If you have a craving for a cozy, soul-warming dish that perfectly balances sweet and crunchy textures, then this Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow and Streusel Topping Recipe is going to become your new favorite. Imagine tender, velvety mashed sweet potatoes infused with warm spices, topped with a golden, buttery streusel and toasted marshmallows that melt into a delightfully gooey crown. This dish isn’t just for holidays; it’s comfort food at its best, bringing smiles to any table with its inviting layers of flavor and texture.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this casserole lies in its simple, wholesome ingredients. Each one plays a vital role — from lending creaminess and sweetness to adding that irresistible crunch and perfectly toasted finish. Let’s take a closer look at what you’ll gather to create this classic treat.
- Fresh sweet potatoes (3 lbs): The star of the dish, providing natural sweetness and a creamy base when mashed.
- Milk (1/2 cup): Helps achieve a smooth texture in the sweet potato filling.
- Light brown sugar (1 cup plus 1/3 cup): Adds rich, caramelized sweetness to both the filling and streusel topping.
- Unsalted butter (1/4 cup plus 3 tbsp): Gives richness and a perfectly moist crumb to the streusel.
- Eggs (2): Bind the filling and add structure to the casserole.
- Ground cinnamon (1 tsp plus 1/2 tsp): Brings warm, fragrant spice to every bite.
- Ground nutmeg (1/2 tsp plus 1/8 tsp): Adds subtle depth and accentuates the natural sweetness of the potatoes.
- Vanilla extract (1 tsp): Enhances the overall flavor with its sweet, mellow notes.
- Pinch of salt: Balances sweetness and heightens the other flavors.
- All-purpose flour (1/3 cup): Creates the crumbly base of the streusel topping.
- Ground cloves (pinch): Adds an extra hint of warmth and complexity to the streusel.
- Marshmallows (2-3 cups): The crowning glory, toasting to golden perfection and melting delightfully into the topping.
How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow and Streusel Topping Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (176°C). This will ensure it’s perfectly ready to bake your casserole to bubbly, golden perfection.
Step 2: Cook Sweet Potatoes
Peel your fresh sweet potatoes and cut them into 1-inch cubes. Place them in a large pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Cook the cubes until fork-tender, about 8 minutes. This quick cooking step softens them perfectly for mashing.
Step 3: Mash the Potatoes
Drain the sweet potatoes well and transfer them to a large bowl. Mash them thoroughly until you achieve a smooth, creamy consistency. This will be the luscious base of your casserole.
Step 4: Mix the Filling
To your mashed potatoes, add milk, packed light brown sugar, melted unsalted butter, eggs, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Stir until everything is evenly combined and silky smooth. This mixture balances sweetness, spice, and creaminess beautifully.
Step 5: Transfer and Bake
Pour the sweet potato mixture into a 9×13-inch casserole dish, spreading it out evenly. You can refrigerate at this point for up to two days if needed. When ready, bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until heated through and lightly set.
Step 6: Prepare the Streusel Topping
While the casserole is baking, mix the streusel topping ingredients: all-purpose flour, packed light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and melted salted butter. Stir with your fingers or a fork until the mixture has a crumbly texture, perfect for sprinkling.
Step 7: Finish Baking with Marshmallows and Streusel
Take the casserole out of the oven and scatter the marshmallows evenly over the top. Sprinkle the streusel crumbs on carefully, then add more marshmallows if you like for extra gooey goodness. Return to the oven and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until the topping is bubbly and golden. For an irresistible toasted cap, broil on high for a few minutes until those marshmallows caramelize to a gorgeous golden brown.
How to Serve Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow and Streusel Topping Recipe
Garnishes
To add an extra touch of elegance and flavor, consider sprinkling chopped toasted pecans or walnuts on top before serving. A light dusting of powdered cinnamon or a drizzle of maple syrup can also brighten up each serving for a fun twist.
