Sweet Potato Casserole (with Marshmallows): A Classic Holiday Recipe! (2024)

by Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com · Leave a Comment

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Sweet potato casserole with marshmallows is a classic holiday side dish that tastes more like dessert than potatoes. Warm fall spices, brown sugar, pecans, and mini marshmallows highlight the natural flavor of the sweet potatoes in this beloved old-school recipe. Your loved ones will scramble to get to the table with this casserole as part of your Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner spread!

Serve with delicious roasted turkey, glazed honey ham, or juicy prime rib. Enjoy!

Sweet Potato Casserole (with Marshmallows): A Classic Holiday Recipe! (1)
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  • 🥘 Ingredients
  • ❓ FAQ
  • 🍠 More Sweet Potato Recipes
  • 📖 Recipe Card
  • 💬 Reviews

Sweet potato casserole with marshmallows is a classic holiday side dish always guaranteed to please!

The brown sugar mashed sweet potatoes, crunchy chunks of pecan, and gooey toasted marshmallow topping are an indulgent treat that many reserve for extra special occasions like Christmas or Thanksgiving.

This is one of my favorite sweet potato side dishes for that very reason. In fact, I look forward to making it all year long!

🥘 Ingredients

Everything on this list is easy to find at any grocery store, especially around the holidays.

Sweet Potato Casserole (with Marshmallows): A Classic Holiday Recipe! (2)
  • Sweet Potatoes - 3pounds of sweet potatoes(peeled and cut into cubes). This will take about 5 large sweet potatoes, 7 medium potatoes, or 10 small potatoes.
  • Milk- ½ cup of milk, or half & half, or evaporated milk at room temperature.
  • Brown Sugar- ½cup of light brown sugar, packed. You can use dark brown sugar, but it will give your casserole more of a 'molasses flavor.'
  • Butter - ⅓cupof butter softened at room temperature.
  • Salt & Pepper - ¼ teaspoon each of salt & pepper.
  • Cinnamon - ½a teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
  • Ground Cloves - ¼teaspoon of ground cloves.
  • Nutmeg - ¼teaspoon of groundnutmeg.
  • Vanilla Extract - 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract (use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor).
  • Eggs- 2 large room-temperature eggs, beaten.
  • Pecans - ¾cupof chopped pecans divided into 2 equal parts of about 6 tablespoons (or ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons) each.
  • Mini Marshmallows - 2cups of mini marshmallows.

*Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*

🔪 How To Make Sweet Potato Casserole (With Marshmallows & Pecans)

The most time-consuming part of this recipe will be peeling and dicing the potatoes; everything else is easy!

You'll need a vegetable peeler, a sharp knife, a 9x13 baking dish, a large pot, a wooden spoon or spatula, and a potato masher (or use the backside of a fork) to get started.

I love serving sweet potato casserole for the holidays because one 9x13 dish has 16 servings!

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  1. Prep. Preheat your oven to 375°F(190°C)and lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish.
  2. Boil. Fill a large pot with enough water to cover 3 pounds of diced sweet potatoes and bring it to a boil. Add the diced sweet potatoes and boil until fork-tender, about 15 minutes. Drain.
  3. Mash. Return the potatoes to the pot(or a clean bowl)along with ½ a cup of milk, ½ a cup of light brown sugar, ⅓ cup of butter, ½ a teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon each of ground clove, nutmeg, and salt & pepper. Mash the potatoes until no large lumps remain and the ingredients have been thoroughly mixed in.
  4. Fold. Mix 1 teaspoon of vanilla into the 2 beaten eggs, then pour the vanilla/egg mixture into the mashed sweet potatoes and stir to combine. Fold the first half (6 tablespoons) of the pecans into the mashed sweet potatoes.
  5. Spread. Transfer the potatoes to your prepared baking dish and spread it out as evenly as possible.
  6. Bake. Sprinkle the remaining half of the pecans (6 tablespoons) and 2 cups of mini marshmallows over the top of the sweet potatoes. Bake at 375°F(190°C)for 20 minutes or until the marshmallows are golden-brown.
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No matter the main course, this sweet potato casserole with marshmallows will be the perfect addition to your holiday dinner menu.

