This sweet potato casserole with pecan crumble topping is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for family dinners or a cozy gathering with friends. It’s a dish that brings warmth to any table, combining the natural sweetness of yams with a delightful crunchy topping.
If you’re looking for an easy-to-follow recipe that delivers big on flavor without demanding hours in the kitchen, you’ve found it. This guide will walk you through creating a delicious sweet potato crumble that everyone will love, ensuring a memorable meal every time.
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
- Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
- Time Needed From Start To Finish
- How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
- Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
- Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
- How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Crumble Topping
- Total Time: 50-55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
This sweet potato casserole with pecan crumble topping is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for family dinners or a cozy gathering with friends. It’s a dish that brings warmth to any table, combining the natural sweetness of yams with a delightful crunchy topping. If you’re looking for an easy-to-follow recipe that delivers big on flavor without demanding hours in the kitchen, you’ve found it. This guide will walk you through creating a delicious sweet potato crumble that everyone will love, ensuring a memorable meal every time.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 375 F (190 C). Place the peeled and cubed sweet potatoes into a large pot and cover them with cold water. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat and cook until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender, which usually takes about 15-20 minutes. Drain them thoroughly in a colander.
2. Transfer the drained sweet potatoes to a large mixing bowl. Add 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, milk, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Using a potato masher or a large fork, mash the sweet potatoes until they are smooth and creamy. A few small lumps are perfectly fine and add a nice texture.
3. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray. Pour the mashed sweet potato mixture into the prepared dish and spread it evenly with a spatula.
4. In a separate medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter, and chopped pecans. Use your fingers or a fork to mix these ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Ensure the butter is well incorporated and coats the flour and pecans.
5. Evenly sprinkle the pecan crumble topping over the mashed sweet potatoes in the baking dish. Make sure to cover the entire surface, creating a beautiful, crunchy layer.
6. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and crispy, and the sweet potato mixture is heated through and bubbly around the edges.
7. Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. This allows the topping to set a bit and prevents any accidental burns from the hot filling.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: side dish
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
Keywords: sweet potato, casserole, pecan, crumble, comfort food, holiday, side dish, easy, make ahead, vegetarian
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This sweet potato casserole is a true crowd-pleaser, designed for busy home cooks who want to serve something special without all the fuss. It’s incredibly versatile, making it an ideal side dish for almost any main course, from a simple roasted chicken to a holiday ham. Families will appreciate its comforting flavors and the subtle sweetness that appeals to both adults and children. The pecan crumble topping adds a fantastic textural contrast, elevating a simple sweet potato dish into something truly extraordinary. You can serve it as a hearty side at a weeknight dinner or bring it to a potluck, knowing it will be a hit. It’s also a fantastic option for meal prepping, as it reheats beautifully, making your week a little easier.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients before you start cooking is key to a smooth and enjoyable experience. This recipe uses readily available items that you likely already have in your pantry or can easily find at any grocery store. We’ll focus on fresh, simple components to let the natural flavors shine through.
INGREDIENTS:
- 3 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted, plus 2 tablespoons for the topping
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup milk (whole or 2%)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
For the sweet potatoes, choose firm, unblemished ones. Yams can also be used interchangeably with sweet potatoes in this recipe, offering a similar texture and sweetness. When it comes to butter, unsalted is generally preferred for baking as it gives you more control over the overall saltiness of the dish, but salted butter can be used if that’s what you have on hand; just be mindful of the added pinch of salt. For the milk, whole milk will provide a richer, creamier texture, but 2% milk works perfectly fine without significantly altering the outcome. If you don’t have light brown sugar, you can substitute it with dark brown sugar for a deeper molasses flavor, or even use all granulated sugar, though it will change the flavor profile slightly. For the pecans, ensure they are fresh and not stale, as they are a star of the crumble topping. Walnuts can be a good substitute if pecans are unavailable or if you prefer their flavor.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
This recipe is designed to be efficient, allowing you to get a delicious dish on the table without spending your entire afternoon in the kitchen.
