Paula Deen Sweet Potato Casserole

This Paula Deen sweet potato casserole makes the best side dish for holiday dinners. It features mashed sweet potatoes, brown sugar, marshmallows, and pecans!

Trying out this sweet potato casserole recipe is like having a cooking lesson from a top chef in your own kitchen, without breaking the bank.

It’s incredibly simple – just mix everything together and pop it in the oven!

It’s fascinating how you can recreate a renowned cook’s dish with simple ingredients. But as you go along, feel free to experiment and add your own twist on it.

Scroll down to find out how to put your own delicious touch on Paula’s sweet potato casserole and make everyone believe that you have become a seasoned chef overnight ?

What Is A Sweet Potato Casserole?

Sweet potato casseroles are Thanksgiving staples! They typically include mashed sweet potatoes, blended with lots of other ingredients like sugar, spices, and eggs to achieve a rich, creamy texture.

And of course, irresistible marshmallows and pecans as toppings.

If you’re in the mood for an exceptional yet simple recipe, you’ll love this version from the ever talented foodie Paula Deen!

While it came from one of the best cooks around, it’s easy to follow so it’s sure to come out amazing.

This Paula Deen sweet potato casserole is incredibly delicious and can be served as a side dish or dessert. Making this one can also open doors to more mouthwatering meals.

Why don’t you make more of those mashed sweet potatoes, so the next day (or in the coming days) you can use them for other creations like a sweet potato bundt cake! ?

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Customizable: You can load it up with as many pecans and marshmallows as you like (or even add fruity toppings!). If pecans aren’t your thing, just turn it into a nut-free sweet potato casserole. This is a well-loved pecan recipe, but I totally get that some people just don’t enjoy pecans. ?
• An easy holiday favorite: This Paula Deen sweet potato casserole is a holiday dish that you’ll want to prepare even on regular days. And since it’s super easy, you definitely can even if you’re busy.
• A make-ahead meal: Yes, busy bees, it’s now easier for you to prepare a sweet side dish for upcoming big feasts and impress everyone, especially the kids. The only challenge you have here is storing it properly in the fridge and thawing it the right way.

What Does Paula Deen Sweet Potato Casserole Taste Like?

Paula Deen’s sweet potato casserole is so sweet, creamy, and crunchy that you wouldn’t even think of enjoying any other dessert once you have tasted this! ?

The sweet potatoes have always been naturally sweet, and here they become even creamier and more delicious, thanks to brown sugar, heavy cream and eggs.

A dash of cinnamon and salt add a pleasing spicy, savory note that makes this dessert stand out more.

Let me guess the things that make you even more excited about this treat. I’m pretty sure it’s the irresistible combo of marshmallows and pecans.

Did you know that marshmallows transform when they get that golden-brown finish? They take on a caramelized, toasty flavor.

The pecans and marshmallows add more than just delicious flavor and texture to this casserole – they also enhance its visual appeal!

The golden marshmallows, alongside the rich brown pecans, really make the dish even more appetizing and inviting.

Paula Deen Sweet Potato Casserole Ingredients

• Mashed cooked sweet potatoes – Make them creamy and sweet to blend perfectly well with the other ingredients.
• Dark brown sugar – Go for this type of brown sugar to give your Paula Deen sweet potato casserole a lovely caramel undertone! It’s got deeper molasses sweetness.
• Eggs – For a soft texture and to bind everything together.
• Heavy whipping cream – Heavy cream just makes everything so decadent.
• Ground cinnamon – Its spicy edge balances out the sweetness of the brown sugar and marshmallows!
• Kosher salt – Adding a bit of salt to this sweet casserole might sound weird, but it actually enhances the sweetness of the dish by creating a pleasant contrast!
• Marshmallows – These pillowy topping ingredients are the “cherry” on top of your casserole! You can use mini marshmallows or the largest, fluffiest ones.
• Pecan halves – I think adding these can give your Paula Deen sweet potato casserole a more visually appealing presentation, but chopped pecans are also a good option. Smaller pieces are easier to spread on the casserole’s surface and blend seamlessly with the other ingredients!

Tools Needed To Prepare Paula Deen’s Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

• Spatula to to mix and evenly spread the ingredients
• Large mixing bowl to prepare the ingredients without any mess
• 11×7-inch baking dish to make sure that there’s enough for everyone.
• Non-stick cooking spray to make sure that the casserole doesn’t stick to the baking dish

Ingredient Additions & Substitutions For This Paula Deen Casserole Recipe

Roasted Apples

For a chunkier texture, you can add some roasted apples into the sweet potato base. Another option is to sprinkle them on top for a fruity element that goes really well with crunchy pecans and soft marshmallows.

Dried Cranberries

Dried cranberries can really up this Paula Deen sweet potato casserole’s holiday vibe! Just seeing those red beauties on top will make you want to eat more because, why not? It’s the holiday season – you deserve rest and fruitier flavors. ?

Vanilla Extract

One teaspoon vanilla extract can make a tasty difference in this delicious side dish, making it more aromatic and slightly sweeter! Paula Deen’s original recipes are awesome, but adding this one will give it a more delectable flavor.

Unsalted Butter

You can either mix in unsalted butter with the heavy cream or swap it out entirely. Either choice works well without losing the creamy goodness that makes this Paula Deen sweet potato casserole so delicious. It will just bring in a more velvety, buttery feel!

Ingredients:

• 7 cups mashed cooked sweet potatoes 
• ½ cup dark brown sugar
• 3 large eggs
• ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• 3 cups marshmallows
• 1 cup pecan halves

Tools you need:

• Spatula
• Large mixing bowl
• 11×7-inch baking dish
• Non-stick cooking spray
• Cooling rack

Instructions:

STEP 1: Gather all the casserole ingredients.

STEP 2: Preheat the oven to 350°F.

STEP 3: Mix the mashed sweet potatoes and brown sugar in a large bowl.

STEP 4: Next, add the eggs, heavy whipping cream, cinnamon, and salt.

STEP 5: Stir all the ingredients together until it becomes smooth.

STEP 6: Spray your baking dish with non-stick cooking spray, then transfer the sweet potato mixture into it and smooth out the top with a spatula.

STEP 7: Put the dish in the preheated oven. Bake for around an hour, or until the casserole firms up.

STEP 8: Remove it from the oven once done, Then, sprinkle the marshmallows and pecan halves over the top of the sweet potato mixture.

STEP 9: Time to return the baking dish to the oven for another round of baking! Bake it for another 10 minutes, or until the marshmallows puff up and become golden brown.

STEP 10: Once finished, take the casserole out of the oven. Let it stand for about 10 minutes to set before serving.

STEP 11: Enjoy your Paula Deen sweet potato casserole! Go ahead and add more pecans if you want it to be extra crunchy.

What To Serve With Paula Deen Sweet Potato Marshmallow Casserole

• Coffee: Since this Paula Deen sweet potato casserole is a little sweet, I’d love to enjoy it with a hot black coffee. But iced coffee is still an option! You can try our Vietnamese pumpkin spice iced coffee with this dessert, but add a little less pumpkin spice syrup so it won’t be too sweet.
• Red wine: Ready for a more sophisticated pairing? A simple red wine like Pinot Noir will undoubtedly blend well with this Paula Deen sweet potato casserole. It’s light and slightly fruity, which goes really well with the flavors of this dish. If you want a non-alcoholic option, a red grape cocktail is a fantastic choice.
• Apple butter: Enhance the fall flavors of your casserole by adding a few spoonfuls of apple butter on top. Don’t worry, it won’t overpower your dish with sweetness! Its spiced, tangy flavors complement the earthy notes of cinnamon and sweet potatoes perfectly.

