This sweet potato casserole recipe is a clear comfort food favorite during the colder months, and always a showstopper for a delicious festive meal with friends and family. There are a few key tips and tricks to pay attention to to get the best results.
First, mash the sweet potatoes gently by hand. If you over-mix the sweet potatoes or choose to use a mixer, you may find the texture turns undesirably gummy in the final dish. For added flavor, some chefs will also choose to roast the sweet potatoes instead of boiling them, which helps to concentrate the sweetness in the filling.
To bring a little kick to the dish and balance the sweetness we’ve included a touch of cinnamon in the topping, but you can also add spices directly to the sweet potato filling. Nutmeg and orange zest work perfectly in this recipe and bring an additional festive touch to the dish.
If you have any leftover sweet potatoes in your kitchen after making the casserole, there’s a whole host of recipes you can try making with this ingredient from sweet potato pancakes to a warming soup. Or, for a fancy holiday dessert, try making a roasted sweet potato crème brûlée for a twist on this classic treat.
Topping Variations: Marshmallow or Pecan
In the recipe above we’ve shared an option for making sweet potato casserole and pecans, but you can vary the topping as preferred. If you do choose to use pecans for the topping, you can build in an additional step to this recipe and toast them first for deeper flavors.
For a more indulgent approach over the holidays, try topping the casserole with marshmallows instead. As marshmallows brown very quickly it’s best to bake your casserole without the marshmallows first, for around 20 minutes. Then add the marshmallows and return to the oven for 10 minutes until bubbling and golden. A pinch of salt over the marshmallows helps to balance out the sweetness. Or, you can try combining both topping options for a sweet, savory, and textural approach for your holiday meal.
Once you’ve mastered this dish, take a look at our pick of the top 10 best recipes for Thanksgiving to pair with your casserole.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Any leftover casserole can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to three days. You can reheat this dish in the oven. Cover the casserole and bake for 20 minutes at 325°F to fully warm it through without drying out. If you have used marshmallows for the topping, remove these before reheating and add a fresh batch during the cooking process.
