If you’ve never experienced the warm, gooey delight of a Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow and Streusel Topping Recipe, you’re in for a real treat. This dish is the perfect balance between sweet and spiced, with fluffy mashed sweet potatoes layered under a crispy, buttery streusel topping and that irresistibly golden toasted marshmallow finish. It’s the ultimate comfort food and a crowd-pleaser that brings nostalgic flavors to any holiday table or family feast. Every bite bursts with creamy texture, sugary crunch, and a little bit of magic that makes this casserole unforgettable.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients for this Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow and Streusel Topping Recipe are refreshingly simple but incredibly important. Each one adds a unique layer of flavor, texture, or warmth—whether it’s the natural sweetness of fresh sweet potatoes or the aromatic spices that create that classic cozy feeling.
- 3 lbs fresh sweet potatoes (4-5 large), peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes: The hearty base with natural sweetness and creamy texture when cooked.
- 1/2 cup (120ml) milk: Helps make the sweet potatoes smooth and creamy.
- 1 cup (225g) packed light brown sugar: Adds rich, caramel-like sweetness to the filling.
- 1/4 cup (56g) unsalted butter, melted: Brings moisture and buttery depth to the dish.
- 2 eggs: Bind everything together while adding a light fluffiness.
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon: The quintessential spice that warms up the casserole.
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg: Adds a gentle nutty hint that complements the cinnamon perfectly.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract: A splash of sweetness and aroma that rounds out the flavors.
- Pinch of salt: Enhances all the other tastes and balances sweetness.
- 1/3 cup (44g) all purpose flour: Creates the structure for the streusel topping.
- 1/3 cup (75g) light brown sugar, packed: Sweetens the streusel crumbs with molasses notes.
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon: Spices up the streusel topping for added warmth.
- 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg: Infuses subtle depth into the streusel layer.
- Pinch of ground cloves: Brings a hint of fragrant spice to the crumbly topping.
- 3 tbsp (42g) salted butter, melted: Binds the streusel ingredients into a buttery crumble.
- 2-3 cups marshmallows: The star topping that melts and browns to create that signature gooey, golden finish.
How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow and Streusel Topping Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Start by setting your oven to 350°F (176°C). This ensures it’s perfectly hot for baking the sweet layers and melting the marshmallows just right.
Step 2: Cook the Sweet Potatoes
Pop the sweet potatoes into a large pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Cook them until they’re fork tender—about 8 minutes. This step is crucial to get that creamy, soft base for your casserole. Drain them well and transfer to a bowl.
Step 3: Mash to Perfection
Mash those sweet potatoes until they reach your favorite texture. Smooth and velvety is my personal favorite because it makes the filling luxuriously creamy.
Step 4: Mix the Filling
To your mashed potatoes, add milk, light brown sugar, melted butter, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Stir everything together until completely blended. This mixture is what makes the sweet potato filling rich, sweet, and slightly spiced just like you want.
Step 5: Transfer to Baking Dish
Pour this heavenly sweet potato mixture into a 9×13-inch casserole dish. If you aren’t planning to bake immediately, no worries — you can refrigerate it for up to 2 days to save time.
Step 6: Bake the Filling
Bake the casserole uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes until it’s hot and bubbly. This cooks the eggs through and firms up the filling just enough before topping.
Step 7: Prepare the Streusel Topping
While the casserole bakes, combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in a bowl. Stir in melted butter until the mixture looks crumbly and buttery. This topping will add the perfect crunchy, spiced contrast to the creamy potatoes.
Step 8: Finish Baking with Marshmallows and Streusel
Once the casserole is out of the oven, sprinkle the marshmallows evenly on top, then add the streusel crumbs, and if you want extra gooey goodness, sprinkle marshmallows on top again. Bake for another 10 to 15 minutes until everything is melted and warm. For that Instagram-worthy golden crust, switch to broil at 400°F for a few minutes until the marshmallows get beautifully toasted. Serve warm and watch everyone fall in love.
How to Serve Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow and Streusel Topping Recipe
Garnishes
To make your Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow and Streusel Topping Recipe even more special, try sprinkling some toasted pecans or a pinch of sea salt over the top just before serving. The nuts add an awesome crunch, while the salt enhances all the sweet and spicy flavors.