Side Dishes
This casserole pairs beautifully with savory mains like roast turkey, honey-glazed ham, or even a hearty vegetable loaf. Fresh green beans or a crisp salad can bring fresh balance to the richness of the casserole, making your meal complete.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving this dish in individual ramekins for a personalized touch or layer it in a glass baking dish to showcase the stunning layers of sweet potato and golden topping. You can even turn it into a playful buffet dish by setting out extra toppings like candied nuts and marshmallows for guests to sprinkle themselves.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow and Streusel Topping Recipe keeps well in the refrigerator when covered tightly with plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container. It should stay fresh for 3 to 4 days, making it perfect for enjoying the next day or two.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, you can freeze the casserole before adding the marshmallow and streusel topping. Wrap tightly with foil and plastic wrap and store for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge and then add your toppings before baking.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers in the oven at 325°F (163°C) for about 20-25 minutes, covered with foil to prevent drying out. For maximum gooey marshmallow effect, add a fresh layer of marshmallows on top during reheating and broil briefly to brown.
FAQs
Can I use canned sweet potatoes instead of fresh?
While fresh sweet potatoes give the best taste and texture, you can use canned ones in a pinch. Just make sure to drain them well and adjust the liquid in the recipe accordingly to avoid a runny filling.
Is there a dairy-free alternative for this recipe?
Absolutely! Swap regular milk with almond or oat milk, and replace butter with coconut oil or a dairy-free margarine for a delicious dairy-free version that still tastes fantastic.
How do I prevent marshmallows from burning?
Keep a close eye during the broiling step, and broil in short bursts of 1-2 minutes. You want a golden brown color without blackened edges, so it’s better to broil slowly and monitor carefully.
Can I make this Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow and Streusel Topping Recipe vegan?
With a few ingredient swaps like flax eggs and plant-based milk and butter alternatives, you can transform this recipe into a vegan delight that retains all the warmth and texture of the original.
What can I do if I don’t like marshmallows?
You can always skip the marshmallows and rely solely on the streusel topping for crunch and sweetness. Alternatively, topping with toasted coconut flakes or chopped nuts gives a wonderful texture contrast.
Final Thoughts
This Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow and Streusel Topping Recipe is one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug on a chilly day. Each bite is a perfect harmony of creamy, sweet, and crunchy, and it’s guaranteed to become a staple you want to make again and again. Whether for a holiday feast or a cozy family dinner, dive in and enjoy every comforting mouthful!
Print
Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow and Streusel Topping Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
A classic Sweet Potato Casserole that features creamy mashed sweet potatoes with warm spices, topped with a crunchy cinnamon-spiced streusel and gooey marshmallows. Perfect as a comforting side dish for holiday dinners or family gatherings.
Ingredients
Sweet Potato Filling
- 3 lbs fresh sweet potatoes (4–5 large), peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/2 cup (120ml) milk
- 1 cup (225g) packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup (56g) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Streusel Topping
- 1/3 cup (44g) all purpose flour
- 1/3 cup (75g) light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
- Pinch of ground cloves
- 3 tbsp (42g) salted butter, melted
Additional Topping
- 2–3 cups marshmallows
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (176°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook sweet potatoes: Place the peeled and cubed sweet potatoes into a large pot. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Cook for about 8 minutes or until the potatoes are fork-tender. Drain the water and transfer the potatoes to a large bowl.
- Mash potatoes: Mash the cooked sweet potatoes until they reach a smooth or your preferred consistency.
- Mix filling: Add milk, brown sugar, melted butter, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt to the mashed sweet potatoes. Stir thoroughly until well combined and creamy.
- Transfer to baking dish: Pour the sweet potato mixture into a 9×13-inch casserole dish. At this stage, you can refrigerate the casserole for up to 2 days if preparing in advance or proceed directly to baking.
- Bake initially: Bake the casserole uncovered for 25-30 minutes until it is heated through and set.
- Prepare streusel topping: In a bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground cloves. Stir in melted butter until the mixture becomes crumbly and resembles coarse crumbs.
- Finish baking: Remove the casserole from the oven. Evenly sprinkle a layer of marshmallows over the top, then add the streusel crumbs, followed by another layer of marshmallows if desired. Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes. For a golden, toasted finish to the marshmallows, broil at 400°F briefly until golden brown. Serve the casserole warm.
Notes
- For an extra rich flavor, use whole milk or substitute with cream.
- Adjust the amount of cinnamon and nutmeg to your taste preference.
- Marshmallow quantity can be varied based on how sweet and gooey you want the topping.
- If you prefer a nuttier topping, consider adding chopped pecans to the streusel mixture.
- This casserole can be made a day ahead and reheated before serving.
