The Best Sweet Potato Casserole (2024)

How Do I Prepare Sweet Potatoes for a Casserole?

There are a few ways of cooking sweet potatoes for this casserole recipe. The goal is to soften the sweet potatoes enough so they are easy to mash! You can either roast or boil your sweet potatoes. Both ways work great, it comes down to your personal preference! You can also use my mashed sweet potato recipe for more in-depth tips and tricks.

• Roasting: First, rinse and completely dry your sweet potatoes. Poke them with a fork a few times for ventilation. Next, lay your potatoes on a large baking sheet lined with foil and give them a spritz of cooking spray. Bake them for 1 hour at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Check with a fork to make sure they are tender. Once they’re done, let them cool. They’re now ready to peel! The skins should be soft enough to remove with your fingers. Give your sweet potatoes a quick chop and then add to a bowl for mashing.
• Boiling: Prepare your sweet potatoes by peeling and chopping them into 1-inch chunks. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Then, add the potatoes and boil for 20-30 minutes until tender. Strain the water out and add potato chunks to a large bowl for mashing.

Mashing Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes can be mashed using several methods. It ultimately comes down to your preference and the tools you have on hand!

• Hand Mashing: You can mash with either a fork or a potato masher. These methods will leave you with a rustic-style mash, with a mix of creamy potatoes and sweet chunks.
• Mashing with Appliances: Using a mixer or a food processor will leave you with equally smooth and creamy mashed sweet potatoes.

Sweet Potato Casserole Tips and Variations

One of the things I love most about this casserole recipe is that you can easily adjust it to your liking! You can change the mashing method depending on what kind of texture you want, and you can add additional flavors, too! Here are a few tips and tricks to upgrade your casserole this Thanksgiving!

• Add Different Nuts: If you’re not a fan of pecans, you can swap them out for other nuts with a sweet and savory crunch or just omit them entirely. Walnuts or almonds are always a great choice! I have also loved making this recipe with cinnamon sugar candied almonds.
• Adding Marshmallows: Marshmallows are so fun to use! They also brown perfectly, leaving the top layer perfectly glazed and golden. Add 1 cup of mini marshmallows on top 5 minutes before baking time is done. They should be nice and golden-brown!
• Seasonings and Spice: Sometimes I like to add in a pinch of pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon to my sweet potato mixture. It gives it a nice warmth and a flavor fit for fall.

Storing Sweet Potato Casserole Leftovers

With the holidays just around the corner, the more prepared you are, the better. This sweet potato casserole recipe can be made in advance! It’s also perfect for leftovers if you want a quick and tasty treat days after Thanksgiving.

• Preparing Ahead: Assemble your sweet potato casserole in your casserole dish and cover with wrap or foil. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Simply follow baking instructions once you’re ready to serve! It’s so easy to just pop it in the oven and prepare your other Thanksgiving dishes.
• Storing in the Refrigerator: Leftovers are the best part of Thanksgiving! Make sure your casserole has cooled completely. Then, either transfer to an airtight container or cover with plastic wrap. It will stay good for 1 week!
• Storing in the Freezer: Store your cooled casserole in an airtight container. It will keep for 1 month. Thaw overnight before serving.
• Reheating: When you’re ready to reheat your sweet potato casserole, place it in the oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through. You can also pop a serving in the microwave for 15-20 second intervals until warm.

Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!