Candied Pecan Sweet Potato Casserole
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Creamy Sweet Potato Casserole with a crunchy candied pecan topping and toasted marshmallows. Hundreds of 5-star reviews say it all – this is the THE BEST sweet potato casserole!
Enjoy this dish with these Thanksgiving entrees! Prime Rib, Easy Thanksgiving Turkey, and Slow Cooker Glazed Ham.
You wouldn’t think that it could get any better than your typical easy sweet potato casserole recipe, but that’s where I beg to differ. Adding in candied pecans is where it’s at. Don’t be put off by the title of this dish, either. I’m sure it sounds like it’s a lot of work, but trust me, it isn’t! In fact, half the work can be done by a slow cooker while you’re busy doing other things (like making this easy Beef Broth Brown Gravy).
The best part is, you don’t have to “pre-candy” your pecans, they candy-up all by themselves right in the pan! The other great thing is that you can put this dish in the oven while the turkey is resting to make your Thanksgiving dinner preparations a little easier. It should be served nice and hot so you’re free to put this dish off to the last minute — really!
Why This Recipe Works
Marshmallows – You simply can’t have a sweet potato casserole without marshmallows. That’s my statement and I’m sticking to it! (Sticking to it…get it?) They are like the icing on top of this awesome Thanksgiving side.
Sweet potatoes – I know this goes without saying, but there is just no other potato or tuber that can match the sweet potato when combined with marshmallows and that candied pecan topping. Sweet potato casserole for Thanksgiving or bust!
Pecan topping – Again, the nutty candied pecans is the crunchy topping that really MAKES this dish what it is. You can leave the pecans out if you’re allergic of course but they really add a lovely crunch that balances out the sweetness of the marshmallows and potatoes. I’m all about that difference in texture with every bite. Tip: Be sure to use brown sugar (instead of granulated sugar) for the topping as this is what really makes the caramelizing of the pecans happen!
Last minute dish – If you have a little counter space open you can make this sweet potato casserole in the slow cooker while you make everything else. So there’s no need to fret over adding another side or making something if you forgot you were supposed to bring a dish to your Thanksgiving gathering. You can even make it all together and pop it in the oven (wherever you happen to be celebrating) right before everyone eats, after the turkey is done.
Here’s How You Make It
- Get those potatoes cooked. You can boil them or cook them in a slow cooker. For slow cooker directions, add sweet potatoes and water to the slow cooker and cover. Cook on high for 4 hours or until the potatoes can be easily pierced with a fork. (photo 1)
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Mash the drained sweet potatoes. To them, add eggs, vanilla, and half a cup of melted butter, plus the brown sugar, salt, and milk or heavy cream. Mash til smooth using a potato masher. (photos 4-6)
- Spread the sweet potato mixture on the bottom of a 9×13 greased baking dish. In another bowl, mix together brown sugar, flour, 1/3 cup of melted butter, and the pecans with a spoon. Sprinkle this over the potatoes and bake, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes or until the pecans are caramelized. (photos 2-3, 7-10)
- Remove the dish and add the marshmallows to the top. Return the sweet potato casserole to the oven for another 5 minutes or until the marshmallows are puffy and browned slightly. Serve!
Frequently Asked Questions
Wait. Are you sure you want to do that? Kidding. I know, I know, not everyone likes pecans, and some people can’t eat them due to allergies.
Pecans are an addition to the original easy sweet potato casserole recipe anyway, so they’re as easy to take off as they are to put on.
All you have to do is: Skip putting the pecans in. No, really! That’s it! If you want to keep the streusel topping, go ahead and make that, and drop it by spoonfuls over the sweet potatoes. Bake, then complete through the directions for the marshmallows at the end.
Yes you can use canned sweet potatoes if you like. They are already softened so you can skip the whole cooking the sweet potatoes step. You’ll want to drain off any excess liquid first. Make sure to use the same amount of canned sweet potatoes that the recipe calls for.
Yes! Southern sweet potato casserole IS sweet potato casserole. Whether you add the “Southern” or not is up to you. 🙂 But, the casserole originated in the South, so I guess the name stuck. No matter what you call it, this is the perfect, comforting dish to round off your home-cooked holiday meal.
There are days, like Thanksgiving, when you just cannot do everything at once. In those instances, it does help to make dishes of time, if possible. I think you can totally make this sweet potato casserole in advance. I’d do it one of two ways, though:
1. Cook the potatoes and work your way through step 3. Then, let the dish cool and cover it and put it in the fridge for one to two days. When you’re ready to serve it, pop it in the oven for 10-15 minutes to warm it back up, pull it out of the oven, and go ahead with adding the marshmallows and baking again, through step 4.
2. Make the entire recipe, marshmallows and all. Cover tightly (but don’t let the marshmallows stick to the cover, plastic wrap, or foil) and then pull the dish out about 30-45 minutes before dinner is served. You will be serving the casserole at room temperature — and that is a-okay as well!
That is a loaded question. Even though this recipe uses sweet potatoes, it’s not very healthy as-is, that I admit. If you want to slim down this Thanksgiving dish, try these ideas:
– Skip the marshmallow topping or use half the amount of marshmallows.
– Halve the butter or use a lower-calorie or fat butter option.
– Eliminate the pecan topping all together and add only half the amount of marshmallows.
– Make half the streusel topping for the pecans and mix well. Add to the top of the sweet potatoes. Leave the marshmallows off.
– Skip the topping ingredients except for the pecans and marshmallows. Toast pecans in a dry pan over medium heat for about five minutes until they release their nutty aroma. Add toasted pecans at the same time as the marshmallows and brown marshmallows according to directions.
– Sweet potatoes are also great served as-is in a “bar” of sorts. Picture what you’d serve on top of a white, russet potato only add those toppings to a sweet potato instead – delicious!
– I love sweet potatoes with a meat like turkey (obviously), or steak or chicken work great too. But lots of people also like to pair sweet potatoes with a meatier fish like tuna, mahi mahi, walleye, or salmon.
– These tubers also go great oven roasted and mixed with just about any other vegetable, but my favorites are carrots and parsnips, broccoli, green beans, and asparagus.
– And, if we’re talking spices that go great with sweet potatoes, think fall spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, ginger, coriander, and thyme. Maple syrup is another great flavor addition to sweet potatoes!
Eggs act as a binder, holding the sweet potatoes, spices, and other ingredients together and helping it to bake stiffly instead of having it fall apart or be too thin.
One tip? Make sure your sweet potatoes have cooled down to room temperature before adding egg or you’ll just end up cooking it rather than mixing it in.
Thanksgiving Side Dish Ideas
Looking for more delicious Thanksgiving side dish ideas? Try these time-tested and popular dishes people love:
- Best Ever Easy Thanksgiving stuffing is so easy and delicious and full of veggies, Italian seasonings, plus any old bread you have on hand. Try adding dried cranberries or nuts to make it your own.
- For an alternative stuffing recipe, try a Classic Traditional Homemade stuffing using
- For those all-important mashed potatoes, my Slow Cooker Buttery Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes are a delicious, oven-space-saving addition to your Thanksgiving table.
- Cheesy Mashed Potatoes Casserole is another family favorite that’s always on the table (yes, in addition to mashed potatoes). So creamy, cheesy, and savory, you should probably go ahead and serve yourself first because they’ll be gone before you know it!
- Of course, no Thanksgiving table is complete without the Cranberry Sauce!
- For appetizer ideas (because you should eat before you eat of course), try making a Cranberry Pistachio Cheeseball, Slow Cooker Party Meatballs, or Spinach and Artichoke Dip.
- Veggies are a necessary component of any holiday table, too: Try an easy Italian Green Salad, Roasted Broccoli, or Roasted Honey Garlic Glazed Carrots.
- And for the grand finale – dessert! Make a variety so everyone can try them all! Of course you cannot go wrong with a classic (super easy!) Pumpkin Pie. And if you’re looking to switch this up, these Carrot Cake Cupcakes, Apple Pecan Pie, and Salted Caramel Pecan Bars make for a great start.
