This Old-Fashioned Sweet Potato Casserole is the perfect blend of sweet and savory, making it a standout dish at any holiday table. With a crunchy pecan topping and a creamy sweet potato base, it’s comfort food at its finest.
Sweet potatoes form the base of this dish, providing natural sweetness and a creamy texture. Butter adds richness, while the combination of granulated sugar and brown sugar enhances the sweetness with a hint of molasses flavor. Whole milk makes the mixture smooth and luscious. Eggs help to bind everything together, and vanilla extract offers a lovely aromatic note. The spices, cinnamon and nutmeg, bring warmth and depth, while a pinch of salt balances the flavors. The pecans provide a nutty crunch, and the topping mixture of flour, brown sugar, and more butter creates a crumbly, golden finish.
This casserole pairs beautifully with roasted turkey or ham, making it an excellent side for holiday meals. It also complements grilled pork chops or a hearty beef roast for a comforting weekend dinner.
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13 inch baking dish to ensure nothing sticks. Then, let’s tackle those sweet potatoes—peel and cube them before boiling in a large pot of water. They'll need about 20 minutes to become tender enough to mash.
Once the sweet potatoes are soft, drain and transfer them to a large bowl. Mash them until smooth, and then mix in the melted butter, both sugars, milk, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Stir until the mixture is nice and smooth, then spread it evenly in your prepared baking dish.
For the topping, take a separate bowl and combine the pecans, flour, brown sugar, and melted butter. Mix until it resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle this evenly over the sweet potato mixture, ensuring a good coverage.
Pop the dish into your preheated oven and let it bake for 30-35 minutes. You'll know it's done when the topping is golden brown and crisp. Let it cool slightly before serving to allow the flavors to meld perfectly.
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