Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans

Table of Contents

1. Sweet Potato Casserole With Pecans Ingredients
2. Substitutions And Additions
3. How to Make This Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans Recipe
4. How To Serve
5. Storage
6. Why We Love This Recipe
7. Frequently Asked Questions
8. More Recipes You’ll Love
9. JUMP TO RECIPE

This classic sweet potato casserole with pecans is a staple of Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. The creamy sweet potatoes are mixed with delicious ingredients to make them extra rich before being topped with sugared pecans for a bit of crunch.

Sweet Potato Casserole With Pecans Ingredients

This sweet potato casserole with pecans is a flavorful blend of creamy roasted sweet potatoes enhanced by maple syrup, cinnamon, heavy cream, and butter.

The addition of chopped cooked bacon adds a smoky and savory note, while the brown sugar and pecans on top create a sweet, crunchy crust with a delightful nutty texture.

Substitutions And Additions

BROWN SUGAR: You can use light brown sugar or dark brown sugar in this favorite Thanksgiving side dish.

CINNAMON: If you’re looking to switch up the spice profile, you could also substitute apple pie spice for plain cinnamon in this sweet potato casserole.

This will infuse a hint of apple and additional warm spices into the dish, creating a slightly different but equally delightful flavor.

MAPLE SYRUP: For a different natural sweetener, consider using honey or agave nectar as alternatives to maple syrup.

Each brings its unique sweetness and flavor notes to the casserole, giving you a chance to customize the sweetness level to your liking.

BACON: For a vegetarian or vegan version, omit the bacon altogether or use meatless bacon alternatives available in many grocery stores.

PECAN PIECES: If you prefer a different nut or have allergies, feel free to substitute pecans with walnuts, almonds, or even hazelnuts.

How to Make This Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans Recipe

Once you bake the potatoes, you will mix them with all the tasty ingredients and create your casserole following our instructions below.

STEP ONE: Poke your sweet potatoes with a fork a few times to let steam out while they cook. Bake on a sheet pan at 400°F.

They will need about an hour and a half to cook fully.

STEP TWO: Once cooked, let them cool before continuing the process, or they’ll be too hot to handle when you’re trying to skin them.

STEP THREE: After cooling, remove and discard the sweet potato skins.

STEP FOUR: Combine the skinned, baked sweet potatoes, maple syrup, cinnamon, heavy cream, butter, eggs, and salt.

STEP FIVE: Mash the sweet potatoes with a potato masher or mix with a hand mixer until smooth.

STEP SIX: Combine the bacon, brown sugar, pecans, butter, cayenne, and salt in a small bowl.

STEP SEVEN: Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish, and spread the sweet potato mixture in the dish.

Add your pecan sugar topping on top of the sweet potatoes and sprinkle on your sage as a finishing touch.

STEP EIGHT: Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes until bubbling.

Let it rest for about ten minutes so the creamy sweet potato casserole can set before serving.

How To Serve

Add this tasty casserole to your Thanksgiving dinner menu, along with our turkey or ham.

Pair it with our cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, and corn pudding.

If you want another take on this great dish, check out our sweet potato casserole with marshmallows as well.

If you have leftover potatoes, our sweet potato pie is delicious!

Storage

Now that you’ve whipped up this delightful sweet potato casserole with pecans, it’s time to ensure it stays fresh and delicious for as long as possible.

MAKE AHEAD: Follow the recipe up to the point just before baking it. Once you’ve assembled all the ingredients in your casserole dish, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.

You can refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. When you’re ready to enjoy, remove it from the fridge, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes to take the chill off, and then bake as directed in the recipe.

IN THE FRIDGE: Store any leftovers of this easy sweet potato casserole covered in the refrigerator for up to four days. 

IN THE FREEZER: You can also freeze the casserole in an airtight container for up to three months.

Do not add the topping until you are ready to thaw and bake the casserole. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil.

Why We Love This Recipe

IRRESISTIBLE FLAVOR: This casserole combines the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes with the warmth of cinnamon, the richness of maple syrup, and the delightful crunch of pecans. The result is a flavor explosion that balances sweet and savory notes, making it a perfect dish for any occasion.

CREAMY AND DECADENT: With the addition of heavy whipping cream and melted butter, this casserole achieves a creamy, indulgent texture that melts in your mouth.

FREEZER FRIENDLY: Not only can you make it ahead, but you can also freeze this casserole for longer storage. Whether you want to save leftovers or prepare a batch for future meals, having a frozen sweet potato casserole on hand ensures you always have a delicious and comforting dish ready to go.

Our sweet potato casserole is sweet, salty, and spicy. The creamy sweet potato base is matched with a wonderfully spiced, nutty pecan topping for maximum flavor and texture.

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• Corn Casserole
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• Fried Squash
• Corn Casserole
• Hamburger Casserole
• Broccoli and Cheddar Potato Skins
• Sweet Potato Fries
• Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
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