Tips About Making Paula’s Sweet Potato Casserole

• Creamy mashed sweet potatoes: Cook your sweet potatoes until they’re perfectly tender, then give them a good mash until smooth. A potato masher or electric mixer works great for achieving that lump-free texture!
• To chop pecans or not: I’m sure I’m not the only one who thinks that pecan halves are a little difficult to eat, though I love their chunky texture. The best choice really just boils down to personal preferences. Some always go for chopped pecans. If you can’t decide, you can use both for a varied texture.
• Don’t make it too sweet: Regular marshmallows are super delicious but vegan and sugar-free options can be just as tasty. If you’re worried about your Paula Deen sweet potato casserole’s sweetness, you can use fewer marshmallows or choose ones that are not very sweet.

How To Store This Paul Deen Mashed Sweet Potato Casserole

• Fridge: Make it ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days. Cover the dish with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to keep air out and stop the casserole from drying out.
• Freezer: Don’t worry if you ended up making a lot. Just freeze the leftovers after your party.. Wrap the casserole tightly with plastic wrap, then foil, and it’s good for three months. It’s like saving a slice of the holidays for later!
• Thaw it overnight: Thaw your Paula Deen sweet potato casserole overnight in the fridge so you can enjoy it again the very next day. Be patient! You need to thaw it for many hours to keep the texture and flavors like they were when freshly made.
• Reheat in the oven: To reheat it, take it out of the fridge after overnight thawing and reheat it in the oven at 350°F. It’ll come out just as moist and flavorful as the first time you baked it.

Why Add Eggs to Sweet Potato Casserole?

Aside from binding everything together, eggs add a creamy richness to the casserole and help it gently rise in the oven.

Eggs play a key role in making sure the casserole sets properly during baking and doesn’t come out too runny.

The egg proteins firm up as they bake, thus giving the dish a solid structure. The rich moisture from the fats also contributes to making those sweet potatoes even more luscious.

I’ve always wondered why eggs are in almost every baked treat! So, we already know the plan – we gotta buy more eggs if we want to prepare more casseroles, cookies, and cakes this holiday season.

Are Candied Yams and Sweet Potato Casserole the Same Thing?

Nope, these are two different dishes. Candied yams are slices of yams cooked in syrup made from sugar and spices, usually on the stovetop.

A sweet potato casserole, meanwhile, involves baking a mashed sweet potato mixture with pecans and marshmallows.

One thing’s for sure, they’re both delicious and worthy of being served during the holidays!

How to Make Mashed Sweet Potatoes?

Creating the best Paula Deen sweet potato casserole starts with the tastiest mashed sweet potatoes. Go for the freshest sweet potatoes you can find and give them a good wash.

You can choose to peel them for a smooth mash or leave the skin on for a rustic texture.

Next, drop them into a pot of boiling salted water and cook until they’re soft. This usually takes around 20 to 30 minutes.

You’ll want to cook them just until they reach the ideal softness for a smooth mash.

Once they’re cooked, thoroughly drain the sweet potatoes. Then, mash them using a potato masher, fork, or an electric mixer if you’re aiming for an extra fine texture.

Now comes the fun part: flavoring your mash! Some recipes are so simple, they only require salt and pepper.

For mashed potatoes for a sweet casserole, combining milk, butter, and cinnamon typically works best. The key is in striking the best balance of flavors that harmonize well with the rest of your casserole ingredients.

 FAQ About Paula Deen Sweet Potato Casserole

Conclusion

Congratulations, you’ve just found a new sweet potato favorite! Here’s one last tip before you start making your Paula Deen sweet potato casserole.

Come up with a good topping game plan. It might be better to add more marshmallows when there are many kids around.

And you might also want to bake for more people. Little ones love marshmallows so much they probably won’t be able to resist and will eat more, more, and more! ?

This holiday season, should you go for sweet or savory meals? I say go for dishes that showcase a mix of both. Here are other recipes that you can explore for an unforgettable party:

• Copycat Sweetgreen Harvest Bowl Recipe
• Cracker Barrel Squash Casserole Recipe
• Loaded One-Pan Sweet Potato Hash (With Apple & Pancetta)
• Pumpkin Cheesecake Bites
• Whipped Pumpkin Spice Butter Spread