Sweet potato casserole is a delicious side dish and a must for Thanksgiving. Smooth whipped sweet potatoes are topped with a pecan crumble and toasted marshmallows.
Sweet Potato casserole is the perfect Thanksgiving side dish, and it can also qualify as dessert. This sweet potato casserole recipe has been a classic part of our family’s Thanksgiving spread for years. The toasted marshmallows take the dish to another level, but its the combination of all the flavors that make the dish delicious. This side dish is not only topped with marshmallows, but also has a brown sugar pecan topping.
What Makes this Recipe the Best
The main ingredient of this is obviously sweet potatoes. They are not only packed with nutritional value, but also delicious flavor! After the sweet potatoes are whipped with eggs, sugar, milk and cinnamon they have a smooth creamy texture that makes them irresistible. They are perfectly delicious at that point, but this is a Thanksgiving side dish so they need a little something extra.
We couldn’t decide to top them with a brown sugar pecan crumble or marshmallows, so why not use both, right? First, we sprinkle marshmallows over the sweet potatoes and then add the pecan crumble. After the sweet potatoes are cooked we top them with an extra layer of marshmallows and return it to the oven to get nice and toasty! Do we need to explain any further what it is that makes this recipe the best?
The Best Sweet Potato Casserole Ingredients
The ingredients needed for this casserole are simple, and you probably have most of them on hand!
Sweet Potatoes: look for the freshest potatoes that are dark in color
Brown Sugar & White Sugar
Cinnamon
Chopped Pecans
Butter
Eggs
Vanillas
Whole milk
Marshmallows
Why does sweet potato casserole need eggs?
The eggs add volume to the casserole and give it more of a custard like texture. They act as a binder in the recipe and stiffen the mixture. Be sure to cool the sweet potatoes slightly before adding the eggs to avoid cooking them.
Can I make sweet potato casserole ahead of time?
Yes! Except leave the topping off until you are ready to bake. Prepare the sweet potato filling ahead of time and store it in the fridge. When you are ready to bake simply prepare the topping and pop it in the oven. However, since the sweet potatoes will be chilled you will want to increase the baking time by 10-15 minutes. Check to make sure the sweet potatoes are warm in the middle before serving. Making this ahead of time will make Thanksgiving Day prep much easier!
