There is something undeniably comforting and festive about a Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow and Streusel Topping Recipe. This dish perfectly balances the creamy, naturally sweet mashed potatoes with the playful crunch of a cinnamon-spiced streusel and the gooey delight of melted marshmallows on top. It’s a timeless side that brings warmth and smiles to any holiday table or special family gathering. Each bite bursts with cozy flavors and textures that make this casserole a true crowd-pleaser deserving of a spot in your recipe rotation.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are simple yet essential, working together to create that signature luscious texture and delightful flavor layers in this Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow and Streusel Topping Recipe. Each one plays a key role in delivering sweetness, spice warmth, or that irresistible crunchy topping.
- Fresh sweet potatoes (3 lbs): The star ingredient that provides natural sweetness, vibrant color, and creamy body to the casserole.
- Milk (1/2 cup): Adds moisture and richness, helping achieve a smooth, velvety sweet potato mash.
- Light brown sugar (1 cup + 1/3 cup): Packed sugar offers deep caramel notes that amplify the sweetness and complexity.
- Unsalted butter (1/4 cup melted + 3 tbsp salted melted): Butter enriches the base and binds the streusel topping with a luscious, buttery flavor.
- Eggs (2): Eggs help set the casserole for that perfect, sliceable yet tender texture.
- Ground cinnamon (1 tsp + 1/2 tsp + 1/2 tsp): A warm, aromatic spice that complements sweet potatoes beautifully in both the casserole and topping.
- Ground nutmeg (1/2 tsp + 1/8 tsp): Adds subtle earthiness and accentuates the holiday vibe.
- Vanilla extract (1 tsp): Enhances sweetness with a fragrant, smooth depth.
- Salt (pinch): Balances flavors and brings out the natural sweetness.
- All-purpose flour (1/3 cup): Essential for creating that crumbly, textured streusel topping.
- Ground cloves (pinch): A pinch elevates the spiced aroma in the streusel, adding warmth without overpowering.
- Marshmallows (2-3 cups): The crowning glory, marshmallows melt to golden, gooey perfection, adding playful softness and sweetness on top.
How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow and Streusel Topping Recipe
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Start by warming up your oven to 350°F (176°C). This ensures it’s perfectly ready when your assembled casserole is set to go in, so you get that even, gentle heat that bakes everything thoroughly.
Step 2: Cook the Sweet Potatoes
Place the peeled, cubed sweet potatoes into a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil and let them cook until fork tender—about 8 minutes. This step locks in moisture and softens the sweet potatoes just right for mashing.
Step 3: Mash the Sweet Potatoes
Drain your cooked sweet potatoes and transfer them to a big bowl. Mash them until smooth or to your desired consistency. This creamy base is what your casserole filling is built upon.
Step 4: Mix the Filling
To the mashed sweet potatoes, add milk, packed light brown sugar, melted unsalted butter, eggs, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Stir it all together well to combine those rich, sweet, and warmly spiced flavors into one luxurious filling.
Step 5: Transfer to Baking Dish
Pour the blended sweet potato mixture into a 9×13-inch casserole dish. At this point, you have the option to refrigerate it for up to two days, which can be a great time saver for hosting, or bake immediately if you’re ready.
Step 6: Initial Bake
Bake the casserole uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes until it’s heated through and smells absolutely heavenly. This step sets the base, ensuring your casserole is warm and cozy before adding the topping.
Step 7: Prepare the Streusel Topping
Meanwhile, prepare the streusel by combining all-purpose flour, packed light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground cloves in a bowl. Stir in the melted salted butter until the mixture forms crumbly clusters—this topping will add the perfect spiced crunch.
Step 8: Finish Baking with Marshmallows and Streusel
Remove the casserole from the oven, then sprinkle marshmallows evenly over the top, followed by a generous layer of the streusel crumbs. Add more marshmallows on top if you like that extra gooeyness. Return it to the oven and bake an additional 10 to 15 minutes. For a golden, toasty finish, broil briefly at 400°F until the marshmallows turn a lovely golden brown. Serve it warm and watch it disappear fast!
How to Serve Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow and Streusel Topping Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of chopped pecans or walnuts adds delightful crunch and nutty flavor over the already decadent marshmallow topping. Freshly chopped parsley or a light dusting of cinnamon powder can also add visual appeal and a pop of subtle freshness to balance sweet richness.
