This Sweet Potato Casserole Has Pecans *and* Marshmallows (2024)

Sweet potato casserole with marshmallows is one of the most highly anticipatedThanksgiving recipes. Most versions of this sweet potato recipe flirt the line between side dish anddessert, but not this one. It's sweet but not candy-like, with subtle notes of smoked paprika and cayenne pepper to complement the warm cinnamon. Bonus: No one will be fighting over which topping is best on thisThanksgiving casserole. Why? It has both! In addition to the melty, pillowy marshmallows, there's a crunchy, buttery pecan streusel topping to contrast the creamy filling.

How do you make sweet potato casserole?

You start by roasting the sweet potatoes to get them nice and tender. Next you mash the cooked sweet potatoes with butter, cream, brown sugar, eggs, salt, and spices like cinnamon, smoked paprika, and a touch of cayenne but the tiniest bit of smoky heat. Then comes the best part—the topping! Combining mini marshmallows with a buttery, pecan crumble, this topping is the best of both worlds. Just sprinkle it on top and bake! Just before it's done, add more marshmallows on top and bake until toasty.

What's the difference between paprika and smoked paprika?

Both paprika and smoked paprika are made from dried chili peppers, but the difference between the two is that the peppers for smoked paprika are dried over smoke rather than air. As you might guess, this gives smoked paprika a more intense, smokier flavor than mild, more neutral regular paprika. It may sound like an unusual addition to sweet potato casserole, but, combined with a pinch of cayenne, it perfectly balances the sweetness of the dish.

Is it better to boil or bake the sweet potatoes?

For a deeper sweet potato flavor, roasting is the way to go. This recipe calls for roasting whole sweet potatoes for 50 to 60 minutes, until tender. While this might seem like a lot of time, it's mostly hands-off. Plus, it's an easy step that can be done up to three days ahead.

Is sweet potato casserole supposed to be soupy?

Not a chance! Some versions that you encounter may seem a little too runny. It could be because the sweet potatoes were initially boiled rather than baked. Boiled sweet potatoes have a tendency to absorb water, which, in turn can make the casserole a little soupy. This recipe, however, calls for baking the sweet potatoes! You'll also find that this recipe doesn't add too much liquid to the mix. A little heavy cream, melted butter, and the addition of eggs meet in the middle to yield a light and fluffy filling.

Can you make sweet potato casserole ahead of time?

You sure can! Making it ahead is great way to save time Thanksgiving morning. Prepare the filling and the topping as directed, but don't combine the two quite yet. Refrigerate both, and wait to sprinkle on the marshmallows and crumble topping until right before you bake the casserole. You can get even further ahead byroasting and peeling the sweet potatoes the day before you assemble the casserole.

Are yams and sweet potatoes the same?

Yes, and no. Sweet potatoes and yams are two entirely different root vegetables. Yet if you find "yams" in the super market, they're most likely mislabeled as sweet potatoes. There are many different types of sweet potatoes, but two of the most common categories are firm sweet potatoes and soft sweet potatoes. The latter has darker skin and orange flesh and is extra-creamy (i.e. perfect for this recipe!).

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Yields:
8 - 10 serving(s)
Prep Time:
2 hrs
Total Time:
3 hrs

Ingredients

For the Filling:

  • 3 1/2 lb.

    sweet potatoes

  • 1/2 c.

    butter, melted, plus more to grease the casserole dish

  • 1/2 c.

    heavy cream

  • 1/3 c.

    light brown sugar

  • 3

    large eggs

  • 1 1/4 tsp.

    salt

  • 1 1/2 tsp.

    cinnamon

  • 3/4 tsp.

    smoked paprika

  • 1/4 tsp.

    cayenne pepper (optional)

For the Topping:

  • 1/2 c.

    all-purpose flour

  • 1/2 c.

    light brown sugar

  • 1/2 tsp.

    cinnamon

  • 1/4 tsp.

    salt

  • 1 c.

    chopped pecan

  • 1/4 c.

    butter, melted

  • 2 c.

    mini marshmallows, divided

Directions

    1. Step1For the filling: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with foil.
    2. Step2Place the sweet potatoes on the foil and pierce the tops 2 to 3 times with a knife. Loosely cover with foil. Roast until very soft, about 50 to 60 minutes. Uncover and let rest until cool enough to handle. Peel the sweet potatoes, discarding the skin.
    3. Step3In a large bowl, combine the roasted sweet potato, butter, cream, light brown sugar, eggs, salt, cinnamon, smoked paprika, and cayenne. Mash until smooth (or leave it a little chunky if you like!).
    4. Step4Reduce the oven temperature to 375°F. Butter a 13-by-9-inch casserole dish. Place the sweet potato filling in the casserole dish and smooth the top.
    5. Step5For the topping: In a small bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add the pecans and butter and mix until the mixture is clumpy. Sprinkle 1 cup of marshmallows all over the potato filling. Then top with all of the streusel. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and top with the remaining 1 cup of marshmallows. Return to the oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly around the edges, hot in the middle, and the marshmallows on top are golden brown. Let cool for a few minutes before serving.
This Sweet Potato Casserole Has Pecans *and* Marshmallows (2024)

FAQs

Why do people put marshmallows in sweet potatoes? ›

Despite what your grandmother says, this cloying side dish didn't originate as a family recipe. It was concocted by Big Marshmallow as a way to push the candy on Americans. Though the tubers are high in sugar to begin with, there's historical precedent for treating sweet potatoes like dessert.

