Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel for Thanksgiving
A classic Thanksgiving side dish that combines creamy mashed sweet potatoes with a crunchy pecan streusel topping for the perfect sweet and savory bite.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- For the Sweet Potato Base:
- 4 large sweet potatoes (about 3 pounds), peeled and chopped
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup milk (whole or 2%)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- For the Pecan Streusel Topping:
- 1 cup pecans, roughly chopped
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Place peeled and chopped sweet potatoes in a large pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Cook until tender, about 15–20 minutes. Drain well.
2. Transfer hot sweet potatoes to a large bowl and mash until smooth. Add granulated sugar, melted butter, milk, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Mix until creamy and well combined.
3. In a separate bowl, combine chopped pecans, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add cold butter pieces and work them into the dry ingredients with fingers or a pastry cutter until crumbly.
4. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread sweet potato mixture evenly in the dish. Sprinkle pecan streusel over the top.
5. Bake for 30–40 minutes, until topping is golden and crisp and the casserole is heated through.
6. Let rest a few minutes before serving. Serve warm as a side dish for Thanksgiving or any holiday meal.
Notes
To make ahead, assemble the casserole without baking, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight. Bake when ready to serve.
To reheat leftovers, warm in a 350°F oven to maintain crispness.
For a sweeter twist, add mini marshmallows in the last 5 minutes of baking.
Maple syrup can be substituted for some sugar for deeper flavor.
Frozen sweet potatoes may be used if thawed and drained thoroughly.
Walnuts or almonds can be used in place of pecans.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (about 1/8 of casserole)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 19g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 65mg