Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows

This Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows, made with fresh sweet potatoes, has been a traditional Thanksgiving and Christmas side dish in our family for as long as I can remember.

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As a kid I LOVED marshmallows. So at Thanksgiving, the Sweet Potato Casserole was my favorite side dish. Yes, I also liked the traditional Thanksgiving dishes:

• turkey
• green bean casserole
• roasted brussels sprouts
• glazed carrots
• squash casserole 
• mashed potatoes
• creamed corn
• cranberry fluff
• cornbread dressing
• pumpkin pie
• Pumpkin Praline Bread Pudding
• Eggnog Tres Leches Cake
• Thanksgiving desserts

However, the Sweet Potato Casserole totally rocked!

When I was maybe about 7 or 8 years old, my job at Thanksgiving was to add the marshmallows on top of the sweet potatoes and then I would scarf a couple of marshmallows for myself also. 🙂

So when it came to adding marshmallows (one of my favorite things in the world) in my 7 or 8 year old mind, the more marshmallows the better!

So one year while no one was looking, I added more marshmallows, and then just a little more, and maybe a little more…as many as I could fit on top. I think I emptied the entire bag. Then in the oven, they went.

And the hardest part (especially to a kid) was the waiting. So I waited and waited.

Then the next thing I know I hear this BOOM! And then I smelled this horrible smell…..the smell of burning marshmallows.

My sister opened the oven door and the marshmallows had exploded all over the oven. The entire oven was covered with black burning marshmallows.

However, that mishap did not deter us. This Sweet Potato Casserole continued to be on our Thanksgiving table every year, year after year without any more marshmallow mishaps.

How could we not have it on the table? This Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows was part of our Thanksgiving traditions.

Tips for the Perfect Sweet Potato Casserole

I will share just a few tips.

First, I recommend using fresh sweet potatoes. Yes, it can totally work with canned yams or sweet potatoes, but to me, the flavor of the fresh sweet potatoes is better.

Don’t overload the marshmallows. I recommend just 1 layer of marshmallows on top. Don’t stack the marshmallows on top of each other, unless you want a marshmallow casserole with a few sweet potatoes. If that is the case, then go ahead. Who am I to judge?

Make Ahead Sweet Potato Casserole

To manage time, I recommend baking the sweet potatoes the day before. You can even assemble the whole casserole, except for the marshmallows, the day before and keep refrigerated until you are ready to bake.

How To Cook Sweet Potatoes

You have a couple of choices when it comes to cooking the sweet potatoes for this dish.

1. Roast the sweet potatoes. This is my preferred method if I have time. It is a great option if you are making the Sweet Potato Casserole a day or two ahead of time.
2. Boil the sweet potatoes. If you don’t have as much time, you can peel and quarter the sweet potatoes and boil them on top of the stove. This is the method used in the video.

How To Make Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows Ahead of Time

1. At Thanksgiving, this sweet potato casserole with marshmallows is one of the dishes that I make a day before Thanksgiving. It lends itself perfectly to being made ahead of time.
2. Cook and mash the sweet potatoes a day ahead of time.
3. Mix together the sweet potato filling and assemble the casserole a day ahead of time. (I usually leave the marshmallows off the casserole until right before I put them in the oven.)
4. Then on Thanksgiving Day, all you have to do is add the marshmallows on top and bake the casserole in the oven. All the heavy lifting was done ahead of time.

Variations On Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows

1. Add a Pecan Streusel.  One of the most popular variations on the sweet potato casserole is to add a pecan streusel in addition to the marshmallows. That gives it a sweet crunchy texture in addition to the sweet, creamy goodness.

How To Make a Pecan Streusel For Sweet Potato Casserole

1. In a bowl, stir together brown sugar, flour, melted butter, and pecans.
2. Sprinkle over the top of the sweet potatoes and marshmallows.

For another sweet potato recipe idea, check out my Chipotle Sweet Potatoes with Queso Fresco to add a Mexican twist to your sweet potatoes, or lighten up your snacks with Baked Sweet Potato Chips.

What will you serve with the Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows on your Thanksgiving table? Be sure to check out the other Thanksgiving sides and Thanksgiving desserts on Flavor Mosaic.

Roast Turkey with Apple Cider Brine

Complete Thanksgiving Menu 

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Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

30 mins

Total Time

40 mins

 

This Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows is a family favorite at our Thanksgiving or holiday table. I hope it becomes a favorite for your family too.

Course: Sides

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Make Ahead Thanksgiving Sides, Sweet Potato Casserole, Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows, Sweet Potatoes

Servings: 8

Calories: 215 kcal

Author: Michele @ Flavor Mosaic

Ingredients

• 2-1/2 pounds sweet potatoes cooked, peeled and mashed
• 1/4 cup butter melted
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs beaten
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 cups mini marshmallows

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl mix together the sweet potatoes, butter, white and brown sugars, eggs, milk, and cinnamon.
3. Spread the sweet potato mixture evenly into a prepared 9 x 13 baking dish.
4. Sprinkle the mini marshmallows evenly over the top in a single layer. (Don't overload the marshmallows.
5. Bake at 350 degrees F for about 30 minutes or just until the marshmallows are golden brown.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

To Make Optional Pecan Streusel Topping.

1. In a bowl, stir together brown sugar, flour, melted butter, and pecans.
2. Sprinkle over the top of the sweet potatoes and marshmallows.

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Round out your holiday dinner with these recipes
turkey
green bean casserole
easy cornbread dressing
squash casserole
pumpkin pie

Nutrition Facts

Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows

Amount Per Serving

Calories 215 Calories from Fat 63

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 7g 11%

Saturated Fat 4g 20%

Cholesterol 57mg 19%

Sodium 116mg 5%

Potassium 235mg 7%

Total Carbohydrates 35g 12%

Dietary Fiber 1g 4%

Sugars 23g

Protein 3g 6%

Vitamin A 166.1%

Vitamin C 1.6%

Calcium 4.8%

Iron 3.4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here are some more recipes for Thanksgiving side dishes.

Green Bean Casserole

Easy Cornbread Dressing

Cranberry Fluff

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes

Check out Flavor Mosaic for more ideas for Thanksgiving side dishes.

How about this Pumpkin Praline Bread Pudding for dessert?

or this Eggnog Tres Leches Cake for a fun, festive holiday dessert!