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Home » Side Dishes » Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows

Published: October 21, 2020 Last Modified: October 21, 2020 By Sara 161 Comments

Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows

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Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe | Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows #sweetpotato #casserole #thanksgiving #dinner #dinneratthezoo #sidedish #fall

This recipe for sweet potato casserole with marshmallows is mashed spiced sweet potatoes, topped with both a pecan streusel topping and plenty of mini marshmallows. A holiday classic that’s a family favorite!

Sweet potato casserole with marshmallows and pecans, how can you go wrong with that combination? This easy sweet potato casserole is THE BEST, it’s sure to become a tradition on your Thanksgiving table. Serve it alongside Southern cornbread dressing and bacon roasted brussels sprouts.

This recipe for sweet potato casserole with marshmallows is mashed spiced sweet potatoes, topped with both a pecan streusel topping and plenty of mini marshmallows. This recipe for sweet potato casserole with marshmallows is mashed spiced sweet potatoes, topped with both a pecan streusel topping and plenty of mini marshmallows.

Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows in a white baking dish with a serving spoon in it.

I can’t believe that October is almost over, it feels like we were just saying goodbye to summer! I’m already thinking about Thanksgiving, it’s one of my favorite holidays. Let me tell you: this sweet potato casserole with marshmallows? Is the best sweet potato casserole I’ve ever had. It’s a MUST for the holidays, to be honest, my kids ask for it year round.

Sweet Potato Casserole in a baking dish.

This easy sweet potato casserole has the best of both worlds with a crunchy pecan streusel topping AND a generous amount of mini marshmallows. The mashed sweet potato mixture underneath all that topping is just lightly sweetened to create the perfect balance between savory and sweet.

Roasted sweet potatoes on a sheet pan.

How do you cook sweet potatoes?

I like to roast whole sweet potatoes for this recipe. It’s super easy and you can just scoop the potatoes out of their skins, so there’s no peeling involved! Simply prick the potatoes with a fork, then place them on a sheet pan. Bake for 45-60 minutes or until the potatoes are tender and you’ll be ready to go! You also have the option of boiling or steaming cubed and peeled sweet potatoes.

Sweet potato casserole with marshmallows and pecan streusel, with a spoonful removed.

How do you make sweet potato casserole?

This recipe starts with the sweet potatoes. I prefer to mash my sweet potatoes with a hand masher for a more rustic texture, but you can definitely puree the sweet potatoes in a food processor if you prefer them to be on the smooth side. Another option is to beat them with a mixer until they’re light and fluffy.

Sweet potatoes, brown sugar, cinnamon and butter in a mixing bowl.

The sweet potatoes are mixed with brown sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon and butter. Aren’t you hungry just thinking about it? The casserole is topped with an easy pecan streusel and then goes into the oven. The marshmallows don’t go on until the very end, otherwise they could burn. All you do from there is serve and enjoy!

Mashed sweet potatoes in a baking dish.

Tips for sweet potato casserole

  • Not a fan of marshmallows? You can leave them off entirely and still have a fabulous dish.
  • If you don’t like pecans, try walnuts or almonds instead.
  • This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled if you’re looking to serve a large crowd.
  • I typically use light brown sugar because I always have it on hand, but dark brown sugar will also work just fine.
  • The recipe will work with canned sweet potatoes, but freshly cooked potatoes have a better flavor and texture. If you’re using canned sweet potatoes, make sure they don’t contain any sugar.
  • You can arrange your marshmallows in a decorative pattern like I’ve done here, or simply sprinkle them over the top. It’s delicious either way.

Sweet potato casserole topped with pecan streusel.

Can you make sweet potato casserole in advance?

The number one question I’m asked about this recipe is, can it be made in advance? Yes, you can assemble this casserole the day before you plan to bake it. Simply cook and mash the potatoes, then add the streusel topping, cover and refrigerate.

You may need to add 7-10 minutes to the bake time if you’re starting with a cold casserole. I almost always assemble it early on so that my time is freed up to work on other holiday dishes on the day of the big event.

A serving spoon holding up a portion of sweet potato casserole with marshmallows.

This recipe has gotten countless rave reviews, your family is sure to love it too!

More thanksgiving side dishes

  • Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole 
  • Green Bean Bundles
  • Cranberry Jello Salad
  • Pomegranate Pecan Brussels Sprouts
  • Winter Fruit Salad

Sweet Potato Casserole with marshmallows Video

This recipe for a sweet potato casserole with marshmallows is mashed spiced sweet potatoes, topped with both a pecan streusel topping and plenty of mini marshmallows. A holiday classic that's a family favorite!
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5 from 56 votes

Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows

This recipe for a sweet potato casserole with marshmallows is mashed spiced sweet potatoes, topped with both a pecan streusel topping and plenty of mini marshmallows. A holiday classic that's a family favorite!
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 505kcal
Author Sara Welch

Ingredients

For the casserole

  • 2 pounds sweet potatoes cleaned
  • 4 tablespoons melted butter
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • cooking spray

For the topping

  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 4 tablespoons melted butter
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans
  • 1 cup miniature marshmallows

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a sheet pan with foil and coat with cooking spray. Prick the potatoes with a fork and place them on the pan.
  • Bake the potatoes until tender, 45 minutes to an hour.
  • When the potatoes are cool enough to handle, cut them open, scoop out the insides and place the potatoes in a large bowl.
  • Add the 4 tablespoons of butter, milk, brown sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, egg and vanilla to the bowl.
  • Use a potato masher or hand mixer to mash or beat the potatoes until mostly smooth.
  • Grease a 9 inch square pan or 2 quart baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Spread the sweet potato mixture evenly in the pan.
  • In another bowl, mix together the brown sugar, flour, melted butter and pecans until crumbly. Sprinkle the crumb topping over the sweet potatoes.
  • Bake for 25-30 minutes or until topping has lightly browned.
  • Remove from oven, sprinkle the marshmallows over the top then return to the oven.
  • Bake for an additional 3-5 or until marshmallows are just melted.
  • Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 505kcal | Carbohydrates: 81g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 238mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 47g
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @DinnerAtTheZoo or tag #dinneratthezoo!

