This Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe is an easy, nut-free take on a classic Thanksgiving side dish. Made with fresh steamed sweet potatoes and topped with a buttery streusel. Can also be made a day ahead and baked right before serving!
Happy Thanksgiving week y’all! The countdown has started to the best food holiday of the year. A day where family and friends gather to count their blessings. And to partake in a fabulous feast of turkey with some of the most amazing sides and desserts.
A not too sweet, sweet potato casserole recipe
A sweet potato casserole is the one holiday side dish can be sickly sweet and easily taste like a dessert before you know it. Learning how to play off the natural sweetness of the potatoes without taking it over the top is so important in making the casserole.
How to make a less sweet sweet potato casserole
There are a couple of ways I do to reduce the sweetness of a sweet potato casserole:
- always use half of the usual amount of sugar
- substitute Sucanat cane sugar for the white or brown sugar
Sucanat is a whole unrefined cane sugar that has as strong, rich molasses flavor. It contains vitamins and minerals not found in the more processed varieties and it tastes less sweet too. If Sucanat is not available, just use white or brown sugar.
Wishing you and your families a wonderful Thanksgiving! Hope the holiday is filled with joy and lots of good eats.
Did you enjoy this classic sweet potato casserole recipe? Let me know if you’ve tried it by leaving a comment and don’t forget to share.
Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe {with streusel topping}
Ingredients
- 6 cups sweet potatoes , peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes (about 6 large potatoes)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter , melted
- 1/4 cup sugar (I use Sucanat cane sugar)
- 2 whole large eggs , beaten
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla
- 1/3 cup whole milk
For the streusel topping :
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter , melted
- 1 cup dark brown sugar (I use Sucanat cane sugar)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch freshly ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Steam the sweet potato cubes until fully cooked, about 20-25 minutes. Place cooked potatoes in a large bowl and mash. Set aside to cool down.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and milk. Stir well, then fold in the cooled sweet potatoes. Place mixture in a 9 X 13 baking dish and set aside.**At this point, the casserole can be tightly covered and refrigerated overnight or frozen for up to 3 months**
- Preheat oven to 350F degrees and make the topping mixture.
For the streusel topping:
- In a small bowl, mix together the butter, sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg until thoroughly combined.
- Drop streusel by spoonfuls over the sweet potato mixture, then bake at 350F degrees for 30-40 minutes. Serve immediately or at room temperature.
Recipe Notes & Tips:
- Casserole can be made the day before and, prior to baking, can be refrigerated or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Take casserole out of the refrigerator 15 minutes before baking to take the chill off.
Katherine | Love In My Oven says
I LOVE that you used sucanat here!! I have a bag of it and am always looking for ways to use it because I love that oh-so-sweet molasses flavour that it adds. Would be peeeerfect in this casserole! Happy Thanksgiving Karrie!
Nicoletta @sugarlovespices says
I am all for unrefined sugars and sucanat sugar is great! You know, I did not anything abour sweet potato casseroles until a few years ago and now they are the best part of Thanksgiving (maybe also because I don’t eat turkey ! Love this version with that beautiful crumbled sweet topping. Your videos are so nice I always enjoy watching them, and listening to the music you chose!!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
Love all the sides that go along with turkey dinner! I’ve never used sucanat before so will keep my peepers open for it next time I’m in the grocery – thanks for the 411 That topping sounds delicious…I’ll take a big serving with lots of that on there….hehehe. Love the video…almost didn’t want it to end cos I was listening to that beat, lol! Happy Thanksgiving! XOXO
Genevieve Dubois Ashworth says
Oh hello gorgeous. I need to make this GiGi Approved cause HOTTTTTTTTTTT CAKESSSS I want it all in my face. All I want for Thanksgiving dinner is turkey and sweet potatoes. ANDDD THAT IS IT! But now I want turkey and this casserole.
heather (delicious not gorgeous) says
this sounds like an awesome take on sweet potato casserole! in theory i really want to like the marshmallow kind, but it’s just so sweet and one dimensional. versus this one sounds caramelly and kind of crispy and basically everything i want with sweet potatoes (though i’d probably add walnuts because my parents are walnut fiends!).
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says
Oh heck yes! Sweet potato casserole is a must for Thanksgiving! (But please no marshmallows.). This is the perfect solution to sickly sweet casserole! Happy Thanksgiving, Karrie
Heather Wells says
I’m making( have made) this for Thanksgiving! And yes, the music is a 10. Has a beat, and I can dance to it! Happy Thanksgiving! I’m thankful for this blog!
Ben|Havocinthekitchen says
I’ve never had sweet potatoes…in a sweet kind of dish (Well, except pancakes). I always opt for the savory versions with herbs, garlic, bacon, etc to balance out the sweetness. This casserole looks delicious, though – I would like to give it a try. Happy Thanksgiving, Karrie!
Ashika | Gardening Foodie says
OH yum this makes a perfect side dish… I love recipes with sweet potato and that crumb topping looks absolutely divine
Agness of Run Agness Run says
Yummy! This is such a mouth-watering treat, Karrie! I am definitely going to try this casserole recipe. Can I use some other kind of milk?
[email protected] says
Thanks Agness! I haven’t tried making this with another kind of milk, but I’m sure you could sub it out with no problem
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks says
Love the video, K! This definitely looks like my kind of sweet potato casserole. I’m not a fan of the marshmallow version. Yours looks delicious!
Mary D. says
I really love this recipe and have served this casserole several times with pork chops. it’s one of my family’s favorite sides!
Karrie says
Thank you so much Mary!
Paige says
I just want to say this is seriously the BEST Thanksgiving sweet potato side dish!!! I stumbled upon it last Thanksgiving when at the last minute I realized I’d need more food, so an hour before dinner I searched for an easy, quick sweet potato recipe that used what I had on hand. (This is awesome because it doesn’t call for nuts) I threw this together and it ended up being the best tasting thing on the table and was a hit! I’ll make it every year now
Karrie says
So happy everyone liked the casserole and thank you very much for taking the time to comment, Paige. Really makes my heart happy to hear you say you’ll make it every year too! Hope you all had a wonderful holiday.
Kathy says
Loved this recipe. The nut free option is so good. I cooked the sweet poatoes whole in the oven and then just peeled and mashed. So much easier than trying to cut the raw ones, added a little cinnamon to the mashed sweet poatoes. Half my family wanted marshmellows on top along with the strudel. It turned out great. Enjoy. We are making this again!
Karrie says
Thank you so much Kathy for making the recipe and taking the time to comment! Love that your family loved it and adding cinnamon is a great idea! Hope you all had a fantastic holiday season.
Aimee says
Have not made this yet, but plan to this weekend. I love sweet potato casserole!
Karrie says
Love it too!! So happy it’s sweet potato casserole time of year. lol! Hope you enjoy making the recipe this weekend and please let me know how you like it, Aimee