Side Dishes
This casserole pairs beautifully with savory mains like roast turkey, glazed ham, or even a simple garlic butter chicken. Its sweet and rich profile beautifully contrasts savory proteins and fresh green vegetables, balancing your plate perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve this casserole in individual ramekins or small ovenproof bowls for a charming single-person presentation. Layering marshmallows and streusel separately in mini servings also looks gorgeous and makes for a delightful surprise in each bite!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying this Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow and Streusel Topping Recipe, you can safely store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently so you don’t lose that lovely texture.
Freezing
You can freeze the baked casserole (without the marshmallow and streusel topping) for up to 2 months. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and then add fresh topping before baking to delicious, fresh perfection.
Reheating
To bring the casserole back to life, reheat in a 350°F (176°C) oven for about 20 minutes. If reheating leftovers with marshmallows, keep an eye on them so they do not burn. A quick broil at the end will give you that perfect toasted finish again.
FAQs
Can I use canned sweet potatoes for this recipe?
While fresh sweet potatoes deliver the best texture and flavor for this dish, canned sweet potatoes can be used in a pinch. Just make sure to drain them thoroughly and adjust the liquid ingredients slightly since canned potatoes retain moisture.
What kind of marshmallows should I use?
Classic mini marshmallows work best here because they melt evenly and create that iconic golden bubbly surface. Large marshmallows can be chopped up if you prefer or used sparingly for melted pockets.
Is this casserole suitable for making ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, preparing the filling up to two days ahead and baking it when ready saves stress on busy days. Just add the topping fresh before the final bake for best results.
Can I make the streusel topping nut-free?
This recipe’s streusel topping is naturally nut-free, made with simple pantry spices, flour, sugar, and butter. To add nuts for extra texture, sprinkle some chopped pecans or walnuts on top if desired.
How can I make this recipe vegan?
To make this dish vegan, substitute dairy milk with plant-based milk, and use vegan butter alternatives. For the eggs, you can try flax eggs or other egg replacers. Vegan marshmallows are also available for topping.
Final Thoughts
This Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow and Streusel Topping Recipe is truly one of those comforting classics that warms your heart with every bite. Whether you’re celebrating holidays or craving a cozy treat, it’s simple to make and guaranteed to impress. I can’t wait for you to try it yourself and create some delicious memories around the table!
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Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow and Streusel Topping Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Sweet Potato Casserole is a classic comfort food dish perfect for holiday meals or cozy family dinners. Creamy mashed sweet potatoes are flavored with warm spices and vanilla, then topped with a crunchy cinnamon-spiced streusel and gooey marshmallows, baked to golden perfection. The combination of sweet, creamy, and crunchy textures makes it a crowd-pleaser that serves 10 people.
Ingredients
Sweet Potato Base
- 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 for about 8 minutes or until the potatoes are fork tender. Drain well and transfer to a mixing bowl.
- Mash potatoes: Mash the sweet potatoes until smooth or to your preferred consistency, ensuring no large lumps remain for a creamy texture.
- Mix filling: To the mashed sweet potatoes, add the milk, 1 cup brown sugar, melted unsalted butter, eggs, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined and smooth.
- Transfer to baking dish: Pour the sweet potato mixture into a 9×13-inch casserole dish, spreading it evenly. At this point, you can refrigerate the mixture for up to 2 days if not baking immediately.
- Bake initially: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until heated through and slightly set.
- Prepare streusel topping: In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, 1/3 cup brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground cloves. Pour in the melted salted butter and mix until the mixture becomes crumbly and holds together when pressed.
- Finish baking: Remove the casserole from the oven and evenly sprinkle the marshmallows over the top. Then add the streusel crumbs over the marshmallows, and optionally add more marshmallows on top. Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the marshmallows are melted and the topping is golden brown. For extra browning, broil the casserole at 400°F until the marshmallows are golden and toasted. Serve warm.
Notes
- You can prepare the sweet potato mixture up to 2 days in advance and refrigerate it before baking.
- Adjust the amount of marshmallows according to your sweetness preference.
- For a more decadent flavor, consider using half-and-half instead of milk.
- If you prefer a crunchier topping, add chopped pecans to the streusel mixture.
- Broil carefully, watching closely to avoid burning the marshmallows.
