The Best Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows and Pecans

Readers agree this Sweet Potato Casserole will steal the show, calling it โ€œAbsolutely delicious,โ€ โ€œThe most Wonderful recipe!!,โ€ โ€œThe star of the dinner party,โ€ and โ€œItโ€™s a hit EVERY TIME.โ€

Thisย Sweet Potato Casserole boasts marshmallows AND buttery, brown sugar Pecan Topping, making it our family’s favorite since we first tasted it over a decade ago! With foolproof instructions and plenty of tips, this recipe ensures your casserole turns out flawless every timeโ€”because every celebration deserves a standout dish!

Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe Video

Sweet Potato Casserole.


 

Why you’ll love

As a trusted recipe developer, Iโ€™ve combined years of experience with meticulous testing to create the ultimate sweet potato casserole! Here’s why it’s the best:

  • Double Toppings for Double the Flavor: Combines a luscious marshmallow layer and a buttery, crunchy pecan topping for the ultimate sweet-and-savory contrast. It will be love at first bite.
  • Flavorful Sweetness: The sweet potato filling is infused with brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla, offering just the right level of sweetness without being overwhelming.
  • Fluffy, Velvety Sweet Potatoes: The sweet potatoes are whipped to perfection, resulting in a light, smooth, and creamy texture.
  • Expert Techniques: Includes tried-and-true tips for avoiding watery or dense casseroles, ensuring every bite is rich, flavorful, and perfectly textured.
  • Make-Ahead Friendly: This recipe can be prepared ahead of time, making it stress-free and perfect for holiday gatherings.

The best everย  Sweet Potato Casseroleย with Marshmallows AND buttery, brown sugar Pecan Topping!ย  Thisย Sweet Potato Casserole has been our favorite recipe ever since we tasted it almost a decade ago and you will love that you can assemble itย the night before Thanksgiving or Christmas!ย ย No Thanksgiving table is complete without thisย comforting classic!

 

 

How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows

Let’s take a closer look at how to make this recipe with step-by-step photos (full recipe in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):

How to Boil Sweet Potatoes 

To make our Sweet Potato Casserole, we start by cooking our sweet potatoes.

  1. Peel and wash your sweet potatoes
  2. Cut sweet potatoes into 2″ chunks.
  3. Add potatoes to a Dutch oven and add just enough water to cover potatoes.
  4. Season with ½ teaspoon salt.
  5. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer 10-15 minutes or until very tender when pierced with a fork; drain VERY WELL.

how to make Sweet Potato Casserole

Let’s take a closer look at how to make this recipe with step-by-step photos (full recipe in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):

  • Once our sweet potatoes are tender, this Sweet Potato Casserole is a simple whipping of cooked sweet potatoes, sugar, milk, a generous amount of butter, eggs, splashes of pure maple syrup and vanilla and enlivened by cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, cloves and a pinch of pepper.   Because even a Sweet Potato Casserole should be loaded with multidimensional flavor.
  • You whip your potatoes until they are fluffy and dreamy but not completely smooth and then pour into your casserole dish.
  • Pour your sweet potato mixture into a 13 x 9โ€“inch baking pan that has been lightly coated with cooking spray.  And now it’s time for the delectable Pecan Topping.

Showing how to make Sweet Potato Casserole.

    for the pecan topping:

    • Now for our buttery, Brown Sugar Pecan Topping that takes MINUTES because we make it all in our food processor!
    • Simply add pecans, maple syrup and vanilla extract to your food processor and  pulse 3 times to slightly chop up pecans.
    • Then add your flour, brown sugar, cubed butter and dashes of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves and pulse until it resembles coarse pebbles.
    • Evenly spread this Brown Sugar Pecan Topping over your sweet potatoes.

    Prep this Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe in advance

    With all the chaos that can be Thanksgiving, its a life saver to prep as many recipes or parts of recipes ahead of time.  To prep in advance:

    1. Make casserole as directed through spreading sweet potatoes in the dish.  Let sweet potatoes cool completely, cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
    2. Prepare Brown Sugar Pecan Topping as directed and store in a sealed container or plastic bag in the refrigerator.
    3. When ready to bake, remove potatoes and Topping from the refrigerator at the same time.  Uncover potatoes and bake at 350 degrees for 20  minutes.  Add  topping and continue to bake an additional 30 minutes OR until potatoes are completely warmed through.  Add marshmallows and bake as directed.

    Showing layers of Sweet Potato Casserole.

    Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe Tips

    • Use Fresh Sweet Potatoes: Fresh, not canned, sweet potatoes offer a more vibrant flavor and texture. Boil them until soft for the best results.
    • Drain Potatoes Very Well: Make sure to drain your sweet potatoes thoroughly to avoid runny potatoes.
    • Mash to Perfection: Mash the sweet potatoes until smooth but still slightly chunky for a better texture. You can use a hand mixer for a creamier consistency.
    • Balance the Sweetness: Adjust the sugar in the filling to match your preference. Sweet potatoes can vary in natural sweetness, so taste before adding extra sweeteners.
    • Adjust Marshmallow Baking Time: Bake the casserole for an additional 5-10 minutes, depending on how gooey you want the marshmallows. Closer to 10 minutes will give you marshmallows that spread and melt together for that perfect gooey texture.
    • Watch the Timing: Since the marshmallows can burn easily, stay nearby and monitor them to get that beautiful golden color without overcooking.

