Sweet potato casserole is a dish that often makes its way to the table during the holiday season, especially in the fall and winter months. But it’s not just for holidays—this dish can bring a sense of comfort and warmth to any meal, whether you’re gathering with family or just looking for a satisfying side dish. The combination of smooth sweet potatoes, a crumbly topping, and a layer of toasted marshmallows makes it a crowd-pleaser for both kids and adults.
Let’s walk through everything you need to know about making this classic dish.
The Basics of Sweet Potato Casserole
Sweet potato casserole might seem simple, but it has layers of flavor and texture that make it stand out. At its heart, this dish is a blend of mashed sweet potatoes mixed with a few basic ingredients to enhance their natural sweetness and creaminess. Then, it’s topped with a brown sugar and flour crumble for a bit of crunch. Finally, mini marshmallows go on top for a sweet and slightly sticky finish after they get toasted in the oven.
You might think the marshmallows are just for show, but they actually add a nice contrast to the casserole. While some people might prefer to leave them out, marshmallows help balance the flavors by bringing a light, sugary layer to the savory-sweet base.
Key Ingredients and How They Work Together
The ingredients for sweet potato casserole are simple and easy to find. You likely already have many of them in your kitchen. Here’s a closer look at the key ingredients and their role in the recipe.
- Sweet Potatoes: The star of the dish. These provide the base and the main flavor. Sweet potatoes are naturally sweet, which makes them a great foundation for this dish. You’ll want to boil them until they’re soft and easy to mash.
- Butter: Butter adds richness to the mashed sweet potatoes and gives the casserole a smooth texture. It also helps the crumble topping come together.
- Brown Sugar: Brown sugar provides sweetness and depth, and its molasses content brings a warm flavor that pairs well with the sweet potatoes. It’s used both in the sweet potato mixture and in the topping.
- Eggs: Eggs are what hold the mashed sweet potatoes together. Without them, the mixture would be too soft and loose. Eggs also give the casserole a nice, set structure after baking.
- Milk: A bit of milk helps make the mashed sweet potatoes creamy. You don’t need much—just enough to create a smooth consistency.
- Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract adds a slight sweetness that complements the sweet potatoes and sugar. It’s a subtle ingredient but helps tie everything together.
- Cinnamon and Nutmeg: These spices bring a bit of warmth and help enhance the natural sweetness of the potatoes. A small amount is enough to give the casserole an extra layer of flavor.
- Marshmallows: The marshmallows on top toast in the oven, creating a soft, slightly gooey layer. As they bake, the tops become golden brown, which adds both texture and a burst of sweetness.
- Flour and Cold Butter (for the topping): Flour and cold butter come together to create a crumbly topping that contrasts with the soft sweet potatoes. This topping adds a bit of crunch and makes the dish more interesting.
Preparing the Sweet Potatoes
The first step to making this casserole is preparing the sweet potatoes. Start by peeling and cubing the sweet potatoes. The smaller you cut the cubes, the faster they’ll cook. Once they’re peeled and cut, put them in a large pot and cover them with water. Bring the pot to a boil and cook the sweet potatoes until they are fork-tender. This usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes.
After the sweet potatoes are cooked, drain them and return them to the pot. At this point, it’s time to mash them. You can use a potato masher, a fork, or even a hand mixer to get a smooth consistency. Once the sweet potatoes are mashed, you’ll add in the butter, brown sugar, eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and spices. Mix everything together until it’s well combined.
Making the Crumble Topping
While the sweet potatoes themselves are creamy and smooth, the topping adds a bit of texture to the dish. This is a basic crumble topping made with flour, brown sugar, and cold butter. To make it, you’ll mix the flour and brown sugar in a small bowl. Then, use a fork or a pastry cutter to cut in the cold butter. The goal is to create small, pea-sized pieces of butter that are evenly distributed throughout the flour mixture. This is what gives the crumble its signature texture once it bakes.
When you sprinkle the crumble over the sweet potato mixture, it will bake into a slightly crunchy, golden brown topping that contrasts nicely with the soft potatoes underneath.
