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This Paula Deen sweet potato casserole is a holiday must-have! Covered in marshmallows and pecans, it’s a comforting way to enjoy sweet potatoes for the season.
Who says holiday casseroles have to be savory?
Whether it’s Thanksgiving or Christmas, this sweet, gooey, nutty, and cozy sweet potato crunch casserole is a must for holiday dinners.
It’s too easy to skip, especially when it’s basically part dessert and part side dish!
With just 8 ingredients, Paula Deen’s sweet potato casserole is the perfect way to add sweetness alongside your savory Thanksgiving dishes.
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Make your Thanksgiving sides a little sweeter this year! If this sweet potato casserole with pecans hits the spot, don’t miss our Southern candied yams and sweet potato bites next.
Why You’ll Love This Paula Deen Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
- This Paula Deen sweet potato casserole with marshmallows is so easy to make with just a few ingredients! It’s one of those holiday side dishes that saves time when things get busy.
- Creamy, crunchy, gooey, and just sweet enough with a little spice, Paula Deen’s sweet potato casserole is sure to be a hit with everyone at the table.
- You can prepare this Paula Deen sweet potato bake in advance or bake a big batch to enjoy later. It’s a tasty way to turn leftover sweet potatoes and extra brown sugar, pecans, and cinnamon from holiday baking into something special!
Ingredients
Sweet potatoes – A quintessential ingredient in holiday side dishes, sweet potatoes are the star of this casserole! You can boil, roast, or microwave them, then mash with a fork or potato masher.
Dark brown sugar – With its deep molasses flavor, dark brown sugar is the perfect sweetener for the holiday season! Granulated sugar also works.
Eggs – To give your copycat Paula Deen sweet potato casserole structure.
Heavy whipping cream – For a decadent sweet potato casserole.
Ground cinnamon – For that warm, familiar flavor everyone loves in fall. You can also add vanilla extract for depth.
Kosher salt – To balance the sweetness of our Paula Deen sweet potato casserole with marshmallows.
Miniature marshmallows – For a toasty, gooey layer that pairs perfectly with the creamy brown sugar sweet potatoes.
Pecans – Toasted pecans add a satisfying, crunchy contrast to Paula Deen sweet potatoes!
Ingredient Substitutions For Sweet Potato Bake
Canned yams
No sweet potatoes? No problem! You can use canned yams and even save on prep work since they’re already cooked.
Walnuts
This Paula Deen sweet potato casserole is so easy to adjust! Use walnuts or any nuts you love instead of pecans.
Whole milk
If you only have whole milk, you can use it as a substitute for heavy cream in this Paula Deen recipe for sweet potato casserole. Milk (or heavy cream) not only makes our sweet potato casserole creamy but also keeps it from drying out.
Tips For Making This Recipe
Don’t Peel the Sweet Potatoes Before Cooking
Save yourself some work and skip the peeling! Just cook the sweet potatoes, cut them in half, and scoop out the flesh to mash.
Cool Your Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Cool the mashed sweet potatoes first so the eggs don’t scramble in your Paula Deen sweet potato casserole.
Know When It’s Done
Your sweet potato bake is finished when the center is set but still has a gentle wobble.
Paula Deen Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping Recipe FAQs
How to make sweet potato mash quickly?
To cut the prep time for your Paula Deen sweet potato bake, an easy way to cook the sweet potatoes is in the microwave! Poke holes along each side of the sweet potato, then microwave on high for 8 minutes. Turn it over and cook for another 8 minutes, or until tender.
Can I prep sweet potato casserole ahead of time?
Of course! For a make ahead sweet potato casserole, assemble it in the baking dish, but don’t bake it yet. Cover with foil and refrigerate. The next day, let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, add the pecan marshmallow toppings, and bake.
How long will Paula Deen sweet potato casserole last in the fridge?
You can store your Paula Deen’s sweet potato casserole in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days!
Can you freeze sweet potato casserole?
Yes, but this sweet potato bake is best frozen before adding the toppings and baking. Just add the mashed cooked sweet potato layer to the baking dish, double-wrap it in aluminum foil, and freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
How do you reheat sweet potato casserole?
Let your sweet potato crunch casserole sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Cover with foil and reheat it in the oven at 350°F until warmed through. For a toasted topping, remove the foil for the last 5 minutes.
More Delicious Fall Desserts
- Sweet Potato Bundt Cake
- Chai Spiced Sugar Cookies
- Apple Crumble Cheesecake
- Pumpkin Roll
- S’more Charcuterie Board
I found this recipe for Sweet Potato Pound Cake that I HAVE to try!
Yay! You have made it this far, and I am so glad! Hey – If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a quick review & star rating ★ below.
Paula Deen Sweet Potato Casserole
Equipment
Ingredients
- 7 cups sweet potatoes, mashed
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar, firmly packed
- 3 large eggs
- 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 3 cups mini marshmallows
- 1 cup pecans, toasted
- Non-stick spray
Instructions
- Gather all your ingredients.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- In a large bowl, mix the mashed sweet potatoes with the brown sugar.
- Add the eggs, heavy cream, cinnamon, and salt.
- Stir everything together until smooth and well combined.
- Lightly grease your baking dish, then pour in the sweet potato mixture and spread it evenly with a spatula.
- Bake for about 1 hour, or until the casserole has set and firm up.
- Remove the dish from the oven, then sprinkle the marshmallows and pecans evenly on top.
- Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the marshmallows have puffed up and turned golden.
- Remove from the oven and let it sit for about 10 minutes before serving.
- Enjoy your Paula Deen sweet potato casserole! Add extra pecans for a crunchier texture, if desired.
Notes
- Save yourself some work and skip the peeling! Just cook the sweet potatoes, cut them in half, and scoop out the flesh to mash.
- Cool the mashed sweet potatoes first so the eggs don’t scramble in your Paula Deen sweet potato casserole.
- Your sweet potato bake is finished when the center is set but still has a gentle wobble.
Nutrition
PIN FOR LATER!