- Preparation Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Total Time: 50-55 minutes
The bulk of the preparation time involves peeling and cubing the sweet potatoes, which can be done ahead of time if you want to save a few minutes. The baking time allows the sweet potatoes to become tender and the pecan crumble to turn golden and crisp.
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Creating this sweet potato casserole is a straightforward process. Follow these steps carefully to ensure a perfect result every time.
- Prepare the Sweet Potatoes: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the peeled and cubed sweet potatoes into a large pot and cover them with cold water. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat and cook until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender, which usually takes about 15-20 minutes. Drain them thoroughly in a colander.
- Mash the Sweet Potatoes: Transfer the drained sweet potatoes to a large mixing bowl. Add 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, milk, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Using a potato masher or a large fork, mash the sweet potatoes until they are smooth and creamy. A few small lumps are perfectly fine and add a nice texture.
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray. Pour the mashed sweet potato mixture into the prepared dish and spread it evenly with a spatula.
- Make the Pecan Crumble Topping: In a separate medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter, and chopped pecans. Use your fingers or a fork to mix these ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Ensure the butter is well incorporated and coats the flour and pecans.
- Assemble and Bake: Evenly sprinkle the pecan crumble topping over the mashed sweet potatoes in the baking dish. Make sure to cover the entire surface, creating a beautiful, crunchy layer.
- Bake Until Golden: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and crispy, and the sweet potato mixture is heated through and bubbly around the edges.
- Serve Warm: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. This allows the topping to set a bit and prevents any accidental burns from the hot filling.
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
This sweet potato casserole is wonderful as is, but there are many ways to adapt it to your family’s preferences or specific occasions. For a kid-friendly twist, you can add a handful of mini marshmallows over the pecan crumble during the last 10 minutes of baking. They’ll puff up and get delightfully gooey and golden. If you want to lean into a more savory profile, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sweet potato mixture for a subtle kick, or a tablespoon of fresh thyme to the crumble for an earthy aroma.
For a party or buffet, this casserole is an excellent choice because it can be made ahead and reheats well. Serve it alongside roasted meats like turkey or ham, or as part of a vegetarian spread with other vegetable dishes. It pairs wonderfully with green bean casserole, cornbread, and cranberry sauce. You can also offer a small bowl of extra chopped pecans or a drizzle of maple syrup on the side for guests to customize their serving. For an extra touch of richness, a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream can be a delightful accompaniment if serving it as a dessert-like side.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even simple recipes can have common pitfalls. Being aware of these can help you avoid them and ensure your sweet potato casserole turns out perfectly every time.
One common mistake is overcooking the sweet potatoes during the boiling stage. If they become too watery, your mashed sweet potato mixture will be thin and runny. Cook them just until fork-tender, then drain them thoroughly. You can even let them sit in the colander for a few minutes to allow excess steam to escape.
Another slip-up is not mashing the sweet potatoes enough. While some lumps are fine, large chunks can create an inconsistent texture. Ensure they are mostly smooth before adding them to the baking dish. Conversely, over-mashing with an electric mixer can make them gluey. A simple potato masher or a sturdy fork is usually best for this recipe.
For the crumble topping, don’t overmix the flour and butter. You want a crumbly texture, not a paste. Use your fingertips to gently combine the ingredients until they resemble coarse crumbs. Overmixing can lead to a tough or dense topping.
Finally, not baking long enough can result in a pale, soft topping and a lukewarm interior. Make sure the topping is golden brown and crisp, and the sweet potato mixture is bubbly around the edges, indicating it’s heated through. If the topping browns too quickly, you can loosely tent the dish with aluminum foil for the remaining baking time.
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
This sweet potato casserole is fantastic for making ahead, which is a huge time-saver, especially for busy weeks or gatherings.
Making Ahead: You can prepare the sweet potato mixture and assemble it in the baking dish up to 2 days in advance. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Prepare the pecan crumble topping separately and store it in an airtight container at room temperature. When ready to bake, sprinkle the topping over the sweet potatoes and bake as directed, adding an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time since it will be going into the oven cold.
Storing Leftovers: Leftover sweet potato casserole should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The pecan crumble topping might lose some of its crispness, but the flavors will still be delicious.
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FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
