Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel
A soulful side dish featuring mashed sweet potatoes baked under a buttery pecan streusel topping, perfect for holiday gatherings or comforting meals. This southern soul food-inspired comfort food ready in about 95 minutes pairs large (about 2 lbs) sweet potatoes, melted unsalted butter, divided 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 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) sweet potatoes
- 4 tbsp, melted unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup, divided brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 3/4 cup, chopped pecans
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Pierce 3 large sweet potatoes with a fork and bake directly on the oven rack for 45-50 minutes until tender.
- Step 2: Remove sweet potatoes from oven and let cool slightly. Peel off skins and place flesh in a large bowl.
- Step 3: Add 4 tbsp melted unsalted butter, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 cup milk, and 1 large egg to the sweet potatoes. Mash and mix until smooth and creamy.
- Step 4: Transfer mashed sweet potato mixture to a greased 8x8 inch baking dish and smooth the top.
- Step 5: In a separate bowl, combine 3/4 cup chopped pecans, 1/3 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 4 tbsp melted unsalted butter, and 1/4 tsp salt. Mix until crumbly.
- Step 6: Sprinkle the pecan streusel evenly over the sweet potato layer and bake for 25-30 minutes until the topping is golden brown and crisp.
- Step 7: Let cool for 10 minutes before serving warm.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel take to make?
Total time is about 95 minutes (15 min prep + 80 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 Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel?
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 Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel?
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 Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel 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.
What goes well with Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel?
Southern Soul Food comfort food 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.
