Name: Southern Sweet Potato Casserole Skillet with Caramelized Pecans
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 65 min
Ingredients: 3 lbs sweet potatoes (peeled and boiled); 1/3 cup brown sugar; 1/4 cup melted butter; 1/4 cup heavy cream; 1 tsp cinnamon; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 pinch salt; 1 cup chopped pecans; 3 tbsp butter; 2 tbsp brown sugar

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Created on November 2nd, 2025 at 10:09 am

A golden, gooey southern comfort dish made simple

This Southern Sweet Potato Casserole Skillet with Caramelized Pecans captures the soul of southern comfort in one skillet — creamy, spiced sweet potatoes topped with buttery caramelized pecans. Every bite is warm, nostalgic, and perfectly sweet without being over the top. Ideal for holidays or lazy Sunday dinners, it’s that rare recipe that feels both indulgent and wholesome, the kind you make once and crave all season long.

Creamy sweet potato casserole in a cast-iron skillet topped with glossy caramelized pecans, warm natural light.

Southern Sweet Potato Casserole Skillet with Caramelized Pecans

Sorrel Calver

This Southern Sweet Potato Casserole Skillet with Caramelized Pecans captures the soul of southern comfort in one skillet – creamy, spiced sweet potatoes topped with buttery caramelized pecans. Every bite is warm, nostalgic, and perfectly sweet without being over the top.

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Prep Time 25

Cook Time 40

Total Time 1 5

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Southern

Servings 8 servings

Calories 310 kcal

Equipment

Cast-iron skillet
Mixing Bowl
Spatula
Oven

Ingredients

Filling

3 lbs sweet potatoes peeled and boiled
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup melted butter
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 pinch salt

Topping

1 cup chopped pecans
3 tbsp butter
2 tbsp brown sugar

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly butter your skillet.
Mash boiled sweet potatoes with brown sugar, melted butter, cream, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt.
Spread the sweet potato mixture evenly in the skillet.
In a small pan, melt butter and sugar together, add pecans, and cook until glossy and lightly caramelized.
Pour the pecan topping over the casserole.
Bake for 25 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbling. Serve warm.

Notes

Drizzle maple syrup into the topping for extra depth. Assemble the casserole a day ahead to save time. Reheat gently in the skillet before serving.

Keyword caramelized pecans, holiday side dish, southern comfort food, Sweet Potato Casserole

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

If cozy comfort had a flavor, it would taste like this. The creamy sweet potatoes are mashed with butter, brown sugar, and a hint of vanilla, then baked until silky and smooth. The topping — glossy caramelized pecans — turns golden in the oven and cracks ever so slightly when you scoop through. Cooking it in a cast-iron skillet gives it that irresistible rustic charm and a gentle crisp edge that sets it apart from ordinary casseroles. It’s simple enough for a weeknight dinner but elegant enough for the holiday table. Plus, it reheats beautifully – though leftovers rarely last long enough to find out.

Golden sweet potato casserole baked in cast-iron skillet, topped with shiny caramelized pecans under soft golden light.

Time Breakdown

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients

Filling:

3 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and boiled
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup melted butter
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

Topping:

1 cup chopped pecans
3 tbsp butter
2 tbsp brown sugar

Kitchen Tools

This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.

You’ll need:

Cast-iron skillet
Mixing bowl
Spatula
Oven

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly butter your skillet.
Mash boiled sweet potatoes with brown sugar, melted butter, cream, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt.
Spread the sweet potato mixture evenly in the skillet.
In a small pan, melt butter and sugar together, add pecans, and cook until glossy and lightly caramelized (about 3 minutes).
Pour the pecan topping over the casserole.
Bake for 25 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbling. Serve warm and watch it vanish.

Pro Tips

Add a Maple Twist: Drizzle a bit of maple syrup into the topping for deeper sweetness.
Make-Ahead Magic: Assemble the casserole a day before baking to save prep time.
Perfect Texture: Use a fork mash, not a blender, to keep some hearty texture in the potatoes.

Southern Comfort, Simplified

Creamy, sweet, and beautifully caramelized — this southern-style casserole is a crowd-pleaser that feels both homey and special. With its glossy pecan top and smooth filling, it turns simple ingredients into something that looks and tastes extraordinary. Perfect for gatherings, potlucks, or cozy nights in, it’s a dish that’ll earn a permanent spot in your family recipe rotation.

Nutrition Table

Nutrient	Amount (per serving)
Calories	310 kcal
Protein	4 g
Fat	12 g
Carbohydrates	47 g
Fiber	5 g
Sugar	17 g
Sodium	230 mg

Disclaimer: Nutrition facts are estimated using online tools and may vary based on your ingredients and preparation. Please consult a nutritionist for precise dietary advice.