This easy Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows, made with fresh sweet potatoes or canned 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! It is still a favorite out of all of my sweet potato recipes!
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 canned 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 For Sweet Potato Casserole
You have a couple of choices when it comes to cooking the sweet potatoes for this dish.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- Cook and mash the sweet potatoes a day ahead of time.
- 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.)
- 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
- 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
- In a bowl, stir together brown sugar, flour, melted butter, and pecans.
- 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 or Orange Guajillo Glazed Sweet Potatoes to add a Mexican twist to your sweet potatoes, or lighten up your snacks with Sweet Potato Toast or 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
Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
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
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl mix together the sweet potatoes, butter, white and brown sugars, eggs, milk, and cinnamon.
- Spread the sweet potato mixture evenly into a prepared 9 x 13 baking dish.
- Sprinkle the mini marshmallows evenly over the top in a single layer. (Don't overload the marshmallows.
- Bake at 350 degrees F for about 30 minutes or just until the marshmallows are golden brown.
Video
Notes
- In a bowl, stir together 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) softened butter, and 1/2 cup each: brown sugar, flour, and pecans.
- Sprinkle over the top of the sweet potatoes and marshmallows.
turkey
green bean casserole
easy cornbread dressing
squash casserole
pumpkin pie
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published November 25, 2014, and republished with new photos and additional tips and how to information on October 29, 2018.
I am making this for the first time this year. I’m making several casseroles, so I am making this one tonight! I roasted the sweet potatoes like you suggested and they smell amazing! Thank you for that little tid bit! I do have a question though, is it 3/4 cup I’d packed brown sugar or just loose? Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Hi Sandy,
I’m glad you are making them. You will love them. It just depends on how sweet you like the sweet potatoes. We always packed the brown sugar. I hope you enjoy the recipe.
Thanks,
Michele
This was a huge hit with my family! I didn’t change anything except to double the recipe! This is so delicious! This will be at every holiday from here on out. Plus it’s super easy to make! Thank you so much for sharing!
Hi Sandy,
I’m so glad you liked it! That makes me happy that our family recipe is now a Thanksgiving tradition in many families now.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Michele
Can I cut this recipe in half? Would it come out the same?
Hi Joe,
Yes. You can cut this recipe in half and it will work out the same. Have a happy Thanksgiving!
Michele
Does this need to be covered with foil at all when baking?
Hi Alexa,
I don’t cover it with foil because the marshmallows would stick to the foil. Just keep an eye on it so it doesn’t overcook the marshmallows.
Michele
I had a thanksgiving get together about a week ago and made this recipe although I didn’t make the pecan streusel, I’m going to today. Does this get sprinkled on before or after being baked?
Hi Shyanna,
If you want to make the pecan streusel, add it on just before baking.
Thanks,
Michele
Hi Michelle. Mine came out a bit to loose! If I would have prepared night before would it have come out thicker?
Hi Pamela,
It possibly could be a little thicker if you prepared it ahead of time. However, in the future, you could reduce the amount of milk added. Maybe start with 1/4 cup and then add any more as needed until you get to the right consistency.
Michele