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    Pink Owl Kitchen » Side Dishes » Southern Sweet Potato Casserole

    Southern Sweet Potato Casserole

    Published: Aug 5, 2021 · Modified: Jul 17, 2022 by Ashley · This post may contain affiliate links

    JUMP TO RECIPE

    Mashed sweet potatoes blended with eggs, pure maple syrup, and cozy fall spices topped with a crunchy and sweet walnut streusel topping. This southern style sweet potato casserole will be the star of your Thanksgiving holiday dinner!

    Sweet potato casserole is a staple during the fall and holiday season, especially for Thanksgiving. This recipe is similar to Ruth Chris' sweet potato casserole with the crunchy pecan topping, but tastes even better!

    This preparation without marshmallows is one of the most popular ways to make sweet potato casserole in the south and it is exactly how I grew up eating it in Mississippi! If you're looking for more delicious Thanksgiving side dishes, check out our Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese and Creamy Pumpin Risotto next!

    overhead shot of maple walnut sweet potato casserole in a glass baking dish on top of a wooden surface. Striped dish towel underneath dish and wooden spoon in left hand corner.
    Jump to:
    • What You Need To Make This Recipe
    • How To Make This Recipe
    • What Is Sweet Potato Casserole?
    • What Is The Difference Between Sweet Potatoes and Yams?
    • Do I Have to Put Eggs In Sweet Potato Casserole?
    • Best Way To Store This Casserole
    • Can I Make This Recipe Ahead of Time?
    • What To Serve With Sweet Potato Casserole
    • Variations and Substitutions
    • Recommended Tools for This Recipe
    • More Fall and Thanksgiving Recipes You Will Love!
    • 📖 Recipe

    What You Need To Make This Recipe

    Mashed Sweet Potato Ingredients:

    • Four medium-sized sweet potatoes. We need 3 cups of peeled and chopped sweet potatoes for this recipe. If your sweet potatoes are larger, you may only need three. To prepare them for the casserole, the chopped sweet potatoes are boiled in water until fork tender.
    • Granulated sugar. A combination of granulated sugar and pure maple syrup is used to sweeten this casserole. You may also use brown sugar instead if you prefer a more caramel-like flavor.
    • Pure maple syrup. Be sure your maple syrup is good quality, pure maple syrup, and not maple-flavored syrup.
    • Two large eggs. The eggs will act as a binder in this casserole.
    • Vanilla extract. This ingredient lends a great depth of flavor and also brings out the other flavors in the casserole.
    • Salt. Adding a small amount of salt to sweet recipes highlights the flavors of the other ingredients.
    • Ground cinnamon. This spice provides warmth and subtle spiciness to the casserole.
    • Ground nutmeg. A little bit of this spice adds a warm, nutty flavor to the casserole.
    • Ground cardamom. This spice has a complex flavor with spicy, sweet, citrusy, minty, and herbal notes combined. It really adds something special to this dish and plays beautifully with the other flavors in this casserole. A little of this ingredient goes a long way.
    • Buttermilk. The buttermilk adds creaminess to the sweet potatoes and also adds the most delicious, subtle tanginess to the dish. If you prefer, you can also use regular whole milk instead.

    Streusel Topping Ingredients

    • Brown sugar
    • Unsalted butter
    • All-purpose flour
    • Chopped Walnuts
    • Salt
    • Ground cinnamon
    overhead shot of maple walnut sweet potato casserole in a glass baking dish on top of a wooden surface. Striped dish towel underneath dish and wooden spoon in left hand corner.

    How To Make This Recipe

    • Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray or butter a 9 x 13 baking dish and set aside.
    • Add the sweet potatoes, sugar, maple syrup, eggs, vanilla, and salt to a large mixing bowl. Using a potato masher or large fork, mash the potatoes together with the other ingredients. Once the potatoes are mashed, add the buttermilk and use a wire whisk to mix all of the ingredients until well combined.
    • Transfer the sweet potato mixture to your prepared baking dish and set it aside while you make the streusel topping.
    • In a medium mixing bowl, add the brown sugar, melted butter, flour, chopped walnuts, salt, and ground cinnamon. Using a fork, mix the ingredients together until all of the flour is moistened and a crumbly texture is formed.
    • Spoon the streusel topping over top of the sweet potato mixture and spread out into an even layer. Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes until the casserole is golden and bubbly.
    overhead shot of chopped, boiled sweet potatoes in water in a stockpot.
    overhead shot of mashed sweet potatoes in a mixing bowl.
    overhead shot of mashed sweet potatoes spread out into a glass baking dish.
    overhead shot of walnut streusel topping in a mixing bowl.
    overhead shot of maple walnut sweet potato casserole in a glass baking dish before going into the oven.

