Every Thanksgiving, my kitchen smells like cinnamon, brown sugar, and toasted marshmallows — because I’m making this sweet potato casserole recipe. My grandmother made it every year, and the creamy orange filling with golden marshmallows was always the first to disappear.

After she passed, I spent three Thanksgivings perfecting her recipe — learning why draining the potatoes matters, how to balance sweetness, and how to avoid burning those marshmallows (watching the broiler like a hawk!). The result? A creamy, spiced, foolproof casserole that’s become a family tradition.

This sweet potato casserole recipe is the perfect balance of sweet and savory — a smooth, buttery base topped with a golden, gooey layer of toasted marshmallows. Whether you’re hosting your first Thanksgiving or cooking for a crowd, this side dish always steals the spotlight.

If you’re planning your full holiday menu, try pairing it with our Easy Thanksgiving Turkey for Beginners and Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Sides — you’ll have a perfectly coordinated feast!

The Best Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe (2025) – With Marshmallows!

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• Author: Sophie
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 10–12 servings 1x

Print Recipe

Print Recipe

Description

This sweet potato casserole recipe is creamy, spiced, and topped with perfectly golden marshmallows — the ultimate Thanksgiving side dish that brings sweetness, nostalgia, and comfort to every table. Made with buttery mashed sweet potatoes, brown sugar, and warm cinnamon, it’s a crowd-pleasing favorite you can make ahead and serve with confidence.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Sweet Potato Filling:

• 4 pounds sweet potatoes (about 6–7 medium)

• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted

• ½ cup packed brown sugar

• 2 large eggs, beaten

• ⅓ cup whole milk

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

• ½ teaspoon salt

For the Topping:

• 3 cups mini marshmallows (or 4 cups regular marshmallows)

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Instructions

• Boil the Sweet Potatoes – Peel and cube the sweet potatoes into 1-inch pieces. Boil for 15–20 minutes until fork-tender, then drain well and let sit for 5 minutes to remove excess moisture.

• Mash and Mix – In a large bowl, mash the sweet potatoes until smooth. Add melted butter, brown sugar, eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Mix until well combined.

• Assemble the Casserole – Spread the mixture evenly in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.

• Bake – Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25 minutes until set and slightly puffed.

• Add the Marshmallows – Top evenly with marshmallows, then broil for 2–3 minutes until golden brown. Watch closely to prevent burning.

• Serve – Let cool for 5 minutes before serving warm.

Notes

• Make-Ahead: Prepare up to the baking step, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add 5–10 minutes to bake time if chilled.

• Pecan Topping Alternative: Mix 1 cup chopped pecans, ⅓ cup brown sugar, and 3 tbsp melted butter. Sprinkle over the filling before baking.

• Dairy-Free Option: Use coconut milk and vegan butter for a rich dairy-free version.

• Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

• Reheating: Bake covered at 350°F for 15–20 minutes. To re-toast marshmallows, broil 1–2 minutes before serving.

• Freezing: Freeze the casserole without marshmallows for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Side Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 portion (1/10th of casserole)
• Calories: 285 kcal
• Sugar: 28 g
• Sodium: 210 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 52 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 45 mg

Keywords: sweet potato casserole recipe, easy sweet potato casserole, sweet potato casserole with marshmallows, make ahead sweet potato casserole, thanksgiving sweet potato recipe, southern sweet potato casserole

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy to Make: Simple steps, common pantry ingredients.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: Perfect for prepping a day before the big meal.
• Crowd-Pleaser: Loved by kids and adults alike.
• Classic Flavor: The perfect mix of brown sugar, vanilla, and warm spices.
• Beautiful Presentation: Golden, toasted marshmallows make it a showstopper.

💡 Pro Tip: Want to add variety to your dessert table? Pair it with Pumpkin Spice Latte Cookies for a cozy, complementary flavor combo.

🥔 Step 1: Prepare the Sweet Potatoes for the Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

Peel and cube your sweet potatoes into 1-inch pieces. Place them in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, then simmer until fork-tender — about 15 to 20 minutes.

Drain completely and let them sit for 5 minutes. Excess moisture is the number-one reason sweet potato casseroles turn watery!

🍠 Step 2: Mash and Mix for a Creamy Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

Mash the sweet potatoes in a large bowl until smooth. Add ½ cup melted butter, ½ cup packed brown sugar, 2 beaten eggs, ⅓ cup milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon nutmeg, and ½ teaspoon salt.

Mix gently until creamy. For extra smoothness, use a hand mixer for 20–30 seconds.

🍴 Step 3: Assemble and Bake the Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and pour in the sweet potato mixture. Smooth the top evenly with a spatula. Bake uncovered at 350°F (175°C) for 25 minutes until slightly puffed and golden around the edges.

This baking step is key to developing that rich, caramelized flavor every sweet potato casserole recipe should have.

🔥 Step 4: Add the Marshmallows

Remove the casserole and top evenly with 3 cups of marshmallows. Broil for 2–3 minutes, keeping a close eye on them.

💡 Tip: Marshmallows brown fast! Don’t step away — rotate once if needed for even toasting.

🍽️ Step 5: Serve This Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe Warm and Creamy

Let it cool for 5–10 minutes before serving. The marshmallows will hold their shape, and the filling sets perfectly.

Serve it alongside your Easy Thanksgiving Turkey for Beginners or other make-ahead Thanksgiving sides — the perfect Thanksgiving trio!

💡 Pro Tips for the Perfect Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

Flavor Upgrade: A touch of maple syrup takes your sweet potato casserole recipe from great to unforgettable.

Drain Well: Steam or pat the potatoes dry before mashing.

