Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows And Pecans Recipe

Prep Time:

40 mins

Cook Time:

1 hr 40 mins

Total Time:

2 hrs 20 mins

Servings:

8

When Thanksgiving is on the horizon, you know it's time to dust off your favorite sweet potato casserole recipe and get ready to celebrate. This sweet potato casserole with marshmallows and pecans is the perfect fall casserole because it's a mixture of the creamiest, dreamiest sweet potatoes, festooned with crunch from cornflakes and toasty pecans and sweetness from marshmallows.

The classic casserole topping gets a delicious upgrade from this tasty trio, with an eye-catching presentation that's sure to bring new interest to this traditional side. While we call for the mini 'mallows here, you can cut up large marshmallows into smaller pieces if that's what you have on hand.

The recipe is easy, and it's one of the few holiday dishes requested by name time after time, year after year. Make it this year to find out why. Just be prepared to add it to your lineup every holiday season—once your family tastes a bite of this sweet side dish, they'll ask for it again and again.

Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows, Pecans, And Cornflakes - Southern Living — Emily Laurae

Ingredients for Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows and Pecans

To make this decadent casserole, you'll need:

For the filling:

Sweet potatoes: The base of the casserole. Make sure to choose orange or red-skinned varieties for the most tender, moist flesh.
Butter: Adds richness to the mashed sweet potatoes.
Brown sugar: You can use light or dark brown sugar depending on your preference; dark brown sugar will lend additional notes of molasses.
2% reduced-fat milk: Milk thins the filling for a perfectly scoopable texture. Can substitute with whole milk for additional richness.
Egg: Helps set the casserole for a light and airy texture.
Salt: Seasons the filling.
Vanilla extract: Adds complexity.
Cooking spray: For easy cleanup.

For the topping:

Cornflakes: Crushed for a crisp topping. Can use other types of cereal, or additional nuts, if preferred.
Chopped pecans: Pecans are interspersed with cornflakes for a toasty, nutty topping.
Brown sugar: Helps to caramelize the pecans and cornflakes while baking.
Melted butter: Gives the brown sugar something to stick to and helps with even browning.
Miniature marshmallows: For a classic sweet potato casserole topping.

ingredients for Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows, Pecans, And Cornflakes — Emily Laurae

How To Make Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows and Pecans

The presentation and taste of this sweet potato casserole with marshmallows and pecans make the careful preparation so worthwhile. Full instructions are below, but here's a brief recap before you get started:

Step 1. Prepare Filling: Preheat oven to 400°F. Bake sweet potatoes 1 hour or until tender. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Peel and mash potatoes.
Step 2. Beat sweet potatoes and next 6 ingredients until smooth. Spoon into a sprayed 11- x 7-inch baking dish.
Step 3. Prepare Topping: Stir together cornflakes and next 3 ingredients. Sprinkle over sweet potato in diagonal rows 2 inches apart.
Step 4. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes. Remove from oven; let stand 10 minutes. Sprinkle marshmallows between cornflake rows, and bake 10 more minutes.

Can I Make Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows and Pecans Ahead?

You can make this casserole ahead while you focus on other part of your holiday menu. Prepare the sweet potato filling, wrap, and refrigerate up to two days in advance, 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. For the most crisp texture, we recommend waiting to add the cornflake mixture until just before baking.

How To Store and Reheat Leftover Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows and Pecans

Is there anything better than holiday leftovers? This sweet casserole makes a delicious side dish for days after serving, as well as a great late-night snack.

Wrap and refrigerate leftover sweet potato casserole for up to three days. Bring to room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes, then bake at 350°F until hot throughout before serving. You can also use the microwave to reheat small portions.

More Sweet Potato Casserole Recipes You'll Love

It just isn't a holiday meal without a sweet side dish on the table—particularly sweet potato casserole. Unique, sweet, or savory, these recipes are sure to be crowd-pleasers:

Editorial contributions by Katie Rosenhouse.

a scoop of Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows, Pecans, And Cornflakes — Emily Laurae

Ingredients

Sweet Potato Filling:

2 1/2 lbs. sweet potatoes (about 5 medium)
2 Tbsp. butter, softened
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup 2% reduced-fat milk
1 large egg
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
Vegetable cooking spray

Cornflake, Pecan, and Marshmallow Topping:

1 1/4 cups cornflakes cereal, crushed
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 Tbsp. melted butter
1 1/4 cups miniature marshmallows

Directions

Bake, then mash sweet potatoes:

Preheat oven to 400°F. Bake sweet potatoes on a baking sheet 1 hour or until tender. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Let potatoes stand until cool to touch (about 20 minutes); peel and mash with a potato masher.

Emily Laurae
Make casserole filling:

Beat mashed sweet potatoes, 2 Tbsp. softened butter, and next 5 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth.

Emily Laurae

Spoon mixture into an 11- x 7-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.

Emily Laurae
Prepare Topping:

Stir together crushed cornflakes cereal and next 3 ingredients. Sprinkle over sweet potato mixture in diagonal rows 2 inches apart.

Emily Laurae
Bake casserole:

Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes. Remove from oven; let stand 10 minutes. Sprinkle miniature marshmallows in alternate rows between cornflake mixture, and bake 10 more minutes.

Emily Laurae

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to add eggs to 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.
Can I use canned yams for sweet potato casserole?

You can use canned yams (or sweet potatoes) for this recipe. Just skip to Step 2 and proceed with the recipe as written. Note that if your canned yams contain sugar, you'll need to cut back on the additional sugar in the recipe.
Why isn't my sweet potato filling thick enough?

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