Oh, sweet potato casserole – it’s the dish that feels like a warm hug on a chilly day. This delightful recipe serves as both a side dish and a show-stealing sweet treat, making it the star of any festive gathering. With its luscious sweet potato base, topped with gooey marshmallows and a spiced streusel, it’s nothing short of culinary magic.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Comfort Food at Its Best: This sweet potato casserole combines the richness of buttery potatoes with warm spices and sweet toppings.
- Perfect for Gatherings: Versatile enough to accompany a holiday feast or be the centerpiece of a weeknight meal.
- Make-Ahead Marvel: Prepare it in advance and simply bake it before serving, freeing up your schedule.
- A Crowd-Pleaser: With its irresistible flavors and textures, it’s bound to win over kids and adults alike.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s dive into the magic ingredients that make this sweet potato casserole exceptional. Each highly accessible component brings its own part to the delicious whole – it’s a symphony of flavors and textures sure to captivate your taste buds.
- Fresh Sweet Potatoes: These are the star of the show, offering a natural sweetness and creamy texture.
- Light Brown Sugar: For that lovely, caramel-like depth of flavor.
- Melted Butter: Brings a rich buttery taste, enhancing the creamy texture.
- Warm Spices (Cinnamon and Nutmeg): These add that cozy, nostalgic holiday flavor.
- Marshmallows and Streusel: They provide an irresistible topping that’s sweet, crunchy, and slightly gooey.
Variations
Tailoring a sweet potato casserole to your needs is wonderfully easy, inviting personalization for seasonality, dietary preferences, or pure taste exploration.
- Nuts and Crunch: Add a handful of chopped pecans or walnuts to the streusel topping for extra crunch and flavor.
- Vegan Twist: Use non-dairy milk and vegan marshmallows to make this crowd-pleasing dish suitable for a vegan diet.
How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole
Step 1: Prep the Sweet Potatoes
Start by peeling and cubing the sweet potatoes, then place them in a large pot covered with water. Boil them until they’re fork-tender, which should take about 8 minutes. This ensures they’re perfectly soft and ready for mashing.
Step 2: Mash and Mix
Once drained, mash the sweet potatoes to your preferred level of smoothness. Stir in the milk, brown sugar, melted butter, eggs, spices, vanilla, and salt until everything marries beautifully into a creamy mixture.
Step 3: Prepare the Streusel Topping
While the casserole bakes, prepare your delectable streusel. Mix flour, brown sugar, spices, and melted butter until combined. This goes on top with marshmallows, ready to create that familiar, sensational crunch and sweetness.
Pro Tips for Making Sweet Potato Casserole
- Mash with Love: For the creamiest texture, use a potato masher or a ricer to achieve a smooth consistency in your sweet potatoes.
- Timing is Everything: If your marshmallows aren’t gooey enough, a quick broil under the oven will give them that perfect golden brown.
- Get Ahead: The casserole can be prepared and assembled up to two days ahead; just cover and store in the fridge until baking time.
- Balanced Sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet dish, reduce the sugar slightly and let the natural sweetness of the potatoes shine through.
How to Serve Sweet Potato Casserole
Garnishes
Top this heartwarming dish with a sprinkle of toasted nuts or a dusting of cinnamon for added flair and flavor. It elevates the aesthetic and adds contrasting textures that delight with each bite.
Side Dishes
This casserole pairs wonderfully with roasted turkey or a savory beef roast. For a vegetarian option, complement it with a tangy cranberry salad or herb-infused green beans.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your casserole in individual ramekins for a charming, personalized touch. Or, consider a rustic approach by baking in cast iron skillets, adding a farmhouse feel to your dining table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place any leftovers in an airtight container, and store them in the refrigerator. This sweet potato casserole is just as delightful for up to four days after baking.
Freezing
You can freeze the assembled casserole before baking. Make sure it’s well wrapped, and it will keep in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
Reheating
Gently reheat your casserole in the oven at 350°F until warmed through. For quicker reheating, individual portions can be microwaved until hot.
FAQs
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Can I use canned sweet potatoes?
Yes, canned sweet potatoes can be a time saver. However, fresh sweet potatoes will generally provide a better texture and fresher taste.
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How can I make my casserole less sweet?
Consider reducing the brown sugar in the potato base or using sugar-free marshmallows for the topping.
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What can I substitute for marshmallows?
You can top the casserole with a blend of brown sugar and chopped nuts for a crunchy crumble alternative.
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Can I prepare the dish in advance?
Absolutely! Prepare the potato base and topping separately up to two days in advance and store them in the fridge. Assemble and bake on the day of serving.
Final Thoughts
Now that you’re armed with this beloved recipe, it’s time to bring the warmth of sweet potato casserole to your table. Whether for a cozy family dinner or a jubilant holiday gathering, it promises gustatory pleasures that evoke nostalgia and create new memories. Happy cooking, and enjoy every sweet, savory bite!
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Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This sweet potato casserole combines tender, creamy mashed sweet potatoes with a crunchy streusel topping and gooey marshmallows, making it an irresistible and comforting holiday side dish. Perfectly baked until golden brown, it’s a crowd-pleaser that balances sweetness and spice.
Ingredients
For the Sweet Potato Filling
- 3 lbs fresh sweet potatoes (4-5 large), peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/2 cup (120ml) milk
- 1 cup (225g) packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup (56g) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
For the Marshmallow Streusel Topping
- 1/3 cup (44g) all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup (75g) packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
- Pinch of ground cloves
- 3 tbsp (42g) salted butter, melted
- 2–3 cups marshmallows
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (176°C) and prepare your casserole dish.
- Cook the sweet potatoes: Place the sweet potatoes in a large pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Cook until fork-tender, about 8 minutes.
- Drain and mash: Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Mash until smooth or slightly lumpy, depending on preference.
- Combine ingredients: Add milk, brown sugar, melted butter, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and salt to the mashed sweet potatoes. Mix well until everything is fully incorporated.
- Transfer to baking dish: Pour the sweet potato mixture into a 9×13-inch casserole dish. Optionally, cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days before baking.
- Bake the casserole: Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until heated through. Remove from oven.
- Prepare streusel topping: While the casserole bakes, mix flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in a bowl. Add melted butter and stir until crumbly.
- Add marshmallows and streusel: Top the hot casserole with marshmallows, then sprinkle the streusel evenly over, finishing with additional marshmallows on top.
- Final baking: Return to the oven and bake for another 10-15 minutes until marshmallows are golden and bubbly. For extra browning, broil for 1-2 minutes watching closely.
- Serve warm: Allow to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy this comforting dish!
Notes
- For a sweeter flavor, add a dash of vanilla extract to the sweet potato filling.
- If you prefer a crunchier topping, increase the streusel ingredients proportionally.
- Use mini marshmallows for easier topping distribution.
- This dish can be assembled ahead of time and baked later, making it perfect for holidays or gatherings.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/10 of casserole (about 200g)
- Calories: 330 kcal
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
