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ByGina Abernathy Posted on Updated on

Easy Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Casserole 

Indulge in the taste of a timeless favorite- Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Casserole. This dish brings a familiar warmth and comfort to your holiday table. Creamy sweet potatoes, sugar, eggs, butter, milk, vanilla, and pecans combine to form goodness and deliciousness! A classic that’s sure to be a hit at your next holiday gathering or family dinner.

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I absolutely love fall and everything associated with the changing weather. The cooler temperatures, falling leaves, bonfires, smores, sweaters, and cozy blankets all seem to make the season perfect.

Along with the changing temperature comes my desire to bake fall dishes. Sweet Potato Casserole is one of the many items that come to mind when I think about fall weather.

sweet potato casserole with text overlay.

Why Southern Sweet Potato Casserole Is Fantastic

Sweet Potato Casserole is creamy, delicious, and melts in your mouth. It has a crunchy brown sugar pecan topping that completes this dish. It’s perfect for your holiday table or really just any time you have a taste for some pure southern comfort food. This dish usually ends up on my table at least once a month as a side dish. OH, SO GOOD!

Nostalgia: This easy sweet potato casserole brings back memories and is steeped in tradition that transports us back to those cherished moments spent with family. Be ready to enjoy every heartfelt bite, whether it’s a Thanksgiving dinner, special occasion, or weeknight meal.

Comfort: This casserole embodies comfort in every bite. This old fashioned recipe has the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes that combines sugar and spices that soothes the soul.

Versatile: This casserole offers flexibility with the topping ingredients. The crunchy pecans add nuttiness but can be swapped with walnuts if desired. Mini marshmallows can be added to the top for extra sweetness. 

Everyday Side Dish: Although this dish is usually seen for special occasions and holidays, it is easy enough for family meals during the week. Turn ordinary meals into extraordinary meals with this delightful dish. A simple yet impressive dish everyone will enjoy.

Symbol of Tradition: This old-fashioned sweet potato casserole is traditional and brings families back together around the dinner table. Each bite allows you to enjoy the simple pleasures of life—the perfect Thanksgiving side dish.

Thinking About Holiday Sides?

This dish is one of my favorite recipes during the holiday season. I like to make it for family dinners, Thanksgiving, or Christmas get-togethers. It is usually one of the first items to disappear from the table. I always have a clean dish when dinner is over.

This casserole works alongside roasted turkey, green bean casserole, homemade cranberry sauce, chicken dressing, and sweet potato pie: the perfect side dish and an easy recipe for holiday dinners.

sweet potato casserole on a fork and plate with text overlay.

Doubles as a Side Dish or a Dessert

Not only is this side dish popular for the holidays, it’s great throughout the year as a side dish for dinner or even for a dessert. Yep, dessert. I had the leftovers during the week with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream for dessert. It satisfied my sweet tooth with pleasure. Wonderful!

For another sweet potato treat, try this Southern Sweet Potato Pie. It’s made with basic ingredients and turns out perfect every time. Try it with a dollop of whipped cream for an added touch.

This recipe makes the best Sweet Potato Casserole and has been a family favorite for years.

Cranberry Stuffing is a must to try for this holiday season. It will not disappoint your guest.

Ingredients Needed for Sweet Potato Casserole with Brown Sugar and Pecans

This recipe only requires simple ingredients and comes together in no time. All of the ingredients can easily be found in your local grocery store. The whole family will enjoy this perfect combination of ingredients and a wonderful recipe.

Sweet Potatoes – I use fresh sweet potatoes for the sweet potato mixture. You will cook and mash the potatoes for this recipe. They are easy to mash with a fork or a potato masher.

Sugar – I use white sugar for the sweet potato mixture and brown sugar for the topping.

Eggs – You will need medium to large eggs. I have used both. Use what you have in your refrigerator.

Butter – Everything is better with butter. Use softened butter. It acts as a binder.

Milk – Whole milk is used for this recipe. 

Vanilla Extract – Used for flavoring. Please don’t leave it out.

Light Brown Sugar – This is used for the topping. If you need to swap out dark brown sugar, that will work just fine.

Flour – Used for the topping.

Melted Butter – Melted butter mixes well with the ingredients.

Chopped Pecans – I like to use chopped pecans for the topping. 

Ingredients for sweet potato casserole with text overlay

If you plan to cook a turkey this year, check out my post on How to Cook a Turkey for tips on a moist turkey every time.

How to Prepare Sweet Potatoes

Wash sweet potatoes and place on a sheet pan. Bake at 400 degrees for about 45 minutes to an hour or until soft. The time will depend on how big your potatoes are. Let cool. Remove skins. Place in a large bowl and mash with a fork until they are creamy and no lumps.

How To Make Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

For complete instructions, see the printable recipe card below. This casserole is buttery, soft, creamy, and the perfect side dish for Thanksgiving—a great recipe for all your holiday side dishes. 

