Our Sweet Potato Casserole with a pecan streusel topping is the ultimate holiday side dish. This classic recipe boasts a fluffy and satisfying sweet potato layer crowned with a streusel topping that is irresistibly crunchy and buttery. It’s incredibly easy to prepare, making it a family favorite that’s bound to secure a permanent spot at your family’s table.

This is undeniably the best sweet potato casserole recipe I’ve ever encountered, and it consistently graces our Thanksgiving menu alongside our Juicy Roast Turkey, unforgettable Turkey Gravy, Green Bean Casserole, and Pumpkin Pie. In fact, we adore it so much that it makes appearances at Christmas, Easter, and sometimes during family meals throughout the year.

The Best Sweet Potato Casserole

We are serious sweet potato enthusiasts, and we just can’t seem to get enough. This sweet potato bake is my sister Tanya’s creation, and it’s the dish she brings to the Thanksgiving table every year.

There’s nothing quite as comforting as the sweet aromas, luxurious texture, and the crispy, nutty topping of this casserole. It’s sweet enough to be a dessert but not overly sweet to stand alongside a Prime Rib Roast during Christmas.

Here’s why you’ll fall in love with it this holiday season—and all year round:

• Simple and easy to make
• Can be prepared in advance and is freezer-friendly
• Adaptable for large or small parties
• A crowd-pleaser that serves as both a side dish and dessert
• Can be made vegan and gluten-free
• Customizable topping, including the option to add marshmallows

Ingredients

Our sweet potato casserole recipe combines the finest fall ingredients to create the ultimate comfort dish.

• Sweet Potatoes – You’ll need 4 lbs or 4 large potatoes, which will yield about 6 cups once mashed. Opt for firm potatoes with dark, blemish-free, and evenly colored skin.
• Egg, Sugar, Butter, and Vanilla – These ingredients give the potato layer an incredible texture, flavor, and airiness. It puffs up like a soufflé. See below for vegan substitutes.
• Dried Cranberries – While optional, Craisins provide a touch of tang to balance the richness and sweetness of the mixture.

• Brown Sugar – Use light brown sugar for a milder flavor and dark brown sugar for a deeper caramel sweetness.
• Flour – All-purpose flour works well, or use your preferred gluten-free flour substitute for a gluten-free sweet potato casserole.
• Butter – It binds the streusel topping and offsets the sweetness. Substitute with vegan butter for a dairy-free version of the casserole.
• Pecans – They add delightful crunch; you can replace them with walnuts or omit them to accommodate allergies. Coarsely chop or leave them whole.