Description
Warm, sweet, and rich with Southern charm, this Rich Southern Sweet Potato Casserole is the holiday side dish you’ll want on repeat. Creamy mashed sweet potatoes are blended with butter, brown sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon, then crowned with a crunchy pecan streusel and pillowy marshmallows toasted to perfection. Whether you’re planning Thanksgiving dinner, need easy side dish ideas, or just want a cozy and quick bake, this casserole hits all the right notes. It’s a perfect balance between savory and sweet that even doubles as a dessert-style treat. It’s also a fantastic make-ahead recipe, giving you less stress during busy holiday prep. Add it to your list of dinner ideas or holiday food ideas that everyone will rave about!
Ingredients
3 pounds sweet potatoes
4 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
1/2 cup brown sugar (light or dark)
2 large eggs (beaten)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup whole milk or heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup brown sugar (for topping)
2 tablespoons melted butter (for topping)
1/4 teaspoon salt (for topping)
2 cups mini marshmallows
Instructions
1. Peel and chop sweet potatoes. Boil in a large pot of water until fork-tender, about 15–20 minutes. Drain and mash until smooth.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine mashed sweet potatoes with melted butter, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla, milk, cinnamon, and salt. Mix until well blended.
3. Spread the sweet potato mixture evenly into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
4. In a small bowl, combine chopped pecans, brown sugar, melted butter, and a pinch of salt. Sprinkle this topping evenly over the sweet potato base.
5. Add a single layer of mini marshmallows on top of the pecan mixture.
6. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 25–30 minutes, until marshmallows are golden brown and filling is set. Broil for 1–2 minutes at the end for extra toasting, if desired.
7. Let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes before serving for best texture and slicing.
Notes
Roast your sweet potatoes instead of boiling for a deeper, caramelized flavor.
For a dairy-free version, substitute with vegan butter and almond milk.
Add nutmeg or allspice for extra holiday spice.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/10 of casserole
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg