This healthy sweet potato casserole recipe is made with 7 wholesome ingredients without sacrificing flavor or texture! The filling is silky smooth, naturally sweetened with applesauce (no added sugar), and spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. Then, it’s topped with crunchy pecans for the perfect finishing touch.

This healthy sweet potato casserole recipe is a delicious, healthier alternative to classic sweet potato casserole that’s naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan and paleo with no added sugar! Plus, it’s easy to make ahead, so it’s the perfect side dish for Thanksgiving or the holidays!

This healthy sweet potato casserole recipe is bursting with rich fall flavors, is velvety smooth, and is not laden with sugar! You don’t need brown sugar or marshmallows to make a crowd-pleasing sweet potato casserole that everyone will rave about. It’s a great dish to make if you have guests with dietary restrictions or allergies because everyone at your Thanksgiving celebration can enjoy this dish!

Why You’ll Love This Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole

• No added sugar. Applesauce naturally sweetens the filling, so there’s no need for brown sugar, maple syrup or marshmallows.
• No eggs. This is just a bonus if someone you love has an egg allergy!
• Silky smooth. The sweet potatoes are blended until velvety smooth for the best texture.
• 7 ingredients. Nothing too complicated here.
• Fits many dietary needs. It’s naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan and paleo.
• Perfect for the holidays. It’s a lighter Thanksgiving side dish that still tastes special enough to serve alongside all your holiday favorites.
• Easy to make ahead. You can prepare the casserole in advance to make Thanksgiving Day easier.

Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole: Ingredients & Substitutions

• Coconut oil: Butter, vegan butter or ghee all work well in place of coconut oil.
• Unsweetened apple sauce: Applesauce naturally sweetens the casserole without adding sugar. You can use store-bought unsweetened applesauce or homemade applesauce. If you want the casserole sweeter, you an use maple syrup, honey or brown sugar in place of the applesauce.
• Cinnamon & nutmeg. These spices complement the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes and give the casserole the warm fall flavor!
• Pecans: chopped walnuts are a great substitute.

How to Make Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole

Not only is this healthy sweet potato casserole delicious, but it’s very easy to make! Let’s walk through the process of making this recipe step-by-step!

Bake the Sweet Potatoes

I prefer to bake the sweet potatoes for this casserole because it enhances their natural sweetness and gives the filling the best flavor without adding sugar.

Start by baking the sweet potatoes. Wrap them aluminum foil or place in greased covered baking dish and bake at 450°F (232°C) until soft (about 1 hour)., You can also cook them in a slow cooker, in the microwave or boil them!

Once the sweet potatoes are cooled, peel them and put them in the container of a food processor or high-powered blender (Vitamix) and process or blend until smooth.

Next add the rest of the ingredients (except for the pecans) to the processed/blended sweet potato puree and process/blend until they are evenly distributed.

I prefer to use a blender or food processor is that I am a total texture person, and a lumpy casserole will not do. You can also use a potato ricer to make a smooth filling, or mash the sweet potatoes by hand, but the healthy sweet potato casserole will not be as smooth.

Next, spread the mixture out evenly in a baking dish, and top the casserole with chopped pecans and a dash of salt. If desired, add a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar with the chopped pecans.

Then bake for about 25 minutes until the nuts are golden-brown and the sweet potatoes are slightly bubbling. Let cool slightly before serving.

How to Make Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole Ahead of Time

I love this recipe because there are three different ways you can prep it in advance – which is a must for me on Thanksgiving since I try to get as much done the day or two prior to the holiday that I can so I can enjoy time with my family!

1. Bake the sweet potatoes ahead of time. Bake the sweet potatoes 1-2 days in advance. Let them cool, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you’re ready to assemble the casserole.
2. Assemble it the night before. Make the sweet potato filling and spread it into the baking dish, but don’t add the pecans. Cover the dish and refrigerate overnight. When you’re ready to bake, remove it from the refrigerator while the oven preheats, add the pecans and bake according to the recipe.
3. Bake and reheat. You can also make the entire casserole ahead of time and store it covered in the refrigerator. Reheat it, covered, in a warm oven until heated through. (this is my preferred method)!

How to Serve Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole

Serve this vegan sweet potato casserole warm with your favorite Thanksgiving recipes. Here are some suggestions:

• The best roast turkey or crock pot turkey breast are both perfect main dishes to pair with this casserole.
• Or, I like to make it for Christmas with my slow cooker pot roast.
• Make some roasted Brussel sprouts or bacon Brussels sprouts to serve alongside this healthy sweet potato casserole.
• My homemade cranberry sauce is the absolute best, or make this healthy cranberry sauce.
• Can’t forget the best mashed potatoes (ever).

How to Store Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Freeze

Freeze leftovers in an airtight container for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in the microwave or oven set to warm.

Or freeze the entire casserole by wrapping it in foil and putting it in the freezer. To reheat, warm in the oven set to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius) until heated through. You may need to cover the top with foil if the pecans start browning.

Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe FAQs

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