Our recipe for Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows is simple, delicious, and a must on Thanksgiving day. The natural sweetness and creaminess of the sweet potatoes will pair perfectly with your other savory Thanksgiving side dishes and the star of the show, the turkey.
The Best Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
Who said vegetables can’t be fun! Sweet potato casserole of any kind has bold warming flavors, the creamiest texture, and the right amount of sweet and savory flavors. Then top it all off with mini marshmallows and you’ve got yourself a Thanksgiving tradition!
Looking for More Recipes Like This?
This classic recipe has a special place in our heart, but if you’re looking for something slightly different, check out our cheesy mashed potatoes or our ultimate mashed sweet potatoes.
What You Will Need
- whole sweet potatoes – Look for similar sized sweet potatoes for uniform cooking. We prefer fresh sweet potatoes because of their fresher tasting flavor. But you are welcome to use canned sweet potatoes in a pinch.
- butter – For dairy-free option, vegan butter works wonderfully here.
- eggs – Why add eggs to a sweet potato casserole? These little guys simply help to bind all of the casserole ingredients together.
- full fat coconut milk – a little heavy cream or unsweetened almond milk will work here too.
- maple syrup – Pick up your favorite store bought brand, or whip up some of your own using our homemade maple syrup recipe. We always opt for natural sweeteners instead of white sugar.
- brown sugar – Coconut sugar works well too.
- kosher salt – Just a pinch helps to elevate all of the other flavors in this dish.
- ground cinnamon & nutmeg – These warming spices are noticed throughout.
- vanilla – This classic flavor pairs perfectly with the touch of marshmallows on the top.
- mini marshmallows – The perfect size to get warmed through and through and to give you just a touch of sweetness in each bite. Large marshmallows would work, but we like how the small ones easily coat the top of the whole casserole.
What Is The Difference Between Sweet Potato And Yams
Good question. Although some grocery stores use the names interchangeably, Sweet potatoes and yams are two different types of vegetables . True yams have white flesh, rough skin, and a dry starchy taste. Sweet potatoes have orange, white or purple flesh, smooth orange skin, and a moist and sweet flavor. In addition, sweet potatoes are grown right here in the United States and therefore can be found easily in most grocery stores, while yams are imported and are less likely to be found in a typical grocery store.
How To Make Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows
Start by simmering your peeled and cubed sweet potatoes in water for 15-20 minutes or until they’re soft. Then drain the water and place your sweet potatoes in a large bowl along with butter, eggs, milk, maple syrup, sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract.
Mash together all of the ingredients until you have reached your desired consistency. For a chunkier consistency, use a hand potato masher and for a smoother texture, use an electric mixer. After that, place your sweet potato filling into a 11-inch round (or similar) casserole dish.
Finally the fun part! Grab a helper and sprinkle a single layer of mini marshmallows on top of your sweet potato mixture.
How Long To Cook Sweet Potatoes With Marshmallows
We’re so glad you asked! Marshmallows are amazing, but they can easily get burnt if they’re in the oven too long or placed on the wrong rack. Be sure to place your casserole on the middle rack of your preheated oven (350°F) for 20-30 minutes to have perfectly browned marshmallows.
Remove your casserole from the oven and let cool before serving. Lastly, be sure to push this dish all the way back on your counter to keep mischievous fingers from sneaking off with bits of this sweet side dish.
Make A Double Batch
You might even want to make a double batch as we’re certain your guests will reach for seconds thanks to simple ingredients like pure maple syrup, creamy butter, and warming spices. Scroll down to the recipe card to easily double or triple this recipe.
Recipe FAQs and Tips
- storage: Store leftover sweet potato casserole in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- Add-ins: This is our classic sweet potato casserole recipe, but sweet potato casserole with marshmallows and crunchy pecans is amazing. Feel free to mix in candied or regular pecans into the sweet potato mixture or just sprinkle them on top of your marshmallows for some added crunch.
- Peeled vs. unpeeled potatoes: Feel free to leave the skin on your potatoes for a thicker casserole if you prefer.
- How do you keep sweet potato casserole from being runny: Just be sure to add the egg. This works to bind all of the ingredients together. Plus the cream helps to thicken as well.
Made this easy sweet potato casserole recipe and loved it?! We would love it if you would take a minute and leave a star rating and review – it is also helpful if you made any substitutions or changes to the recipe to share that as well. THANK YOU!
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Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stove Top + Oven
- Cuisine: American
Description
Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows – this sweet potato casserole with marshmallows recipe is a classic Thanksgiving side dish + so easy!
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 2 inch cubes
- 4 tablespoons butter (vegan butter works)
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup full fat coconut milk or heavy cream (unsweetened almond milk works)
- 1/4 cup real maple syrup
- 1/4 – 1/2 cup brown sugar or coconut sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- mini marshmallows for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Bring a large pot of water to boil. Carefully add the sweet potatoes and let simmer until they are very soft; approx. 15-20 minutes. Drain.
- Add boiled sweet potatoes to a medium mixing bowl along with the butter, eggs, milk, maple syrup, sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla extract. Mash together until you have reached your desired consistency – use a hand masher for a rougher texture or a electric hand mixer for a smoother texture.
- Pour out into an 11-inch round casserole dish (or comparable baking dish).
- Place marshmallows on top in a single layer.
- Place in the oven, middle rack and uncovered, for 20-30 minutes or until marshmallows are slightly brown.
- Remove and let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Storage: store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Add-ins: feel free to add in some pecans (candied or regular) either into the sweet potato mixture or sprinkled on top.
- Peeled potatoes: you don’t have to peel the potatoes if you prefer not to.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 oz
- Calories: 184
- Sugar: 14.4 g
- Sodium: 121.9 mg
- Fat: 5.7 g
- Carbohydrates: 31.2 g
- Protein: 2.8 g
- Cholesterol: 41.2 mg
Makayla Jess says
BEST sweet potato casserole we’ve ever had! My MIL used a real Nutmeg for extra spice and It was unbelievably tasty!!!
Erin says
oooh I love the nutmeg addition – I will have to try that!! Thanks, Makayla!
Helen says
This recipe was absolutely perfect!! Thank you!
Erin says
Thank you so much, Helen!
Karen Chan says
So delicious!
Erin says
Thank you so much, Karen!
KelsY rost says
Absolutely the best sweet potato casserole I’ve ever made! It was a hit for my whole family!! This will be a staple recipe at many of my holiday tables from now on!!
Erin says
YAY!!! So happy to hear that! And thank you so much for taking the time to come back and leave a review – I really appreciate it!
Maggie says
Can you cook this the day before and then just add marshmallows and reheat day of ?
Erin says
Hey Maggie – yes, this is a super easy one to prep ahead of time and then do the marshmallows/reheat day of!
Helen says
Would it be possible to make this Wednesday, refrigerate and then top marshmallows and bake Thursday?
Erin says
Yes, that should work just fine, Helen!
Rachael says
I made sweet potatoes for the 1st time this Thanksgiving and they were a hit!! So simple to make and such good flavor.
Erin says
Yay!! So happy to hear that, Rachael!
Alyssa Larsen says
This recipe was simple and delicious! I made it for Thanksgiving and it was a hit! A new tradition!
Erin says
So happy to hear that, Alyssa! Thanks so much for taking the time to come back and leave a rating and review! I so appreciate it!