Elevate your holiday table with this incredibly delicious Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe, a timeless classic that brings comfort and joy to every bite. Featuring a luscious base of creamy, spiced sweet potatoes and an irresistible buttery brown sugar streusel topping, this dish is more than just a side – it’s a celebration. While it’s the undisputed star of any Thanksgiving spread, its cozy flavors make it a delightful addition to your menu all year round.
This versatile sweet side dish is the perfect companion to a savory herb-roasted turkey breast, classic mashed potatoes, and a fresh, vibrant winter salad, creating a balanced and memorable feast.
The Ultimate Sweet Potato Casserole: A Holiday Must-Have
Are you searching for a genuinely delightful way to enjoy sweet potatoes? Look no further! Our Sweet Potato Casserole recipe is an absolute game-changer, promising rich flavors and comforting textures that will have everyone asking for a second helping. This casserole is meticulously crafted with cozy spices like warm cinnamon and aromatic nutmeg, blended into perfectly mashed sweet potatoes. It’s then crowned with a heavenly streusel, a crumbly blend of rich butter and sweet brown sugar, baked to a golden-brown crispness. The contrast between the velvety potato base and the crunchy topping is simply divine, making it an essential dish for your holiday table or any celebratory occasion.
Why This Sweet Potato Casserole Will Become Your Favorite
- Unmatched Versatility: While it shines brightest as a Thanksgiving centerpiece, this sweet potato casserole is so delicious that you’ll want to make it throughout the year. It’s perfect for potlucks, family dinners, or simply as a comforting treat on a chilly evening. Its delightful flavor profile ensures it complements a wide array of main courses beyond holiday roasts.
- Irresistible Texture Harmony: What sets this recipe apart is the incredible interplay of textures. The base is an exquisitely creamy, smooth sweet potato mash, seasoned to perfection. This luxurious foundation is then complemented by a generous layer of crisp, buttery streusel topping, which bakes into a golden, crumbly crust. Every spoonful offers a delightful contrast that is truly addictive.
- Convenient Make-Ahead Option: Planning a large meal can be stressful, but this casserole offers a fantastic solution. You can prepare the sweet potato base and the streusel topping in advance, store them separately, and simply assemble and bake when you’re ready to serve. This convenience makes it an ideal choice for busy holidays, allowing you to enjoy more time with your loved ones and less time in the kitchen.
We are passionate about sweet potatoes and love exploring all the wonderful ways to prepare them! Beyond this incredible casserole, be sure to check out our practically-famous Roasted Sweet Potatoes, our secret hack for the best Baked Sweet Potatoes, and our fresh and flavorful Sweet Potato Salad.
Essential Ingredients for Your Sweet Potato Casserole
Crafting the perfect sweet potato casserole starts with selecting the finest ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need for both the creamy base and the crunchy streusel topping, along with tips for choosing the best quality components:
Sweet Potato Base:
- Sweet Potatoes: The heart of our casserole! Choose fresh, firm, and unblemished sweet potatoes. Look for ones that are uniformly colored and free of soft spots or sprouts. Approximately 4 pounds will yield about 5-3/4 cups of mashed sweet potatoes, enough for a generous 9×13-inch casserole.
- Orange Juice: Freshly squeezed orange juice is highly recommended for its bright, zesty flavor that perfectly complements the sweetness of the potatoes. It adds a subtle tang and moisture, preventing the base from being too dense.
- Heavy Whipping Cream: This is key for achieving that luxurious, velvety smooth texture. Heavy cream adds richness and a delightful mouthfeel, making the casserole truly decadent.
- Unsalted Butter: Using unsalted butter allows you to control the overall saltiness of the dish. Melted and cooled, it incorporates beautifully into the sweet potato mixture, adding a buttery depth of flavor.
- Light Brown Sugar: Adds a caramel-like sweetness and moisture to the base. You can adjust the quantity based on your preference for sweetness, but a lightly packed 1/3 cup provides a balanced flavor without overpowering the natural sweetness of the potatoes.
- Ground Cinnamon & Nutmeg: These classic autumnal spices are crucial for that warm, cozy flavor profile. Feel free to adjust the amounts to your personal preference; some enjoy a stronger spice presence, while others prefer a more subtle hint.
- Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract enhances all the other flavors, adding a touch of aromatic sophistication to the sweet potato base. Avoid imitation vanilla for the best results.
- Salt: A vital ingredient that balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors, making the casserole taste richer and more complex. Don’t skip it!
