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    Home » Recipes » Side Dish Recipes » Paula Deen Sweet Potato Casserole

    Published: Oct 21, 2022 by Cara Lanz · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Paula Deen Sweet Potato Casserole

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    Paula Deen sweet potato casserole in a white casserole dish
    Paula Deen sweet potato casserole in a white casserole dish
    Paula Deen sweet potato casserole in a white casserole dish

    Paula Deen's Sweet Potato Casserole is a decadent Thanksgiving or Christmas side dish with creamy sweet potatoes and a crispy, crunchy brown sugar pecan topping. Perfect side to accompany a savory turkey or ham holiday dinner. 

    white plate with a serving of Paula Deen sweet potato casserole next to white casserole dish
    Jump to:
    • Why You’re Going to Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • How to Bake Sweet Potatoes for Sweet Potato Casserole
    • Can I Substitute Canned Yams for Sweet Potatoes?
    • Step-by-Step Instructions
    • Storage
    • How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
    • How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole Ahead of Time
    • How to Freeze Sweet Potato Casserole
    • How to Reheat Sweet Potato Casserole 
    • Expert Tips
    • Recipe FAQs
    • More Holiday Side Dish Recipes
    • Recipe Essentials
    • Let's Stay in Touch
    • Paula Deen Sweet Potato Casserole

    If anyone knows how to whip up an indulgent holiday side dish, it’s Ms. Paula Deen. And her sweet potato casserole recipe does not disappoint.

    It’s lusciously sweet and creamy and the brown sugar pecan topping is ridiculously crunchy and addictive. 

    But if you’re more of a sweet potato casserole with marshmallows kind of person, there's a Paula Deen recipe for that right here.

    Keep reading and I’ll explain how to make the most delicious sweet potato casserole with pecan topping EVER -- and how to swap out the topping for marshmallows!

    More Holiday Side Dish Recipes

    • Paula Deen’s Southern Green Bean Casserole
    • Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Sweet Potatoes
    • Cream Cheese Corn Casserole with Bacon
    • Chicken Stuffing Casserole

    Why You’re Going to Love This Recipe

    • Decadent family favorite holiday side dish everyone will devour
    • Easy to make or freeze ahead of time
    • Luscious creamy sweet potato bake with crunchy pecan topping

    Ingredients

    See recipe card for the full list of ingredients.

    Paula Deen sweet potato casserole ingredients

    Cooked sweet potatoes. Boil, bake, roast, or microwave the sweet potatoes, let them cool, and mash them. You can also use canned yams, which don’t need to be cooked. If you do, I suggest adjusting the sugar down a tad since they come in sweetened syrup. 

    Granulated sugar. White sugar amps up the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes. 

    Butter. One stick of melted butter is divided between the filling and the pecan topping. 

    Eggs. Two large eggs help hold the filling together and give it structure. 

    Cinnamon and nutmeg. This sweet potato side dish has a pumpkin pie vibe with warm and cozy spices. 

    Heavy cream, half and half or whole milk. Even more creaminess!

    Brown sugar. Brown sugar adds rich molasses flavor to the crunchy topping. You can use dark or light brown sugar.

    Pecans. Chopped pecans or walnuts bring crunchy nuttiness. Toast them for more nutty flavor.

    Flour. A little bit of all-purpose flour holds the pecan topping together. 

    How to Bake Sweet Potatoes for Sweet Potato Casserole

    Oven.

    • Preheat the oven to 400.
    • Prick several holes in the sweet potatoes with a fork.
    • Place the sweet potatoes on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil and bake for 60 minutes or until you can easily pierce them with a fork. 
    • Larger sweet potatoes may take longer than 60 minutes.

    Microwave.

    • Pierce the sweet potatoes several times with a fork and place them on a microwave safe plate.
    • Microwave for 5 minutes for one sweet potato, adding  two minutes for each additional sweet potato. Turn the potatoes over halfway through.
    • They’re done when you can easily pierce them with a fork.
    • If they’re too firm, continue to cook in one-minute increments. 

    Can I Substitute Canned Yams for Sweet Potatoes?

    Fresh sweet potatoes will taste best, but you can use canned yams. They just won’t need to be cooked before adding to the filling. Since they come in sweetened syrup, adjust the sugar down a bit. 

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    Step 1

    Cook and mash the sweet potatoes. Boil, bake, or roast the sweet potatoes. My favorite way is to bake them — sometimes in the oven, sometimes in the microwave.

