Pioneer Woman Casseroles

Pioneer Woman Sweet Potato Casserole

8 months ago
Read Time: 2 minutes
by Emily
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Pioneer Woman Sweet Potato Casserole is a comforting and delicious dish that is perfect for fall and holiday meals. This recipe, inspired by Ree Drummond, also known as Pioneer Woman, is made with sweet potatoes that are mashed and then combined with butter, sugar, and spices, and topped with a crunchy pecan and brown sugar topping.

The casserole is then baked until it is hot and bubbly, resulting in a dish that is sweet, savory, and satisfying. Whether you’re serving it as a side dish or making it the main attraction, Pioneer Woman Sweet Potato Casserole is sure to please everyone at the table.

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Why You Will Love This Pioneer Woman Sweet Potato Casserole

There are many reasons why you will love this Pioneer Woman Sweet Potato Casserole. Some of these include:

Versatile: Sweet Potato Casserole can be served as a side dish or even as a dessert.
Comforting: The sweet potatoes are mashed and mixed with butter, sugar, and spices, making it comforting and satisfying.
Great flavor: The sweet potatoes are paired with a crunchy pecan and brown sugar topping, adding a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors.

Perfect for holidays: Sweet Potato Casserole is a traditional dish often served during Thanksgiving and Christmas, it is also a great side dish to make in fall when sweet potatoes are in season.
Easy to make: The casserole is easy to make with simple ingredients and can be prepared ahead of time.
Suitable for large crowds: Sweet potato casserole is a great option to feed a large crowd.

Can be made ahead of time : You can make the casserole ahead of time, keeping in the fridge and baking it later.
Customizable : you can play around with different ingredients and adjust it to your liking by adding more or less sugar, using different type of nuts, or even adding some maple syrup.

Overall, Pioneer Woman Sweet Potato Casserole is a delicious and comforting dish that is perfect for the holidays and any other time of the year, it is a crowd pleaser and has the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors that everyone will enjoy.

What Is Sweet Potato Casserole?

Sweet Potato Casserole is a traditional dish typically served as a side dish during holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. It is made by mixing cooked, mashed sweet potatoes with butter, sugar, and spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg. The mixture is then topped with a crunchy pecan and brown sugar topping, and baked until it is hot and bubbly.

Some variations of the recipe include marshmallows on top or include ingredients such as maple syrup, vanilla extract, or even dried cranberries. Some also add spices like ginger, nutmeg, or allspice. Some people would also opt to add a streusel topping instead of a traditional pecan one.

The dish is loved for its comforting and satisfying flavor, and its ability to be prepared ahead of time and re-heated later. Sweet Potato Casserole can be served as a side dish, or even as a dessert. The casserole is a perfect dish to feed a crowd, easy to make and customizable to your preference and taste.

What Is Pioneer Woman Sweet Potato Casserole Ingredients?

4 cups peeled and cubed sweet potatoes
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup white granulated sugar

1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup brown sugar

1 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup melted butter

For Topping (optional):

diced tomatoes
diced avocado

diced green onion
fresh cilantro
sour cream

salsa

How To Make Pioneer Woman Sweet Potato Casserole

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 2-quart casserole dish with butter.
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and add the cubed sweet potatoes. Cook for 15-20 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.

Drain the sweet potatoes and return them to the pot. Add 1/2 cup of butter, 1/2 cup of sugar, milk, vanilla extract, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt. Mash the sweet potatoes until they are smooth.
Spread the mashed sweet potatoes into the prepared casserole dish.
In a separate bowl, mix together brown sugar, chopped pecans, flour, and melted butter. Spread the mixture over the top of the sweet potatoes.

Bake the casserole for 30-35 minutes or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
Remove from the oven and let it cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Optional: You can also add marshmallows on top of the pecan mixture and broil them for 1-2 minutes, or until they are golden brown, before serving

Enjoy your delicious and comforting Sweet Potato Casserole!

Note: recipe might vary a bit depending on the recipe you are using, feel free to adjust the measurements to your liking, and use other ingredients to customize it to your taste.

Recipe Tips

Here are a few recipe tips to help you make the perfect Sweet Potato Casserole:

Use fresh sweet potatoes: Be sure to use fresh sweet potatoes for the best flavor.

Peel and cube the sweet potatoes: Peeling and cubing the sweet potatoes before boiling them will ensure that they cook evenly.

Mash the sweet potatoes thoroughly: The sweet potatoes should be mashed thoroughly to ensure a smooth and creamy consistency.

Adjust the sugar and butter: The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of sugar and 1/2 cup of butter, but you can adjust these amounts to your preference. If you like your casserole sweeter, add more sugar. If you prefer it to be less sweet, reduce the amount of sugar. You can also adjust the amount of butter to your preference as well.

Use different nuts or add-ins: Instead of pecans you can use other type of nuts such as walnuts, almonds or hazelnuts. or even add in some dried cranberries or raisins for an extra twist.

Make ahead of time: This casserole can be made ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to bake.

