Hamdi Saidani This Pioneer Woman Sweet Potato Casserole is a sweet and fluffy recipe, which is made with sweet potatoes and a crunchy pecan topping. It’s the perfect Thanksgiving side dish, ready in about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Pioneer Woman Sweet Potato Casserole Ingredients
For the Sweet Potatoes:
- 4 cups peeled, cubed sweet potatoes
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- ½ cup white sugar
- ½ cup milk
- 4 tablespoons butter, softened
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Pecan Topping:
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons butter, softened
- ½ cup chopped pecans
How To Make Pioneer Woman Sweet Potato Casserole
- Cook the Sweet Potatoes: Put the cubed sweet potatoes in a medium saucepan and cover them with water. Cook over medium-high heat for 10 to 15 minutes, until tender. Drain the potatoes well and transfer them to a large bowl.
- Mash and Mix the Base: Using a fork or potato masher, mash the drained sweet potatoes. Add the beaten eggs and mix until well combined. Add the sugar, milk, softened butter, vanilla, and salt, and mix until the mixture is smooth.
- Prepare the Topping: In a separate medium bowl, mix the brown sugar and flour together. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, cut in the softened butter until the mixture is coarse and resembles peas. Stir in the chopped pecans.
- Assemble and Bake: Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C). Transfer the sweet potato mixture to a 9×13-inch baking dish and spread it into an even layer. Sprinkle the pecan topping evenly over the sweet potato mixture.
- Bake the Casserole: Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until the topping is lightly browned and the casserole is heated through.
Recipe Tips
- How to get a smooth sweet potato base? For the smoothest, creamiest base, you can use an electric hand mixer to beat the mashed sweet potatoes with the other ingredients. This will remove any lumps and incorporate more air.
- Can I make this ahead of time? Yes, this is a great make-ahead dish for the holidays. You can prepare the sweet potato base and the pecan topping and store them in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When ready to bake, simply spread the base in the dish, add the topping, and bake as directed.
- Can I use canned sweet potatoes? While fresh sweet potatoes will provide the best flavor and texture, you can use canned yams or sweet potatoes in a pinch. Be sure to drain them very well and look for ones packed in syrup, as you may want to reduce the sugar in the base slightly.
- Can I add marshmallows? Absolutely. For a classic marshmallow topping, you can either omit the pecan crumble or sprinkle mini marshmallows over the top of the casserole during the last 10 minutes of baking, until they are puffed and lightly toasted.
What To Serve With Sweet Potato Casserole
This is a quintessential side dish for holiday feasts and comforting Sunday dinners.
- Roast Turkey with Gravy
- Baked Ham with a pineapple glaze
- Roasted Chicken
- Green Bean Casserole
- Cornbread Dressing
How To Store Sweet Potato Casserole
- Refrigerate: Let the casserole cool completely. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: Reheat individual portions in the microwave, or reheat the entire casserole in a 350°F oven for 20-25 minutes, until warmed through.
Sweet Potato Casserole Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 390 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Protein: 6g
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Sugar: 38g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Is sweet potato casserole a side dish or a dessert?
It’s both! In the American South, it’s a staple side dish, especially at holiday meals like Thanksgiving. However, because of its sweetness, many people enjoy it as a dessert.
How do I prevent my topping from becoming soggy?
Make sure the butter for the topping is softened, not melted, and that you u0022cut it inu0022 to create a crumbly, streusel-like texture rather than a paste. This helps it bake up crisp and crunchy.
Can I use different nuts in the topping?
Yes, if you don’t have pecans, chopped walnuts are an excellent substitute that will provide a similar crunchy texture and nutty flavor.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Mashed Potatoes Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Grilled Potato Salad Recipe
- Pioneer Woman German Potato Salad Recipe
Pioneer Woman Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
Description
A classic Thanksgiving side dish featuring a smooth, sweet potato base and a crunchy, buttery brown sugar and pecan crumble topping.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Boil, drain, and mash the sweet potatoes.
- Mix the mashed potatoes with eggs, sugar, milk, butter, vanilla, and salt until smooth.
- Spread the sweet potato mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a separate bowl, make the topping by cutting butter into a brown sugar and flour mixture, then stirring in pecans.
- Sprinkle the topping evenly over the sweet potatoes.
- Bake at 325°F for about 30 minutes until the topping is lightly browned.
Notes
- u003cliu003eFor the creamiest base, ensure your butter and eggs are at room temperature.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eDon’t overmix the topping; it should be a coarse, crumbly mixture for the best texture.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eThis casserole is a perfect make-ahead dish to save time during busy holiday cooking.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eFor an extra layer of flavor, toast the pecans in a dry skillet for a few minutes before chopping and adding them to the topping.u003c/liu003e
Pioneer Woman Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
