I absolutely love this Sweet Potato Casserole with Streusel Topping Recipe because it delivers that perfect balance of creamy sweetness and crunchy texture that makes every bite feel like a warm, comforting hug. Whether you’re making it for a holiday feast, a special family gathering, or just a cozy weekend side dish, this recipe has a way of turning simple ingredients into something truly memorable.
When I first tried this casserole, I was blown away by how the streusel topping adds a delightful crunch that contrasts so nicely with the velvety sweet potatoes underneath. You’ll find that it’s not just delicious but also surprisingly easy to pull together, making it a fantastic choice for impressing guests without spending all day in the kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect Holiday Classic: This casserole is a crowd-pleaser that’s both festive and comforting.
- Easy to Make Ahead: You can prep it in advance and just pop it in the oven before serving.
- Streusel Topping Magic: The crunchy pecan streusel adds texture and a lovely nutty sweetness.
- Simple, Real Ingredients: With pantry staples and fresh sweet potatoes, this recipe feels honest and homemade.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll be using some kitchen staples along with fresh sweet potatoes for this Sweet Potato Casserole with Streusel Topping Recipe. Each element works together to balance sweetness, richness, and crunch — so pick good-quality ingredients for the best results.
- Sweet Potatoes: Choose firm, large sweet potatoes for a creamy, naturally sweet base.
- White Granulated Sugar: Adds just the right sweetness to the mashed filling.
- Salt: Balances and enhances the natural flavors.
- Vanilla Extract: Brings warmth and depth to the filling.
- Eggs: Help bind the sweet potato mixture for a smooth texture.
- Salted Butter: Adds richness and ensures the casserole stays moist.
- Light Brown Sugar (for streusel): Gives the topping its caramel-like sweetness.
- All Purpose Flour (for streusel): Provides structure to the crunchy topping.
- Crushed Pecans (for streusel): The secret to that lovely nutty crunch on top.
Variations
I love that this Sweet Potato Casserole with Streusel Topping Recipe is easily customizable, so feel free to tweak it to fit your family’s tastes or dietary needs. Over the years, I’ve played around with ingredients and found some fun ways to mix things up while keeping that crowd-pleasing vibe.
- Nut-Free Version: Swap crushed pecans for toasted oats or coconut flakes if you’re avoiding nuts—still delivers great crunch.
- Vegan Adaptation: Replace eggs with flax eggs and use vegan butter to make it dairy-free and plant-based.
- Maple Flavored: Add a splash of maple syrup to the filling or streusel for a subtle, cozy sweetness my family adores.
- Extra Spices: Sprinkle in cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger to the sweet potato mix for a warm, autumnal twist.
How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole with Streusel Topping Recipe
Step 1: Roast Your Sweet Potatoes Until Tender
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F. Use a fork to poke holes all over the sweet potatoes—this prevents them from bursting as they bake. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for about an hour. You’ll know they’re done when you can easily insert a fork all the way through. When they’re cooked, slice each open and let them cool just enough so you can handle them without burning your fingers.
Step 2: Mash Sweet Potatoes and Mix in the Filling
Scoop the soft flesh out of the skins into a large mixing bowl. Add your sugar, salt, vanilla extract, eggs, and melted butter. Then, grab a hand mixer and blend everything until silky smooth and well combined. This step is key—getting the texture just right means your casserole will be creamy and luscious every time.
Step 3: Bake the Sweet Potato Base
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and spread the sweet potato mixture evenly inside. Bake it for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the center is set and the edges start to pull away slightly from the pan. This ensures your casserole holds together nicely under the streusel topping later on.
Step 4: Make and Apply the Streusel Topping
While the sweet potato base is baking, prepare the streusel by mixing together light brown sugar, all-purpose flour, crushed pecans, and melted butter in a bowl until crumbly but cohesive. Once the base is done, evenly sprinkle the streusel over the casserole. Pop it back into the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, watching closely to catch the moment the topping turns a gorgeous golden brown and isn’t crumbly anymore.
Step 5: Rest Before Serving
Once out of the oven, let your Sweet Potato Casserole with Streusel Topping Recipe sit for at least 10 minutes. This resting time helps everything set perfectly so when you scoop it out, it holds together beautifully and tastes even better.
Pro Tips for Making Sweet Potato Casserole with Streusel Topping Recipe
- Don’t Over-mash Your Potatoes: I always go for a smooth but slightly textured mash — it keeps the casserole from turning gluey.
- Watch Your Strousel Bake Time: Keep an eye on the topping in the last 5 minutes so it’s golden but not burnt.
- Use Room Temperature Eggs: They blend more smoothly into the mixture and give the filling a creamier consistency.
- Cool Potatoes Before Mixing: Letting your potatoes cool slightly prevents the eggs from scrambling when you add them.
How to Serve Sweet Potato Casserole with Streusel Topping Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep garnishes simple—a few extra toasted pecans sprinkled on top just before serving adds a beautiful finishing touch, plus a little fresh chopped parsley can brighten it up if you want some color contrast. Sometimes, a light drizzle of maple syrup on the side makes it feel even more special.