This post was originally published in October of 2016 and was updated October 21, 2020 with new and improved content.

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Filed Under: Comfort Food, Side Dishes, Thanksgiving

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    Comments

    1. PJ says

      December 26, 2022 at 6:43 am

      5 stars
      Made this for thanksgiving and was requested to repeat for Christmas – turned out perfect each time! Delicious, no fail recipe. Thank you so much for sharing!

      Reply
    2. Carmen says

      November 26, 2022 at 4:02 pm

      5 stars
      I prepared this delicious dish for thanksgiving dinner 2022. Over the years, I’ve made a praline top casserole and a marshmallow topped casserole but never combined the two classics. Wow! Baking the potatoes instead of boiling them gives fantastic flavor. And no messy perks to deal with! My granddaughter said every bite is like eating a yummy cloud.

      Reply
    3. Cornelia says

      November 19, 2022 at 8:03 am

      Can I freeze this ahead to time? I would thaw the night before in fridge .I was planning on not putting the topping until it’s ready to be baked. Thanks

      Reply
      • Sara says

        November 21, 2022 at 7:50 am

        Yes that’s all fine!

        Reply
    4. Jess says

      November 17, 2022 at 9:55 am

      If omitting the pecan strussels part, do I need to bake any additional time before adding the marshmallows?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        November 18, 2022 at 7:26 am

        You do not need to add time!

        Reply
    5. Francesca says

      November 25, 2021 at 7:02 am

      5 stars
      I have been making this recipes for a couple years now and it is such a hit with my family. This is by far the best sweet potato casserole I have ever tried. Thank you so much!

      Reply
    6. Christy says

      November 24, 2021 at 1:35 pm

      I look forward to trying your recipe for Thanksgiving. Thank you so much for sharing it. Question, if I am preparing tonight, do I just do everything for the casserole today and then do the topping tomorrow?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        November 24, 2021 at 2:18 pm

        You can make the sweet potato mash and the streusel today, just store them separately until you’re ready to bake!

        Reply
        • Christy Walsh says

          November 24, 2021 at 6:12 pm

          Thank you so much!

          Reply
    7. Sarah says

      November 24, 2021 at 11:10 am

      Hello! Do I double the recipe for a 9×13 pan?
      Thank you.

      Reply
      • Sara says

        November 24, 2021 at 2:19 pm

        Yes that will work!

        Reply
    8. Charlotte says

      November 24, 2021 at 7:33 am

      We have had a version of this recipe for the last 25+ years for Thanksgiving. it is a family favorite! We use honey instead of maple syrup. And I only put marshmallows on the top. Yum!

      Reply
    9. C_Kopper says

      November 23, 2021 at 12:48 pm

      Do you use salted or unsalted butter??

      Reply
      • Sara says

        November 24, 2021 at 7:13 am

        I’ve tested it both ways, either works fine!

        Reply
    10. Sara says

      November 22, 2021 at 7:53 am

      Can I make this a day ahead and just bake it on Thanksgiving?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        November 22, 2021 at 8:45 am

        Yes that’s fine!

        Reply
    11. Michalina says

      November 22, 2021 at 7:48 am

      Can this be prepped ahead and then baked?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        November 22, 2021 at 8:45 am

        Yes that’s fine!

        Reply
    12. Ashley says

      November 16, 2021 at 2:45 pm

      5 stars
      Such a hit! I only made a few modifications to this recipe to reduce the added sugars and cater it more to my family’s taste:

      – reduced brown sugar in the casserole to 1/4 cup
      – omitted the maple syrup in the casserole
      – substituted half of the flour for oats in the topping

      This will definitely be the recipe I use for all our future Thanksgivings!

      Reply
    13. Tonya says

      November 14, 2021 at 7:43 am

      If you have nut allergy, is there anything else you recommend for the topping?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        November 15, 2021 at 8:52 am

        Just omit the pecans!

        Reply
    14. Kushigalu says

      October 16, 2021 at 9:23 pm

      5 stars
      Adding this casserole to my Thanksgiving menu. So delicious

      Reply
    15. Caroline says

      October 16, 2021 at 5:12 pm

      5 stars
      Definitely a comforting classic for Thanksgiving! Like the pecan layer in there.

      Reply
    16. Keri Bevan says

      October 16, 2021 at 4:36 pm

      5 stars
      I’ve booked this for Thanksgiving! It looks perfect. Thank you!

      Reply
    17. Tara says

      October 16, 2021 at 3:16 pm

      5 stars
      This sweet potato casserole looks so good! I love that marshmallow topping. Definitely perfect for celebrating during the holidays.

      Reply
    18. Mirlene says

      October 16, 2021 at 2:26 pm

      5 stars
      That pecan struesel and marshmallows are to die for! My family would devour this sweet potato casserole in an instant!

      Reply
    19. Marg says

      December 26, 2020 at 8:59 pm

      5 stars
      Family favorite

      Reply
    20. Jackie says

      December 26, 2020 at 6:27 pm

      what difference is it if you use white cane sugar or light brown sugar when mixing the sweet potato

      Reply
      • Sara says

        December 26, 2020 at 10:23 pm

        I recommend light or dark brown sugar as it has more flavor than white sugar!

        Reply
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