Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel

Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel is sure to be your new favorite way to serve mashed sweet potatoes. Perfect make-ahead side dish for Thanksgiving Dinner.

Sweet, creamy, and oh-so-satisfying, this recipe has it all. 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.

Did you know that you can make your cranberry sauce a week in advance? Be sure to check out my favorite Cranberry Pineapple Sauce and start your cooking early! And, for a delicious 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!

Why You Need to Make this Recipe

When it comes to preparing a big and important meals like Thanksgiving Dinner or Christmas Day Dinner, delicious and easy make-ahead recipe are key to success.

That’s why I’ve been making this Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel recipe for years. It’s a recipe that everyone loves, turns out perfect every time, and can be totally made in advance.

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

This entire mixture gets mashed together right in the pot making for less mess. But, what really makes this special is the Pecan Streusel Topping.

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!

How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel

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

Step 1: 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 pan.

Step 2: Next, mash the sweet potatoes until your desired consistency. You can use a potato masher, ricer, or even a handheld 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: Spread sweet potato mixture into a coated 9 x 9 baking pan or casserole dish. If baking immediately, preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Step 4: 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 immediately or refrigerate until ready to bake. (Casserole can be made up to 2 days in advance.) Bake for 35 minutes. If the topping gets too brown, just cover with foil.

Expert Tips and FAQs

• 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 and make sure the center of the dish is warm before serving.

More Holiday Favorites

Be sure to check out my other delicious and simple holiday recipes like: