Sweet potato casserole is a popular Southern American dish that is often served as a side dish during holiday meals, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas. It is a sweet and savory casserole made with mashed sweet potatoes and topped with a crunchy, nutty streusel topping.
To make sweet potato casserole, sweet potatoes are first baked until they are tender, then peeled and mashed. The mashed sweet potatoes are then combined with eggs, milk, sugar, and spices, such as cinnamon and nutmeg, to create a creamy and flavorful mixture. The mixture is poured into a casserole dish and topped with a streusel made from chopped pecans, brown sugar, and flour.
The casserole is then baked in the oven until the topping is golden brown and the sweet potato mixture is heated through. Some variations of sweet potato casserole may also include marshmallows, which are added on top of the streusel before baking.
Sweet potato casserole is a popular and beloved dish that is often served alongside other classic Southern American dishes, such as roasted turkey or ham, cornbread dressing, and green bean casserole. It is a comforting and satisfying dish that is perfect for cooler weather, and its sweet and savory flavor profile makes it a favorite among adults and children alike.
SERVINGS: 4
PREPARATION TIME: 1 hour 15 minutes
INGREDIENTS:
- 3 cups mashed sweet potatoes
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×9 inch baking dish.
- In a large bowl, mix together the mashed sweet potatoes, brown sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract, beaten eggs, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pour mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, oats, chopped pecans, light brown sugar, and melted butter to form the streusel topping.
- Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the sweet potato mixture in the baking dish.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the streusel is golden brown and the sweet potatoes are heated through.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS OR ADDITIONAL TIPS:
- Serve as a side dish for holiday meals, or any special occasion.
- To make this dish vegan, use non-dairy butter and a flax egg instead of regular eggs.
- If desired, top with marshmallows for a classic twist on this dish.
