Description
A classic Sweet Potato Casserole with a rich, creamy mashed sweet potato base, blended with brown sugar, butter, vanilla, and spices, topped with crunchy pecans and toasted miniature marshmallows. Perfect for holiday dinners or comforting family meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potato Mixture
- 3 pounds sweet potatoes (peeled and cut into cubes)
- ½ cup brown sugar (packed)
- â…“ cup butter (softened)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon (or to taste)
- Salt and black pepper (to taste)
- â…“ cup chopped pecans (half of total)
Topping
- 2 cups miniature marshmallows
- ½ cup chopped pecans (remaining half)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish to prevent the casserole from sticking during baking and set it aside.
- Cook Sweet Potatoes: Place the peeled and cubed sweet potatoes into a pot of boiling water. Simmer gently for about 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender and soft enough to mash easily. Drain the potatoes thoroughly once cooked.
- Mash Sweet Potatoes: Transfer the cooked sweet potatoes into a large bowl or back into the pot. Mash them well while incorporating brown sugar, softened butter, cinnamon, vanilla extract, salt, and black pepper. Mix until the mixture is smooth and all ingredients are evenly combined.
- Add Pecans: Fold in half of the chopped pecans (about â…“ cup) evenly into the mashed sweet potato mixture. Spread the mixture uniformly in the prepared baking dish.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle the entire top surface of the sweet potato mixture with the miniature marshmallows first, then distribute the remaining chopped pecans evenly over the marshmallows for a crunchy and sweet finish.
- Bake: Place the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes. Bake until the marshmallows are golden brown and puffed, and the casserole is thoroughly heated through.
Notes
- To save time, sweet potatoes can be cooked in advance and refrigerated overnight.
- Pecans can be toasted beforehand to enhance their flavor before adding to the casserole.
- For a less sweet option, reduce the amount of brown sugar or marshmallows.
- Use dairy-free butter and marshmallows to make it vegan-friendly.
- This casserole pairs perfectly with turkey or ham for holiday dinners.