💭 Tips & Notes

  • ⅓ cup of butter is equal to 5 ⅓ tablespoons.
  • To soften the potatoes quickly, you can microwave them instead of boiling them. Poke holes in the sweet potatoes with the tines of a fork and place them in the microwave. One potato takes about 5 minutes; add 2 minutes for each additional potato.
  • You can add some optional mix-ins like cranberries or raisins if desired. Shredded coconut also makes a tasty addition to the marshmallow topping!
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🥡 Storing & Reheating

Once your sweet potato casserolehas cooled, cover it tightly or place it in an airtight container and refrigerate the leftovers for up to 4 days.

Reheating

Individual portions can be reheated in the microwave or place the whole casserole in the oven at 350°F(175°C)for 15-20 minutes.

>>>>See all of my recipes here<<<<

❓ FAQ

Can I Make Sweet Potato Casserole With Yams?

Yes! Yams and sweet potatoes are great substitutes for one another in many recipes, including this one. They are similar but different vegetables despite being used interchangeably quite often. See my candied yams with marshmallows here.
To learn more about the difference between yams and sweet potatoes, check out my post 'yams vs sweet potatoes'.

Can I Make This Ahead Of Time?

To save time, you can prepare this casserole 1-2 days in advance. First, follow steps 1-4 to make the sweet potato filling. Smooth it out into the greased baking dish, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until needed.
You can also combine the second portion of the pecans and marshmallows for the topping and keep it at room temperature in a Ziploc bag. When ready, uncover your casserole, add the topping, and bake at 375°F(190°C)for 30-35 minutes.

Can I Use Canned Sweet Potatoes?

Sweet potato casserole can be made with canned sweet potatoes. You will need to make some adjustments to the cooking time and the amount of liquid used (canned sweet potatoes have more liquid in them).
I recommend checking out my brown sugar candied yams recipe! It has marshmallows and all but is made using canned sweet potatoes/yams, that way you don't have to change a thing!

Sweet Potato Casserole (with Marshmallows): A Classic Holiday Recipe! (14)

🍠 More Sweet Potato Recipes

  • Sweet Potato Cornbread - This soft and savory cornbread is made even more delicious by adding sweet potato!
  • Sweet Potato Pie - A creamy and comforting dessert that is full of warm fall spices!
  • Pan Fried Sweet Potatoes - An easy savory side dish that can be made in just 15 minutes!
  • Mashed Sweet Potatoes - These creamy mashed sweet potatoes are hard to resist! You can add spices to enhance the flavor or keep it simple with butter.
  • Sweet Potato Sushi - A vegetarian sushi that will wow your friends and family!
  • Microwave Baked Sweet Potatoes - Whip up some fluffy baked sweet potatoes in a matter of minutes!

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📖 Recipe Card

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Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows & Pecans

Sweet potato casserole with marshmallows and pecans is a classic holiday side dish that tastes more like dessert than potatoes. Warm fall spices, brown sugar, pecans, and mini marshmallows highlight the natural flavor of the sweet potatoes in this beloved old-school recipe. Your loved ones will scramble to get to the table with this casserole as part of your Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner spread!

Author | Angela

Servings: 12 servings

Calories: 266kcal

Prep 20 minutes minutes

Cooking 25 minutes minutes

Total Time 45 minutes minutes

Pin Recipe

Ingredients

  • 3 lb sweet potatoes (peeled and cut into cubes)
  • ½ cup milk (or half & half, or evaporated milk)
  • ½ cup brown sugar (packed)
  • cup butter (softened at room temperature)
  • ¼ teaspoon each, salt & pepper
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs (at room temperature, beaten)
  • ¾ cup pecans (chopped, divided into two equal parts)
  • 2 cups mini marshmallows

Help Us Out!If you love a recipe, be sure to come back and share your ratings. This helps future users, and allows me to continue sharing free recipes! Angela

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish.

