I’m so excited to share my favorite sweet potato casserole recipe with you today! This heavenly dish combines creamy, spiced sweet potatoes with that perfectly toasted marshmallow topping that gets all golden and gooey. It’s the side dish that practically steals the show at holiday meals, and trust me, everyone will be asking for seconds. The beauty of this recipe? It’s surprisingly simple to make but looks like you spent hours in the kitchen. Want to know the secret to getting that perfect balance of sweet and savory?
Why You’ll Love this Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
Three incredible things make this Sweet Potato Casserole truly special.
First, the creamy, perfectly spiced sweet potato base that melts in your mouth with every bite.
Second, that golden marshmallow topping that creates the most delightful contrast between fluffy sweetness and hearty potatoes.
Third, how ridiculously simple it’s to prepare—even when I’m juggling multiple dishes for a holiday meal.
I’m particularly fond of how the warm cinnamon and subtle cloves complement the natural sweetness of the potatoes.
Can you think of a more perfect side dish for your holiday table?
What Ingredients are in Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows?
Here’s everything you need to make a classic sweet potato casserole that will have everyone asking for seconds.
- 2½ pounds sweet potatoes
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
When shopping for your ingredients, I recommend choosing sweet potatoes that feel firm and heavy for their size, as they’ll provide the best flavor foundation for this comforting holiday classic.
How to Make this Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
Start by peeling and chopping 2½ pounds of sweet potatoes into evenly sized chunks. Boil them in a large pot of water until they’re fork-tender, usually about 15-20 minutes, then drain them thoroughly.
This is your foundation, so make sure they’re completely soft—nobody wants unexpected chunks in their creamy casserole!
Step 2: Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 375°F and grab a 2-quart casserole dish. Butter the inside of the dish generously to prevent sticking and add a subtle buttery flavor to the edges of your casserole.
I always take my time with this step, making sure to get all the corners.
Step 3: Mash the Sweet Potatoes
Transfer the drained sweet potatoes to a large mixing bowl and mash them until smooth. You can use a potato masher for a more rustic texture, or follow the recipe tip and use a hand mixer for that silky-smooth consistency that makes everyone wonder what your secret is.
A quality premium baking essential would make this mashing process much easier and more efficient.
Step 4: Mix in the Flavorings
Add ½ cup packed brown sugar, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves, and ½ teaspoon salt to the mashed sweet potatoes.
The warm potatoes will help melt the butter, creating a heavenly fragrant mixture that smells like the holidays.
Step 5: Incorporate the Eggs
Beat in 2 large eggs until the mixture is well combined. The eggs will help bind everything together and give your casserole a slight rise and custard-like texture when baked.
Make sure your potatoes aren’t too hot when you add the eggs, or you might end up with sweet potato scramble!
Step 6: Transfer to Baking Dish
Spread the sweet potato mixture evenly in your prepared casserole dish. Use a spatula to create a smooth, level surface, which will provide the perfect landing pad for those marshmallows that everyone fights over.
Step 7: Top with Marshmallows
Sprinkle 2 cups of mini marshmallows evenly over the top of your sweet potato mixture. The mini variety gives better coverage than large marshmallows, ensuring every bite gets that perfect combination of creamy sweet potato and gooey marshmallow.
Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake in your preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until those marshmallows turn a beautiful golden brown.
Watch carefully during the last few minutes—the difference between perfectly toasted and sadly charred happens in the blink of an eye.
What to Serve with Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
This sweet-meets-savory side dish deserves equally worthy companions on your dinner table. For holiday meals, pair it with roasted turkey or glazed ham to create that perfect balance of savory and sweet. A tart cranberry sauce provides a welcome contrast to the casserole’s richness.
Green vegetables like roasted Brussels sprouts or a simple arugula salad with vinaigrette cut through the sweetness beautifully. For something unexpected, try serving alongside spiced apple cider—the warm cinnamon notes complement the casserole perfectly.
While traditionally a dinner side for Thanksgiving or Christmas, this casserole can transform leftover holiday meals into a delightful brunch when served with crispy bacon and scrambled eggs. Who says you can’t have marshmallows in the morning?
Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows Substitutions and Variations
- Flavor boosters: Add orange zest, a splash of bourbon, or crystallized ginger for an unexpected twist. A pinch of cardamom or nutmeg works magic with the cinnamon.
- Garnish ideas: Sprinkle with toasted coconut flakes or a light dusting of cinnamon before serving.
Leftovers and Storage for this Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
This casserole keeps beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
The marshmallow topping tends to lose its charm after refrigeration, so if you’re planning ahead, consider storing the sweet potato base separately and adding fresh marshmallows just before reheating.
To reheat refrigerated leftovers, warm in a 350°F oven for 20 minutes, covered with foil to prevent drying out.
Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes to restore some crispness to the topping.
For freezing, store the base without marshmallows for up to 3 months.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then add fresh marshmallows before reheating.
While delicious when freshly made, many find the flavors actually deepen overnight, making day-two servings particularly delightful.
Final Thoughts
There’s something undeniably magical about this sweet potato casserole—the creamy, spiced filling topped with golden, toasty marshmallows creates the perfect balance of flavors and textures.
The hint of vanilla and warm spices elevates the natural sweetness of the potatoes, making each bite truly special. This dish shines brightest during holiday gatherings like Thanksgiving and Christmas, but honestly, it deserves a spot at any family dinner where comfort food is welcome.
Whether served alongside a roast turkey or as part of a Sunday supper, this sweet potato casserole brings that nostalgic warmth to the table that turns an ordinary meal into something worth remembering.