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A bubbling sweet potato casserole, golden brown and topped with marshmallows.

Best way to grow a Sweet Potato Casserole in 5 stepsSweet Potato Casserole

This recipe details how to "grow" a Sweet Potato Casserole, which is likely a humorous or metaphorical take on preparing the dish rather than literally growing the ingredients. It offers a simple, step-by-step approach to creating this classic comfort food.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Casserole Base
  • 3 pounds sweet potatoes (about 5 cups mashed)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
Pecan Topping
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Equipment

  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • large bowl
  • fork or fingers
  • medium bowl

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Bake the sweet potatoes until very tender, then peel and mash them in a large bowl until smooth.
Mixing the Base
  1. To the mashed sweet potatoes, add the melted butter, granulated sugar, milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined and the mixture is smooth, then spread it evenly into the prepared baking dish.
Making the Topping
  1. In a separate medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, melted butter, chopped pecans, and cinnamon. Use a fork or your fingers to mix until the ingredients form a crumbly topping.
Baking the Casserole
  1. Evenly sprinkle the pecan topping over the sweet potato mixture in the baking dish. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is heated through and bubbly.
Serving
  1. Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows the casserole to set slightly and makes for easier serving.

Notes

For extra flavor, a pinch of nutmeg or allspice can be added to the sweet potato mixture. If you prefer a less sweet casserole, you can slightly reduce the amount of sugar in both the base and the topping. This casserole can be made ahead of time and reheated; cover with foil when reheating to prevent the topping from over-browning.