Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows And Pecans

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

This sweet potato casserole with marshmallows and pecans is the ultimate holiday side dish. With creamy sweet potatoes, a crunchy pecan streusel and gooey marshmallow topping, this recipe will have everyone begging for seconds.

A spoonful of sweet potato casserole topped with toasted marshmallows being lifted from a white dish, with pumpkins in the background.

Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

When it comes to sweet potato casserole toppings, I can never decide if I’m team marshmallows or team streusel! Now I don’t need to choose just one because this recipe combines the best of both worlds.

These perfectly spiced mashed sweet potatoes are topped with both a crunchy pecan streusel and a layer of gooey, toasted marshmallows. The buttery potatoes are filled with warm and cozy fall flavors and amazing textures that just melt in your mouth.

The best part? This casserole is so easy to make and you probably have most of the ingredients on hand. It’s a sweet, dessert-like side dish that’s always a hit on holidays, but it’s so good you’ll want to make it all year long.

A baking dish with sweet potato casserole topped with toasted marshmallows next to two plates served with the dish. Two small pumpkins and scattered marshmallows are on the table.

Why We Love This Recipe

Combination of toppings: Sweet potatoes topped with both pecans and marshmallows give the dish amazing texture and flavor.
Delicious anytime: This dish fits right in with any holiday spread, but it’s also simple enough to enjoy all year round.
Easy to make: This easy sweet potato casserole is made with just a handful of pantry staples and it comes together quickly.

If you like sweet potato recipes you should also check out these Baked Sweet Potato Slices With Brown Sugar.

Ingredients

For the Casserole

Fresh sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
Butter, softened
Milk
Dark brown sugar
Vanilla extract
Cinnamon
Nutmeg
Salt
Egg

For the Streusel

Light brown sugar
All purpose flour
Rolled oats
Chopped pecans
Cinnamon
Melted butter
Mini marshmallows

How to Make the Best Sweet Potato Casserole

To Make the Casserole

Step 1: Heat the oven to 375° and spray a 2 quart pan with cooking spray.

Step 2. Add the cubed sweet potatoes to a deep pan and cover with water. Boil for 20 to 25 minutes until fork tender.

Step 3. Remove the sweet potatoes and add them to a bowl. Use a hand mixer to beat the sweet potatoes, butter, milk, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt together in a large bowl.

A mixing bowl with cubed sweet potatoes, an electric mixer, a stick of butter, a small bowl of brown sugar, and a dish of seasonings on a marble countertop.

A bowl with mashed sweet potatoes being mixed with brown sugar using a handheld mixer. An egg and an empty small bowl are on the countertop nearby.

Step 4. Add the egg and blend until smooth.

Step 5. Spread the sweet potato mixture into the prepared casserole dish.

A mixing bowl contains a sweet potato mixture with a whole egg on top, being combined using a hand mixer. Nearby are two small bowls, one with chopped nuts and the other with oats.

A white rectangular dish containing sweet potato casserole next to small bowls of chopped pecans and oats on a light marble surface.

To Make The Pecan & Marshmallow Topping

Step 1. For the streusel topping, mix the brown sugar, flour, oats, pecans, cinnamon, and melted butter together. Crumble over the sweet potatoes.

Top view of three bowls on a marble surface: one with chopped nuts, one with mini marshmallows, and one with a mixture of rolled oats and flour, with a spoon in the mixture.

A white baking dish filled with a golden-brown streusel-topped casserole sits on a light countertop next to a bowl of mini marshmallows and a folded fabric napkin.

Step 2. Place the pan in the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Remove and top with marshmallows.

Step 3. Place back in the oven for 5 minutes or until marshmallows are toasted.

A baking dish filled with sweet potato casserole topped with mini marshmallows, resting on a light-colored cloth on a marble surface.

A baked dish topped with toasted marshmallows on a white table, accompanied by three spoons, plates, a white cloth, and three ornamental pumpkins.

Step 4. Serve warm and enjoy.

A white casserole dish containing baked sweet potato casserole topped with a layer of toasted marshmallows.

How to Store Leftovers

Transfer the cooled leftovers to an airtight container or cover the casserole dish tightly with plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Though I prefer it freshly made, you can freeze this casserole for later. Wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and then with a layer of aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.

To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator then warm it in the oven at 350°F until heated through. For best results, cover with foil to prevent over-browning.

A casserole dish filled with sweet potato casserole topped with toasted marshmallows, a serving spoon lifting a portion.

Top Tips

To ensure your potatoes are cooked perfectly, slice the sweet potatoes into evenly sized-pieces. This allows the pieces to boil evenly.
For the smoothest texture, use an electric mixture to mash the sweet potatoes. A potato masher works fairly well but you’ll still end up with small lumps.
When blending the potatoes with the other ingredients, mix just until combined to prevent the casserole from becoming dense and overly mushy.
Keep an eye on the marshmallows while baking. As they melt, the sugar caramelizes and they can go from toasted to burned pretty quickly.
You can replace the cinnamon and nutmeg with pumpkin pie spice if that’s what you have on hand.
To get a toastier topping, place the pan under the broiler at 400° for 1 minute. Be sure to watch carefully so the marshmallows don’t burn.
You can bake the sweet potatoes instead of boiling them, if you prefer. First, wash and dry the sweet potatoes. Then, use a fork to poke holes in the potatoes. Place them on a foil lined sheet pan bake in a preheated oven set to 425°. Bake until tender for about 50 minutes.

A baking dish filled with sweet potato casserole topped with toasted marshmallows. Two small plates with servings and pumpkins are in the background.

Substitutions and Add-ins

Nuts: Feel free to use slivered almond or chopped walnuts instead of pecans.
Maple syrup: Sweet potatoes and maple syrup go hand in hand. You can add a small drizzle to the sweet potato mixture as you add all the other ingredients.
Marshmallows: I like to use the mini ones because they melt quickly. You can use the large ones, but I would recommend cutting them in half.
Dried cranberries: Add dried cranberries for little tart chewy bites. They’re a great contrast to the sweet potatoes and marshmallows.
Toppings: We use both pecan and marshmallows, but if you prefer one over the other, you can certainly leave one out. It’ll still be delicious!

Two plates of sweet potato casserole topped with toasted marshmallows and nuts, accompanied by two spoons on a white napkin. Another serving of the dish is visible in the background.

FAQs

Can I use canned sweet potatoes to make this recipe?

If you find yourself in a pinch for time, you can use canned sweet potatoes, though fresh is definitely best. If you’re using the ones canned in syrup, they will be much sweeter than fresh sweet potatoes. You’ll want to drain and rinse them before mashing them up, to prevent the casserole from being too sweet.

Is it better to boil or bake the sweet potatoes?

For a deeper flavor, I think roasted sweet potatoes are the way to go. Plus, baking or roasting them is an easy step that can be done in advance.

Are yams and sweet potatoes the same?

Yams and sweet potatoes are not the same. Sweet potatoes are sweeter and have a smoother skin. Yams are starchier, with a rough, scaly skin, and are less sweet.

Can I make this casserole in advance?

You sure can. Prepare the casserole the night before, but store the streusel and the marshmallows separately. Pop it in the fridge, then the next day when you’re ready, add the toppings and bake.

A fork holds a bite of sweet potato casserole topped with melted marshmallows and brown sugar, with a plated serving of the same in the background.

Other Side Dish Recipes

Let’s be friends!

Did you love this post? Make sure to comment below and let me know your thoughts! And don’t forget to follow on your favorite social network below!