Ina Garten’s Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans is a simple, tasty, and traditional Thanksgiving side dish that will have your guests begging for more. Tender fresh sweet potatoes are boiled, mashed, mixed with spices, brown sugar, and butter, and finished with crunchy pecans. The end result is a deliciously creamy, sweet, and nutty holiday casserole that everyone will be begging for seconds of.
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💓 Why You’ll Love This Ina Garten Sweet Potato Casserole With Pecans
- Enjoying sweet potatoes in the form of this Ina Garten Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans is a mouthwatering and original way to do it.
- After being cooked until fork-tender, the sweet potatoes are mashed and combined with sugar, butter, and various spices to produce a smooth and opulent side dish.
- It is an appealing dish that is guaranteed to be a favorite at any gathering because it is topped with pecans that have a crunch to them.
- Because it is simple to prepare and can be prepared in advance, the meal is an excellent option for dinner on a night that is very hectic or for an important event.
- In addition, this is a tasty and nutritious way to eat sweet potatoes in your diet.
What Is Ina Garten Sweet Potato Casserole With Pecans Recipe?
To celebrate the holidays, try Ina Garten’s recipe for Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans. To make this dish, mashed sweet potatoes are seasoned with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and butter, and then topped with a crispy mixture of chopped nuts and brown sugar. The potatoes are then cooked till bubbling and golden brown. You can count on everyone at your Christmas table enjoying this dish.

🍝 Ingredients
- 3 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
🔪How To Make Sweet Potato Casserole With Pecans
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Place the sweet potatoes in a large pot of boiling salted water and cook for 10 minutes, until just tender.
- Drain, transfer to a large bowl, and mash with the butter and maple syrup. Mix in the eggs, salt, and pepper.
- Transfer the sweet potato mixture to a 2-quart baking dish.
- Combine the cream, brown sugar, pecans, and cinnamon in a small bowl and sprinkle evenly over the sweet potatoes.

💭Recipe Tips
- When baking the casserole, use a light-colored baking dish to prevent the edges from burning.
- Make sure to pre-cook the sweet potatoes before adding them to the casserole.
- Don’t forget to add a crunchy topping such as chopped nuts or granola to the casserole.
- If you have time, make your own marshmallow topping instead of using store-bought marshmallows.
- Allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes before serving.
- If desired, top with a sprinkle of cinnamon for an extra flavor kick.
- Serve the casserole with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra-special treat.
🍴 What To Serve With Sweet Potato Casserole With Pecans?
A tasty sweet potato casserole topped with pecans is a perfect complement to practically any main course or dessert. As well as dishes consisting of fish and seafood, roasted meats including turkey, chicken, hog, and beef go particularly well with this wine. Also, it pairs beautifully with classic sides such as green beans, maize, and Brussels sprouts. In addition to that, it is an excellent addition to salads, stuffing, or even mashed potatoes as a side dish.

🥶 How To Store Leftovers
- Store it in an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator.
- Cut the casserole in individual serving sizes and freeze them in freezer bags or airtight containers.
- Place the casserole in a large resealable plastic bag and freeze it.
- Cut the casserole into individual pieces and freeze them in muffin tins.
- Place the casserole in a container and place it in the freezer.
- Wrap the casserole in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer bag.
- Place the casserole in a sealed container and place it in the freezer.
- Cut the casserole into individual serving sizes and place them in individual freezer bags.
🌡️ How To Reheat Leftovers
- Use a waffle maker to make sweet potato waffle bites.
- Place a few spoonfuls of the leftovers in a small bowl and microwave for 1-2 minutes.
- Slice up the leftovers and cook them in a skillet over medium heat with a bit of butter or oil.
- Slice up the leftovers and make sweet potato pancakes.
- Cut the leftovers into cubes and bake in the oven until crispy.
- Make sweet potato hash with the leftovers and top with an egg.
- Make sweet potato toast.
- Add a few spoonfuls of the leftovers to a casserole dish and bake in the oven until bubbly and hot.
- Make sweet potato croquettes.
- Cube the leftovers and stir fry with vegetables.
FAQ Section
Is it better to boil or bake sweet potatoes for casserole?
It’s important to think about the desired outcome. Sweet potatoes can be boiled for a softer texture and to prevent drying out, or baked for a crispier texture. The ideal choice for your casserole will ultimately be determined by the recipe and your goals for it.
What makes the sweet potato casserole runny?
Too much liquid, either naturally occurring in the sweet potatoes or added in the form of milk, cream, or eggs, is the most prevalent cause of sloppy sweet potato casserole. Sweet potatoes from a can should be drained before being added to the recipe. If the liquid content of the casserole rises too high, you can try baking it for a longer period of time, reducing the amount of liquid used, or increasing the quantity of other components.
Why do you put eggs in sweet potato casserole?
Eggs are commonly used in sweet potato casserole because of their ability to bind the ingredients together and give a creamy texture. The egg also contributes to the dish’s airy, fluffy consistency. In addition, eggs can add a touch of delicate, salty taste that works well with the sweetness of the sweet potatoes.
Why do you soak sweet potatoes before baking?
It’s best to soak sweet potatoes in water for a while before baking to soften them up and make them more manageable in the oven. It helps to make the potatoes sweeter and fluffier by removing extra starch. As an added bonus, pre-soaking the sweet potatoes in warm water helps reduce their baking time.
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Ina Garten Sweet Potato Casserole With Pecans Nutrition Fact
- Calories: 372
- Total Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
- Sodium: 191 mg
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Dietary Fiber: 4 g
- Sugars: 14 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Vitamin A: 90%
- Vitamin C: 5%
- Calcium: 8%
- Iron: 4%