    What Is Sweet Potato Casserole?

    Surprisingly enough, sweet potatoes weren’t present on the first Thanksgiving. Sweet potatoes are native to Central and South America and colonists from Europe introduced the spuds to the new world. The first time sweet potatoes and marshmallows are mentioned together is in 1917, in a recipe booklet published by the Angelus Marshmallow company.

    Sweet potato casserole with pecans is a recipe that originated in the South, and early variations of the recipe included different ingredients like cream or milk. This sweet potato casserole recipe is a variation of the Southern version, made with pure maple syrup and chopped walnuts.

    overhead shot of maple walnut sweet potato casserole in a glass baking dish on top of a wooden surface. Striped dish towel underneath dish and a small serving of casserole on a small white plate in left hand bottom corner.

    What Is The Difference Between Sweet Potatoes and Yams?

    While you may see "yams" for sale in many American markets, they are almost always sweet potatoes that are labeled yams. Real yams are mainly used in Caribbean and West African cooking.

    Real yams are entirely different root vegetables from sweet potatoes that are more like yucca in texture and flavor. They have bumpy, tough brown skin with starchy, not sweet flesh.

    Do I Have to Put Eggs In Sweet Potato Casserole?

    Sweet potato casserole does need eggs to add structure and sturdiness to the dish. If you omit the eggs, you will end up with a runny sweet potato mash.

    Be sure your sweet potatoes have cooled and are not still hot when combined with the eggs so that the eggs do not scramble.

    Best Way To Store This Casserole

    Leftover sweet potato casserole can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.

    You can also freeze leftover casserole by transferring it to a zip-top freezer bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing. Wrap the freezer bag tightly in plastic wrap and store it in a lying-down position in the freezer. The casserole will keep for up to 3 months in the freezer.

    overhead shot of maple walnut sweet potato casserole in a glass baking dish on top of a wooden surface. Striped dish towel underneath dish and wooden spoon in the top left hand corner.

    Can I Make This Recipe Ahead of Time?

    You can prepare and bake this sweet potato casserole as directed up to two days before, wrap it in plastic wrap, and store it in the refrigerator. Reheat the casserole in the oven, covered in foil, for 20 minutes the morning of. Remove the foil for the last minutes to crisp the top.

    You can also prepare and bake the sweet potato mixture up to two days before, then top the casserole with the walnut crumble mixture, and bake it uncovered for 20 minutes the morning of.

    close up shot of maple walnut sweet potato casserole section wher a serving has been removed.

    What To Serve With Sweet Potato Casserole

    So many other side dishes and dinner recipes pair wonderfully with this southern sweet potato casserole! Here are a few of my favorites from the archives:

    • One-Pan Sage Butter Chicken and Orzo
    • Brown Sugar Glazed Chicken
    • Authentic Chicken and Sausage Gumbo
    • Southern Buttermilk Cornbread
    • Cajun Dirty Rice with Smoked Sausage

    Variations and Substitutions

    You can really get as creative as your imagination allows here as there are countless variations of sweet potato casserole out there and they're all delicious!

    • Add marshmallows to the topping for a more classic version of this dish.
    • Use heavy cream instead of milk in the mashed sweet potatoes for a more rich casserole.
    • Substitute butternut squash for the sweet potatoes in the casserole or use a combination of both.

    Recommended Tools for This Recipe

    • 9x13 baking dish
    • Mixing bowls
    • Potato Masher
    close up shot of maple walnut sweet potato casserole section wher a serving has been removed.

    More Fall and Thanksgiving Recipes You Will Love!

    • Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese
    • Browned Butter Praline Poke Cake
    • Spiced Apple Crumb Cake
    • Sweet and Spicy Turnip Greens
    • Southern Cornbread Dressing
    • 1-Hour Honey Butter Dinner Rolls

    📖 Recipe

    southern sweet potato casserole in a white baking dish.

