Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel (No Eggs)

Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel Topping is sure to be your new favorite way to serve mashed sweet potatoes. Easy and delicious side dish for Thanksgiving Dinner or any special occasions! 

This Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel Topping is sure to be the star of your holiday table. Delicious and silky mashed sweet potatoes and a crunchy pecan brown sugar topping, makes it the perfect mashed sweet potatoes to serve for the holidays.

For more holiday sides, be sure to check out this Cranberry Pineapple Sauce or this classic Cornbread Stuffing with Sausage and Apples. And, for an Italian-inspired stuffing, be sure to try this Focaccia Stuffing with Italian Sausage. For another delicious Thanksgiving side dish, don’t miss this Peas and Pancetta recipe!  

You’ll Love Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel Topping!

When it comes to preparing big and important meals like Thanksgiving Dinner or Christmas Day Dinner, easy make-ahead recipes are vital to success. One bite and you’ll agree this is truly the best sweet potato casserole recipe ever. 

That’s why this Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel recipe is the perfect Thanksgiving side dish that’s also great for Sunday dinners. It’s a family favorite, turns out perfect every time, and can be made in advance.

The base of this  dish is creamy sweet potatoes. Then, I add more flavor with brown sugar, butter, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. 

What really makes this special is the Pecan Streusel Topping. The topping ingredients are simple and add an irresistible sweet crunch to this easy sweet potato casserole. 

Plus, you can rest assured that you’ll have perfect sweet potatoes every time! This recipe has been tested and perfected, and is ready for your holiday table! .

Ingredients and Substitutions

• Sweet Potatoes: the sweet potatoes I’m using here are actually yams. You can find them in the grocery store year round in the produce section. Make sure you are selecting firm sweet potatoes with no bruising. 
• Brown Sugar: I like to sweeten up the base of this classic sweet potato casserole as well as the topping with light brown sugar. You could substitute maple syrup in the base of the recipe, but you will need brown sugar for the pecan crumble. 
• Butter: you need butter for the sweet potatoes and crumble. Melted butter is fine for the base and either unsalted or salted butter work for this recipe. 
• Vanilla: a bit of vanilla extract brings out the sweetness of the sweet potatoes. 
• Cinnamon and Nutmeg: the combination of the cinnamon and nutmeg make this a truly great recipe. You could add whatever spice mix you enjoy here. 

• Pecans: crunchy pecans are used to made the brown sugar streusel. You could substitute other nuts such as walnuts or almonds. 
• Flour: a little bit of all purpose flour is needed to mix with the streusel ingredients for the top of the casserole. 
• Salt and Pepper: season the sweet potatoes with kosher salt and black pepper.

How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel

This sweet potato recipe can be assembled ahead of time and baked before serving. If serving immediately, start by preheating oven to 375 degrees. 

Step 1: boil the sweet potatoes 

To start, peel and dice the sweet potatoes into large chunks. Then, place in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil and reduce to simmer. Cook until the sweet potatoes are fork tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and return to pot or place in a large bowl.

Step 2: mash the sweet potato base

Next, mash the sweet potatoes until your desired consistency. You can use a potato masher, ricer, or even a hand held mixer to achieve the desired texture. Then, add in the brown sugar, butter, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg, and salt to taste. Stir to combine.

Step 3: place in baking dish

Next, spread sweet potato mixture into a 9×9 baking pan or casserole dish that has been coated with cooking spray. If baking immediately, preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Step 4: top with pecan streusel and bake

Lastly, make the pecan streusel topping by stirring together the flour, brown sugar, and pecan pieces. Add in the cubed butter and combine using your hands and squeezing the mixture together. Sprinkle the crumble topping over the sweet potatoes. 

At this point you can either bake your sweet potato casserole with pecan streusel topping immediately or refrigerate until ready to bake. 

Bake for 35 minutes until the topping is golden brown. If the topping gets too brown, just cover with foil. Let sit five minutes before serving. 

This is truly the perfect side dish for your Thanksgiving table! 

Expert Tips

• Cut the sweet potatoes into similar sized chunks so that they cook evenly. 
• Pour cold water into the pot and then bring to a simmer. Starting in hot water could cook the outside of the sweet potatoes before the inside has a chance to cook. 
• Return the cooked sweet potatoes to the hot pot to mash. The heat will help evaporate any excess liquid in the potatoes. 
• For a less sweet dish, reduce the amount of brown sugar in the mash or omit it entirely. 
• Refrigerate the entire sweet potato casserole with pecan streusel for up to two days before baking. Add additional cooking time to the casserole. Use a thermometer to make check that the center of the dish is warmed through before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you Make Ahead Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel? 

Yes, sweet potato casserole with pecan streusel can be made ahead. Here’s how:

Prepare the Sweet Potato Casserole: You can prepare the sweet potato casserole up to 2-3 days in advance. After assembling the casserole, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store it in the refrigerator.

Prepare the Pecan Streusel Topping Separately: It’s a good idea to make the pecan streusel topping separately and store it in an airtight container at room temperature. You can sprinkle it over the casserole just before baking.

Baking: When you’re ready to serve, remove the sweet potato casserole from the refrigerator, add the pecan streusel topping, and bake it according to your recipe’s instructions. To ensure it is heated though, you will need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time.

What Goes with Sweet Potato Casserole? 

Sweet potato casserole pairs wonderfully with a variety of main dishes, such as Italian Roast Turkey or Slow Cooker Ham, making it a popular side for a holiday meal.

It also complements other classic side dishes like green bean casserole, roasted vegetables, and cranberry sauce, balancing its natural sweetness. For added contrast, consider serving it alongside a savory stuffing or a rich, herby gravy.

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