There’s something about the earthy sweetness of roasted sweet potatoes paired with the crunch of toasted pecans that makes this casserole so irresistible. I first made this dish for a holiday dinner, and it quickly became a favorite at every family gathering since then. The combination of creamy filling and crunchy, caramelized topping is the perfect balance, and it always disappears in a flash.

A serving of sweet potato casserole with a golden pecan streusel topping on a plate, with a fork on the side.
Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel Topping. Photo credit: Southern Supper Club.

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This Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel Topping is perfect for any occasion, but it’s especially comforting when shared with loved ones during the cooler months. Imagine the warmth of the oven, the aroma filling the house, and the satisfaction of digging into a dish that is as cozy as it is delicious.

A Cozy Holiday Treat

This casserole brings together all the flavors of fall, with the soft and creamy sweet potatoes as a base and the pecan streusel topping adding that irresistible crunch. It’s the kind of dish that’s perfect for Thanksgiving, a Sunday family meal, or anytime you want a little indulgence with your comfort food. Plus, it’s simple enough to make and yet fancy enough to impress. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll be coming back for seconds!

Ingredients

A variety of ingredients for sweet potato casserole, including sweet potatoes, eggs, brown sugar, milk, vanilla extract, chopped pecans, flour, and melted butter.
Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel Topping. Photo credit: Southern Supper Club.

How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel Topping

Start by adding the peeled and cubed sweet potatoes to a large pot of salted water. Bring it to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Cook the sweet potatoes for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until they’re very tender. Drain them well, then let them cool slightly before mashing them until smooth. This simple step is what gives the casserole its lovely texture, so make sure the potatoes are mashed to your liking.

A large pot of boiled, cubed sweet potatoes being mashed with a spatula.
Boil peeled and cubed sweet potatoes in salted water for 15-20 minutes until tender. Drain, cool slightly, and mash until smooth.

While the sweet potatoes are cooling, preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 2-quart baking dish with butter and set it aside. In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, mashed sweet potatoes, milk, brown sugar, vanilla, salt, and eggs. Mix it all together until smooth. This is the filling that’s going to make your casserole rich and flavorful.

A bowl of sweet potato mixture, ready to be poured into a greased baking dish.
Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 2-quart dish. Whisk melted butter, sweet potatoes, milk, brown sugar, vanilla, salt, and eggs until smooth.

Once the sweet potato mixture is ready, pour it into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly with a spatula. Next, prepare the topping by combining the flour, brown sugar, melted butter, and salt in a medium bowl. Stir until the mixture becomes moist and crumbly, then fold in the chopped pecans. I love using the pecans because they give a nutty crunch that contrasts perfectly with the softness of the sweet potatoes.

A crumbled pecan streusel topping, ready to be sprinkled over the sweet potato mixture.
Pour sweet potato mixture into the dish. Mix flour, brown sugar, butter, salt, and pecans for the topping.

Sprinkle the topping evenly over the sweet potato mixture, then pop the casserole into the oven. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is mostly set. It’s done when the top is beautifully crisp and the casserole is bubbling just slightly around the edges.

Serving Suggestions

This sweet potato casserole is perfect on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with roasted meats, especially turkey or ham. It’s a great side dish for any holiday meal, or serve it as a dessert to end the evening on a sweet note. I also love adding a dollop of whipped cream on top for an extra indulgent treat!

The prepared sweet potato casserole with a pecan streusel topping in a baking dish, ready for the oven.
Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel Topping. Photo credit: Southern Supper Club.

Storage Tips

If you happen to have leftovers (which is rare in my house!), you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply pop it in the oven at 350°F for 10 to 15 minutes until it’s warmed through. You can also make this casserole ahead of time and refrigerate it before baking; just let it sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before baking.

A fully baked sweet potato casserole with a pecan streusel topping, served on a plate with a spoon and surrounded by pecans and sunflowers for a warm, inviting presentation.
Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel Topping. Photo credit: Southern Supper Club.

More Recipes You’ll Love

If you enjoyed this casserole, you’ll also love these comforting recipes: Try the Fully Loaded Sweet Potato Casserole for a more savory take on sweet potatoes, or the Mississippi Mud Pie for a rich, chocolatey dessert that’s always a hit at gatherings. If you’re looking for a cozy side dish, Southern Sausage Cheese Balls are perfect for a family breakfast or as a crowd-pleasing appetizer. And for something warm and hearty, you can't go wrong with Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice, a dish that’s simple, satisfying, and great for busy days.

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A serving of sweet potato casserole with a golden pecan streusel topping on a plate, with a fork on the side.

Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel Topping

Mandy Applegate
This Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel Topping is a warm, comforting dish that combines smooth mashed sweet potatoes with a crunchy pecan topping. Ideal for the holidays or any cozy meal, it’s a simple yet impressive recipe everyone will love.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Bake time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 Servings
Calories 413 kcal

Equipment

  • Large pot
  •  2-quart baking dish
  • Spatula
  • Medium bowl

Ingredients
  

For the filling:

  • 3 to 4 large sweet potatoes about 1 3/4 pounds, peeled and cubed
  • 1/2 stick unsalted butter 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus more for greasing the baking dish
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 large eggs

For the topping:

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 stick unsalted butter 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 3/4 cup pecans

Instructions
 

  • Boil sweet potatoes in salted water until very tender (15-20 minutes). Drain and mash.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 2-quart baking dish.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together mashed sweet potatoes, butter, milk, brown sugar, vanilla, salt, and eggs until smooth.
  • Pour sweet potato mixture into prepared baking dish.
  • In a medium bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, butter, salt, and pecans. Stir until crumbly and sprinkle over sweet potato mixture.
  • Bake for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden and the center is mostly set.

Notes

You can substitute walnuts for pecans or use coconut milk for a dairy-free version.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 413kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 6gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 79mgSodium: 313mgPotassium: 512mgFiber: 5gSugar: 24gVitamin A: 18539IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 79mgIron: 2mg

A Note on Nutritional Information

Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed.

Keyword Easy Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe, Sweet Potato Casserole, Thanksgiving Sweet Potato Casserole
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