This sweet potato casserole with a pecan crumble topping is a true crowd-pleaser, bringing comfort and a touch of sweetness to any meal.
It’s a dish that feels special enough for gatherings but is surprisingly simple to whip up on a weeknight. The creamy sweet potato base, perfectly spiced, is elevated by a buttery, crunchy pecan streusel that adds an irresistible texture and nutty flavor.
Whether you’re looking for a comforting side dish to complement a family dinner or a standout contribution to a potluck, this recipe delivers. It’s designed for home cooks who appreciate delicious food without complicated steps, ensuring a satisfying result every time.
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
- Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
- Time Needed From Start To Finish
- How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
- Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
- Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
- How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Crumble Topping
- Total Time: 50-55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
This sweet potato casserole with a pecan crumble topping is a true crowd-pleaser, bringing comfort and a touch of sweetness to any meal. It’s a dish that feels special enough for gatherings but is surprisingly simple to whip up on a weeknight. The creamy sweet potato base, perfectly spiced, is elevated by a buttery, crunchy pecan streusel that adds an irresistible texture and nutty flavor.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. Prepare the Sweet Potatoes: Begin by peeling your sweet potatoes and cutting them into roughly 1-inch cubes. Place the cubed sweet potatoes in a large pot and cover them with cold water. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat and simmer until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender, about 15-20 minutes. You should be able to easily pierce them with a fork.
2. Mash the Sweet Potatoes: Once tender, drain the sweet potatoes thoroughly. Return them to the pot or transfer them to a large mixing bowl. Add the 1/2 cup of melted butter, granulated sugar, 1/4 cup light brown sugar, milk, vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Mash the sweet potatoes with a potato masher or an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired.
3. Assemble the Casserole Base: Pour the mashed sweet potato mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
4. Prepare the Pecan Crumble Topping: In a separate medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup light brown sugar, 1 cup chopped pecans, and 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Cut the 4 tablespoons of cold butter into small pieces and add them to the flour mixture. Use your fingertips or a pastry blender to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
5. Add the Topping: Sprinkle the pecan crumble mixture evenly over the sweet potato base in the baking dish. Ensure a good, consistent layer for that perfect crunch in every bite.
6. Bake the Casserole: Preheat your oven to 375 F (190 C). Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the sweet potato mixture is heated through and bubbly around the edges.
7. Rest and Serve: Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the casserole to set slightly and makes for easier scooping.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: side dish
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
Keywords: sweet potato, casserole, pecan, crumble, comfort food, holiday, side dish, easy, make ahead, vegetarian
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This sweet potato casserole is a fantastic choice for anyone seeking a comforting, flavorful side dish that’s both easy to prepare and universally loved. It’s perfect for busy parents who want to serve something wholesome and delicious without spending hours in the kitchen, or for new cooks looking for a reliable recipe to impress. The combination of sweet, earthy sweet potatoes with the rich, crunchy pecan topping creates a delightful contrast that appeals to almost everyone, including picky eaters. You can serve it alongside roasted chicken, pork tenderloin, or even as part of a holiday spread. It’s a versatile dish that brings warmth and satisfaction to the table, making it ideal for family dinners, casual get-togethers, or even a comforting meal on a chilly evening.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients before you start cooking makes the whole process smoother and more enjoyable. This recipe uses common pantry staples and fresh sweet potatoes, ensuring you won’t need to hunt for obscure items.
INGREDIENTS:
- 3 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted, plus 4 tablespoons cold butter for topping
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup milk (whole or 2%)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- For the Pecan Crumble Topping:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
When selecting your sweet potatoes, look for firm, unblemished ones. You can use any variety of sweet potato, but Jewel or Garnet varieties tend to be readily available and have a lovely orange flesh. For the milk, whole milk will give you a richer, creamier casserole, but 2% milk works perfectly fine too. If you don’t have light brown sugar, you can substitute it with dark brown sugar for a deeper molasses flavor, or even use granulated sugar, though it will slightly alter the taste and texture. For the pecans, feel free to buy them pre-chopped to save time, or chop them yourself from whole pecans. If you’re out of nutmeg, a pinch of allspice can be a decent substitute, or simply omit it.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
This sweet potato casserole is designed to be a manageable recipe for any day of the week.