Streusel Topping:
- Unsalted Butter: Melted and cooled, unsalted butter is the binder for the streusel, bringing all the dry ingredients together to form those delightful clumps that bake into a crispy topping.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure for the streusel, ensuring a perfect crumbly and golden-brown texture.
- Light Brown Sugar: Contributes a rich, molasses-like sweetness and helps achieve that characteristic golden-brown color when baked. Firmly packed, it ensures the right amount of sweetness and moisture.
- Ground Cinnamon: Adds an extra layer of warmth and spice to the crunchy topping, harmonizing beautifully with the sweet potato base.
- Salt: Just a touch of salt in the streusel prevents it from being overly sweet and helps to bring out the flavors of the butter and brown sugar.
Prepare Your Sweet Potato Casserole Ahead of Time
One of the best features of this sweet potato casserole is how easily it can be prepared in advance, saving you valuable time on the day of your event. Follow these steps to get a head start:
- Prepare and Refrigerate the Sweet Potato Base: Once the sweet potato base is mixed and smoothed into your baking dish, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. You can refrigerate it for up to 4 days. For even longer storage, the base can be frozen for up to 3 months. Ensure it’s in a freezer-safe dish.
- Mix and Store the Streusel Topping: Combine all the streusel ingredients in a separate bowl. Store the topping in an airtight bag or container. It can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Thaw and Temper Before Baking: If either part of your casserole was frozen, ensure it is fully thawed in the refrigerator overnight. Before baking, remove both the sweet potato base and the streusel topping from the refrigerator and let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This allows them to come to an even temperature, promoting more consistent baking.
- Assemble and Bake: Once tempered, simply sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the sweet potato base. Bake according to the recipe instructions. If your casserole is still chilled, you may need to extend the baking time by 5-10 minutes, or until the streusel is beautifully golden brown and the casserole is heated through.
Reheating Leftovers for Perfect Enjoyment
Enjoying leftover sweet potato casserole is just as delightful as the first serving. Here’s how to reheat it to perfection, ensuring a crispy topping and a warm, creamy interior:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This moderate temperature helps to reheat evenly without drying out the casserole.
- Place the leftover casserole in an oven-safe dish. If it’s a small portion, you can transfer it to a smaller dish.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil. This is crucial for retaining moisture and ensuring the sweet potato base heats through gently.
- Heat for approximately 15-20 minutes. For larger portions, it might take a bit longer.
- For the last 5 minutes of heating, remove the foil. This allows the streusel topping to crisp up again, bringing back that wonderful texture.
Quick Tip for Reheating
Always thaw frozen casserole completely in the refrigerator before reheating. For food safety, ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) before serving.
How to Perfectly Bake Sweet Potatoes for Your Casserole
The foundation of an outstanding sweet potato casserole is perfectly baked sweet potatoes. Achieving a tender, creamy texture is crucial. Here’s our recommended method:
- Clean Thoroughly: Begin by scrubbing your sweet potatoes meticulously under running water with a vegetable brush to remove any dirt or debris. There’s no need to peel them at this stage, as the skin helps protect the flesh during baking.
- Pierce for Even Cooking: Use a fork to pierce each sweet potato several times all over. This allows steam to escape during baking, preventing them from bursting and ensuring more even cooking throughout.
- Prepare for Baking: Place the pierced sweet potatoes on a large sheet pan. Line the sheet pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Bake Until Tender: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 60-90 minutes. The exact baking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of your sweet potatoes. They are done when they are very tender when pierced with a fork.
- Cool and Scoop: Once baked, remove the potatoes from the oven and let them cool until they are comfortable enough to handle. Then, carefully slice each sweet potato in half lengthwise and scoop out the soft, cooked flesh into a bowl, discarding the skins. This yields the perfect base for your creamy casserole.
Quick Tip for Moist Sweet Potatoes
Keeping the skins on while baking helps prevent the sweet potatoes from drying out, resulting in a moister, more flavorful pulp for your casserole.
Expert Tips for the Best Sweet Potato Casserole
Follow these expert tips to ensure your sweet potato casserole turns out perfectly every time, from a creamy base to a crisp, golden streusel:
- Pierce Sweet Potatoes Consistently: Always pierce your sweet potatoes with a fork before baking. This simple step allows steam to escape, which prevents the potatoes from exploding in the oven and ensures they cook evenly and thoroughly.