Side Dishes
This casserole pairs wonderfully with classic Thanksgiving mains—think roasted turkey, honey-glazed ham, or even a savory vegetable medley. I love serving it alongside green beans almondine or a crisp spinach salad to balance the richness.
Creative Ways to Present
For holidays or gatherings, I like to serve this casserole in mini ramekins—it looks adorable and lets everyone enjoy their own perfectly baked portion with that golden streusel goodness on top. You can also add edible flowers or sprinkle cinnamon powder around the edges of the dish for a festive table centerpiece.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers (rare, but it happens!), cover the casserole tightly with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 4 days. I always find that sweet potato casseroles taste even better the next day after the flavors have had time to meld.
Freezing
This casserole freezes really well when wrapped tightly in plastic and then aluminum foil or stored in an airtight freezer-safe container. I’ve frozen leftovers successfully for up to 3 months, and it thaws beautifully in the fridge overnight.
Reheating
To reheat, I recommend thawing in the refrigerator overnight, then warming the casserole in a 350°F oven for 20-25 minutes until heated through and the topping is crisp again. Avoid microwaving if you want to preserve that crunchy streusel texture.
FAQs
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Can I use canned sweet potatoes for this casserole?
While canned sweet potatoes can work in a pinch, I recommend using fresh roasted sweet potatoes for the best texture and flavor. Fresh potatoes have a natural creaminess and sweetness that canned versions often lack, making a big difference in the overall taste of this Sweet Potato Casserole with Streusel Topping Recipe.
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How do I prevent the streusel topping from getting soggy?
To keep the streusel crisp, be sure to spread it evenly and bake the casserole uncovered for the final stage. Also, avoid adding any liquid ingredients to the topping. Following the baking times closely ensures it browns properly and maintains its crunch.
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Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the sweet potato filling and bake it in the casserole dish, then refrigerate it before adding the streusel topping. Add and bake the topping just before serving to keep it fresh and crunchy.
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What nuts can I substitute for pecans?
Walnuts make a great substitute, as do chopped almonds or hazelnuts. If you have a nut allergy, toasted oats or coconut flakes can provide a delicious, crunchy alternative.
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Is this casserole suitable as a dessert?
Yes! This Sweet Potato Casserole with Streusel Topping Recipe is sweet and rich enough to pass as a dessert, especially when paired with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Final Thoughts
Making this Sweet Potato Casserole with Streusel Topping Recipe has become a special tradition in my kitchen, one that always fills the room with warmth and delicious aromas. I really hope you give it a try—you’ll enjoy how the creamy potatoes and crunchy topping come together to create something everyone asks for again and again. Trust me, once you make this, it might just become your new holiday favorite too!
PrintSweet Potato Casserole with Streusel Topping Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 20 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This classic Sweet Potato Casserole is a delightful blend of creamy mashed sweet potatoes and a crunchy, sweet pecan streusel topping. Perfect for holiday meals or as a comforting dessert, it combines baked sweet potatoes, sugar, vanilla, and butter, baked to perfection with a golden brown topping that adds texture and flavor to every bite.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8 Large Sweet Potatoes
- 1 cup White Granulated Sugar
- 2 tsps Salt
- 2 tsps Vanilla Extract
- 4 Eggs
- 1 Stick Melted Salted Butter
Streusel Topping
- 2 cups Light Brown Sugar
- 1 cup All Purpose Flour
- 2 cups Crushed Pecans
- 1 Stick Melted Salted Butter
Instructions
- Preheat and Bake Sweet Potatoes: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a fork to poke holes in each sweet potato, then place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for about 1 hour, or until you can easily insert a fork through the potatoes, indicating they are fully cooked.
- Cool and Scoop Sweet Potatoes: Carefully slice the potatoes open with a knife and allow them to cool slightly. Once manageable, scoop out the flesh into a large mixing bowl.
- Prepare Sweet Potato Mixture: Add the white granulated sugar, salt, vanilla extract, eggs, and melted salted butter to the bowl with the sweet potatoes. Using a hand mixer, blend all the ingredients until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Assemble Casserole: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and spread the sweet potato mixture evenly inside. Place the dish in the oven and bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the center of the casserole is set and no longer jiggly.
- Make Streusel Topping: In a separate bowl, combine the light brown sugar, all-purpose flour, crushed pecans, and melted salted butter. Mix well until the topping is crumbly but holds together slightly.
- Top and Final Bake: Evenly spread the streusel topping over the baked sweet potato casserole. Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and crispy.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it sit for at least 10 minutes before serving to allow it to set and cool slightly for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- To save time, sweet potatoes can be pricked and microwaved before baking to soften faster, but baking gives the best flavor and texture.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the sweet potato mixture.
- Use freshly crushed pecans for more crunch and freshness in the streusel topping.
- If you prefer a less sweet casserole, reduce the sugar quantities slightly.
- Make sure to let the casserole rest after baking to firm up before slicing and serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/20th of recipe)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 26g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 70mg