Adding the Marshmallows
The marshmallow layer is the final touch on this casserole. After baking the casserole with the crumble topping for 25 minutes, you’ll remove it from the oven and add a layer of mini marshmallows. You want to be sure the marshmallows cover the entire top of the casserole, but not too thickly. A single layer works best.
Put the casserole back into the oven and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until the marshmallows are golden brown. It’s important to watch them closely during this step because marshmallows can burn quickly. As soon as they’re toasted to your liking, take the casserole out of the oven.
Serving and Storing
Once your sweet potato casserole is done baking, give it a few minutes to cool slightly before serving. This will allow the flavors to settle and the texture to firm up a bit. Sweet potato casserole is best served warm, but it can be made ahead of time if you’re preparing it for a special occasion.
If you need to make it ahead, follow the recipe up until the point where you add the marshmallows. Store the baked casserole (without the marshmallows) in the refrigerator, then reheat it in the oven and add the marshmallow topping just before serving.
Leftovers can also be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just cover the casserole with foil or transfer it to an airtight container. To reheat, place it in a 350°F oven until warmed through.
Tips for Customizing Your Casserole
Sweet potato casserole is one of those dishes that you can easily adjust to fit your preferences or dietary needs. Here are a few ideas to make this recipe your own:
- Make It Dairy-Free: Swap out the butter and milk for non-dairy alternatives. Coconut milk and vegan butter work well in this recipe without altering the flavor too much.
- Make It Nutty: Some people like to add a bit of crunch by incorporating chopped nuts, like pecans, into the topping. You can mix them into the crumble or sprinkle them over the marshmallows for extra texture.
- Skip the Marshmallows: If you’re not a fan of marshmallows, you can leave them off and still have a delicious casserole. The crumble topping provides enough sweetness and texture on its own.
- Add Some Zest: For a slight twist, try adding a bit of orange zest to the sweet potato mixture. This gives the casserole a citrusy brightness that pairs well with the sweet and savory flavors.
Pairing Sweet Potato Casserole with Other Dishes
Sweet potato casserole is often served as a side dish, but it’s hearty enough to be the star of the meal. Here are a few ideas for pairing it with other dishes:
- Thanksgiving Feast: This casserole is a staple on many Thanksgiving tables. Pair it with roasted turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce for a classic holiday meal.
- Pork or Ham: The natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes pairs well with pork dishes. Serve it alongside roasted pork loin or glazed ham for a balanced meal.
- Simple Weeknight Dinner: If you want to keep it casual, serve the casserole with a simple green salad and some roasted vegetables for a comforting, well-rounded meal.
Final Thoughts
Sweet potato casserole with marshmallow topping is a classic dish that’s easy to make and full of flavor. Whether you’re preparing it for a holiday gathering or just want something comforting for dinner, this casserole is sure to be a hit. With its smooth sweet potatoes, buttery crumble, and toasted marshmallows, it strikes the perfect balance between savory and sweet.
Feel free to experiment with the recipe to suit your tastes, and don’t be afraid to make it your own! Whether you keep it traditional or add your own twist, sweet potato casserole is a dish that brings people together and satisfies everyone at the table.
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Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow Topping
A comforting and creamy sweet potato casserole with a buttery brown sugar crumble and perfectly toasted marshmallow topping.
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 4 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp salt
For the topping:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Boil the sweet potatoes: Place cubed sweet potatoes in a large pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Cook for 15-20 minutes or until tender. Drain and mash the sweet potatoes in the pot.
- Prepare the sweet potato mixture: Add the melted butter, brown sugar, eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt to the mashed sweet potatoes. Mix until smooth and well combined.
- Make the topping: In a small bowl, mix together flour and brown sugar. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Assemble the casserole: Pour the sweet potato mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the brown sugar crumble evenly over the top.
- Bake the casserole: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
- Add marshmallow topping: Remove the casserole from the oven and top with mini marshmallows. Return to the oven for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the marshmallows are golden brown and puffy.
- Serve: Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: side dish
- Method: bake
