Homestyle Sweet Potato Casserole with Crunchy Pecan Topping (Print Version)

Sweet Potato Casserole: A holiday favorite! Get our familys best recipe with creamy sweet potatoes & a crunchy pecan topping.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 25 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 35 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 60 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cuisine: American, Southern
Dietary: Vegetarian

# Ingredients:

→ Base Ingredients for Homestyle Sweet Potato Casserole

01 - 4 large sweet potatoes (about 3 lbs), peeled and chopped
02 - 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
03 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
04 - 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar

→ Flavor Boosters

05 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
06 - 1 tsp ground cinnamon
07 - 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
08 - 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)

→ Crunchy Pecan Topping

09 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
10 - 1 cup chopped pecans
11 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
12 - 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, get those sweet potatoes ready! I usually peel them and chop them into roughly 1-inch pieces. This helps them cook evenly, and honestly, it speeds up the boiling process. Pop them into a large pot, cover with cold water, and add a generous pinch of salt. I always forget to salt the water, and then the potatoes taste a bit bland, so learn from my oops moment! Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until they're fork-tender, about 15-20 minutes. You want them soft enough to mash easily, but not waterlogged.
02 - Once those potatoes are tender, drain them really well. I mean, *really* well. Excess water makes for a watery casserole, and nobody wants that. Transfer them to a large bowl. Now, for the fun part: mash 'em! I use a potato masher, but a fork works too if you're feeling strong. Add the unsalted butter, heavy cream, brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Mix it all up until it's smooth and creamy. Taste it! This is your moment to adjust the sweetness or seasoning. I'm always tweaking it a little; sometimes I add more cinnamon, honestly.
03 - Grab a 9x13 inch baking dish. I usually give it a quick spray with non-stick cooking spray, just to be safe. Transfer your beautifully mashed Homestyle Sweet Potato Casserole mixture into the prepared dish and spread it out evenly. It should look vibrant and smell absolutely divine at this point – that's the cinnamon and vanilla doing their thing! This is where it starts looking like a proper holiday dish, I tell ya.
04 - In a separate medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, chopped pecans, granulated sugar, and melted unsalted butter. Use your fingers to mix it all together until it forms a crumbly mixture. You want some bigger clumps and some smaller bits; that's what gives it that fantastic texture when it bakes. I sometimes add a tiny extra splash of melted butter if it feels too dry. This topping is seriously my favorite part, way better than marshmallows, in my humble opinion!
05 - Sprinkle the pecan topping evenly over the sweet potato mixture in the baking dish. Make sure you get good coverage, because every bite deserves that crunch! Pop the dish into a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C). Bake for about 30-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and bubbly, and the casserole is heated through. My oven runs a little hot, so I always keep an eye on it around the 25-minute mark. Don't want those pecans to burn!
06 - Once it's beautifully golden, take your Homestyle Sweet Potato Casserole out of the oven. Let it cool for about 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows it to set up a bit and makes serving easier. It'll still be wonderfully warm and fragrant. The aroma filling your kitchen right now? That's the smell of pure holiday happiness, hon. Serve it up as a delightful side or, honestly, as a dessert – no judgment here!

# Notes:

01 - Don't over-boil sweet potatoes; they'll get watery.
02 - Always taste the mashed mixture before adding topping to adjust seasoning.
03 - If pecan topping browns too fast, loosely tent with foil.
04 - For a super smooth casserole, use a food mill or immersion blender.

# Tools You'll Need:

01 - Large pot
02 - potato masher
03 - large mixing bowls
04 - 9x13 inch baking dish
05 - measuring cups and spoons

# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):

Calories: 410 kcal
Total Fat: 28g
Total Carbohydrate: 40g
Protein: 4g

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