  • Fill a large pot with enough water to cover the potatoes and bring it to a boil. Add the diced 3 lb sweet potatoes and boil until fork-tender, about 15 minutes. Drain.

  • Return the potatoes to the pot (or a clean bowl) along with the ½ cup milk, ½ cup brown sugar, ⅓ cup butter, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground cloves, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, and ¼ teaspoon each, salt & pepper. Mash the potatoes until no large lumps remain and the ingredients have been thoroughly mixed in.

  • Mix the 1 teaspoon vanilla extract into the beaten 2 large eggs, then pour the vanilla/egg mixture into the mashed sweet potatoes and stir to combine. Fold the first half of the ¾ cup pecans into the mashed sweet potatoes.

  • Transfer the potatoes to your prepared baking dish and spread it out as evenly as possible.

  • Sprinkle the remaining half of the pecans and all of the 2 cups mini marshmallows over the top of the sweet potatoes. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes or until the marshmallows are golden-brown.

Notes

  • ⅓ cup of butter is equal to 5 ⅓ tablespoons.
  • To soften the potatoes quickly, you can microwave them instead of boiling them. Poke holes in the sweet potatoes with the tines of a fork and place them in the microwave. One potato takes about 5 minutes, add 2 minutes for each additional potato.
  • You can add some optional mix-ins like cranberries or raisins if desired. Shredded coconut also makes a tasty addition to the marshmallow topping!
  • To store: Once your sweet potato casserole(with marshmallows) has cooled, you can cover it tightly or place it in an airtight container and refrigerate the leftovers for up to 4 days.
  • To reheat: Individual portions can be reheated in the microwave, or you can pop the whole casserole in the oven at 350°F (175°C)for 15-20 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 266kcal (13%) | Carbohydrates: 40g (13%) | Protein: 4g (8%) | Fat: 11g (17%) | Saturated Fat: 4g (25%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 46mg (15%) | Sodium: 176mg (8%) | Potassium: 450mg (13%) | Fiber: 4g (17%) | Sugar: 19g (21%) | Vitamin A: 16311IU (326%) | Vitamin C: 3mg (4%) | Calcium: 66mg (7%) | Iron: 1mg (6%)

Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can’t wait to see your results! Mention @bake_it_with_love or tag #bake_it_with_love!

best sweet potato casserole recipe to make for the holidays, christmas side dishes, classic thanksgiving side dishes, how to make sweet potato casserole, sweet potato casserole, Sweet Potato Casserole (with Marshmallows), sweet potato casserole ingredients, sweet potato casserole thanksgiving side dish, sweet potato recipes, Thanksgiving side dishes to make

Course Holiday Recipes, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Sweet Potato Casserole (with Marshmallows): A Classic Holiday Recipe! (16)

Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com

Angela is an at home chef that developed a passion for all things cooking and baking at a young age in her Grandma's kitchen. After many years in the food service industry, she now enjoys sharing all of her family favorite recipes and creating tasty dinner and amazing dessert recipes here at Bake It With Love!

bakeitwithlove.com/about/

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Sweet Potato Casserole (with Marshmallows): A Classic Holiday Recipe! (2024)

FAQs

Why do Americans put marshmallows on sweet potato casserole? ›

Most people point to a 1917 pamphlet by the Angelus Marshmallow Company as the first time sweet potatoes and marshmallows came together. This company is believed to be the first to commercially-produce and sell the squishy white marshmallows we know, roast, and snack on today.

What's the difference between sweet potato pie and sweet potato casserole? ›

The difference is that sweet potato casserole can either have a toasted marshmallow top or a crunchy brown sugar/nut top and is made with brown sugar in the casserole. Sweet potato pie is made with white sugar, has nothing on top, but can be served with whipped topping.