    Southern Sweet Potato Casserole

    Ashley
    Mashed sweet potatoes blended with eggs, pure maple syrup, and cozy fall spices topped with a crunchy and sweet walnut streusel topping. This southern style sweet potato casserole will be the star of your Thanksgiving holiday dinner!
    4.72 from 14 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 40 mins
    Total Time 55 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 369 kcal

    Equipment

    • 9 x 13 baking dish

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 cups sweet potatoes about four medium-size sweet potatoes, peeled, chopped into large cubes, and boiled in water until fork tender
    • ½ cup granulated sugar
    • ¼ cup pure maple syrup not maple flavored syrup
    • 2 large eggs beaten
    • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ⅓ cup buttermilk

    Walnut Streusel Topping

    • ¾ cup brown sugar
    • ¼ cup unsalted butter melted
    • ½ cup all-purpose flour
    • 1 cup chopped walnuts
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray or butter a 9x13 baking dish and set aside.
    • Add the sweet potatoes, sugar, maple syrup, eggs, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, cardamom, and salt to a large mixing bowl. Using a potato masher or large fork, mash the sweet potatoes together with the other ingredients until completely combined. Add the buttermilk and use a wire whisk to mix all of the ingredients until well combined.
    • Transfer the sweet potato mixture to your prepared baking dish and set it aside while you make the streusel topping.
    • Add the brown sugar, melted butter, flour, chopped walnuts, salt, and ground cinnamon to a small mixing bowl. Using a fork, mix the ingredients together until all of the flour is moistened and a crumbly texture is formed.
    • Spoon the streusel topping over the sweet potato mixture in an even layer. Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes until the casserole is golden and bubbly. Allow the casserole to cool for about 10 minutes then serve warm.

    Notes

    • To boil sweet potatoes, add peeled and chopped sweet potatoes to a large stockpot, cover with water and boil until fork-tender. If your sweet potatoes are larger you may only need three.
    • Make sure you are using pure maple syrup and not maple-flavored syrup for the best flavor.
    • You can also use ½ cup regular whole milk instead of buttermilk.
    SEE THE BLOG POST ABOVE FOR OTHER IMPORTANT TIPS AND SUGGESTIONS

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1servingCalories: 369kcalCarbohydrates: 50.7gProtein: 7.5gFat: 16.6gSaturated Fat: 4.7gCholesterol: 62mgSodium: 176mgPotassium: 626mgFiber: 4gSugar: 26.5gCalcium: 66mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword fall side dishes, holiday sides, southern recipes, southern sweet potato casserole, sweet potato casserole, thanksgiving recipes, thanksgiving sides
    Tried this recipe?Tag @thepinkowlkitchen on Instagram! And don't forget to leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and review!

    More Side Dishes

    • Jalapeno Cheddar Biscuits
    • Buttermilk Cornbread Muffins
    • Sweet Potato Cornbread
    • Southern Green Beans

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Marlon Boyd

      August 06, 2021 at 3:48 pm

      5 stars
      Made this for the my family and they all love it! So easy to make and the flavor was amazing! I will definitely be making this again!

      Reply
      • Ashley

        August 06, 2021 at 4:03 pm

        This is so wonderful to hear! It's a favorite dish in our home as well. Thank you!

        Reply
    2. Coby

      August 28, 2021 at 1:51 am

      5 stars
      This was so delicious! That streusel topping is fantastic, and my kids said this was their new favorite way to eat sweet potatoes! We will definitely be making this again!

      Reply
    3. Kelli

      November 18, 2021 at 7:22 pm

      Any way to omit the eggs?

      Reply
      • Ashley Boyd

        November 18, 2021 at 8:43 pm

        Hi Kelli,

        You may omit the eggs! There is no need to replace them with anything. The casserole may be a little less sturdy but equally delicious. I hope you enjoy!

        Reply
    4. Elizabeth

      November 19, 2021 at 3:55 am

      can this be made ahead (night before) and baked the next day?

      Reply
      • Ashley Boyd

        February 10, 2022 at 3:22 pm

        Hi Elizabeth! Absolutely! Make-ahead instructions are listed in the blog post 😊

        Reply

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    Hi! I'm Ashley.

    I am a new mom, wife, and creator of all you see here at Pink Owl Kitchen. All of our recipes are influenced by my southern upbringing and are made with fresh, seasonal ingredients to encourage families to come together around the dinner table more!

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