SOUTHERN MAPLE SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE ULTIMATE

Imagine the warm, inviting aroma of sweet potatoes mingling with rich maple and crunchy pecans filling your kitchen; this Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole is pure comfort food elevated to holiday-worthy status, solving the age-old question of what show-stopping side dish to bring to Thanksgiving. This recipe puts a delicious Southern twist on a classic, and I promise it will be the star of your Thanksgiving table!

The Secret’s in the Sweetness: Gathering Your Ingredients

Alright, let’s gather everything we need. Don’t worry, this isn’t one of those complicated recipes with a mile-long ingredient list. I’ve kept it simple, focusing on quality ingredients that really shine. When I think about Thanksgiving Sweet Potato Recipes Easy, this one definitely comes to mind!

Sweet Potato Base

• 4 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed (about 6 large)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup pure maple syrup (the real stuff!)
• 1/2 cup milk (or Sweet Potato Casserole With Coconut Milk for a dairy-free twist)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Maple Pecan Topping

• 1 cup pecan halves, roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Let’s Get Cooking: Step-by-Step Instructions

Okay, friend, let’s get down to business. I’m going to walk you through each step, making sure nothing is left to chance. This recipe is so good, it might just become your new Best Thanksgiving Sweet Potato Recipe!

Preparing the Sweet Potatoes

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Roast the sweet potatoes: Spread the cubed sweet potatoes on the prepared baking sheet. Roast for 25-30 minutes, or until fork-tender. Roasting them brings out their natural sweetness so much more than boiling!
3. Mash the sweet potatoes: Transfer the roasted sweet potatoes to a large bowl. Use a potato masher or an electric mixer to mash them until smooth. Don’t overmix, or they can become gummy.

Creating the Sweet Potato Base

1. Add the wet ingredients: To the mashed sweet potatoes, add the melted butter, maple syrup, and milk (or coconut milk). Mix well to combine.
2. Spice it up: Stir in the cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, salt, and cloves. Make sure everything is evenly distributed for that warm, comforting flavor.
3. Pour into baking dish: Pour the sweet potato mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.

Making the Maple Pecan Topping

1. Combine dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the chopped pecans, flour, brown sugar, and salt.
2. Cut in the butter: Use a pastry blender or your fingers to cut the cold, cubed butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Add the maple syrup: Drizzle the maple syrup over the crumb mixture and gently toss to combine. The topping should be clumpy but still crumbly.
4. Sprinkle over sweet potatoes: Evenly sprinkle the maple pecan topping over the sweet potato mixture in the baking dish.

Baking to Perfection

1. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the sweet potato casserole is heated through.
2. Let it rest: Let the casserole cool for at least 10 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and the topping to set slightly.

Troubleshooting Tips: Because Things Happen!

Okay, let’s be real. Sometimes things don’t go exactly as planned in the kitchen. Here are a few common issues and how to fix them:

• Topping is burning: If the topping is browning too quickly, tent the baking dish with foil for the last 10-15 minutes of baking.
• Casserole is too dry: If the casserole seems dry after baking, you can add a little more milk or melted butter before serving.
• Sweet potatoes are lumpy: If your sweet potatoes are still a bit lumpy after mashing, you can use an immersion blender to smooth them out. Just be careful not to overmix!
• Dairy-Free Option: If you want to make this a sweet potato casserole with coconut milk, simply substitute the milk with full-fat coconut milk!

Variations to Make It Your Own

Want to put your own spin on this Southern classic? Here are a few ideas:

• Add a hint of citrus: Zest an orange or lemon into the sweet potato mixture for a bright, fresh flavor.
• Spice it up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sweet potato mixture for a little kick.
• Add some cranberries: Stir in 1/2 cup of dried cranberries to the sweet potato mixture for a festive touch.
• Use different nuts: Substitute the pecans with walnuts, almonds, or even macadamia nuts.
• Brown Butter: Brown the butter for the sweet potato base before adding it to the sweet potatoes. This adds a nutty, complex flavor.

Serving Suggestions: Complete Your Feast

This Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole is the perfect side dish for any holiday meal or special occasion. Here are a few ideas for what to serve it with:

• Roasted turkey or ham
• Smoky Bbq Chicken Sweet Potato Bowl Ultimate (as a fun twist!)
• Green bean casserole
• Cranberry sauce
• Stuffing

Don’t be afraid to experiment and find your favorite combination! And for a simpler side dish option, consider Honey Cinnamon Sweet Potatoes.

Beyond Casserole: Sweet Potato Adventures!

Sweet potatoes are incredibly versatile. Once you’ve mastered this casserole, why not try some other delicious sweet potato recipes? For a quick and healthy meal, consider Bbq Chicken Sweet Potato Heaven. Or, for a fun and flavorful weeknight dinner, try Sweet Potato Tacos. Another great option is Ground Beef, Zucchini & Sweet Potato Skillet if you’re looking for a simple one-pan meal!

Storage and Reheating: Make Ahead Like a Pro!

Good news! This casserole is great for making ahead. You can assemble it up to 2 days in advance. Just cover it tightly and refrigerate it. When you’re ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking as directed. Baked leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through.

Final Thoughts: Your Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole Masterpiece

And there you have it! Your very own Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole, ready to steal the show at your next gathering. I know you’re going to love it, and everyone else will too. Enjoy!

Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole Ultimate

Amelia Chen-Morrison

This Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole elevates classic comfort food to holiday-worthy status. With a sweet potato base infused with maple syrup and warm spices, topped with a crunchy pecan crumble, it’s destined to be the star of your Thanksgiving table.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 25 minutes mins

Course Dessert, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 8

Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

• Baking Sheet
• Parchment paper
• Large bowl
• Potato masher or electric mixer
• 9×13 inch baking dish
• Medium bowl
• Pastry blender or fingers
• Oven

Ingredients

  

• 4 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed about 6 large
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• ½ cup pure maple syrup
• ½ cup milk or coconut milk
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 cup pecan halves, roughly chopped
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• ¼ cup pure maple syrup
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Spread the cubed sweet potatoes on the prepared baking sheet. Roast for 25-30 minutes, or until fork-tender.
• Transfer the roasted sweet potatoes to a large bowl. Use a potato masher or an electric mixer to mash them until smooth. Don’t overmix, or they can become gummy.
• To the mashed sweet potatoes, add the melted butter, maple syrup, and milk (or coconut milk). Mix well to combine.
• Stir in the cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, salt, and cloves. Make sure everything is evenly distributed.
• Pour the sweet potato mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
• In a medium bowl, combine the chopped pecans, flour, brown sugar, and salt.
• Use a pastry blender or your fingers to cut the cold, cubed butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Drizzle the maple syrup over the crumb mixture and gently toss to combine. The topping should be clumpy but still crumbly.
• Evenly sprinkle the maple pecan topping over the sweet potato mixture in the baking dish.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the sweet potato casserole is heated through.
• Let the casserole cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

For a dairy-free option, substitute milk with full-fat coconut milk. To prevent the topping from burning, tent the baking dish with foil for the last 10-15 minutes of baking. The casserole can be assembled up to 2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Baked leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven at 350°F (175°C).