Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows

Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
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This impressive Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows is a secret family recipe that is easy to make with just a few simple ingredients! Can you guess what we use to make it extra creamy with the perfect amount of sweetness?

My Mom’s Famous Sweet Potato Casserole!

If you ask me, there is only one Sweet Potato Casserole recipe that matters and that is my Mama’s homemade sweet potato casserole with marshmallows! This old-fashioned casserole is easy to make, and can be made a day ahead, making it one of the best Thanksgiving side dishes.

I make it every year and our holiday table just wouldn’t be the same without it. Over the years, I have tried many different recipes and this one is by far the best version I have ever tasted. The perfectly spiced and sweetened sweet potatoes are topped with marshmallows that are toasted until perfectly browned. Keep scrolling to find out my Mom’s secret ingredient!

If you aren’t a fan of marshmallows and sweet potatoes, you should try this recipe for Sweet Potato Casserole with A Pecan Topping! And if you want to save space in the oven, you could also try my easy recipe for Crockpot Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows!

A wooden spoon scooping out a serving of sweet potato casserole with marshmallows.

What’s The Secret To Making The Best Sweet Potato Casserole?

I think it all comes down to that secret ingredient my Mom adds. It comes in a can and is extra creamy. Any guesses what it is?! Why, it’s sweetened condensed milk of course!

If you have been around here long enough, you know how much my Mom likes to sneak that sweet nectar into recipes. Just like in the now famous Mama’s Best Banana Pudding, the sweetened condensed milk adds the perfect sweetness and creaminess to this Sweet Potato Casserole. 

I have tried making this casserole recipe many other ways…like with milk, cream and even evaporated milk. I have also tried regular sugar, brown sugar and maple syrup to sweeten this casserole, but I always come back to using sweetened condensed milk! There is something magical about the perfect sweet and creamy flavor it adds to this casserole.

Bowls of ingredients arranged on top of a chopping board.

Recipe Ingredients

There is what you’ll need to make this old fashioned sweet potato casserole:

  • Sweet Potatoes: I like to bake my sweet potatoes, instead of boiling them. I find it easier and I can do it a few days ahead. However, you can also boil them!
  • Butter
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk: This secret ingredient that makes this casserole extra creamy and perfectly sweet.
  • Spices: Cinnamon, Nutmeg and Salt are all you need! However, if you prefer, you can also use a few dashes of pumpkin pie spice.
  • Marshmallows: I like to use big marshmallows, but you can also use mini marshmallows instead. It really is a personal preference. I like a lot of toasted marshmallow on top!

Can I Add An Egg?

Sure! Some people add eggs to their sweet potato casserole which makes your casserole turn out more light in texture, which is more of a Sweet Potato Soufflé.

Personally, adding an egg changes the texture and it’s not the classic Thanksgiving casserole that I am personally searching for. However, if you like to add eggs, please by all means, whip in an egg to the sweet potatoes before adding them to the casserole dish.

Sweet potatoes being mashed in a pot with a potato masher.

How To Make Sweet Potato Casserole

Making this casserole is super easy and quick! Here’s how you do it:

  • Prepare the sweet potatoes: The first step is to boil your peeled and cubed sweet potatoes in water on the stove until fork tender. (You can also bake the sweet potatoes and then peel off the peels.)
  • Add butter, condensed milk and spices: Then we add the melted butter, sweetened condensed milk, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.
  • Mash everything together: Mash away until smooth and transfer the sweet potato mixture into a greased 9×13 casserole dish.
  • Top with marshmallows: Load on all those marshmallows on top of the sweet potato casserole. I like to use large marshmallows — just look at that glorious marshmallow to sweet potato ratio — but you can use minis if you prefer. 
  • Heat in the oven to toast the marshmallows: I bake the casserole at 350°F for a few minutes to make sure everything is hot and to let the marshmallows on top get perfectly toasted.
Toasted marshmallows layered on top of sweet potatoes in a casserole dish.

The Most Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use something other than sweetened condensed milk?

How dare you?! Just kidding, of course you can! You can use brown sugar, or go with something like maple syrup. I use maple syrup to sweeten my Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes and they are always delicious. If you do not use the sweetened condensed milk, you may want to add a little cream to make your sweet potatoes creamy.

I don’t like marshmallows, can I do a pecan topping?

Yes! You can use the base recipe for the sweet potato casserole filling and then use the brown sugar and pecan topping from my other Sweet Potato Casserole recipe. An oat topping is also delicious if you are allergic to nuts.

Can I add an egg?

If you are a fan of a more soufflé style sweet potato casserole, go ahead and add one egg to the sweet potato filling.

Is it better to bake or boil the sweet potatoes?

Either way you prefer! I personally like to bake my sweet potatoes, because it is less work than peeling and boiling the sweet potatoes. Just wrap the sweet potatoes in foil and bake them at 400°F for about 45 to 60 minutes, until they are soft and baked through. Let them cool until you are able to touch them without burning yourself. Then peel off the skins, add them to the bowl and continue on with the recipe.

Can You Prep This Casserole Ahead?

Absolutely! I always make this sweet potato casserole the day before to save me stress the day of Thanksgiving. I also included the full make ahead steps and directions in the Sweet Potato Casserole recipe below as well! Here’s how I prep it ahead.

