Loaded Sweet Potato Casserole
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Loaded Sweet Potato Casserole adds a new twist by including both marshmallows and pecan streusel in this favorite holiday recipe. It's a beloved side dish at every Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter meal!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Our family must have Loaded Sweet Potato Casserole at every special occasion. Some of us like marshmallows on top, while the rest of us like pecan streusel. I decided to load it up and add both toppings. Now, everybody's happy!
Adding cream cheese to the filling makes it extra creamy and gives this classic dish incredible flavor. It's sweet, savory, and crunchy, which makes it almost taste like dessert. Plus, it's loaded with spices like cinnamon and cloves that just scream autumn!
Sweet Potato Casserole pairs perfectly with Brown Sugar Spiral Ham. You'll see all types of sweet potato dishes out there, and even find a version made famous at Ruth Chris restaurant, but this is the only recipe you'll ever need!
Ingredients
FILLING
- sweet potatoes (or yams) - the base of deliciousness
- cream cheese - adds more creaminess than you can imagine!
- butter - because everything's better with butter
- ground cinnamon - the perfect spice
- ground cloves - to kick it up a notch
- brown sugar - adds sweetness
- egg- binds the filling together
- vanilla extract - provides an extra layer of flavor
TOPPING
- chopped pecans - crunchy and yummy
- brown sugar - to sweeten things up
- all purpose flour - creates the streusel effect
- butter - binds the topping together
- mini marshmallows - an extra added bonus!
See quantities in recipe card.
Instructions
1 - To make your prep easier, use a can of sweet potatoes (or yams) that have already been peeled. Drain, then add them to a mixing bowl and beat until creamy. Next, add cream cheese and beat until creamy again. Add butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, ground cloves, vanilla, and a beaten egg.
2 - Mix well and fold into an 8 X 11 casserole dish. I like to use a pretty piece of pottery for this recipe since it's often made for the holidays.
3 - In a separate bowl, add pecans, brown sugar, flour and butter. Mix with hands until crumbly to create streusel. Sprinkle streusel over sweet potato filling, then fill in gaps with mini marshmallows. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes until marshmallows start to brown.
4 - Watch the casserole carefully during cooking so the marshmallows don't burn. You'll know when it's ready because you'll smell a sweet candy aroma mixed with cinnamon and pecans wafting through the air!
Allow the casserole to set for about 15 minutes before serving. You can make it ahead and keep in the fridge until ready to bake. If you decide to make it ahead, leave off the streusel and marshmallows and add those just before baking.
Recipe FAQS
Sweet potato casserole originated in the south in the early 1900's and has become a traditional side dish at most Thanksgiving meals. The basic recipe starts with mashed sweet potatoes that are flavored with various spices. Then, they're usually topped with either marshmallows or a pecan streusel.
Yes, you can freeze this casserole before or after baking. If freezing before, leave off the topping and place cooled filling in an air tight container. Freeze for up to 3 months and add toppings before baking. If freezing after baking, place in an air tight container and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw out in the refrigerator for a couple of days before reheating in the oven.
The sugar has already been cut in half from most sweet potato recipes, but you can substitute honey or maple syrup if desired. You can also leave out the butter and cream cheese in the filling and substitute with almond milk.
What to Serve with Sweet Potato Casserole
Be sure to try my other recipes that go well with Sweet Potato Casserole like Dutch Oven Pork Tenderloin, Cream Style Corn and Biscuit and Cornbread Dressing.
At Thanksgiving or Christmas, serve it alongside a Dutch Oven Turkey Breast and Cranberry Jello Salad. It also tastes great with Green Bean Casserole without Mushroom Soup and a big helping of Southern Collard Greens with Bacon.
More Holiday Recipes
If you're looking for more holiday recipes, try these favorites from my kitchen to yours!
- Vidalia Onion Casserole
- Broccoli Casserole
- Best Squash Casserole
- Curry Rice Salad
- Pineapple Cheese Casserole
Recipe Card
Sweet Potato Casserole
*See notes in blog post for detailed tips, photos and instructions.
Ingredients
FILLING
- 40 ounce can of drained sweet potatoes or canned yams
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
TOPPING
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 Tablespoons all purpose flour
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Drain a large can of sweet potatoes (or yams) until all the fluid is gone. Add to a mixer, then beat until creamy.
- Add cream cheese and beat until creamy again.
- Add butter, cinnamon, cloves, brown sugar, and egg and vanilla.
- Mix ingredients well and pour into an 8 X 11 greased casserole dish.
- In a separate bowl, add pecans, brown sugar, flour and butter.
- Mix ingredients with hands until crumbly to create streusel.
- Sprinkle streusel over sweet potato filling, then fill in gaps with mini marshmallows.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes until marshmallows start to brown.
Notes
- Allow casserole to cool for 15 minutes before serving.
- If preparing casserole ahead of time, follow all steps except leave the topping off and add it before baking. Filling can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is an auto generated estimate.
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Can this recipe be cooked in a crockpot? Trying to bypass an overcrowded oven this Thanksgiving!
I've never tried it but I don't see why not! I'd probably try it on high for 3 to 4 hours.
Sounds like a delicious recipe gonna have to try it thank you. Carolyn from Illinois.
So so happy I found this it’s AMAZING!!! Been looking for a Good tasting one and this is IT ❤️👍 THANK YOU
That's great Kim! So happy you found this recipe too! 🙂
Can this recipe be done with fresh sweet potatoes, microwaved, instead of canned?
Hi Allan. Yes, you can make this recipe with fresh sweet potatoes that are microwaved, boiled, or baked. Enjoy! 🙂
My youngest son and I are both allergic to pecans. Will it cook the same if I just leave them out? I would love to make this recipe during the holidays!
Hi Alyssa. Yes, it will cook the same if you leave them out, but you should probably just put marshmallows on top and eliminate the pecan streusel topping ingredients altogether.
This sounds fantastic! Gonna make this instead of my usual. Always wondered about combining the two toppings! Thanks for sharing! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! ????
Hey Deby! So good to hear from you! I'm excited that you're going to try my version of Sweet Potato Casserole. Please let me know how it goes...and Happy Thanksgiving to you too!
SERIOUSLY guys. This is the best sweet potato dish ever! Not too sweet. Very creamy and savory. Oh oh oh must have at every holiday event going forward.
Yay! I'm so glad you liked it! 🙂
I have made this recipe for years. I can’t wait to try it adding marshmallows and cream cheese!
Thanks, Lorna! It's pretty yummy. I hope you like the new version! 🙂