Southern Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

I adore my Best Sweet Potato Casserole recipe, perfect for holiday celebrations. Mashed sweet potatoes mix with granulated sugar, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract to form a delicious base. The topping of brown sugar, pecans, and flour creates an irresistible crunch that makes this dish unforgettable.

I recently tried out this Southern Sweet Potato Casserole from The Country Cook and it quickly became one of my all-time holiday favorites. I love how simple it is, yet it delivers a unique twist on classic recipes that I’ve seen on sites like Allrecipes and in Paula Deen’s cookbook.

I start with 4 cups of mashed sweet potatoes, mix in 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter, and stir in 2 large eggs along with 1/2 cup evaporated milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. The magic is in its topping too: a crunchy mix of 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, 1/3 cup all-purpose flour, 1/3 cup chopped pecans, and an extra 1/4 cup melted butter.

Every bite reminds me of those secret twists found in some of the best sweet potato recipes out there. I cant wait for you to try it too.

Why I Like this Recipe

I really love this recipe because it brings back all kinds of warm memories. First off, it’s super simple to make—I can whip it up without too much fuss and it always turns out amazing, which makes my busy holiday prep a lot less stressful. Also, the mix of creamy mashed sweet potatoes with that crispy, sweet topping is just perfect. I love how the combination of brown sugar, pecans, and butter creates a cool texture contrast with the soft filling underneath. And lastly, I appreciate its tradition factor—I feel like every time i make it, i’m honoring those cozy family holiday traditions, which really makes the season extra special.

Ingredients

• Mashed sweet potatoes are rich in fiber and vitamin A, naturally sweet and nourishing.
• Granulated sugar supplies sweetness and structure with simple carbohydrates, enhancing the overall flavor.
• Unsalted butter contributes a creamy texture and rich flavor using healthy dairy fats.
• Eggs provide protein and act as a binding agent for a smooth, cohesive mixture.
• Evaporated milk adds creaminess and additional protein, perfect for a silky casserole texture.
• Vanilla extract lifts flavors with a subtle aromatic touch that enlivens the dish.
• Chopped pecans provide crunch, healthy fats, and a nutty, savory contrast on top.

Ingredient Quantities

• 4 cups mashed sweet potatoes (about 4 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup evaporated milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• For the topping: 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup chopped pecans
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

How to Make this

1. First, preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a medium sized casserole dish to keep things from sticking later.

2. Boil your peeled and chunked sweet potatoes in water until they’re soft, which should take around 15-20 minutes.

3. Drain the water then mash the sweet potatoes in a large bowl until smooth, leaving a few lumps if you like a bit of texture.

4. In that same bowl, stir in the 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup melted butter, 2 lightly beaten eggs, 1/2 cup evaporated milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.

5. Mix well so that everything is evenly combined, then spread the mixture into your prepared casserole dish.

6. Next, for the topping, combine 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, 1/3 cup all-purpose flour, 1/3 cup chopped pecans, and 1/4 cup melted butter in a small bowl.

7. Sprinkle the topping mixture evenly over the sweet potato filling in the dish.

8. Slide the casserole into the oven and bake for about 25 to 30 minutes, or until the topping looks a bit crisp and the whole casserole is heated all the way through.

9. Once it’s done, take it out of the oven and let it cool for around 10 minutes, so it sets up a bit before serving.

10. Enjoy your comforting Southern Sweet Potato Casserole at your holiday table as a perfect side dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas!

Equipment Needed

1. Preheated oven (set to 350°F)
2. Medium sized casserole dish (for baking)
3. Large pot (for boiling the sweet potatoes)
4. Colander (for draining the potatoes)
5. Large mixing bowl (for mashing and combining ingredients)
6. Potato masher (or fork if you prefer)
7. Small bowl (to mix the topping)
8. Measuring cups and spoons (to get the right ingredient amounts)
9. Whisk or fork (for lightly beating the eggs)
10. Oven mitts (for safely handling hot dishes)

FAQ

Southern Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• If you dont have granulated sugar, try brown sugar. Its a bit more moist and gives a richer flavor.
• If you need to swap out unsalted butter, you can use coconut oil. It gives a slightly different taste but works just fine in the recipe.
• For the evaporated milk, you could mix equal parts whole milk and heavy cream. It wont be exactly the same, but its a decent replacement if you dont have evaporated milk on hand.
• If you cant find pecans, walnuts or almonds make a good substitute. They still add that crunchy texture but with a different flavor twist.

Pro Tips

1. When mashing the sweet potatoes try not to overdo it so you get a few lumps in there for extra texture
2. Make sure your butter is fully melted before adding it in the mix so the ingredients blend together better
3. Watch your casserole when it bakes because every oven is different, you don’t want the topping to burn
4. If you want a little extra flavor, toss in a pinch of your favorite spice like cinnamon or nutmeg into the mix
5. Let the dish chill for about 10 mins when it comes out of the oven, it helps it settle and improves the overall taste