Maple-Glazed Southern Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping
A sweet and nutty Southern-style sweet potato casserole glazed with pure maple syrup and topped with a crunchy pecan streusel. This american-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 65 minutes pairs melted unsalted butter, pure maple syrup, ground cinnamon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, 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.
Ingredients
- 3 large (about 2 lbs), peeled and cubed sweet potatoes
- 4 tbsp, melted unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Place 3 large peeled and cubed sweet potatoes in a large pot of salted water and bring to a boil. Cook for 15-20 minutes until fork-tender, then drain.
- Step 2: Transfer sweet potatoes to a large mixing bowl and mash with 4 tbsp melted unsalted butter, 1/3 cup pure maple syrup, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
- Step 3: Spread the mashed sweet potatoes evenly into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Step 4: In a separate bowl, combine 1 cup chopped pecans, 1/3 cup brown sugar, and 1/4 cup all-purpose flour. Stir in 2 tbsp melted butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Step 5: Sprinkle the pecan topping evenly over the sweet potato layer.
- Step 6: Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and crisp, and the casserole is heated through.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Maple-Glazed Southern Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (15 min prep + 50 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 Maple-Glazed Southern Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping?
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 melted unsalted butter from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Maple-Glazed Southern Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping?
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 Maple-Glazed Southern Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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.
Is Maple-Glazed Southern Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
