Name: Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients: 5 or 6 large sweet potatoes, cooked; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 2 eggs; 1/2 cup butter, softened; 1 tablespoon vanilla extract; 3/4 cup brown sugar; 3/4 cup chopped pecans; 1/3 cup all-purpose flour; 1/3 cup butter, softened

If you’re looking for a comforting, crowd-pleasing holiday side, you’ve got to try my Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans Recipe. This dish blends velvety mashed sweet potatoes with a crunchy, buttery pecan topping that’s just irresistible. Honestly, every time I make it, my family goes crazy for it, and it’s become my go-to whenever I want to add a little Southern charm to the table. Keep reading, and I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to nail this classic dish perfectly.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Classic Southern Comfort: It’s the kind of dish that feels like a warm hug, with sweet potatoes and pecans bringing nostalgic flavors to life.
Easy Prep, Big Flavor: You don’t need to be a pro cook to get beautiful results — just mix, top, and bake.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep it in advance, freeze it, and still have it taste like it’s fresh from the oven.
Perfect Sweet and Crunch Balance: The creamy sweet potatoes paired with a crunchy pecan topping will have everyone asking for seconds.

The image shows a close-up of a baked sweet potato casserole in a aluminum tray. The casserole has two visible layers: the bottom layer is an orange, smooth sweet potato mash, and the top layer is a crumbly, golden-brown streusel topping with pieces of toasted pecans scattered throughout. The surface underneath the tray is a white marbled texture with a striped cloth partially visible. The casserole looks warm and freshly baked, with a crunchy texture on top. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

To get that perfect Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans Recipe texture and flavor, you’ll want to gather some simple, classic ingredients — no mystery flavors here, just real, comforting food. Each one plays a part in balancing creamy sweetness with that rich, crunchy pecan topping.

Sweet Potatoes: Choose big, smooth sweet potatoes — they’re the star of the dish, and I love cooking them in the microwave to save time.
Granulated Sugar: Just a touch to sweeten the base without overwhelming the natural potato flavor.
Eggs: These help bind everything together so the casserole holds its shape nice and firm.
Butter (for the filling): Use softened butter for richness and that silky mouthfeel.
Vanilla Extract: I discovered this little addition adds a subtle warmth and depth that’s pure magic.
Brown Sugar: This gets mixed with the pecans for that sweet, caramel-like crunch.
Chopped Pecans: Use fresh pecans if you can — they add such a fragrant nuttiness and texture.
All-Purpose Flour: Blended into the topping to help bind the crumbs together perfectly.
Butter (for the topping): Softened again — this is essential for creating those golden, buttery clusters.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

The beauty of this Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans Recipe is how adaptable it is — I love trying little twists to keep things fresh or cater to different tastes. Feel free to make it your own!

Add a Cinnamon Kick: I once sprinkled a teaspoon of cinnamon into the potato mixture, and it gave everything a cozy fall vibe my family adored.
Swap Pecans for Walnuts: When pecans were out of stock, I used walnuts and still ended up with a great crunch and flavor.
Make It Vegan: Use dairy-free butter and a flax egg substitute — I’ve done this for friends with dietary restrictions, and it turned out great.
Boost the Sweetness: If you love a sweeter casserole, adding a bit of maple syrup to the mix can give it a lovely natural sweetness boost.

How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans Recipe

Step 1: Cook Your Sweet Potatoes Just Right

I love using the microwave for cooking sweet potatoes because it saves a ton of time. Just rinse unpeeled potatoes, wrap each in a damp paper towel, and microwave on high for 8-15 minutes depending on their size. When they’re soft to the touch and cool enough, cut them in half and scoop out the soft pulp. If you prefer stovetop cooking, boil them until fork-tender — just peel while still warm for easier skin removal. This step sets the stage for that luscious sweet potato base.

Step 2: Mix the Sweet Potato Base

Pop your sweet potato pulp into a large mixing bowl along with granulated sugar, eggs, softened butter, and vanilla extract. I use an electric mixer and beat it for about 2 minutes until it’s fairly smooth but still has some lovely texture. This mixture is sweet, creamy, and fragrant — exactly what you want before layering into your casserole dish.

