Creamy Sweet Potato Casserole with Irresistible Pecan Topping

Introduction

Creamy Sweet Potato Casserole with Irresistible Pecan Topping is the ultimate side dish for holidays, potlucks, or any cozy family dinner. This luscious casserole pairs velvety smooth sweet potatoes with a crunchy, caramelized pecan topping, delivering warm flavors and satisfying contrasts in every bite. Its combination of rich, sweet, and nutty notes transforms a classic vegetable into a crave-worthy comfort food that always draws compliments at the table.

Why This Creamy Sweet Potato Casserole Wins Hearts

This recipe stands out for its smooth, creamy sweet potato base, enhanced with warming spices, vanilla, and a hint of brown sugar. The crowning glory is the buttery pecan topping—crispy, sweet, and perfectly toasted to complement the soft, mellow potatoes. The result is a side that feels indulgent enough for special occasions but easy enough to assemble for any weeknight meal.

Crafting the Creamiest Sweet Potato Layer

Begin by roasting or boiling sweet potatoes until they’re fork-tender. Blending them with milk, melted butter, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg ensures a decadently smooth and flavorful mash. Beat until silky for that signature creaminess—no lumps allowed! Taste and adjust the seasonings for just the right balance of sweet and spice.

The Secret to the Irresistible Pecan Topping

Mix chopped pecans with brown sugar, melted butter, and a touch of flour to form a crumbly mixture. This topping bakes up beautifully golden and crunchy, providing a tempting contrast to the creamy base. Sprinkle generously over the sweet potatoes before baking for that perfect crisp finish.

Serving Suggestions for an Unforgettable Casserole

Serve this casserole piping hot, garnished with a light sprinkle of extra toasted pecans or a drizzle of maple syrup. It’s a stunning addition to turkey dinners, roasted meats, or vegetarian feasts alike. The dish holds up well at room temperature, making it ideal for buffet-style gatherings or meal prepped leftovers.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 8 hearty servings. Each serving is approximately 260–310 calories, with the majority coming from healthy sweet potatoes and the protein-rich pecan topping. Serve as a side—its satisfying texture and natural sweetness may even convince picky eaters to ask for seconds!

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and streamlined weekly meal planning.

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
2. Cook the sweet potatoes in a large pot of boiling water until very tender, about 15–20 minutes. Drain well.
3. In a large mixing bowl, add the drained sweet potatoes, melted butter, milk, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Mash and beat until completely smooth.
4. Spread the sweet potato mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.
5. In a separate bowl, combine the chopped pecans, brown sugar, flour, and melted butter. Mix until it forms a crumbly mixture.
6. Sprinkle the pecan topping evenly over the sweet potato layer.
7. Bake for 30–35 minutes, until the top is golden and slightly crisp. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Weekly Meal Planning

This Creamy Sweet Potato Casserole with Irresistible Pecan Topping is a meal prep favorite—make it ahead and store in the fridge up to three days before baking, or freeze for busy weeks. Save and schedule this recipe to seamlessly incorporate it into your weekly meal plan and generate smart, consolidated shopping lists.

**Planning Benefits:**

– Instantly organizes all your ingredients by grocery store section.
– Calculates the precise quantities of stacked ingredients if you’re preparing multiple recipes.
– Helps you avoid overbuying and missed items—minimizing food waste and extra trips.
– Makes coordinating holiday meals, special dinners, or weekly sides a breeze.

**Pro tip:** When building your meal plan, schedule your recipes so common ingredients like eggs or butter are automatically totalled, ensuring nothing gets overlooked at the store.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes

Enjoy this classic side and make it the star of your dinner table—no matter the occasion!