Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow

Sweet potato casserole with marshmallows is one of the most beloved Thanksgiving recipes at the whole feast. Most versions of this sweet potato recipe flirt the line between side dish and dessert, but not this one. It's sweet but not candy-like, with subtle notes of smoked paprika and cayenne pepper to complement the warm cinnamon. Bonus: No one will be fighting over which topping is best on this Thanksgiving casserole, because it has both! In addition to the melty, pillowy marshmallows, there's a crunchy, buttery pecan streusel topping. The best part about this dish is that you can prep it days or even months in advance so there's one less thing on your cooking schedule come Thanksgiving morning.

How do you make sweet potato casserole?

You start by roasting the sweet potatoes to get them nice and tender. Next you mash the cooked sweet potatoes with butter, cream, brown sugar, eggs, salt, and spices like cinnamon, smoked paprika, and a touch of cayenne for the tiniest bit of smoky heat. Then comes the best part—the topping! It is made of mini marshmallows combined with a buttery, pecan crumble. Just sprinkle it on top and bake! Just before it's done, add more marshmallows on top and bake until toasty.

Should you poke holes in sweet potatoes before baking?

Yes! This creates vents for the steam to escape. If you don't poke holes in the potatoes you run the risk of the potatoes exploding from built up pressure.

Can you overcook a sweet potato in the oven?

Yes, you can. Overcooked sweet potatoes can turn out dry and crumbly rather than soft and fluffy. Aim for 50 to 60 minutes for these. You'll know they're done when a fork or knife easily pierces the center of the sweet potato with little resistance.

What's the difference between paprika and smoked paprika?

Both paprika and smoked paprika are made from dried chili peppers, but the difference between the two is that the peppers for smoked paprika are dried over smoke rather than air. As you might guess, this gives smoked paprika a more intense, smokier flavor than mild, more neutral regular paprika. It may sound like an unusual addition to sweet potato casserole, but, combined with a pinch of cayenne, it perfectly balances the sweetness of the dish.

Is it better to boil or bake the sweet potatoes?

For a deeper sweet potato flavor, roasting is the way to go. This recipe calls for roasting whole sweet potatoes for 50 to 60 minutes until tender. While this might seem like a lot of time, it's mostly hands-off. Plus, it's an easy step that can be done up to three days ahead.

Is sweet potato casserole supposed to be soupy?

No, and if your is, it could be because the sweet potatoes were initially boiled rather than baked. Boiled sweet potatoes have a tendency to absorb water, which, in turn can make the casserole a little soupy. That's why this recipe calls for baking the sweet potatoes! You'll also notice there isn't much liquid in this recipe. A little heavy cream, melted butter, and the addition of eggs meet in the middle to yield a light and fluffy filling.

Can you make sweet potato casserole ahead of time?

Yes! Prepare the filling up to two days ahead and place it in your baking dish—but don't bake it yet. Cover and refrigerate the dish. Then, prepare the nutty topping as directed, place it in an airtight container, and refrigerate. About 30 minutes before you plan to bake the casserole, pull the baking dish out of the fridge to come room temperature. Sprinkle the marshmallows and pecan streusel on top of the filling and bake as directed.

Can you freeze sweet potato casserole?

Yes, but don't add the topping. Once the sweet potato filling is in the casserole dish, wrap the entire unbaked dish in a layer of plastic, then a layer of foil. Freeze for up to three months. Let the casserole thaw in the fridge overnight, then pull it out of the fridge 30 minutes before you plan to bake it. Add the marshmallow and pecan topping, and bake as directed!

How do you reheat sweet potato casserole?

Cover the baking dish with foil and reheat in a 350-degree oven until it's warmed through, 20 to 30 minutes. You can reheat individual helpings in the microwave for about 3o seconds.

Are yams and sweet potatoes the same?

Here's the breakdown of yams versus sweet potatoes: They are two entirely different root vegetables. Oftentimes, "yams" in the supermarket are mislabeled as sweet potatoes. There are many different types of sweet potatoes, but two of the most common categories are firm sweet potatoes and soft sweet potatoes. The latter has darker skin and orange flesh and is extra creamy.