Best Sweet Potato Casserole

Updated Oct 26, 2026

5 from 34 votes

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This is the best sweet potato casserole recipe! The filling is silky smooth with rich fall spices and perfectly sweetened, then topped with a buttery pecan crumble (no marshmallows)! It’s a must-make Thanksgiving side dish that can be prepared in advance!

overhead view of sweet potato casserole with pecan crumble topping in a square, white ceramic baking dish, there's a silver spoon in the casserole and some has been taken out to show the silky smooth texture of the filling

Everyone has their favorite holiday side dish – you know, the one that you go back for seconds (or thirds), even if you’re full. Sweet potato casserole is definitely mine – and this is the recipe I make every year.

Some of the magic is in the method – I roast the sweet potatoes to bring out their natural sweetness, then use a potato ricer to make a silky smooth filling (no stringy sweet potatoes here)! Then, the crunchy, buttery pecan topping is the perfect finishing touch – no marshmallows required!

If you’re looking for a classic sweet potato casserole with pecans instead of marshmallows, this recipe is for you! Also try my sweet potato gratin and mashed sweet potatoes!

I’ve made this recipe for maybe the last 4 Thanksgivings. (And I’m making it tomorrow!) The crunchy topping is the best. My kids love it. I’ve never been a fan of sweet potato casseroles and this is the only one I will eat!
– Sara

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Why You’ll Love This Sweet Potato Casserole

Perfect texture. A silky-smooth filling with no unappetizing strings of sweet potato.
Not too sweet. The perfect amount of brown sugar and maple syrup!
Easy to make ahead. Assemble the day before, store in the fridge and bake on Thanksgiving.
Best topping. The pecan topping is so much better than marshmallows.

sweet potato casserole in a white ceramic baking dish with a serving spoon some has been taken out to show the silky smooth texture of the filling

Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe: Ingredients & Substitutions

I recommend making this Thanksgiving sweet potato casserole as written, however here are some possible substitutions.

overhead view of the ingredients in this sweet potato casserole recipe labeled - sweet potatoes, sea salt, butter, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, eggs, pecans, brown sugar, milk and flour

Salted Butter. Unsalted butter can be used in place of salted butter, you may just need to increase the salt.
Eggs. I do not recommend making a substitution for the egg.
Whole Milk. Half and half, heavy cream, or 2% milk can be used in place of whole milk. Fat content is important to the final outcome of this recipe.
Brown Sugar. light or dark brown sugar can be used with great results.
All-purpose flour. For a gluten-free version, use an all-purpose gluten-free flour.
Pecans. Walnuts are a great substitute for pecans.

overhead view of sweet potato casserole with pecan crumble topping in a baking dish, there's a silver spoon in the casserole and some has been taken out to show the silky smooth texture of the filling

How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole

This sweet potato casserole is easy to make, but as always we’ll walk through the process step-by-step, and don’t forget to watch the video.

Roast the Sweet Potatoes

To easily roast sweet potatoes, wash and pierce them with a fork. Then, individually wrap the potatoes in foil and put them on a baking sheet. You can roast them directly on an oven rack, just be sure the foil is completely closed so there’s no dripping.

making sweet potato casserole recipe - 4 sweet potatoes wrapped in foil and on a silver baking sheet

Bake until the sweet potatoes are tender and compress when touched. The baking time depends on the potatoes’ thickness. Check at 40 minutes if they are small.

Open foil and set the sweet potatoes aside to cool.

making sweet potato casserole recipe - 4 sweet potatoes after roasting sitting in foil but partially unwrapped on a baking sheet

Make the Pecan Crumb Topping

While the sweet potatoes are roasting, make the crumb topping. In a medium bowl, use a fork or pastry cutter to combine butter, brown sugar, flour sea salt and cinnamon until a coarse meal forms.

making a pecan crumble topping for this sweet potato casserole recipe - butter, brown sugar, flour and cinnamon in a glass mixing bowl on a marble surface before mixing.

Add pecans and stir until evenly distributed in the mixture. Set aside.

making a pecan crumble topping for this sweet potato casserole recipe - pecans added to the butter mixture before mixing, in a glass bowl on a marble surface

making a pecan crumble topping for this sweet potato casserole recipe - final crumble topping in a glass bowl on a marble surface

Rice (or Mash) Cooked Sweet Potatoes

Scoop the slightly-cooled sweet potato flesh out of the skins and transfer to a large bowl to let it cool slightly. You don’t want to burn your hands!

making the best sweet potato casserole recipe - cooked sweet potatoes without the skin in a glass bowl on a marble surface

Rice the sweet potatoes

Please trust me and invest $30 into a potato ricer. It will change your life if you love making silky smooth sweet potato casserole, mashed sweet potatoes or mashed potatoes.

