Created on October 27th, 2025 at 07:29 pm
Cozy fall side dish with sweet‑savory crunch
This cozy Sweet Potato Casserole blends creamy mashed sweet potatoes with rich maple flavour, then crowns the dish with a crunchy pecan‑brown‑sugar streusel and toasted marshmallows on top. It’s the ultimate side for autumn gatherings or a family celebration—warm, comforting, and totally share‑worthy on Pinterest.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You’ll love this dish because it hits all the right notes: velvety sweet potatoes, a lightly smoky maple twist, and a topping that pops with texture and sweetness. It’s crowd‑friendly, makes a stunning holiday side, and delivers that cosy fall vibe. Plus, it’s easy to prep ahead so you can savour time with loved ones instead of fussing in the kitchen.
⏱️ Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Servings: 8‑10 as a side dish
📝 Ingredients List
Mashed sweet potatoes:
- 3 to 3¼ pounds sweet potatoes*, peeled and chopped into large chunks
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup milk or half‑and‑half
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (or pumpkin‑pie spice)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- Salt, to taste
Topping (streusel + marshmallows):
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup all‑purpose flour (for a sturdier streusel: add an extra heaping tablespoon)
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- 3 cups mini marshmallows (or more, if you love extra fluff)
*Note: Some grocery stores label orange‑fleshed sweet potatoes as “yams”—choose with orange flesh and pinkish‑brown skin.
✨ Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress‑free.
- Large pot
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Mixing bowls
- Hand mixer or potato masher (optional)
- 2‑ to 2½‑quart casserole dish (an 8×11″ works well)
- Oven‑safe baking dish
👩🍳 Step‑by‑Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 °F (190 °C). Grease your casserole dish and set aside.
- In a large pot, cover the sweet potatoes with water, bring to a boil, and cook until tender (about 7 minutes, depending on size). Drain well.
- Return potatoes to the pot. Add butter, milk, cinnamon, brown sugar, maple syrup and salt. Mash until smooth (use a hand mixer for extra smoothness if desired). Taste and adjust seasonings. 🙂
- Transfer mashed potatoes to the prepared casserole dish. If still warm, place briefly in the oven just to heat through (~5 minutes). Meanwhile, prepare the topping.
- For the topping: In a medium bowl, mix butter, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon and salt until crumbly, then stir in pecans.
- Remove the casserole dish from oven (if pre‑heating done). Top the potatoes with half the marshmallows, then half the streusel. Press lightly. Then top with remaining marshmallows and the rest of the streusel.
- Return to oven for 8‑15 minutes until the topping is bubbly and golden. To get extra colour on the marshmallows, switch to broil for 1‑2 minutes—watch carefully so they don’t burn.
- Let stand at room temperature for several minutes before serving so topping sets slightly.
💡 Pro Tips
- Make‑ahead: You can prepare the mashed sweet potatoes ahead (without topping), refrigerate, then add topping and bake just before serving.
- Streusel variation: Swap pecans for walnuts or almonds; add a pinch of nutmeg for extra warm spice.
- Serving idea: Serve alongside roasted Brussels sprouts or green beans for a balanced holiday plate.
- Texture tip: If you like a firmer topping, add that extra tablespoon of flour to the streusel mixture.
- Maple twist: Drizzle a bit of pure maple syrup over the finished dish just before serving for an extra flavour pop.
🎯 You’re Ready to Serve
This creamy, maple‑sweet casserole topped with toasted marshmallows and crunchy streusel brings warmth and festive flair to your holiday table. It’s comforting, visually stunning, and hits that sweet‑savory balance everyone loves. Whether you’re serving it for a gratitude gathering or a cozy dinner at home, this dish makes a memorable side that’s so easy yet so impressive. Dig in with joy and enjoy how it becomes a new favourite!
📊 Nutrition Table
| Serving Size | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Fiber | Sugar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 plate | 260 | 3g | 38g | 11g | 4g | 13g |
Disclaimer: Nutrition facts are estimated using online tools and may vary based on the ingredients and preparation. Please consult a nutritionist for precise dietary advice.
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