There’s something incredibly comforting about the perfect balance of creamy sweet potatoes and crunchy pecan topping in a casserole. This Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping Recipe is a classic that really stands out during the holidays or any cozy dinner. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll see why it’s a family favorite for good reason!

The image shows a white rectangular dish filled with a two-layer sweet potato casserole. The bottom layer is smooth, bright orange mashed sweet potatoes with a soft texture, visible where a portion has been scooped out from the corner. The top layer is a crumbly, uneven streusel topping mixed with pecan pieces, with rough, chunky textures and a golden-brown color. The contrast between the smooth sweet potato layer and the crunchy nut topping is clear. The dish is on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I honestly can’t say enough about how this Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping Recipe feels like the ultimate side dish and dessert combo all rolled into one. Every time I bring it to gatherings, it disappears fast, and the pecan topping adds a deliciously nutty crunch that just elevates the whole dish.

Perfect Texture Mix: Creamy, smooth sweet potatoes contrast beautifully with the crunchy, buttery pecan topping.
Balanced Sweetness: It’s sweet but not overpowering, thanks to the light-brown sugar and cinnamon in the topping.
Simple Ingredients: You likely have everything you need already in your pantry or fridge!
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep parts ahead, making it easy to pull together for busy holidays or weeknight dinners.

The dish shows a close-up of a piece of orange sweet potato mash topped with a crumbly, light brown pecan streusel with visible pecan pieces, lifted by a wooden spoon above a white ceramic baking dish filled with the same layered dessert. The sweet potato layer is smooth and dense at the bottom, while the topping is crunchy and textured, sitting evenly on top. The background is a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredients in this Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping Recipe create just the right flavor and texture combo. Each element complements the others perfectly, from the earthy sweetness of the potatoes to the nutty crisp topping. When shopping, look for firm sweet potatoes and fresh pecans for the best results.

Flat lay of four fresh whole sweet potatoes with smooth orange skin, a small white ceramic bowl of light brown sugar, a small white bowl of melted golden butter, a small white bowl of creamy milk, two whole uncracked brown eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl of light golden vanilla extract, a small white bowl of fine all-purpose flour, a small white bowl of ground cinnamon with warm reddish-brown color, a small white bowl filled with chopped pecans showing natural texture and rich brown shades, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Sweet potatoes: Choose firm, unblemished potatoes for the best mash texture and natural sweetness.
Light-brown sugar: Adds rich caramel notes without being too sweet.
Unsalted butter: Use real butter for flavor — it makes all the difference, especially in the topping.
Milk: Use any milk but skim; whole or 2% milk keeps the mash creamy and moist.
Eggs: Helps bind the mash for that perfect casserole texture.
Vanilla extract: A splash brightens the flavor and balances sweetness.
Salt and pepper: Essential for bringing out depth and complexity in the sweet potatoes.
All-purpose flour: Provides structure to the topping, helping it crisp up nicely.
Cinnamon: Adds warm spice to the topping, tying the flavors together.
Pecans: Freshly chopped for maximum crunch and buttery flavor.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love tweaking this Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping Recipe a bit depending on the season or my mood. It’s such a flexible dish—you can dial up the spice, swap pecans for walnuts, or even add a hint of orange zest to brighten things up. Personalizing it is half the fun.

Variation: One fall, I added a pinch of nutmeg and a splash of maple syrup instead of some of the brown sugar—sold out instantly!
Dairy-Free Option: Use almond or oat milk and a plant-based butter substitute to keep it creamy without the dairy.
Extra Crunch: Toast the pecans lightly for a deeper, nuttier flavor.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping Recipe

Step 1: Bake the Sweet Potatoes Until Soft

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pierce each sweet potato a couple of times with a fork so steam can escape while baking. Place them on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet—this foil trick helps cleanup later. Bake for about 60 to 75 minutes until the potatoes feel tender when poked. You want them soft enough so the skins slip off easily.

Step 2: Mash and Mix the Sweet Potato Filling

Once the potatoes are cool enough to handle (give them about 5-10 minutes), peel off the skins—they’ll come right off if roasted well. Pop those sweet potatoes into a large bowl and mash them until smooth. Add the brown sugar, melted butter, milk, eggs, vanilla, salt, and pepper. Then whip it all together using a hand mixer for a fluffy, creamy filling.

Step 3: Prepare the Pecan Topping

In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and pecans. Pour in the melted butter and mix well—it might look dry at first, but keep tossing until everything’s evenly moistened. The little bits of clumped brown sugar add a lovely texture once baked.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake

Spread the sweet potato mixture evenly in a greased casserole dish. Then sprinkle the pecan topping on top. Lower your oven temperature to 350°F (175°C), pop the casserole in, and bake for about 40 minutes. If you notice the topping getting too dark near the end, tent it with foil to keep it golden, not burnt. Serve it warm—it’s pure comfort food bliss.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks to guarantee your Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping Recipe comes out perfectly every time. These little insights save time and keep the flavors spot-on.

Baking Sweet Potatoes Evenly: Rotate the baking sheet halfway through so all potatoes cook uniformly, especially if your oven has hot spots.
Don’t Skip Cooling: Let roasted potatoes cool before mixing with eggs to avoid scrambling them in your mash.
Toss Topping Thoroughly: Mixing the topping well ensures every bite has that perfect balance of pecans, sugar, and flour.
Use Fresh Pecans: Old nuts can taste bitter; I always buy pecans close to the time I plan to bake, and toast them lightly for added flavor.

How to Serve Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping Recipe

sweet potato casserole - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to keep it classic with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or a tiny dusting of cinnamon for garnish. Sometimes, I add a dollop of whipped cream or a gentle swirl of marshmallow cream on top if I want to treat guests — it pairs surprisingly well!

Side Dishes

This casserole pairs beautifully with roasted turkey or glazed ham, making it a star side dish for holiday feasts. I also like serving it alongside green beans almondine or a crisp arugula salad to balance the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve layered individual sweet potato custards in ramekins topped with pecan crumble — it’s a charming single-serve twist that wows guests visually while delivering familiar flavors.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I always cover leftover casserole tightly with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate. It keeps well for about 3-4 days — perfect for quick reheat lunches or second helpings at dinner.

Freezing

This casserole freezes surprisingly nicely. I portion it into airtight containers and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. Just be mindful that the topping might lose some crunch, but the flavor stays fantastic.

Reheating

For reheating, I cover the dish with foil and warm it in a 325°F oven for about 20-25 minutes until heated through. If you want to refresh the topping’s crunch, remove the foil during the last 5 minutes of baking.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I prepare the sweet potato mixture ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can mash and mix the sweet potato filling up to a day ahead. Just cover it well and keep it refrigerated, then add the pecan topping and bake when ready.

What can I substitute for pecans if I have a nut allergy?

If you’re avoiding nuts, try using toasted oats or sunflower seeds sprinkled on top instead. They’ll add texture and a bit of crunch without the allergy concern.

Can I make this recipe vegan?

Yes! Use plant-based butter and a non-dairy milk like almond or oat milk. Replace the eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 3 tablespoons water per egg) to keep that binding texture.

Why do I need to reduce the oven temperature after baking the sweet potatoes?

The initial high temperature helps cook the sweet potatoes through quickly and evenly. Lowering the heat afterwards ensures the casserole bakes gently, avoiding a burnt topping while warming everything through.

Final Thoughts

This Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen and heart. It brings a little bit of warmth and sweetness to any table, and I hope it becomes a staple in your family celebrations too. Give it a try—you might just find yourself making it year after year!