Then, use a potato ricer to rice the cooked sweet potatoes – discard any stringy pieces left in the ricer.

Note: you can use a potato masher but I do not recommend it, as sometimes the flesh of a sweet potato is stringy, and a ricer will remove any unpleasant texture. Or you can put the sweet potato, along with the other filling ingredients, in the container of a blender and blend until smooth.

making the best sweet potato casserole recipe - cooked sweet potatoes being riced in a potato ricer into a glass bowl on a marble surface

Make the Sweet Potato Casserole Filling

Once the sweet potato is riced/mashed, add eggs, butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, sea salt, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg and stir to combine.

making the best sweet potato casserole recipe filling - riced sweet potatoes, eggs, butter, brown sugar, maple syrup and spices in a glass mixing bowl before mixing

making the best sweet potato casserole recipe filling - ingredients mixed together in a glass mixing bowl with a silver spoon.

Assemble the Sweet Potato Casserole

Decrease oven temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius) and grease an 8×8” baking dish. Pour sweet potato mixture into the prepared pan and smooth out the top so it is flat and even.

making the best sweet potato casserole recipe - a greased white ceramic baking dish on a marble surface

making the best sweet potato casserole recipe - sweet potato casserole filling spread into a square white ceramic baking dish on a marble surface

Sprinkle the pecan crumb topping evenly over the top of the sweet potato mixture, gently pressing it into the mixture.

How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole Ahead of Time

I try to prep as much as possible the day before Thanksgiving so I can enjoy the holiday with my family. And this sweet potato casserole recipe is easy to prepare in advance.

To do this, make the sweet potato filling and pecan topping according to the recipe. Spread the filling into the baking dish, cover and refrigerate. Store the pecan topping separately in an airtight container.

When you’re ready to bake, remove the casserole from the refrigerator and preheat the oven. Sprinkle the pecan topping over the filling and bake according to the recipe, until the filling is heated through and the topping is lightly browned. You might need to add a few extra minutes if the filling is still cold.

making the best sweet potato casserole recipe - crumb topping put onto the casserole in a white square baking dish before baking

Bake the Sweet Potato Casserole

Bake in preheated oven until the top is slightly puffed and the topping is lightly browned. Let cool slightly and serve.

overhead view of a sweet potato casserole in a square white baking dish with a pecan crumble topping, there's a towel, cinnamon sticks, pecans and rosemary around the baking dish

How to Serve Sweet Potato Casserole

Serve warm with your favorite main dishes and sides. Here are some recipes that pair really well with this sweet potato casserole recipe. Check out all my favorite Thanksgiving recipes.

Serve it as a Thanksgiving or holiday side dish alongside this Roast Turkey, or slow cooker turkey breast, and the best Turkey Gravy.
Roasted Brussels sprouts are a great green vegetable side dish to serve with this Thanksgiving sweet potato casserole, also this Brussel sprouts salad.
Green beans: these roasted green beans are so delicious, as well as these sautéed green beans (in apple cider – yum)!
You can’t forget the stuffing – this sausage stuffing is the best ever or try this cornbread dressing.
These herb-infused garlic mashed potatoes are the best you’ll ever eat, no joke.
5-minute stovetop cinnamon apples are a great pair to this sweet potato casserole.

Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe FAQs

How do you store sweet potato casserole?

Store any leftovers of this sweet potato casserole with pecans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until warmed through.

Can you freeze sweet potato casserole?

Yes! Let it cool completely, cover and freeze it in an airtight container for up to 2 months.

Why are there eggs in sweet potato casserole?

Eggs are used to bind and lighten up this casserole. They are an important part of the dish!

How far ahead can you make sweet potato casserole?

I prefer to make/assemble this recipe a day in advance and then bake it on the day I want to serve it (like Thanksgiving). You can make it up to 2 months in advance if you store it in the freezer. Just let it thaw at room temperature or in the refrigerator before baking.

How do you know when sweet potato casserole is done?

You know this sweet potato casserole is done when the top is slightly puffed and set and the topping is lightly browned.

Can I cook sweet potatoes ahead of time?

Absolutely. You can cook and mash the sweet potatoes a day or two before making this recipe.

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