Side Dishes
This casserole shines as a sweet, comforting side to roasted turkey, baked ham, or grilled chicken. Pair it with crisp green beans or a fresh salad to balance the meal with some brightness and texture contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday gatherings, serve individual portions in mini ramekins topped with a single large marshmallow and a sprinkle of streusel for a charming personal touch. You can also swirl in some chopped fresh herbs into the filling for a twist on traditional flavors that will impress your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place any leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to four days. When stored properly, this casserole maintains its creamy texture and topping crunch, making it easy to enjoy the next day.
Freezing
This casserole freezes beautifully. Cover tightly with foil or plastic wrap and freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Warm leftovers in the oven at 325°F (163°C) for about 20 minutes until heated through and the topping is crispy again. Avoid microwaving if you want to preserve that delicious marshmallow gooeyness and streusel crunch.
FAQs
Can I use canned sweet potatoes instead of fresh?
While canned sweet potatoes might be convenient, fresh sweet potatoes provide much better texture and natural sweetness that really elevate this casserole’s flavor. For the best results, fresh is recommended.
How do I prevent the marshmallows from burning?
Keep a close eye when broiling—the marshmallows can turn from golden to burnt very quickly. Broil in short bursts and remove as soon as they reach a light golden brown color.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
You can substitute butter with plant-based margarine and use a flax or chia egg instead of chicken eggs. Use a non-dairy milk, and be sure to get vegan marshmallows to keep this dish completely plant-based.
Is it okay to prepare the casserole a day ahead?
Absolutely! Preparing up to two days in advance saves you time on the day of your event. Simply cover and refrigerate the assembled casserole before baking.
What is the best way to mash the sweet potatoes?
Use a potato masher or a fork for a rustic texture, or a hand mixer for an ultra smooth consistency. Either way works perfectly for this recipe.
Final Thoughts
Making this Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow and Streusel Topping Recipe is like wrapping your tastebuds in a warm, cozy hug. It’s one of those timeless dishes that never fails to brighten the table and bring happy smiles. I encourage you to give it a try soon—you’ll understand why it’s a cherished favorite for gatherings and holidays alike!
Print
Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow and Streusel Topping Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Sweet Potato Casserole is a classic, comforting side dish perfect for holidays and family dinners. Creamy mashed sweet potatoes are mixed with warm spices, brown sugar, and vanilla, then topped with a crunchy streusel and toasted marshmallows for a delightful combination of flavors and textures.
Ingredients
Sweet Potato Mixture
- 3 lbs fresh sweet potatoes (4–5 large), peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/2 cup (120ml) milk
- 1 cup (225g) packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup (56g) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Streusel Topping
- 1/3 cup (44g) all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup (75g) light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
- Pinch of ground cloves
- 3 tbsp (42g) salted butter, melted
Topping
- 2–3 cups marshmallows
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (176°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook sweet potatoes: Place the peeled and cubed sweet potatoes in a large pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Cook until tender and easily pierced with a fork, about 8 minutes. Drain well and transfer to a large bowl.
- Mash potatoes: Mash the sweet potatoes until smooth or to your desired consistency, ensuring there are no large lumps.
- Mix filling: Add the milk, brown sugar, melted unsalted butter, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt to the mashed sweet potatoes. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined and the mixture is smooth.
- Transfer to baking dish: Pour the sweet potato mixture into a 9×13-inch casserole dish. At this stage, you can refrigerate the mixture for up to 2 days or proceed immediately to baking.
- Bake initially: Place the casserole uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the filling is heated through.
- Prepare streusel topping: In a separate bowl, combine the flour, light brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Mix in the melted salted butter until the mixture becomes crumbly, forming the streusel topping.
- Finish baking: Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle a layer of marshmallows evenly over the top. Then, evenly add the streusel crumbs on top of the marshmallows, followed by an additional layer of marshmallows if desired. Return the casserole to the oven and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes until the topping is bubbly and golden.
- Optional broil for browning: For a more browned and toasted marshmallow topping, broil the casserole at 400°F for a few minutes carefully, until the marshmallows are golden brown. Watch closely to prevent burning.
- Serve warm: Remove from the oven and serve the sweet potato casserole warm as a delightful side dish.
Notes
- You can prepare the sweet potato mixture up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate before baking.
- Adjust the amount of marshmallows to your preference for sweetness and texture.
- Use salted butter in the streusel topping for balanced seasoning; unsalted butter is used in the sweet potato filling.
- To make it dairy-free, substitute milk and butter with non-dairy alternatives.
- The casserole reheats well in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.