    What to serve with Sweet Potato Casserole

    This sweet potato casserole is the perfect Thanksgiving side to Roast Turkey Breast, Roast Turkey or holiday ham like Glazed Ham, Honey Baked Ham.

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    ยฉCarlsbad Cravings by CarlsbadCravings.com

    The best everย  Sweet Potato Casseroleย with Marshmallows AND buttery, brown sugar Pecan Topping!ย  Thisย Sweet Potato Casserole has been our favorite recipe ever since we tasted it almost a decade ago and you will love that you can assemble itย the night before Thanksgiving or Christmas!ย ย No Thanksgiving table is complete without thisย comforting classic!

    Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe with Marshmallows and Pecans

    The best ever Sweet Potato Casseroleย with Marshmallows AND buttery, brown sugar Pecan Topping!ย  Thisย Sweet Potato Casserole has been our favorite recipe ever since we tasted it almost a decade ago and you will love that you can assemble itย the night before Thanksgiving or Christmas!ย ย No Thanksgiving table is complete without thisย comforting classic!
    Servings: 16 servings
    Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
    Prep Time: 30 minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

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    Ingredients

    SWEET POTATO FILLING

    • 2 pounds yams/sweet potatoes peeled and chopped into 2โ€ chunks
    • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
    • 1/3 cup milk
    • 1 stick unsalted butter melted
    • 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup not imitation
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1/4 tsp EACH ground nutmeg, ground cloves
    • Pinch of pepper

    Add later

    • 2 eggs

    BROWN SUGAR PECAN TOPPING

    • 1 1/4 cups pecans chopped
    • 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1/3 cup flour
    • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
    • 1/2 cup butter cubed (1 stick)
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1/4 tsp EACH ground nutmeg, ground cloves

    MARSHMALLOWS

    • 1 10 oz. bag mini marshmallows

    Instructions

    SWEET POTATO FILLING

    • Add potatoes to a Dutch oven and add just enough water to cover potatoes. Season with ½ teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer 10-15 minutes or until very tender when pierced with a fork; drain VERY WELL.
    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
    • Add potatoes to large bowl (to use with hand held mixer). Add all โ€œCasseroleโ€ ingredients except eggs and beat until combined.
    • Add eggs; beat well, but donโ€™t beat out all the lumps. You donโ€™t want it to be perfectly smooth.
    • Pour potato mixture into a 13 x 9โ€“inch baking pan coated with cooking spray.

    BROWN SUGAR PECAN TOPPING**

    • Add pecans, maple syrup and vanilla extract to food processor. Pulse 3 times to slightly chop up pecans. Add all remaining topping ingredients and pulse until it resembles coarse pebbles. (See notes if you donโ€™t have a food processor.)
    • Evenly spread Brown Sugar Pecan Topping over potatoes and bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes or until golden.

    MARSHMALLOWS

    • Remove casserole and line top with marshmallows (you wonโ€™t use the whole bag). Bake an additional 5-10 minutes (closer to 10 minutes for extra gooey marshmallows that spread together, my personal preference) then broil marshmallows until golden brown, watching carefully so they don’t burn.

    MAKE AHEAD

    • Make casserole as directed through spreading sweet potatoes in baking pan.ย  Let sweet potatoes cool completely, cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
    • Meanwhile, prepare Brown Sugar Pecan Topping as directed and store in a sealed container or plastic bag in the refrigerator.
    • When ready to bake, remove potatoes and topping from the refrigerator at the same time.ย  Uncover potatoes and bake at 350 degrees for 20ย  minutes.ย  Addย  topping and continue to bake an additional 30 minutes OR until potatoes are completely warmed through.ย  Add marshmallows and bake as directed, 5-10 minutes.

    Video

    Notes

    Don’t miss the “how to make” recipe video at the top of the post!
    **Brown Sugar Pecan Topping without a food processor: Add chopped pecans to a medium bowl and toss with maple syrup and vanilla. Add remaining ingredients and cut butter into brown sugar with pastry cutter, 2 forks, etc.

    prep ahead

    1. Make casserole as directed through spreading sweet potatoes in the dish.ย  Let sweet potatoes cool completely, cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
    2. Prepare Brown Sugar Pecan Topping as directed and store in a sealed container or plastic bag in the refrigerator.
    3. When ready to bake, remove potatoes and Topping from the refrigerator at the same time.ย  Uncover potatoes and bake at 350 degrees for 20ย  minutes.ย  Addย  topping and continue to bake an additional 30 minutes OR until potatoes are completely warmed through.ย  Add marshmallows and bake as directed.

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    Reader Interactions

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    33 Comments

    1. judy says

      Sure would like to print this recipe, but your site won’t let me……Help ?!?!