    • When baking whole sweet potatoes, keep the skins on and peel them off when they're cool enough to handle.
    • Mash the potatoes with a food processor or hand mixer for smoother texture or with a fork or potato masher for a chunkier texture.
    • Let the sweet potatoes cool before mixing them in with the rest of the ingredients, or the heat may cause the eggs to scramble. 

    Step 2

    Preheat the oven to 325 and spray a 1 ½ quart baking dish with cooking spray. 

    Step 3

    Place potatoes, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, 5 tablespoons of melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract in a large bowl. Mix on medium to medium-high speed with an electric mixer until combined and smooth. Add the cream or milk and mix to combine. 

    Paula Deen sweet potato casserole filling in white bowl

    Pour mixture into the prepared baking dish.

    Paula Deen sweet potato casserole filling in white casserole dish

    Step 4

    Make pecan topping. In a medium bowl, mix together 3 tablespoons of melted butter, brown sugar, flour, and chopped pecans.

    Sprinkle the crumb mixture over the sweet potato casserole.

    Paula Deen sweet potato casserole in a white casserole dish

    Step 5

    Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the center is set and the internal temperature is 165. If desired, turn the oven to broil for an additional 1-3 minutes to brown the topping a little more. Watch it closely so it doesn't burn.

    Let the sweet potato casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving. 

    Paula Deen sweet potato casserole in a white casserole dish

    Storage

    Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or freeze them for up to 3 months. 

    How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows

    You can easily adapt this recipe for sweet potato casserole with marshmallows instead of the pecan topping.

    • Prepare the sweet potato filling as directed above.
    • Bake without topping until it is set, about 20 minutes.
    • Sprinkle ⅔ cup toasted pecans and 2-3 cups of mini marshmallows over the top of the casserole.
    • Bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the marshmallows are lightly browned and the internal temperature is 165.

    How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole Ahead of Time

    Make Ahead: Prepare the filling a day ahead of time and spread it in a casserole dish, but do not bake it. Cover with foil and refrigerate. The next day, take it out of the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for 30-60 minutes. Add the topping and bake as directed. 

    How to Freeze Sweet Potato Casserole

    Sweet potato casserole freezes well, so you can start prepping your holiday side dishes well in advance. For best results, freeze sweet potato casserole unbaked, as it always tastes best served freshly baked from the oven.

    Freeze Unbaked: Prepare the filling and place it into a freezer-safe casserole dish. Wrap it tightly in two layers of foil. Prepare pecan topping and place it in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. 

    Freeze Leftovers: Leftover sweet potato casserole is okay to freeze and reheat for lunches and quick weeknight dinners. Place it in an airtight container and freeze it for a month or two. 

    How to Reheat Sweet Potato Casserole 

    Frozen unbaked: Thaw the casserole in the refrigerator for 24 hours. Before baking, allow the casserole to come to room temperature for 30-60 minutes. There is no need to thaw the pecan crumble. Add the topping and bake as directed to 165 degrees.

    You may need to add a few minutes of cooking time if the casserole is still cold when it is placed in the oven.

    Frozen leftovers: Thaw leftover casserole in the refrigerator for 24 hours. Allow it to come to room temperature, cover it with foil and heat in a 350 degree oven until warmed through. Remove the foil for 5-10 minutes to crisp up the topping, if desired. You can also crisp the topping under the broiler for 1-3 minutes. Cook to an internal temperature of 165.

    Expert Tips

    If you bake or microwave the sweet potatoes whole, leave the skins on. The skins are really easy to peel off when cooked. 

    If you like silky smooth sweet potatoes, mash them with a food processor or mixer. For a chunkier texture, mash them with a fork or potato masher.

    Let the sweet potatoes cool before mixing them with the rest of the ingredients — especially the eggs. You don’t want scrambled eggs in your sweet potato casserole. 

    Add a splash of orange juice, if desired, to the sweet potato filling. Paula Deen does sometimes!

    Recipe FAQs

    Why do you add eggs to sweet potato casserole?

    Eggs help hold the sweet potato bake together and add structure to the casserole. 

    Do canned sweet potatoes need to be cooked?

    No, canned sweet potatoes are already cooked. If you used canned sweet potatoes, or yams, in Paula Deen’s sweet potato casserole recipe, you can skip cooking them first.

    Is it better to freeze sweet potato casserole before baking?

