Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams will tantalize your taste buds with a twist on tradition! With its creamy texture and perfectly balanced sweetness, this recipe will have you wondering why you didn’t try it sooner.
Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams is a beloved classic recipe that will transport you back to grandma’s kitchen, where the aroma of cinnamon and nutmeg fills the air. Whether you’re craving a comforting side for your holiday feast or simply seeking an indulgent treat, this casserole is sure to delight your taste buds and warm your heart.
If you’re looking for more casserole recipes, try these Baked Pierogi Casserole, Chicken Broccoli Casserole, and Leftover Thanksgiving Casserole.
Why We Love This Candied Sweet Potato Casserole
This beloved candied sweet potato casserole has won the hearts of countless families for generations, and it’s easy to see why. From its simplicity to the comforting blend of flavors, this dish has become a treasured family favorite.
- 30-Minute Side Dish: This sweet potato casserole can be whipped up in just 30 minutes, making it a fantastic option for busy weeknights when you need a quick and tasty side dish.
- Family Friendly: The combination of sweet and nutty flavors in this dish is incredibly appealing to the whole family. It’s a wonderful way to introduce kids to the goodness of sweet potatoes in a form they’ll love full of brown sugar topping and pecans.
- Hands-Off Cooking Process: The baking process requires minimal attention, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your meal preparation or simply enjoy some well-deserved relaxation time.
Ingredient Notes for Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams
- Canned Sweet Potatoes: Using canned sweet potatoes works perfectly in this recipe, saving you time and effort in peeling and cooking fresh ones.
- Brown Sugar: Brown sugar adds a rich and caramel-like sweetness to the casserole, complementing the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes.
See my recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Variations and Substitutions for this Easy Sweet Potato Casserole
Add a personal touch to this sweet potato casserole try these variations. Whether you’re looking to reduce sugar or explore new flavors, these creative twists will allow you to tailor the recipe to your liking so it is perfect for Thanksgiving dinner.
- Sugar-Free Syrup: If you prefer a sugar-free option, you can use a sugar-free syrup without compromising flavor or texture.
- Sugar-Free Marshmallows: To reduce the sugar content further, opt for sugar-free marshmallows while still enjoying that gooey, toasted topping.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice: If you don’t have nutmeg on hand, or simply love the flavors of pumpkin pie spice, it can be a great substitute to enhance the easy recipe.
How to Make Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
These are the basic steps for making the Best Sweet Potato Casserole top with marshmallows and topped with a brown sugar crust. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.
Step 1: Prepare Oven and Baking Dish
First, preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. and grease an 8×8 casserole dish with a non-stick cooking spray.
Step 2: Mash Yams
Then drain the canned yams and place them in a large mixing bowl. Next, mash the sweet potatoes with a potato masher until smooth.
Step 3: Mix Together Ingredients in a Bowl
Then add brown sugar, maple syrup, melted butter, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract to the mashed sweet potato mixture. Stir until all the sweet potato mixture is well combined.
Step 4: Add Mixture to Baking Dish and Add Marshmallows
Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Next, sprinkle chopped pecans topping, followed by a layer of mini marshmallows for the marshmallow topping.
Step 5: Bake the Yam Casserole
Finally, bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until the marshmallows turn toasted and the top is golden brown.
Southern Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows Recipe FAQs
Expert Tips for Making Canned Sweet Potato Casserole
Take your canned sweet potato casserole to the next level with these expert tips and tricks. From enhancing the flavors to achieving the ideal texture, these valuable insights will help you create a mouthwatering dish that will leave everyone impressed.
- Different Nuts: If you’re not a fan of pecans, feel free to use different chopped nuts like walnuts or almonds for a delightful twist.
- Extra Toasty Marshmallows: For extra toasty marshmallows, broil the casserole for about 2 minutes after baking until the marshmallows reach your desired level of crispiness.
- Garnish with Caramel Drizzle: For a decadent touch, drizzle some warm caramel sauce over the finished casserole just before serving.
- Leftovers: Store the leftover sweet potato casserole with pecan streusel topping in an airtight container.
What to Serve with Sweet Potato Casserole
Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams
Ingredients
- 29 ounces Yams, 1 can, drained
- ¼ cup Brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Maple syrup
- 3 tablespoons Unsalted butter, softened or melted
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon Nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon Vanilla extract
- ½ cup Pecans, chopped
- 1 ½ cup Mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Set the oven temperature to 375 degrees F and coat the inside of an 8×8-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Transfer the drained yams into a large mixing bowl and proceed to mash them.
- Include brown sugar, syrup butter, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly.
- Evenly distribute the mixture in the baking dish, ensuring it covers the entire surface. Add a layer of pecans on top, followed by a generous topping of marshmallows.
- Allow to bake for a period of 20 minutes, or until the marshmallows have reached a desirable level of toasting.
Expert Tips
- Different Nuts: If you’re not a fan of pecans, feel free to use different chopped nuts like walnuts or almonds for a delightful twist.
- Extra Toasty Marshmallows: For extra toasty marshmallows, broil the casserole for about 2 minutes after baking until the marshmallows reach your desired level of crispiness.
- Garnish with Caramel Drizzle: For a decadent touch, drizzle some warm caramel sauce over the finished casserole just before serving.