Customize it with your favorite spices: You can add in other spices such as ginger, nutmeg or allspice to give the casserole a unique flavor.

Let it cool a bit before serving: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving to let it set and firm up.

What To Serve With Sweet Potato Casserole?

Here are a few creative ideas for dishes to serve with sweet potato casserole:

Try pairing the casserole with a flavorful protein, such as a spice-rubbed chicken breast or a maple-glazed pork loin.
For a vegetarian option, serve the casserole with a flavorful bean or lentil dish, such as a hearty lentil stew or black bean chili.
Consider serving the casserole with a salad that adds a fresh and bright contrast to the rich and comforting flavors of the casserole, such as a mixed green salad with a tangy vinaigrette.

For a more indulgent option, you can also try serving sweet potato casserole with a side of creamy grits or with a side of macaroni and cheese.
Another option is to pair the casserole with a simple sautéed green like Kale, chard, collard greens, broccoli or broccoli rabe to add some balance and crunch.

These options should give you an idea of the different types of dishes that can complement the flavors and textures of sweet potato casserole in a creative way, and help you come up with your own unique and delicious meal combinations.

How To Store Sweet Potato Casserole?

Sweet potato casserole can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer, depending on when you plan to serve it.

To store the casserole in the refrigerator:

Allow the casserole to cool completely after baking

Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap, or transfer the casserole to an airtight container

It should last for about 3-4 days in the refrigerator.

To store the casserole in the freezer:

Allow the casserole to cool completely after baking
Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap, then place it in a large resealable plastic freezer bag, or you can use a airtight container that safe for freezing
Place the casserole in the freezer for up to 2 months.

To reheat a frozen sweet potato casserole, Remove it from the freezer and thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. Then reheat it, covered, in a 350°F (180°C) oven for about 30-40 minutes, or until it is heated through.

Note: If the casserole has a topping such as marshmallows, you may want to avoid freezing it as it may loose its texture upon thawing, better to freeze it plain and add topping before reheating and serving.

How To Reheat Sweet Potato Casserole?

There are a few ways to reheat sweet potato casserole, depending on whether you’re reheating it from the refrigerator or from the freezer.

To reheat from the refrigerator:

Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C)
Remove the aluminum foil or plastic wrap from the casserole

Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven
Reheat it for about 20-25 minutes, or until it is heated through and the top is golden brown
If you want, you can add a new topping before reheating and serving, like marshmallows or streusel.

To reheat from the freezer:

Remove the casserole from the freezer and thaw it in the refrigerator overnight
Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C)

Remove the aluminum foil or plastic wrap from the casserole
Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven
Reheat it for about 30-40 minutes, or until it is heated through and the top is golden brown

If you want, you can add a new topping before reheating and serving, like marshmallows or streusel.

For both options above, if you find that the casserole is getting too dry, you can add a splash of milk or cream over the top before reheating to keep it moist.

It’s important to note that reheating times may vary depending on the size and depth of your casserole dish, your oven’s performance, and your own preference for temperature. Keep an eye on it and use your best judgement.

FAQ Section

When is sweet potato casserole traditionally served?

Sweet potato casserole is traditionally served as a side dish during the holiday season in the United States, particularly at Thanksgiving and Christmas.

What are some variations of sweet potato casserole?

Some variations of sweet potato casserole include adding ingredients like pumpkin, cranberries, or maple syrup, or using a different topping like pecans or streusel instead of marshmallows.

How Long It Take To Bake Sweet Potato Casserole?

The baking time for sweet potato casserole can vary depending on the recipe and the size and depth of your casserole dish.
Typically, sweet potato casserole should be baked in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 30 to 45 minutes, or until it is heated through and the top is golden brown.
If your casserole is frozen, you will need to thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before baking. Then you can follow the above guidance for the baking time.
It’s a good idea to keep an eye on your casserole as it bakes and use a fork or toothpick to test the doneness of the sweet potatoes. If you find that the casserole is getting too brown on top but the sweet potatoes are not fully cooked yet, you can cover it with foil to prevent further browning.
Keep in mind that oven temperature can vary, so you may need to adjust the baking time slightly to suit your oven’s performance.

Can sweet potato casserole be made ahead of time?

It is possible to prepare a sweet potato casserole ahead of time and then store it in the refrigerator or freezer until it is time to bake it.

Can sweet potato casserole be made with canned sweet potatoes?

Yes, sweet potato casserole can be made with canned sweet potatoes, although many people prefer to use fresh sweet potatoes. If you are using canned sweet potatoes, be sure to drain them well before using them in your recipe.

Can sweet potato casserole be made gluten-free?

Yes, sweet potato casserole can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free flour or bread crumbs for the streusel topping and using gluten-free milk or cream in the sweet potato mixture.

How do you know when sweet potato casserole is done baking?

When the sweet potatoes have reached an internal temperature of 375 degrees and the top of the dish has achieved a golden brown color, the baking process is complete. To determine whether or not the sweet potatoes are cooked through, you can use either a fork or a toothpick.

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