Don’t Overmix: Once you add eggs, mix gently — overmixing can make the texture gluey.

Use Room-Temperature Ingredients: This helps everything blend smoothly.

Watch the Broiler: Marshmallows can burn in seconds — stand by and rotate the pan if needed.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Sweet Potatoes

I always use fresh sweet potatoes — not canned. They have a richer, naturally sweet flavor and mash into a velvety texture. Look for firm, smooth-skinned potatoes without soft spots.

For nutritional facts, you can reference the USDA FoodData Central database — sweet potatoes are an excellent source of Vitamin A and fiber.

Butter

Butter adds richness and depth. Use unsalted if possible — that way you can control the seasoning.

Brown Sugar & Spices

This is where the magic happens. The mix of brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg creates that nostalgic, comforting flavor that defines every Thanksgiving sweet potato recipe.

Eggs

Eggs give the casserole its structure — think creamy and custard-like, not dense.

Milk & Vanilla

Whole milk adds creaminess, and vanilla ties all the flavors together.

Marshmallows

The signature topping! Use regular marshmallows for a thick, golden layer, or minis for extra coverage.

Step 1: Cook the Sweet Potatoes

Peel and cube your sweet potatoes into 1-inch pieces. Place them in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, then simmer until fork-tender — about 15 to 20 minutes.

Drain completely and let them sit for 5 minutes. Excess moisture is the number-one reason casseroles turn watery!

Step 2: Mash and Mix

Mash the sweet potatoes in a large bowl until smooth. Add ½ cup melted butter, ½ cup packed brown sugar, 2 beaten eggs, ⅓ cup milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon nutmeg, and ½ teaspoon salt.

Mix gently until creamy. For extra smoothness, use a hand mixer for 20–30 seconds.

Step 3: Assemble the Casserole

Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and pour in the sweet potato mixture. Smooth the top evenly with a spatula.

Step 4: Bake

Bake uncovered at 350°F (175°C) for 25 minutes until slightly puffed and golden around the edges.

Step 5: Add the Marshmallow Topping

Remove the casserole and top evenly with 3 cups of marshmallows. Broil for 2–3 minutes, keeping a close eye on them.

💡 Tip: Marshmallows brown fast! Don’t step away — rotate once if needed for even toasting.

Step 6: Serve Warm

Let it cool for 5–10 minutes before serving. The marshmallows will hold their shape, and the filling sets perfectly.

For the full Thanksgiving experience, serve it alongside Easy Thanksgiving Turkey for Beginners and one of our Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Sides — the perfect trio for your holiday table!

🧡 Pro Tips for the Perfect Sweet Potato Casserole

1. Drain Well: Steam or pat the potatoes dry before mashing to prevent sogginess.
2. Don’t Overmix: Once you add eggs, mix gently — overmixing can make the texture gluey.
3. Use Room-Temperature Ingredients: This helps everything blend smoothly.
4. Watch the Broiler: Marshmallows can burn in seconds — stand by and rotate the pan if needed.
5. Add a Flavor Twist: A splash of orange juice or maple syrup adds brightness and depth.

If you’d like more professional baking tips, check out the FDA’s Safe Food Handling Guide for best practices when reheating or storing leftovers.

🌰 Variations for Your Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

Southern Pecan Topping

Skip the marshmallows and top with a crumble of 1 cup chopped pecans, ⅓ cup brown sugar, and 3 tablespoons melted butter for a crunchy, caramelized Southern twist.

Dairy-Free

Use vegan butter and oat or coconut milk — it’s still creamy and delicious.

Make-Ahead

Assemble through Step 3, cover tightly, and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Bake as directed, adding 5–10 extra minutes.

Individual Servings

Spoon mixture into ramekins, bake for 15–20 minutes, and top each with marshmallows.

💡 Tip: Visit Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Sides for more time-saving holiday dishes.

🧊 Storage & Reheating for the Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

Let the casserole cool completely, then cover with foil or transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate up to 4 days.

• Reheat: Oven 350°F for 15–20 minutes.
• Freeze: Before adding marshmallows, up to 2 months.

For safe reheating tips, check the FDA’s official food storage guide.

For food safety timing and reheating temperatures, reference FDA Safe Food Handling Guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions (Troubleshooting)

🍠 Pro Tip from Sophie

If you want extra flavor depth, stir in a spoonful of maple syrup or orange zest before baking. It brightens the sweetness and adds a subtle citrus note that makes everyone ask, “What’s your secret?”

🧡 More Recipes You’ll Love

If this sweet potato casserole recipe becomes a hit in your home (and it will!), here are a few more cozy favorites from my kitchen:

• 🦃 Easy Thanksgiving Turkey for Beginners — juicy, foolproof, and perfect for first-time hosts.
• 🥧 Pumpkin Spice Latte Cookies — warm, spiced, and perfect for dessert tables.
• 🍏 Air Fryer Apple Cider Donuts — sweet, cinnamon-coated perfection in minutes.
• 🍫 Double Chocolate Brownie Bites — a bite-sized indulgence for chocolate lovers.

💬 Final Thoughts from Sophie

Thanksgiving wouldn’t feel complete without this sweet potato casserole on the table.
It’s more than a side dish — it’s a memory, a tradition, and a connection to family.

From the creamy, cinnamon-spiced filling to the golden, toasted marshmallow topping, this recipe has been passed down, perfected, and loved.
Now, I hope it becomes part of your family’s holiday story, too.

If you make it, please leave a comment and rate the recipe on RecipesIngredient.com — I’d love to hear your version!

And don’t forget to pin this recipe on Pinterest so you can find it again next year.