Classic Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (2024)

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Classic Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe - cinnamon and cloves spiced sweet potato casserole with gooey, toasted marshmallow topping. A classic holiday dinner side dish!

Serve this casserole with my Oven Roasted Turkey Breast and Cranberry Relish.

Classic Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (1)

CLASSIC SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE

A classic sweet potato casserole with toasted marshmallow topping is a must side dish for our holiday dinners. I know my kids always look forward to it because let's be honest, the toasted marshmallow topping is quite irresistible. I make it even more delicious by adding cinnamon and cloves to the sweet potato mixture and adding an extra layer of brown sugar just before the marshmallows. This Classic Sweet Potato Casserole with marshmallow topping is a must side dish for the holiday dinners. It's easy and can be made ahead of time, which is great when you are making it for the holiday dinner.

How to make Classic Sweet Potato Casserole?

Start by cooking the potatoes until soft. Drain well. Place in a large mixing bowl. Add brown sugar, spices, salt, butter, and eggs and whip the mixture with a hand mixer or mash with potato masher. Butter a 2-quart casserole dish and spread the sweet potato mixture in the dish. Top with mini marshmallows and bake in preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until the marshmallows are golden and toasted. Let the casserole cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Classic Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (2)

How to cook sweet potatoes for a casserole?

The most common way to cook sweet potatoes for a casserole is to peel them, chop them and cook on a stovetop in a pot. Since I had my Instant Pot, I let it do the work and I have the stovetop free to make gravy or the cranberry sauce. You can also cook sweet potatoes baked style, scoop the flesh and mash for the casserole.

Tips for making the best Sweet Potato Casserole:

  • After your potatoes are cooked till soft, it is important to drain them well. Best to do it over a colander and let as much water drip out as possible. It will prevent it from collecting at the bottom of your casserole.
  • Add cinnamon and cloves for added flavor, perfect for the holidays.
  • To make it ahead, cool potatoes after cooking, mix with remaining ingredients and spread the mixture in a buttered casserole dish. Do not top with marshmallows just yet. Wait to do that just before baking. If you chill the casserole in the fridge, let it sit for 30 minutes in room temperature before baking. If you take it from a cold fridge to a hot oven, the dish may shatter.

Classic Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (3)

Can I make sweet potato casserole ahead of time?

Cook potatoes till soft, cool completely, then mix with remaining ingredients. Spread mixture in a buttered dish and cover the dish with saran wrap. Store in the fridge. Wait to top it with marshmallows (or pecan brown sugar topping) just before baking, for best results. After you take the casserole out of the fridge, let it sit in room temperature for 30 minutes. If you take it from a cold fridge to a hot oven, the dish may shatter.

MORE THANKSGIVING SIDE DISHES:

  • Green Bean Casserole from scratch OR cooked in Slow Cooker
  • Garlic Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts
  • Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
  • Homemade Cranberry Sauce
  • Slow Cooker Sausage Stuffing
  • Sweet Corn Casserole

If you like this recipe and make it, snap a photo and share it on INSTAGRAM! Tag me @crunchycreamysweet so I can check it out and leave a comment! 😀

Classic Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (4)

Classic Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (5)

Classic Sweet Potato Casserole

Author: Anna

Cinnamon and cloves spiced sweet potato casserole with gooey, toasted marshmallow topping. A classic holiday dinner side dish!

4.97 from 28 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 2.5 lbs sweet potatoes
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • teaspoon ground cloves
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 cups mini marshmallows

Instructions

  • Start by peeling and chopping sweet potatoes. Place in a pot and cover with water. Bring to boil over medium heat and cook until potatoes are soft. Drain well (see note).

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Butter a 2-quart casserole dish and set aside.

  • Place cooked potatoes in large mixing bowl. Add brown sugar, butter, spices, salt, vanilla and eggs and mash with potato masher or whip with hand mixer.

  • Spread the mixture in prepared casserole dish. Top with ¼ cup of brown sugar, sprinkling it evenly over the top.