Are candied yams and sweet potato casserole the same thing? ›

No, yams and sweet potatoes are not the same. Yams have rough, dark brown skin that is often compared to tree bark, and their flesh is dry and starchy like a regular potato. Sweet potatoes have smooth reddish skin, softer flesh (when cooked), and a sweet flavor.

What do Americans call sweet potato and marshmallows? ›

Sweet potato casserole, which generally has marshmallows on it, is a sickeningly sweet dish, typically eaten at Thanksgiving, which starts with sweet potatoes and then adds brown sugar, vanilla and marshmallows, among other things.

Why do African Americans eat sweet potato pie? ›

After emancipation, when African American cooks gained more access to their own equipment and refined ingredients, they continued the tradition of baking with yams and sweet potatoes — especially the pie. These deep roots became the foundation of a strong tradition in African American food culture.

Why do you soak sweet potatoes before baking? ›

TIPS & TRICKS to Make this Recipe: The main secrets to achieving that incredible crispy texture, is to soak the cut sweet potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes. This helps remove the starch from the sweet potatoes so they´re not limp & soggy.

How to bake sweet potato in oven Martha Stewart? ›

Pierce potatoes all over with the tines of a fork and bake in oven, directly on rack, until soft and caramelizing, 1 1/2 hours. Slash the tops of potatoes open with the tip of a sharp knife and push ends of each potato toward each other to open. Divide butter, salt, and pepper among potatoes and serve.

Is it better to peel sweet potatoes before baking? ›

Recipe Tips and Tricks

The skin will add a little texture, so if you are serving children or sensitive eaters, consider peeling the sweet potatoes before roasting. Cut (Almost) Uniform Pieces. To make sure the sweet potatoes cook evenly, try to cut them all roughly the same size.

Is it healthier to boil a sweet potato or bake a sweet potato? ›

Boiling sweet potatoes retains more beta-carotene and makes the nutrient more absorbable than other cooking methods such as baking or frying. Up to 92% of the nutrient can be retained by limiting the cook time, such as boiling in a pot with a tightly covered lid for 20 minutes.

What variety of sweet potato is best for casserole? ›

Jewel. With copper skin and deep-orange flesh that's moist and tender when cooked, the jewel is a go-to potato for traditional baking and casseroles.

Why do Southerners call sweet potatoes yams? ›

The word yam is derived from nyam, nyami, or nyambi, verbs of various African dialects meaning either “to taste” or “to eat.” The prevailing theory is that enslaved Africans applied these terms over time to the sweet potatoes available in the Americas, which took the place in their diet of the staple root vegetable ...

Are canned yams the same as canned sweet potatoes? ›

Yams and sweet potatoes differ in flavor and appearance, and they are not related. Sweet potatoes are in the morning glory family, while yams belong to the lily family. Yams aren't as sweet as sweet potatoes, and they are starchier and drier. Their texture and flavor are more similar to potatoes or yuca.

Which is healthier sweet potato or yam? ›

Although both veggies are very close in fiber, protein, vitamin C, and magnesium, sweet potatoes are the healthier option because they are lower in overall calories, lower in carbohydrates, and higher in beta carotene (vitamin A).

Why are there marshmallows on sweet potatoes? ›

According to Saveur, the first instance of marshmallows in a sweet potato dish appeared in a booklet commissioned by Angelus Marshmallows, one of the first companies to mass produce the candies that were formerly only available to the rich.

Do Americans put marshmallow on sweet potato? ›

The American tradition of cooking sweet potatoes with marshmallows is a bit of a leap for the European reader. But it always pays to keep an open mind.

Do Americans eat sweet potatoes with marshmallows? ›

Served alongside savoury mains but certainly a super sweet dish is this much-loved American addition to the Thanksgiving table. Essentially the dish is a sweet potato mash of sorts topped with a thick, gooey layer of toasted marshmallows.

Why do Americans eat yams and marshmallows? ›

Sweet potato casserole was first promoted by a marshmallow company. Although it might seem strange to eat a dessert-like side dish alongside savory food, such sweet dishes have been common in American cooking since way back, according to Kitchn.

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