Sweet Potato Recipe Ideas
Looking for more ways to serve up those delicious sweet potatoes this Thanksgiving? You’re in the right place:
- Baked Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes
- Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Slow Cooker Mashed Sweet Potatoes
- Baked Sweet Potato Fries
- Oven Baked Sweet Potatoes
More Side Dishes You’ll Enjoy
- Bacon in the Oven
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze
- Easy Crescent Rolls
- Easy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Did you make this recipe? FANTASTIC. Please rate the recipe below and be sure to tag me on social when you share a photo on social – I love seeing what you’re up to in the kitchen!
Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 5 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 2 inch pieces
- 1 cup water
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup butter, melted
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2-3 teaspoons salt , (or to taste)
- ½ cup heavy cream, or milk
Topping
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup flour
- ⅓ cup melted butter
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 3-4 cups mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Potatoes can be boiled, drained, and then mashed OR cooked in a slow cooker or Instant Pot (my favorite method – see note for directions!).
- Preheat oven to 375 and mash your cooked sweet potatoes.
- Add eggs, vanilla, 1/2 cup melted butter, brown sugar, salt, and milk (or heavy cream) and mix until smooth. (I like my potatoes to have a bit of texture so I don't whip them for too long).
- Spread potato mixture in the bottom of a greased 9×13 baking dish.
- In a bowl combine brown sugar, flour, 1/3 cup melted butter, and pecans and mix well (with a spoon, not a mixer). Sprinkle mixture over potatoes (it's okay if potatoes aren't completely covered).
- Bake uncovered for about 20-25 minutes until pecans are caramelized.
- Sprinkle marshmallows evenly over pecan mixture. Return to oven for another 5-7 minutes or until marshmallows are puffy and lightly browned. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Could I make this ahead of time and cook tomorrow
Yes!
Can you use yams instead of sweet potatoes?
This looks amazing! I’m going to make this for a potluck this week at work. Do you use salted or unsalted butter? Also if I prepare this and bake it before work with all the toppings, do you think it will be ok already cooked with all the toppings , then put back in the fridge and reheat a few hours later?
I use unsalted.
Can you use white sweet potatoes? If so, any revisions to the recipe?
I think white sweet potatoes would work just fine 🙂
I have to tell you that my family and I enjoyed this Sweet Potato Casserole so much. Even my husband, who likes very few veggies, liked it. It is the absolute best I have ever eaten and I just wanted to tell you “Thank You” for sharing. I made it for the first time this Thanksgiving and I’m definitely making it again for Christmas!
Hi Kristi! I am SO happy to hear that this recipe is a winner for you – especially if your veggie-picky husband is on board!!! I love this recipe and I’m so glad you do to – thanks for taking a minute to let me know how much you like it, your comment made my day! 🙂
What was the cup of water for?
Going to make this for a large, 50+, group. Was wondering if you think the topping would loose it’s crunch if I kept it warm in one of those counter top roasting ovens?
Thank you for the best sweet potato casserole recipe! This was my favorite from last night’s dinner. I used marshmallow fluff instead of regular marshmallows and it was perfect!
Hi!! I’m a beginner with all things cooking related 😀…This is going to be the first time I bring a dish to my family Thanksgiving!! It looks amazing. Do you peel the sweet potatoes before they go into the slow cooker?? :-/
Hi Norell! yes, you do peel them first. sweet potato skins tend to get hard when they’re cooked, unlike regular red, brown, or russet potatoes.
Do you think it would fair well if I made the sweet potato mixture the day before and let it get to room temp before baking? We travel early for thanksgiving but I’d like to make ahead as much as possible.
Hi Jen, I think you definitely could do that. I would just make the sweet potato mixture and spread it in your casserole dish and top it with the pecan mixture. Then cover the whole thing with plastic wrap and chill overnight. Let it come to room temperature just before you’re ready to bake it!