  • Layer marshmallows in a single layer on top.

  • Bake casserole for 12 to 15 minutes OR until the marshmallows are golden and toasted and the sides are bubbling. I always place it under the broiler for just 2 minutes to toast the topping just a bit more. You have to watch it carefully so it won't burn.

  • Cool casserole for at least 10 minutes before serving.

Video

Notes

To make ahead:Cook potatoes till soft, cool completely, then mix with remaining

ingredients. Spread mixture in buttered dish and cover the dish with saran wrap. Store in

the fridge. Wait to top it with marshmallows (or pecan brown sugar topping) just before

baking, for best results. After you take the casserole out of the fridge, let it sit in a room

temperature for 30 minutes. If you take it from a cold fridge to a hot oven, the dish may

shatter.

Drain cooked potatoes well, to prevent the water from collecting at the bottom of the

casserole.

Nutrition

Calories: 452kcal | Carbohydrates: 94g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 77mg | Sodium: 408mg | Potassium: 832mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 53g | Vitamin A: 32410IU | Vitamin C: 5.4mg | Calcium: 105mg | Iron: 2mg

Tried this recipe?Leave a comment with rating below!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    Did you make this recipe? Let me know!

  1. Denise says

    Classic Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (10)
    Absolutely fantabulous!! Made this recipe twice in two days, it went fast, seconds and had really great raves.

    Reply

    • Anna says

      Wonderful! Thank you so much for making my recipe, Denise!

      Reply

  2. Mary Beth Gibson says

    Classic Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (11)
    I love, love, love this recipe. The dish is simply scrumptious and it is easy to make. So good!

    Reply

  3. Courtney says

    Classic Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (12)
    Thank you so much for sharing the recipe! I doubled it and it turned out great! Everyone LOVED it!

    Reply

    • Anna says

      That's fantastic! Thank you so much, Courtney!

      Reply

  4. Trish says

    Classic Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (13)
    We made this for Thanksgiving yesterday and it was perfect! Directions were great, spices were perfect! We’ll be making it every year, thanks so much Anna for sharing your recipe. Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving!

    Reply

    • Anna says

      You are very welcome, Trish! Thank you for giving it a try! I am so glad you enjoyed it.

      Reply

    • Rita says

      Try a little almond extract my girls love it!

      Reply

      • Anna says

        Sounds perfect, Rita!

  5. Missy says

    Hello. I would like to try this recipe it sounds so good. I wanted to know approximately how many sweet potatoes do you use ( I know it says the weight but was wondering how many that generally is)

    Reply

  6. Kelsey says

    Classic Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (14)
    Made this for the first time for Thanksgiving today. Everyone loved it and it was so easy to make. I'm saving this recipe to make for holidays now.

    Reply

    • Anna says

      I am so happy to know you love the dish, Kelsey! Thank you for giving it a try!

      Reply

  7. Adrena says

    Hello ! I’m just wondering if I make the casserole ahead will the cook time be longer than 15 minutes since it was in the fridge ? Or if letting it get room temperature solve it

    Reply

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Classic Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (2024)

FAQs

How do you make a sweet potato casserole not runny? ›

Eggs and cream help stabilize the dish and prevent it from becoming too runny (a common complaint with many sweet potato casserole recipes). Make it as smooth or chunky as you like!

Why put egg in sweet potato casserole? ›

The eggs in the sweet potato casserole are what binds it all together without making the base too heavy. Without them, the casserole wouldn't be quite as fluffy and scoopable!

How do you make sweet potatoes less sweet? ›

The longer and slower you cook a sweet potato, the more maltose is formed and the sweeter it will taste. So if you want a much less sweet potato try steaming it, or cut it into small pieces and roast on a higher heat.

Why do you soak sweet potatoes before baking? ›

TIPS & TRICKS to Make this Recipe: The main secrets to achieving that incredible crispy texture, is to soak the cut sweet potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes. This helps remove the starch from the sweet potatoes so they´re not limp & soggy.

