Brown Sugar-Glazed Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Crunch

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Mashed sweet potatoes baked under a crunchy pecan and brown sugar topping, combining sweet and nutty flavors for a holiday side. This american-inspired thanksgiving ready in about 60 minutes pairs sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed, unsalted butter, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.4 (8 ratings) Prep: 25 min Cook: 35 min Serves 8 American cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Place 3 lbs peeled and cubed sweet potatoes in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain well.
  2. Step 2: In a large bowl, mash the sweet potatoes with 6 tbsp unsalted butter, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup whole milk, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 1/2 tsp salt until smooth and creamy.
  3. Step 3: Transfer the mashed sweet potatoes to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish and smooth the surface.
  4. Step 4: In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup chopped pecans, 1/2 cup light brown sugar, and 1/3 cup all-purpose flour. Cut in 4 tbsp cold unsalted butter with a fork or pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  5. Step 5: Sprinkle the pecan topping evenly over the sweet potatoes.
  6. Step 6: Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is heated through.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Brown Sugar-Glazed Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Crunch take to make?

Total time is about 60 minutes (25 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Brown Sugar-Glazed Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Crunch?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep unsalted butter from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Brown Sugar-Glazed Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Crunch?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Brown Sugar-Glazed Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Crunch for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Brown Sugar-Glazed Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Crunch?

American thanksgiving like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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