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 30-35 minutes
- Total time: 50-55 minutes
This timing assumes you’ll be peeling and cubing the sweet potatoes yourself. If you opt for pre-cut sweet potatoes, your prep time will be even shorter, making this dish come together in under 45 minutes!
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Creating this delicious sweet potato casserole is straightforward. Follow these steps for a perfect result every time.
- Prepare the Sweet Potatoes: Begin by peeling your sweet potatoes and cutting them into roughly 1-inch cubes. Place the cubed sweet potatoes in a large pot and cover them with cold water. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat and simmer until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender, about 15-20 minutes. You should be able to easily pierce them with a fork.
- Mash the Sweet Potatoes: Once tender, drain the sweet potatoes thoroughly. Return them to the pot or transfer them to a large mixing bowl. Add the 1/2 cup of melted butter, granulated sugar, 1/4 cup light brown sugar, milk, vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Mash the sweet potatoes with a potato masher or an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired.
- Assemble the Casserole Base: Pour the mashed sweet potato mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
- Prepare the Pecan Crumble Topping: In a separate medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup light brown sugar, 1 cup chopped pecans, and 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Cut the 4 tablespoons of cold butter into small pieces and add them to the flour mixture. Use your fingertips or a pastry blender to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add the Topping: Sprinkle the pecan crumble mixture evenly over the sweet potato base in the baking dish. Ensure a good, consistent layer for that perfect crunch in every bite.
- Bake the Casserole: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the sweet potato mixture is heated through and bubbly around the edges.
- Rest and Serve: Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the casserole to set slightly and makes for easier scooping.
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
This sweet potato casserole is wonderfully versatile. For a kid-friendly twist, you can reduce the amount of cinnamon and nutmeg slightly, or even add a handful of mini marshmallows over the pecan crumble during the last 10 minutes of baking for a gooey, sweet finish. If you’re not a fan of pecans, walnuts or even a plain oat crumble (using rolled oats instead of nuts) would work beautifully. For a dairy-free version, use plant-based milk and a dairy-free butter substitute.
This casserole makes an excellent side dish for a variety of meals. It pairs wonderfully with roasted chicken, turkey, ham, or pork chops. For a casual family dinner, serve it alongside a simple green salad. At a potluck or buffet, it stands out as a comforting and satisfying option. You can also serve it as a lighter dessert, perhaps with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even simple recipes can have common pitfalls. Here’s how to ensure your sweet potato casserole turns out perfectly every time:
- Undercooked Sweet Potatoes: If your sweet potatoes aren’t fully tender before mashing, your casserole will have a lumpy, grainy texture. Make sure they are easily pierced with a fork before draining.
- Watery Casserole: Not draining the sweet potatoes thoroughly after boiling can lead to a watery, less flavorful casserole. Let them sit in the colander for a few minutes to steam dry, or even return them to the hot, empty pot for a minute or two to evaporate excess moisture.
- Overly Sweet or Bland: Taste your mashed sweet potato mixture before adding it to the baking dish. This is your chance to adjust the sugar and spices. Sweet potatoes vary in natural sweetness, so a quick taste test ensures perfect balance.
- Burnt Crumble Topping: Keep an eye on the topping during the last 10-15 minutes of baking. If it starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely tent the dish with aluminum foil to prevent burning while the casserole finishes heating through.
- Dry Crumble: When making the crumble, ensure the butter is cold and properly cut into the flour mixture. Too much warmth can melt the butter, leading to a pasty topping instead of a crumbly one.
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
This sweet potato casserole is fantastic for making ahead, which is a huge plus for busy schedules or entertaining.
To Make Ahead: You can prepare the sweet potato base and the pecan crumble topping separately. Store the mashed sweet potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the crumble topping in a separate airtight container or zip-top bag in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 1 month. When ready to bake, assemble the casserole, sprinkle with the topping, and bake as directed, adding an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
Storage: Leftover sweet potato casserole can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Reheating: To reheat, you can warm individual portions in the microwave until heated through. For a larger portion or to retain the crispiness of the topping, reheat in an oven
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