Step 3: Prepare the Crunchy Pecan Topping

In a smaller bowl, combine brown sugar, chopped pecans, all-purpose flour, and softened butter. I like to mix it all with a fork until you get these big, buttery crumbs. This topping is what takes the casserole from good to unforgettable — it crisps up beautifully in the oven.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake

Grease a 2-quart casserole dish, then spoon in your sweet potato mixture, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the pecan topping over the top, making sure to cover it well. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes or until heated through and the topping is golden and crisp. If you make the casserole ahead or it’s cold from the fridge, add about 15 extra minutes to baking time. You’re aiming for a bubbly, warm dish with a perfect crunch.

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Pro Tips for Making Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans Recipe

Microwave Sweet Potato Hack: Wrapping wet sweet potatoes in paper towels helps them steam perfectly, so they come out soft and moist every time.
Don’t Overmix: I found that mixing the sweet potato filling until just smooth keeps a nice texture; over-beating can make it gluey.
Evenly Spread Your Topping: Make sure to cover the casserole fully with the pecan topping for an even, crunchy layer across every bite.
Adjust Baking Time When Cold: If baking straight from fridge or frozen, add extra time so the center is heated through without burning the topping.

How to Serve Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans Recipe

The image shows a close-up of a square piece of sweet potato casserole being lifted from a glass dish. The dish contains a thick, bright orange sweet potato layer at the bottom that looks soft and smooth. On top, there is a textured brown layer made of crumbly topping mixed with whole pecans, giving it a crunchy look. The topping is uneven with small cracks and breaks, showing the pecans embedded throughout. The background is out of focus, emphasizing the vibrant colors and textures of the casserole. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I usually keep garnishes simple — some extra chopped pecans sprinkled on top after baking add a fresh crunch and a beautiful, rustic look. Sometimes I’ll add a small dab of whipped cream cheese or a light drizzle of maple syrup for extra richness and sweetness that just melts into the casserole.

Side Dishes

This casserole pairs wonderfully with roast turkey, glazed ham, or baked chicken. For a true Southern feast, add collard greens or green beans with a touch of bacon, and cornbread to round out the meal. It also works well alongside lighter salads if you want to balance the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to bake this casserole in individual ramekins — it makes for a charming presentation, and each guest gets their own perfectly crisp-topped serving. Another fun idea is to layer the casserole in a clear glass dish so those golden crumbs peek through, enticing everyone before serving.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After enjoying dinner, I usually let leftovers cool fully, then transfer them into an airtight container and refrigerate. They keep well for 3-4 days, and honestly, I think the flavors deepen overnight, making for great next-day bites.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this casserole successfully a few times. Just assemble in a freezer-safe dish, cover tightly with foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as usual, adding a bit more time to ensure it’s heated through.

Reheating

To reheat leftovers, I usually warm them in a 350°F oven for about 20 minutes, uncovered, which brings back the crispiness of the topping without drying out the filling. You can also microwave portions but lose a little of that signature crunch.

FAQs

Can I make Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans Recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! This casserole can be assembled a day in advance and refrigerated before baking. Just remember to add about 15 minutes to the baking time if it’s coming out of the fridge cold. It’s also freezer-friendly if you want to prep it even earlier.
What’s the best way to cook sweet potatoes for this casserole?

I prefer microwaving because it’s fast and retains moisture — wrapping them in damp paper towels helps them steam evenly. Boiling works well too, but you’ll want to peel them while warm to make it easier.
Can I substitute the pecans with another nut?

Yes! Walnuts or even almonds can work in a pinch. Pecans are preferred for their traditional Southern flavor and buttery texture, but I’ve had great results swapping in walnuts.
How do I keep the topping from getting soggy?

Make sure you use softened butter—not melted—for the topping mixture and sprinkle it evenly. Also, bake uncovered so the topping crisps up instead of steaming. Avoid covering the casserole right after baking to retain that crunch.

Final Thoughts

This Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans Recipe has become one of my all-time favorites — its balance of creamy sweet potatoes and that irresistible crunchy topping just never fails to impress. Whether you’re making it for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or a cozy weeknight dinner, it’s a dish that brings warmth and smiles to the table. I can’t recommend it enough — give it a try and see how it becomes your new tradition!