Why do sweet potatoes not go crispy? ›

Don't overcrowd the baking sheet!

This is an important one! If the baking sheet it too crowded, the sweet potatoes will not crisp.

How can I thicken my sweet potato casserole? ›

The solution for watery casseroles is instant potato mash powder or cornflour - slake (mix with a little water) at first or it will go lumpy. Stir well. Alternatively, don't add so much water at first, especially if you're using a slow cooker.

Why is my sweet potato casserole so watery? ›

If your sweet potato casserole turned out “watery”, its usually because you forgot to add eggs; you didn't let your casserole have enough time to set up after baking or you used fresh sweet potatoes and didn't boil them long enough before mashing.

Why do Americans put marshmallows on sweet potato casserole? ›

Most people point to a 1917 pamphlet by the Angelus Marshmallow Company as the first time sweet potatoes and marshmallows came together. This company is believed to be the first to commercially-produce and sell the squishy white marshmallows we know, roast, and snack on today.

What brings out the flavor of sweet potatoes? ›

Slow-roasting the sweet potatoes activates endogenous enzymes that bring out their natural sweetness.

When should you not cook sweet potatoes? ›

Use your senses to determine if your sweet potato is past its prime. First, give it a squeeze. It'll be firm if it's fresh, and mushy if it's not. Other signs to check for are discoloration, shriveled skin, black or brown spots, and suspicious odors.

What makes sweet potatoes better? ›

They're high in fiber and antioxidants, which protect your body from free radical damage and promote a healthy gut and brain. They're also incredibly rich in beta carotene, which is converted to vitamin A to support good vision and your immune system.

Why are my sweet potatoes still hard after baking? ›

If the potato is still firm when squeezed, that means it needs to cook more. Baked sweet potatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat for 2 minutes in the microwave, at 400°F in the air fryer for 5 minutes, or at 400°F in the oven for 10 minutes.

Do sweet potatoes taste better baked or boiled? ›

Even if you are making mashed sweet potatoes, they will taste better with oven-cooked potatoes. To bake sweet potatoes in the oven, preheat the oven to 400°F. Scrub the potatoes clean and pierce each one all over with a paring knife. Bake on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet until tender, about 45 to 50 minutes.

Does cooking sweet potatoes longer make them sweeter? ›

So if you want a sweet, sweet potato, you have to cook it until it reaches 135–170°F (57–77°C). And you want to keep sweet potatoes in that range for as long as possible. That will maximize how sweet the potatoes taste.

How do you make a casserole less liquidy? ›

Make sure you mix a solution of cornstarch and water cold, and then add it to your hot dish. Same can be said for flour. A flour and water paste (desk or wasteland spoon of flour then upload cold water until it is a liquid paste) delivered to the casserole will thicken it.

How do you fix a watery casserole? ›

10 Tips To Fix Or Prevent Watery Casseroles
  1. Prep Vegetables Ahead Of Time. Vegetables boiling on a stove - Solstock/Getty Images. ...
  2. Add A Starch. ...
  3. Experiment With Pasta Or Grains. ...
  4. Take The Lid Off. ...
  5. Drain Fat From Meat. ...
  6. Choose A Dry Or Low-Fat Cheese. ...
  7. Sprinkle Seeds Into Your Bake. ...
  8. Remove Excess Liquid.
Oct 29, 2023

How do you make a casserole less runny? ›

Thicken a meat casserole the most popular way with flour.

Add some flour to your pan after you've browned the meat and before adding any liquid. This way, the flour will soak up the juices and fat in the pan. Add about one teaspoon of flour at a time until you get the right thickness.

Why is my potato casserole runny? ›

My sauce is watery

If you stored your potatoes in water to prevent discoloring, be sure to drain them well and pat them dry before adding to your casserole. Some of the waxier potatoes can release more water than starchier ones, so look for good baking potatoes like russet or Yukon golds.

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