Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel Topping

Modified: Nov 28, 2025 · Published: Nov 11, 2024 by Krysten Wilkes & Marrekus Wilkes · This post may contain affiliate links · 3 Comments

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Our old fashioned sweet potato casserole with pecan streusel topping is an easy recipe and a family favorite that's been passed down for generations. It's a classic holiday side dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. You can also make it for Sunday dinner, Church potlucks, or other special occasions during the holiday season.

Want to save this recipe?

We'll email you this recipe so you can come back to it later!

We have dozens of Thanksgiving dinner ideas, but few compare to this Southern sweet potato casserole! It's Krysten's mom's recipe, and one of our favorite Thanksgiving side dishes. We make it all the time, and our kids love it too.

The sweet potato filling is creamy and sweet (thanks to the milk, butter, and sugar), and you don't need any special equipment like a potato masher or hand mixer. We whipped up everything by hand because the potatoes were baked until they were nice and soft.

This recipe is also really easy to make and it travels well, so if you're looking for a simple side dish to bring to a holiday gathering, this casserole is perfect. Krysten made it recently to take to a church potluck and it was a big hit.

What we love about this recipe

It's the perfect Thanksgiving side dish: Old-fashioned sweet potato casserole is our favorite Thanksgiving side dish—even the kids love it!
The crunchy pecan crumble topping: Skip the marshmallows and make a pecan streusel topping instead! Definitely the best part of this dish.
It's easy to make: Our old fashioned recipe uses simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand and it's quick to throw together, even for beginner cooks.

Ingredients

A full ingredient list with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Sweet Potatoes: Large, fresh sweet potatoes (with the orange flesh). Alternatively, use peeled, cubed sweet potatoes if you're short on time or plan to boil them. Canned mashed sweet potatoes would also work but we have never tried it.
Eggs: Binds everything together and also adds richness.
Pecan Streusel Topping: Pecans, brown sugar, butter, and flour all mixed together.

How to Make Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Casserole

Detailed instructions can be found in the recipe card below.

Step 1. In a large mixing bowl, mash sweet potatoes.

Step 2. Combine the mashed sweet potatoes with the eggs, sugar, melted butter, vanilla, and milk (or half-and-half, heavy cream, etc.).

Step 3. Mix well until combined using a whisk or electric hand mixer.

Step 4: Grease a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Pour the sweet potato mixture into the dish and spread it out evenly.

Step 5. In a separate medium bowl, mix together the chopped pecans and brown sugar.

Step 6. Add melted butter (cooled) and flour, and stir to combine. Sprinkle the pecan streusel on top of the casserole.

Step 7. Sprinkle the pecan streusel on top of the casserole.

Step 8. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is set.

What Goes Good with Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet potato casserole goes great with many dishes, especially for holiday meals. It’s the perfect side for smoked turkey, double smoked ham, or juicy prime rib. You can also serve it with green bean casserole, chicken and dressing casserole, or Southern cabbage with smoked turkey. No matter what you serve it with, sweet potato casserole is always a tasty addition to the table.

Make Ahead Sweet Potato Casserole

You can easily prep this sweet potato casserole ahead of time for Thanksgiving!

Prepare mashed sweet potato filling up to 2 days in advance and store it in the baking dish in the refrigerator. Be sure to wrap it in foil.
On Thanksgiving Day, take the casserole out the fridge and let it sit at room temperature while the oven is heating up.
Finally, make the pecan topping and sprinkle it over the casserole. Bake at 350°F until golden and warmed through.

How to Store Leftovers

To store leftover sweet potato casserole, let it cool to room temperature.
Then, cover the baking dish with foil or plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container.
Sweet potato casserole stays good in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days!

Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Casserole FAQs

Is it better to boil or bake sweet potatoes for sweet potato casserole?

We always roast the sweet potatoes in the oven for better flavor and texture. However, you can also boil peeled, cubed sweet potatoes in salted water instead.

Why do you put eggs in sweet potato casserole?

Eggs help bind the ingredients together in sweet potato casserole, giving it a smooth and creamy texture. They also help the casserole set and hold its shape when baked.