  1. Gather ingredients.
  2. Bake Potatoes. Place washed potatoes on a baking sheet and bake. Cool to room temperature so you can peel them easier.
  3. Combine. Combine mashed sweet potatoes with sugar, eggs, 1/2 cup softened butter, milk, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Spoon into a greased 13″ x 9″ casserole dish.
  4. In a medium bowl, make the pecan crumble for the crunchy topping. Combine brown sugar, flour, 1/3 cup melted butter, and pecans.
  5. Using a tablespoon, drop the crumble topping over the top of the sweet potatoes.
  6. Spread gently over the top.
  7. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
steps to make sweet potato casserole with text overlay.


For more side dish recipes, check out my Southern Cornbread Salad, Crock Pot Creamed Corn, Candied Sweet Potatoes, and Chicken and Dressing.

How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole Ahead

Bake the sweet potatoes and mix the creamy mixture—place in a wrapped casserole dish and place in the refrigerator. You can make this recipe up to a day ahead. Add the topping before baking.  When you are ready to bake, please remove it from the fridge, add the topping, and bake according to the directions. If the casserole is cold, add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

How to Store Leftover Sweet Potato Casserole

Classic sweet potato casserole is fabulous the next day. Bring leftovers to room temperature and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Tips for the Perfect Sweet Potato Casserole

  • Bake Potatoes a day or so ahead of time to cut down on prep work.
  • Mash the potatoes until they are smooth.
  • Spread the pecan topping evenly over the top of the casserole.

Variations for this Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Casserole

  • Add mini marshmallows to the top.
  • Add candied pecans to the top.
  • Add shredded coconut to the top.
  • Change the topping up a bit and make a streusel topping.

More Favorite Sweet Potato Recipes

Candied Sweet Potatoes

Sweet Potato Pie

More Casserole Recipes

Green Bean Casserole

Corn Casserole

Pineapple Casserole

Cranberry Stuffing

Potato Casserole

Chicken Dressing

Holiday Desserts

Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting

Carrot Cake

Sweet Potato Pie

Buttermilk Pie

Chocolate Pecan Pie

No Bake Pumpkin Pie

Southern Caramel Cake

Let’s not forget the Southern Sweet Potato Pie for dessert. It will not disappoint your guest.

Recipe FAQ’s

Yes. Eggs act as a binder and enriches the casserole.

Yes. You should cook and mash the potatoes before mixing with the other ingredients.

Check out my No-Bake Pumpkin Pie for a delicious dessert for the holiday table.

Sweet potato casserole on a plate with turkey

Sweet Potato Casserole with Brown Sugar Pecan Topping

Gina Abernathy
Sweet Potato Casserole is creamy, delicious, and melts in your mouth. It has a crunchy brown sugar pecan topping that completes this dish.
5 from 31 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Cook Time 30 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Southern
Servings 10 people

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups sweet potatoes cooked and mashed
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 Eggs beaten
  • 1/2 cup butter softened
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla

Topping

  • 1 cup Brown Sugar packed
  • 1/3 cup flour
  • 1/3 cup butter melted
  • 1 cup pecans chopped

Instructions
 

  • Wash sweet potatoes and place on a sheet pan. Bake at 400 degrees for about 45 minutes to an hour or until soft. The time will depend on how big your potatoes are. Let cool. Remove skins. Place in a large bowl and mash with a fork until they are creamy and no lumps.
  • Combine sweet potatoes with sugar, eggs, 1/2 cup softened butter, milk, and vanilla; mix well. Spoon into a greased 13″ x 9″ baking dish.
  • Combine brown sugar, flour, 1/3 cup melted butter, and pecans in a bowl; mix well. Drop by tablespoon over the top of the sweet potatoes. Lightly spread the topping over the top.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
Keyword sweet potato casserole with brown sugar pecan topping

52 Comments

  9. Thank you for the recipe! It was simple and delicious!

    I wanted to add that I have a son who is lactose intolerant so I substituted the butter with Country Crock Plant Butter with olive oil and Lactaid for the milk. I’m always worried about substitutions but this one came out perfect!

    Reply

  15. 5 stars
    I always have sweet potatoes and this recipe is going to be perfect to share for friendsgiving, but for now I’ll make it for my self.

    Reply

  19. 5 stars
    This is going on my table this Thanksgiving. Of course, I’ll have to do a test run or two before then. You know, just to be sure I work out all the kinks. It’s a tasty job, but someone has to do it!

    Reply

  26. 5 stars
    My grandmother made a sweet potato recipe very similar, and for years I’ve been trying to replicate it but it’s always missing something. Now I think I know what the answer is – pecans! I can’t wait to try this for Thanksgiving! (Probably before then, just because I love sweet potatoes and brown sugar so much!)

    Reply

  28. 5 stars
    This is so delicious! I added a little bit more brown sugar to the topping just because I love the flavor and the top was so crunchy! Perfect side dish for Thanksgiving!

    Reply

  29. 5 stars
    Omg this sweet potato casserole is to die for!! So decadent and perfectly sweet – it will definitely be making an appearance at my holiday table this year!

    Reply

  30. 5 stars
    This Sweet Potato Casserole with Brown Sugar Pecan Topping will be perfect for Thanksgiving! I bet it flies off the table!

    Reply

  33. 5 stars
    I am planning on making this for thanksgiving but it looks so good I don’t think I can wait that long. Adding it to my menu for Sunday.

    Reply

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