  1. If you want to make this casserole ahead of time, follow all steps but stop right before you put the marshmallows on top. At this point, cover the casserole dish tightly with a lid, cling warp or foil. Then keep it refrigerated until you are getting close to being ready to serve it. 
  2. When you are ready to serve it, take it out of the fridge and let it warm up a little on the counter.
  3. Heat the casserole in oven for 15 minutes (still covered with foil), then remove from oven and carefully top with marshmallows. Then bake it a little longer, uncovered, just until the marshmallows have toasted on top!
  4. This casserole can also sit on the counter for a few hours and wait for your other Thanksgiving side dishes to be ready. Then they can all go into the oven together when you are getting close to eating.
A wooden spoon scooping a serving of sweet potatoes out of a casserole dish.

What To Serve With This Dish?

Sweet potatoes are so versatile, that there are a ton of dishes that will go great along side them. Here are a few of my favorites:

A fork picking up a bite of sweet potatoes with melted toasted marshmallows on top.

How To Store Leftovers

This casserole is best served fresh, but leftovers can be stored to be enjoyed another day. The marshmallows tend to not hold their shape, especially upon reheating, but it is still delicious!

If we have a lot of leftovers, I will store them in the casserole dish wrapped with saran wrap. However, we usually only have a little left, so I place them in an air tight container and store them in the fridge for up to 5 days. Try not to store them in a zip lock bag as the marshmallows usually turn to mush when stored that way.

A wooden spoon scooping a serving of sweet potatoes out of a casserole dish.
4.5 from 278 votes
Print Pin Recipe
Yield: 10 – 12 Servings

Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

This easy Sweet Potato Casserole recipe is a family favorite that's loaded with marshmallows, butter, cinnamon and a secret ingredient to create the best Thanksgiving side dish!
Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2.5 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 8 tablespoons 1 stick butter, melted
  • 1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 16 oz bag large marshmallows

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13 casserole dish with non stick spray and set aside. 
  • In a large stock pot, add sweet potatoes and cover with water. Cover pot with lid, bring to a boil and cook until fork tender, about 15 minutes. 
  • Drain potatoes and transfer back to pot. Add butter, sweetened condensed milk, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. 
  • Mash away until nice and smooth. Pour potato mixture into prepared baking dish and smooth out the top.  
  • Line the top of the casserole with marshmallows and bake until marshmallows are lightly toasted, about 15 to 20 minutes.

Video

Notes

Make Ahead Note: If you make this ahead, do not add marshmallows ahead of time. Instead, store the casserole (without marshmallows) in the fridge covered tightly with foil. Heat them in oven for 15 minutes (still covered with foil), then remove from oven and continue on with step #5. 
Store Leftovers: Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. When you reheat it, the marshmallows will likely evaporate a little. It will still taste delicious, but will look a little different.

Nutrition

Serving: 1, Calories: 99kcal, Carbohydrates: 22g, Protein: 2g, Cholesterol: 1mg, Sodium: 127mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 8g

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Recipe Rating




56 Responses
  1. Tammy Stewart

    I use can beans only because I like mine little softer. I need to try fresh ones it sounds delicious!!

  2. Jolyn Murphy

    5 stars
    Thanksgiving just passed and I made this recipe again … for the third straight year. It is always a huge hit because it is so incredibly delicious. There are tons of sweet potato recipes out there in the universe, but I can attest to the fact that this is the best. Without a doubt!!

  3. Lindsey

    Hi Jessica,

    Do you put brown sugar in this recipe? I know it’s not on the ingredient list, but this is my first time making this kind of casserole. Lol

  4. Lisa Bradfield

    4 stars
    So close to my mom’s when I was getting up. One of the favorites. We ask had to have a piece with some browned crusty melty marshmallow.
    Have you tried it adding a can of crushed pineapple?
    It is amazing!!
    It just adds a little texture and pineapple goodness.
    It will be worth !! You’ll love it. Try it.

  5. Jennifer

    This looks delicious! I can’t wait to make it. Silly question but I want to be sure; am I buying sweet potatoes or yams? Does it matter? The picture just looks so orange and sweet potatoes to me are whiter? Thank you so much for your help! :)

  6. Kathleen Smith

    This was absolutely AMAZING! I also made your green bean casserole I tried this on Thanksgiving and going to make it for Christmas. On my way to the market now to try your caramel apple dump cake. Excellent recipes!

  7. Lora | Savoring Italy

    I love that you use the large marshmallows! Totally agree that it doesn’t need eggs! Perfect for Thanksgiving!

  8. Shelly

    Have a Friendsgiving at work tomorrow. Saw this and ran out and got everything to make it. Stuck a little extra in a little oven crock I had so I could try it before I take it in to work tomorrow. DELICIOUS. So excited now to take this in tomorrow for everyone and it was very easy to make. Thanks!

    1. A woman holding a camera standing in front of some shelves.
      Jessica

      Hi Jennie! I wouldn’t recommend it. Canned sweet potatoes have soaked up a lot of sweetness and moisture from the syrup. So you would have to cut back on a lot of the liquid ingredients to get a decent texture and I can’t guarantee how your final recipe would taste. 

    2. Angel

      Using canned is fine, drain well though. My mom also adds an egg to hers and chopped pecans to help with the texture too. I think she uses two big cans of yams and one small can of sweetened condensed milk and one egg. You may omit the butter though or take it down a smidge. 

Welcome!

Jessica
I'm a trial & error, self taught, sugar addict who thankfully learned how to survive in the kitchen! I am also a wife, mama of 3.