- Evenly Spread the Base: When transferring the mashed sweet potato mixture to your baking dish, use a spatula to spread it into an even layer. A uniform thickness promotes consistent cooking and ensures every bite of the base is perfectly tender.
- Cool Melted Butter for Streusel: Before mixing your streusel ingredients, make sure the melted butter has cooled slightly. Adding hot butter to the dry ingredients can make the streusel greasy and difficult to form into the desired clumps. Lukewarm butter ensures a crumbly, not greasy, topping.
- Adjust Flour for Streusel Consistency: The perfect streusel should have distinct clumps. If your streusel mixture appears too wet or paste-like after mixing, gradually add a tablespoon of all-purpose flour at a time until you achieve a beautifully clumpy consistency. This ensures a delightful crisp texture once baked.
Understanding Serving Sizes
A standard 9×13-inch sweet potato casserole is quite generous and typically serves 8-12 people as a side dish, especially during a large holiday meal with many other offerings. If serving it as a main course or for individuals with heartier appetites, it may serve 6-8. Remember that serving size can vary based on individual portion preferences and the number of other dishes available. It’s always a good idea to make a bit extra if you’re hosting, ensuring plenty for guests and those coveted leftovers!
By the way, the beautiful 9×13-inch ceramic dish featured in these photos is available here – a perfect piece for showcasing your culinary creations!
More Festive Holiday Favorites:
Complete your holiday feast with these other cherished recipes that pair wonderfully with our Sweet Potato Casserole:
- Hearty Sausage Stuffing Recipe
- Light & Fluffy Orange Fluff Salad
- Classic Creamed Peas
- Fresh Thanksgiving Salad
- Irresistible Cheesy Potatoes
Sweet Potato Casserole with Streusel
Chelsea Lords
30
1
45
2
15
10
servings (as a side)
Video
A video tutorial for making this delicious Sweet Potato Casserole is available here.
Equipment
- 9 x 13-inch ceramic baking pan 9 x 13-inch
- Large sheet pan (15″ x 21″)
- Aluminum foil or parchment paper
- Hand mixer or stand mixer with whisk attachment
Ingredients
- Cooking spray
- 4 pounds sweet potatoes about 6 large, 5-3/4 cups when mashed
- 1 orange
- 2/3 cup heavy cream
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter melted and cooled
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar lightly packed
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1-1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter melted and cooled
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar firmly packed
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 heaping teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a ceramic 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Thoroughly scrub the sweet potatoes but leave their skins on. Pierce each potato all over with a fork. Arrange them on a large sheet pan lined with foil or parchment paper. Bake until the potatoes are very tender when pierced, which typically takes about 60–90 minutes, depending on their size. Remove from the oven and slice each potato in half lengthwise. Allow them to cool sufficiently so you can handle them comfortably.
- Once cooled, scoop out the soft flesh of the sweet potatoes into a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer. You should aim for approximately 5-3/4 cups of mashed sweet potato. Add all remaining ingredients for the “sweet potato base,” including 1/4 cup of freshly squeezed orange juice. Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer with a whisk attachment, beat the mixture until it is completely smooth and creamy. Transfer this luscious sweet potato mixture to your prepared baking dish and smooth it into an even layer using a spatula. (For a make-ahead option, refer to Note 1 below.)
- In a separate bowl, melt the unsalted butter designated for the “streusel topping” in the microwave, then allow it to cool to lukewarm. Add the all-purpose flour, light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt to the cooled melted butter. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly combined and form small, crumbly clumps. If necessary, use your fingertips to gently knead the mixture to encourage the formation of larger clumps. If the streusel appears too wet or oily, add more flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the desired crumbly texture is achieved.
- Evenly sprinkle the prepared streusel topping over the sweet potato base; avoid pressing it down. Bake the casserole for 35–45 minutes, or until the streusel topping is golden brown and set. The casserole should be bubbling gently around the edges. Remove from the oven and let it cool for about 5 minutes before serving to allow it to set slightly and prevent burns.
Recipe Notes
Storage: To store any leftover sweet potato casserole, allow it to cool completely to room temperature. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate for up to 4 days. For extended storage, the casserole can be wrapped securely and frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Nutrition
Serving:
1
serving
Calories:
332
kcal
Carbohydrates:
53
g
Protein:
3.8
g
Fat:
12.2
g
Cholesterol:
33
mg
Sodium:
90.5
mg
Fiber:
5
g
Sugar:
20.5
g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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