, then blend that smaller xanthan gum mixed portion and mix it into the rest of the mashed sweet potatoes.
Storage
Transfer leftover to a smaller container, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Tips for Success
- Double the recipe using the 42 oz can of sweet potatoes and bake in a 9 x 13 inch baking dish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Don't forget to add the egg to the mashed potatoes before spreading it in the baking dish. The egg acts as a binder, keeping the liquid from separating from the sweet potatoes.
Yes, all so-called “yams” are in fact sweet potatoes. Most people think that long, red-skinned sweet potatoes are yams, but they really are just one of many varieties of sweet potatoes.
Yams are starchy and have a rough, brown exterior. They can grow up to 45 feet long and are eaten in parts of Latin America, West Africa, the Caribbean, and Asia. Sweet potatoes are a New World root vegetable, have a softer, reddish skin, a creamier interior, and often, a darker interior.
Sweet potato casserole has sweet potatoes and marshmallows, often mixed with a few other ingredients. Everything freezes well and you can make it ahead and freeze it or you can freeze it after you've cooked it.
Food Safety
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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📖 Recipe
Southern Sweet Potato Casserole
Equipment
Ingredients
- 29 oz can of canned yams drained
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoon maple syrup
- 3 tablespoon butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon ground
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg ground
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cups chopped pecans
- 1½ cups mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375° F. Grease an 8x8 casserole or baking dish with non stick cooking spray.
- Open and drain the can of yams (sweet potatoes) into a large mixing bowl and mash with a hand masher or whip with an electric hand mixer.29 oz can of canned yams
- Add the brown sugar, maple syrup, softened butter, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract. Mix well to blend ingredients together.¼ cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoon maple syrup, 3 tablespoon butter,, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon nutmeg, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Spread mixture into an even layer in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle with the chopped pecans, then top with an even layer of marshmallows.¾ cups chopped pecans, 1½ cups mini marshmallows
- Bake for 20 minutes or until the marshmallows are toasted. Remove baking dish from the oven and serve while warm.
Video
Notes
- Double the recipe using the 42 oz can of sweet potatoes and bake in a 9 x 13 inch baking dish.
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