    Yes. You can freeze unbaked sweet potato casserole, let it thaw, then add the topping and bake as directed. That way, you can prepare ahead and still serve a freshly baked sweet potato casserole for your Thanksgiving dinner.

    white plate with a serving of Paula Deen sweet potato casserole next to white casserole dish

    More Holiday Side Dish Recipes

    • Paula Deen green bean casserole in a white casserole dish
      Paula Deen's Southern Green Bean Casserole
    • roasted brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes on white plate
      Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Sweet Potatoes
    • Chicken Stuffing Casserole (No Condensed Soup)
    • Balsamic Glazed Carrots with Carrot Top Chimichurri
      Maple Balsamic Glazed Carrots

    Recipe Essentials

    I use this little KitchenAid hand mixer for everything from mashing potatoes to whipping egg whites for macaroons. 

    Full disclosure, I don’t have these baking dishes, but they are on my wish list. Staub ceramic baking dishes are freezer, broiler, and oven safe and come in fun colors that will look great on your holiday table.

    Let's Stay in Touch

    Follow Midwestern HomeLife on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, and subscribe via email to receive all of the latest recipes!

    Paula Deen sweet potato casserole in a white casserole dish

    Paula Deen Sweet Potato Casserole

    Cara Lanz
    Paula Deen's Sweet Potato Casserole is a decadent Thanksgiving or Christmas side dish with rich and creamy sweet potatoes and a crispy crunchy brown sugar pecan topping. Perfect side to accompany a savory turkey or ham holiday dinner.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 25 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8
    Calories 525 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    For Sweet Potato Casserole Filling

    • 3 cups sweet potatoes cooked, mashed, and cooled
    • 1 cup granulated sugar
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
    • 5 tablespoons melted butter
    • 2 eggs
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ¼ cup heavy cream, half and half. or whole milk

    For Pecan Topping

    • 3 tablespoons melted butter
    • 1 cup brown sugar
    • ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
    • 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

    Instructions
     

    • Cook and mash the sweet potatoes. You can boil, bake, or roast the potatoes.
      Mash the potatoes with a food processor or hand mixer for smoother texture or with a fork or potato masher for a chunkier texture.
      Let the sweet potatoes cool before mixing them in with the rest of the ingredients, or the heat may cause the eggs to scramble.
    • Preheat the oven to 325 and spray a 1 ½ quart baking dish with cooking spray.
    • Place potatoes, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, 5 tablespoons of melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract in a large bowl.
      Mix on medium to medium-high speed with an electric mixer until combined and smooth. Add the cream or milk and mix to combine.
    • Pour mixture into the prepared baking dish.
    • In a medium bowl, stir together 3 tablespoons of melted butter, brown sugar, flour, and chopped pecans.
      Sprinkle the crumb mixture over the sweet potato casserole.
    • Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the center is set and the internal temperature is 165.
      If desired, turn the oven to broil for an additional 1-3 minutes to brown the topping. Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving.
    • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or freeze them for up to 3 months.

    Notes

    How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole Ahead of Time

    Make Ahead: Prepare the filling a day ahead of time and spread it in a casserole dish, but do not bake it. Cover with foil and refrigerate. The next day, take it out of the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for 30-60 minutes. Prepare and add the topping and bake as directed. Add a few minutes cooking time if the casserole is still a little cold going into the oven.

    How to Freeze Sweet Potato Casserole

    Sweet potato casserole freezes well, so you can start prepping your holiday side dishes well in advance. For best results, freeze sweet potato casserole unbaked, as it always tastes best served freshly baked from the oven.
    Freeze Unbaked: Prepare the filling and place it into a freezer-safe casserole dish. Wrap it tightly in two layers of foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. You can also prepare and freeze the pecan topping ahead of time. 
    Freeze Leftovers: Leftover sweet potato casserole is okay to freeze and reheat for lunches and quick weeknight dinners. Place it in an airtight container and freeze it for a month or two. 

    How to Reheat Sweet Potato Casserole 

    Frozen unbaked: Thaw the casserole in the refrigerator for 24 hours. Before baking, allow the casserole to come to room temperature for 30-60 minutes. Add the pecan crumble (no need to thaw) and bake as directed. If the casserole is still a bit cold going into the oven, you may need to add some baking time. Cook to internal temperature of 165.
    Frozen leftovers: Thaw leftover casserole in the refrigerator for 24 hours. Allow it to come to room temperature, cover it with foil and heat in a 350 degree oven until warmed through to 165 degrees. Remove the foil for 5-10 minutes to crisp up the topping, if desired. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 525kcalCarbohydrates: 74gProtein: 5gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 79mgSodium: 143mgPotassium: 482mgFiber: 4gSugar: 57gVitamin A: 14941IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 79mgIron: 2mg
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    Hi, I'm Cara!

    I love dreaming up easier, and sometimes healthier twists on dishes from the heartland.

    This is where I share my recipes, tips, and inspiration for a happy home.

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