Sweet Potato Casserole (my grandma's recipe!) (2024)

This Sweet Potato Casserole was a staple at our holiday dinners growing up. It is simple to make and will please even the pickiest eaters.

It’s taken me a while to get this Sweet Potato Casserole up because I can’t write it without getting weepy. When my husband and were getting married, my sister put together an album of recipes from family and friends as a wedding shower gift.

As soon as I got wind of what she was doing, I specifically requested the recipe for my grandmother’sSweet Potato Casserole, because this recipe is the best. We always serve it at Thanksgiving with mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, and my stuffing recipe.

Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet potato casserole ingredients

• Yams – My preference is canned yams, but you could use fresh yams or sweet potatoes if they are well cooked.
• Butter – Please don’t substitute margarine. We like salted butter, but unsalted will also work.
• Eggs – Regular eggs, nothing fancy to see here.
• Vanilla – Definitely use pure vanilla extract, not imitation vanilla when cooking or baking.
• Sugar – Plain white granulated sugar.
• Flour – All purpose flour. Do not use self rising flour as we do not require additional salt or leavening agents in this recipe.
• Brown sugar – We usually use light brown sugar, but dark brown sugar will work in this recipe too.
• Almonds – Slivered almonds add the perfect amount of crunch and nuttiness to this recipe.

How do you cook sweet potatoes for sweet potato casserole?

We actually don’t cook the sweet potatoes (or yams in this case) for our sweet potato casserole, instead I like to use canned yams.

If you prefer to use freshly baked sweet potato, then I’d suggest baking them in the oven, cooking the sweet potatoes in the crock pot or even steaming them in the microwave! Make sure your sweet potatoes are cooked until soft all the way through.

How long do you bake sweet potato casserole?

How long you bake sweet potato casserole depends on how deep your casserole is. Aas you can see from the pictures I tend to make mine on the deep side and so will cook it about 60 minutes in a 350 degree oven.

Can you make a sweet potato casserole ahead of time?

Yes, you can make a sweet potato casserole ahead of time. I usually make my mine up to two weeks before the holidays.

This recipe is delicious hot or cold, so leftovers are kind of a life goal.You can also make it up a few days ahead and reheat in the oven, or freeze it several weeks in advance!

What type of canned yams in sweet potato casserole?

I am partial to Bruce’s canned yams for this recipe. That said, if you don’t have canned available, fresh baked sweet potatoes work as well. I find sweet potatoes in the slow cooker give the creamiest result.

Can you freeze a sweet potato casserole?

You can freeze a sweet potato casserole. To freeze a the casserole, make sure the dish has cooled down completely, then cover securely and place in the freezer .

You can cook a pre-made casserole in the oven by thawing it first and then baking for 30 – 45 minutes, or you can place it in the oven while frozen (make sure your utensils allow for this and cook longer (usually an additional 30 – 60 minutes.

How do you reheat sweet potato casserole?

If you’re heating it from frozen, we suggest letting it thaw on the counter for a few hours and then popping it in a 350 degree oven until it’s hot throughout (about 30 – 45 minutes).

If you’re just wanting a scoop of leftovers, a quick 30 – 60 seconds in the microwave should do nicely.

Serving Suggestions

Sweet potato casserole is a holiday recipe in our home so we typically serve it alongside a perfectly roasted turkey and crock pot ham. For sides I love macaroni and cheese, roasted green beans, and dinner rolls.

Don’t forget to finish the meal off with a slice of pecan pie or scoop of pumpkin ice cream!

More Holiday Recipes

Stuffing Recipe

Mac and Cheese

Corn Soup

Mashed Potatoes

Pumpkin Soup

Dinner Rolls

More Sweet Potato Recipes

How to Bake a Sweet Potato

Sweet Potato Sausage Breakfast Hash

Sweet Potato Peanut Curry Soup

Fig Glazed Rack of Pork with Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Sweet Potatoes Recipe

Roasted Sweet Potato Rounds

Suggested Tools

• Corningware 12 Piece Bakeware Set– I got this Corningware set when Wesley and I were married in 2003 and we still use it all the time. Especially during the holidays!
• Bruce’s Yams, 40 ounce– use whatever yams you like, or even baked sweet potatoes if you’re in a pinch. But these are what we use in our casserole. I like to rinse the sugar off them first.
• Hand Carved Wood Trivet– I love a pretty trivet. We have a collection of all different types.
• Cinnamon Scented Pinecones – You guysssssss. Starting in August, I buy alllll the cinnamon cones and cinnamon brooms. I love them so. I also maybe buy pine scented candles. Because yasssssss.
• KitchenAid Classic Stand Mixer– admittedly, I don’t use it as often as maybe I should because #notabaker. But this sweet baby comes in super handy when I’m making a giant triple batch of this delicious Sweet Potato Casserole recipe. Or, my yummyGinger Molasses Cookies recipe!

How to make sweet potato casserole

Love holiday casseroles? Try our Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes and Ham Bake next!

12.24.15