Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows Recipe

Hands On Time:

20 mins

Total Time:

2 hrs 40 mins

Servings:

6 to 8

Nothing says Thanksgiving in the South like sweet potato casserole, and this recipe has all of our favorite toppings—cornflakes, marshmallows, and pecans.

While this dish isn't technically a dessert, it's just sugary enough to curb your sweet tooth. The cornflake cereal adds the perfect amount of crunch for a modern take on this traditional dish. It's sure to be the shining star of your holiday spread.

With only 20 minutes of preparation time, this sweet potato casserole with marshmallows is a great dish to add to your Thanksgiving menu because it won't keep you occupied for long, which means more quality time with family. The toasted marshmallow topping will undoubtedly be the talk of the party, and with all of the credit and very little effort put in, what more could you ask of a holiday dish?

Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows - Southern Living — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Ingredients for Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows

To make this impressive-looking casserole, you'll need:

Sweet potatoes: The star of the show; roasted until tender before mashing.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the potatoes; can be substituted with light brown sugar for a hint of molasses flavor. Can reduce quantity to taste, if desired.
Butter: Adds richness.
Milk: Thins the sweet potato mixture for the perfect texture once baked.
Large eggs: Helps bind everything together.
Vanilla extract: Adds a subtle flavor and elevates the entire dish's flavors.
Kosher salt: Enhances the flavor of the casserole.
Cornflakes cereal: Crushed for a crisp topping. Can use other types of cereal, if preferred.
Pecans: Chopped for a nutty crunch. Can be substituted with additional cereal if making the dish nut-free.
Brown sugar: Sweetens the topping for a caramelized flavor.
Butter: Helps crisp up the topping.
Miniature marshmallows: For a nostalgic touch.

ingredients for Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

How To Make Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows

This sweet potato casserole with marshmallows may take a few steps to make, but the presentation and taste are oh-so-worth it. Full instructions are below, but here's a brief recap before you get started:

Step 1. Bake sweet potatoes at 400°F until tender. Once cool to the touch, peel and mash. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F.
Step 2. Beat sweet potatoes and next 6 ingredients until smooth. Spoon into a greased baking dish.
Step 3. Combine cornflakes and next 3 ingredients in a small bowl. Sprinkle over casserole in rows.
Step 4. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven; let stand 10 minutes.
Step 5. Sprinkle on marshmallows in alternate rows; bake until browned. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Can I Make Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows Ahead?

This sweet potato casserole can be made ahead so it's ready to serve for your holiday gathering. However, we recommend waiting to add the cornflake mixture and marshmallows until just before baking.

Prepare the sweet potato mixture; transfer to the baking dish, cover and refrigerate for up to two days, or freeze for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator if frozen. Leave at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes, then top as directed and bake before serving.

How To Store and Reheat Leftover Sweet Potato Casserole

Refrigerate leftover sweet potato casserole well-wrapped for up to three days. Bring to room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes, then bake at 350°F until hot throughout before serving.

More Sweet Potato Casserole Recipes You'll Love

Having something sweet on the table is a must when it comes to those holiday dinners. These sweet potato dishes are sweet, savory, and absolute winners:

Editorial contributions by Katie Rosenhouse.

Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Ingredients

4 1/2 lbs. sweet potatoes
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup milk
2 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1 1/4 cups cornflakes cereal, crushed
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 Tbsp. butter, melted
1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows

Directions

Bake sweet potatoes:

Preheat oven to 400°F. Bake sweet potatoes at 400°F for 1 hour or until tender. Let stand until cool to touch (about 20 minutes).

Emily Laurae / Southern Living
Mash sweet potatoes:

Peel and mash sweet potatoes. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F.

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Mix sweet potatoes:

Beat mashed sweet potatoes, granulated sugar, and next 5 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth.

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Add sweet potato mixture to baking dish:

Spoon potato mixture into a greased 11- x 7-inch baking dish.

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Make cornflake-pecan mixture:

Combine cornflakes cereal and next 3 ingredients in a small bowl.

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Add cornflake mixture to casserole:

Sprinkle over casserole in diagonal rows 2 inches apart.

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Bake casserole:

Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes. Remove from oven.
Add marshmallows:

Sprinkle marshmallows in alternate rows between cornflake mixture.

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Finish baking:

Bake 10 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have to put eggs in sweet potato casserole?

Eggs help bind and lift the casserole for a light, set texture once baked. Sweet potato casserole can also be made without eggs, if needed.
Are yams and sweet potatoes the same thing?

While the two names are sometimes used interchangeably, yams and sweet potatoes are in fact different. Yams have a rough, bark-like skin, while sweet potato skins are thinner and more reddish. Sweet potatoes bake up moist and tender, while yams are more dry and starchy.
How can I keep my sweet potato casserole from becoming watery?

The sweet potato mixture will set up as it cools, but for an even thicker texture, you can add a spoon of cornstarch or flour to the filling before baking.