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Best Sweet Potato Casserole

There pretty much have to be sweet potatoes on the table on Thanksgiving in some guise.  Not at the expense of mashed regular potatoes — that’s a non-negotiable buffet item (don’t get between my sister and a bowl of mashed potatoes).  But the more potatoes the merrier, in general, and never more so than on Thanksgiving or another holiday and celebratory menu.

Sweet Potato Casserole

I grew up with the mashed sweet potato-topped-with-marshmallow-casserole, the single yearly contribution from one of my aunts (unless she was hosting – this is another story). This casserole is another take on the sweet potato side – you have to choose!

Potatoes for Sweet Potato Casserole

I made this with half white sweet potatoes and half orange, and I would definitely suggest you try to find all orange potatoes.  The filling will be much prettier if you use bright orange sweet potatoes.  But either way the flavor will be terrific.  

Sweet Potato Casserole

Crunchy Crumble Topping

This is a sweet casserole with a slightly crunchy sweet brown sugar topping that makes it feel very holiday-ish and special.  It’s basically a streusel, though without as much crumbliness.  It adds a layer of texture and flavor, and smells pretty heavenly.

Baking Sweet Potatoes 

To bake the sweet potatoes, prick them in a few places with a fork and cook them in a preheated 350°F oven for about 1 hour until a knife slides easily through the potato.  You can cook them directly on the oven rack (there may be a drip or two this way, but nothing major), or bake them on a sheetpan.

Sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving are pretty non-negotiable, and this casserole gives them a starring role.

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Getting the Insides From the Baked Sweet Potatoes

To remove the flesh from the cooked sweet potatoes, you can cut the sweet potatoes in half lengthwise and scoop out the cooked potato.

Sweet Potato Casserole

Or you can peel the skin from the potatoes.  Either works fine.

Sweet Potato Casserole

How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole

Place the cooked peeled potatoes in a large bowl and mash them with a fork or potato masher

Sweet Potato Casserole

Add the eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon, cloves, butter, orange zest and salt and mash everything together until well combined.  

Sweet Potato Casserole

Turn the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.  Distribute the crumble topping evenly over the sweet potato mixture.

Sweet Potato Casserole

Bake for about 30 minutes, until the sweet potatoes are hot throughout and the crumble topping has browned and crisped up a bit. Serve hot.

Making Sweet Potato Casserole Ahead of Time

You have several options for make ahead here.  You can make the mixture for the casserole and store it in an airtight container in the fridge.  It can keep for 3 days.  Then the day of, transfer it to the casserole dish and top with the brown sugar topping (which can also be made 2 days ahead) and bake.  If you bring it to room temperature before baking the cooking time will be the same, or if you are baking it chilled add about 15 minutes of baking time.

Sweet Potato Casserole

You can also assemble the entire casserole, cover it with foil, and keep it in the fridge for two days before baking.

If you want to reheat a baked casserole, just heat it (from room temp) in a 350°F oven for about 20 minutes or until hot throughout.  Again, if it is chilled you will need to add 10-15 minutes of baking time.  You can also reheat the casserole in a microwave, but the top will not crisp back up.

What to Serve with Sweet Potato Casserole:

Sweet Potato Casserole

Other Sweet Potato Recipes:

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Sweet Potato Casserole

5 from 2 votes
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Potato Baking Time: 1 hour
Total: 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings: 10 People
Sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving are pretty non-negotiable, and this casserole gives them a starring role.

Ingredients 

  • 5 large sweet potatoes , baked and cooled completely (see Note)
  • 2 large eggs , lightly beaten
  • ¼ cup whole milk
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter , softened
  • 1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper

For the Crumble Topping

  • ¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted butter
  • cup light or dark brown sugar
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter a 2-quart (8 cup) baking dish.
  • To remove the flesh from the cooked sweet potatoes, either cut the sweet potatoes in half lengthwise and scoop out the cooked potato, or peel the skin from the potatoes. Place the cooked potatoes in a large bowl and mash them with a fork. Add the eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon, cloves, butter, orange zest and salt and mash everything together until well combined. Turn the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
  • Make the Crumble Topping: In a small saucepan melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar, flour and cinnamon. Distribute the crumble topping evenly over the sweet potato mixture.
  • Bake for about 30 minutes, until the sweet potatoes are hot throughout and the crumble topping has browned and crisped up a bit. Serve hot.

Notes

How to Bake Sweet Potatoes

To bake the potatoes, prick them in a few places with a fork and cook them in a preheated 350°F oven for about 1 hour until a knife slides easily through the potato. You can cook them directly on the oven rack (there may be a drip or two this way, but nothing major), or bake them on a sheetpan.

Nutrition

Calories: 314kcal, Carbohydrates: 43g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Cholesterol: 70mg, Sodium: 201mg, Potassium: 421mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 22g, Vitamin A: 16514IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 68mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Comments

  1. I haven’t made this yet but gave it five stars
    for easy ( I am disabled) and really like being
    able to prep it in advance and pop in the oven.

    Based on the recipes on your website I am
    planning a 3 days of turkey for our family.

    Thanks !

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