Why put eggs in sweet potato casserole? ›

The egg is the all-important binder in a sweet potato casserole: it enriches and stiffens the mixture without making it heavy. Make sure to cool the mash slightly before adding the egg so it doesn't scramble, and to stir well so there are no streaks of cooked egg white in the finished dish.

What is in Publix sweet potato casserole? ›

Sweet Potatoes, Sugar, Milk (milk, Vitamin D), Water, Brown Sugar, Eggs, Wheat Flour, Pecans, Modified Cornstarch, Natural Vanilla Extract, Salt, Canola Oil, Natural Butter Flavor (whey Powder, Salt, Natural Flavor), Ascorbic Acid.

What is sweet potato casserole made of? ›

This easy Sweet Potato Casserole recipe is topped with pecans and marshmallows is a traditional side at our family Thanksgiving table. This comforting dish combines mashed sweet potatoes, brown sugar, and butter with a hint of cinnamon. It is all crowned with pillowy soft marshmallows and toasty pecans.

What makes sweet potatoes taste better? ›

Freeze Time for Sweeter Sweet Potatoes

So if you want a sweet, sweet potato, you have to cook it until it reaches 135–170°F (57–77°C). And you want to keep sweet potatoes in that range for as long as possible. That will maximize how sweet the potatoes taste.

Why can't you eat the skin of a sweet potato? ›

What precautions to take when eating sweet potato skins. Sweet potato skins are rich in oxalates. This means that if you are high risk of kidney stones, you may need to limit your consumption. In rare cases, excessive consumption of vitamin A can lead to vitamin A toxicity.

Why do you soak sweet potatoes before baking? ›

The theory is that soaking draws out starch from inside the potatoes, helping them crisp up. I've tested soaking sweet potato fries many times, and I've found that it doesn't make them much crispier, if at all.

How do you keep sweet potato casserole from being runny? ›

Baking instead of boiling sweet potatoes for a casserole can help reduce the amount of moisture and avoid a runny casserole. Make sure that you bake the casserole long enough so that excess liquid evaporates as well.

How to thicken up sweet potato casserole? ›

The casserole needs at least 15-20 minutes to cool before serving. The casserole sets up as it cools. However, if you prefer a really thick sweet potato casserole, you can add about 2-3 tablespoons of flour to your sweet potato batter and this will help the mixture to thicken.

What is the difference between garnet and jewel sweet potato casserole? ›

Red Garnet's Flesh Is A Better Fit For Baking Than Jewel Sweet Potatoes. The two potato varieties offer similar qualities: A moist interior, a sweet flavor, and an attractive orange color. As a result, they can be utilized more or less interchangeably, especially as opposed to other sweet potato types.

What's the difference between Southern yams and 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.

Is a canned yam a sweet potato? ›

Sweet potatoes have smooth reddish skin, softer flesh (when cooked), and a sweet flavor. You don't have to worry about mixing them up while you're shopping because true yams are rarely found in American grocery stores. The popular canned yams that you see around the holidays are technically sweet potatoes.

Can dogs eat sweet potatoes? ›

Whether they're mashed, baked, or boiled, sweet potatoes are fine for dogs to eat as long as they're cooked, peeled, and plain. Again, avoid any seasonings or extra ingredients that may be included in “human food” recipes, such as butter, sugar, or salt.

What to eat with sweet potato casserole? ›

I love to serve this sweet potato casserole as a side dish, alongside roasted turkey and chicken, glazed ham, and perfectly seared steaks. But since the flavors are reminiscent of pumpkin or sweet potato pie, this also makes an excellent dessert.

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

According to webstaurantstore.com, yams are different than sweet potatoes both in taste and in color/shape. Yams have a darker, bark-like skin and may be white inside. Sweet potatoes have a brownish-like skin and are orange inside.

Why do people put marshmallows in brown sugar? ›

It might seem strange, but marshmallows can help soften brown sugar! How? The moisture from the mallows gets absorbed into the dried-out sugar. Just drop a few marshmallows into your container of brown sugar and seal it up tight.

What is the purpose of marshmallows? ›

Ancient Egyptians were said to be the first to make and use the root of the plant to soothe coughs and sore throats and to heal wounds. The first marshmallows were prepared by boiling pieces of root pulp with honey until thick. Once thickened, the mixture was strained, cooled, then used as intended.

Who invented marshmallows on yams? ›

The backstory, though, doesn't involve some sort of cute accident like the false legend of the Massachusetts-born Toll House cookie. Instead, prominent cook Janet McKenzie Hill came up with the idea for candied yams so a marshmallow company could sell more marshmallows.

Why do Americans put marshmallows in hot chocolate? ›

Marshmallows first came into the picture in 1917, when the company Angelus Marshmallows published a recipe for hot cocoa topped with their product. (In another genius marketing move, the company also hitched its wagon to sweet potatoes with a recipe for the side dish that has since become a Thanksgiving staple.)

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