      • Jen says

        Hi Judy, can you please describe the problem in more detail as I am not having this issue.

      • Cathy says

        Click on the picture and then it gives you the option to print

    2. Deb says

      Can canned sweet potatoes be used instead and if so do I modify the sugar added to dish please? Thanks

      • Jen says

        HI Deb! I have never used canned sweet potatoes for this but I am sure it should work fine. As long as you use unsweetened canned sweet potatoes then you shouldn’t need to adjust the sugar. Enjoy!

        • Deb says

          Thanks! Happt Thanksgiving!

    3. Kelly O'Brien says

      Can you bake the sweet potatoes vs boiling them?

    4. Kimberly says

      Is there a way I can fix my pecan topping? I used a pastry cutter and must have over done it – the topping is very soft and mushy. I was thinking to add more flour and pecans?

      • Jen says

        Hi Kimberly, the flavor will still be the same so I wouldn’t worry too much about it as it gets covered by the marshmallows. You can certainly add more pecans if you want.

    5. Heather Steffl says

      We need to omit the pecans due to severe nut allergies. Are there any substitutes you would recommend?

      • Jen says

        Hi Heather, I would increase the flour to 1 1/2 cups and omit the nuts so it becomes a traditional streusel topping. I hope that helps, enjoy!

        • Lynnda says

          Make part of the flour ~ steel cut oatmeal flakes. Not as doughy and healthier than all flour. It will also be crunchier.

    6. Kim says

      Hi Jen we are not much for marshmallows can I leave them off the top of the sweet potato casserole

      • Jen says

        Absolutely! it will still be delicious!

    7. Kris says

      Hi! If I wanted to double this recipe, do I just double all the ingredients?

      • Jen says

        Yes, that will be perfect. Enjoy!

    8. Renee Christian says

      We’re guests and I’d like to bring this dish to share. However, due to a small kitchen and long travel time, I’m thinking crock pot preparation is the way to go. Any suggestions on how to convert this yummy recipe for crock pot cooking? Thanks Much, Renee

      • Jen says

        Hi Renee, I haven’t personally made them in a slow cooker but after looking at a few other recipes, I would suggest layering the mixed sweet potatoes with the topping and cooking for 2 1/2-4 hours depending on how hot your slow cooker cooks then adding the marshmallows and cooking an addition 20 minutes or until soft. I hope that helps! Happy Thanksgiving!

    9. Carly says

      This was absolutely delicious. I felt guilty eating it with dinner and then eating dessert afterwards because it basically is a dessert. I think next year I may try omitting the sugar from the sweet potato filling and just getting the sweetness from the pecan topping and marshmallows. So so amazing though!!

      • Jen says

        Thank you so much Carly for your awesome comment! I’m so pleased it was a winner! And nothing wrong with double dessert on thanksgiving ๐Ÿ˜‰

    10. Samantha says

      I’ve made a lot of your recipes and my family has enjoyed them all. However, this one is special. My five year old had a helping of this durung Thanks dinner. Then, he asked for more a few hours later. He woke up this morning and had some with breakfast. This will be a staple during the holidays in our house. We loved the pecan topping paired with tbe marshmallows.

      • Jen says

        Thanks so much for taking the time to comment Samantha! I’m so happy this sweet potato casserole was such a hit and that it will be a new tradition! Happy Thanksgiving!

    11. Amy says

      Can you cut this recipe in half in order to make 8 servings? Will it come out the same? What size pan would you use?

      • Jen says

        Yes, you can absolutely cut this recipe in half. I would use an 8×8 pan. Enjoy!

    12. Carol Hash says

      The most Wonderful recipe!! Even the sweet potato haters in my family tried it and asked for more! It will be made again and again. Thank you for such a delightful addition to Thanksgiving.

      • Jen says

        YAY! I love hearing this recipe was such a huge hit, thanks Carol!

        • Madeline says

          I made this once before and it was the star of the dinner party. Iโ€™m about to make a triple recipe and intend to freeze a good bit of it. Do you recommend cooking it first? I planned to leave off the toppings until ready to thaw.

          • Jen says

            I’m so pleased it’s a favorite! No, I would not bake before freezing.

    13. Lynzi says

      Just wanted to pop in and leave a comment because this is my third year in a row making this recipe for the holidays and itโ€™s a hit EVERY TIME. 99% of all of my dinner and dessert recipes have been from your site for about 4 years now. Thanks for providing us with amazing recipes to help make these seasons even more special. Happy thanksgiving!

      • Jen says

        Yay! Thank you for such a glowing review Lynzi! It warms my heart to hear that this recipe is on repeat at such an important occasion! Thank you for staying with me through the years! Happy Thanksgiving to you as well!

    14. Andrea Hundley says

      I LOVE making this every year! It has become a family favorite! I was wondering, though, if you have a ballpark figure on how many calories are in it? A client I take care of has a 2000 calorie daily diet restriction, and she wants to eat it after her “Cheat day!”