Make-ahead Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe (2024)

This Make-ahead Sweet Potato Casserole is a classic Thanksgiving Recipe and the perfect holiday side dish! It's full of sweet potatoes, crunchy pecans, and a hint of orange. Plus, it can be made ahead of time so you can relax on Thanksgiving day.

Looking for more ideas? Be sure to check out these terrific Holiday Side Dish Recipes!

Why you'll love this recipe

✔️ This casserole is always a hit at holiday gatherings!

✔️ The sweet potatoes are cooked to perfection.

✔️ It's the perfect side dish for your holiday meal.

Ingredients

Please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for the exact measurements.

• sweet potatoes
• fresh orange
• butter
• light brown sugar
• cinnamon
• nutmeg
• salt
• pecans
• mini marshmallows

Instructions

This is an overview of the instructions. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!

1. Spray 9x13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray, set aside.
2. Peel sweet potatoes, cut sweet potatoes into 2-inch pieces. Place in a large pot and add water to cover. Bring to a boil over medium high heat until fork tender, about 20 minutes.
3. Remove from heat, drain well. Add to a large bowl and mash, set aside.
4. Zest orange and juice orange in a small bowl, you'll need about ¼ cup juice. Whisk with melted butter.
5. In a small bowl combine the topping ingredients, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.
6. Layer half of the creamy sweet potatoes in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with half of the brown sugar mixture, and drizzle with half of the butter. Top with half of the toasted pecan topping. Repeat layers with remaining ingredients Top evenly with marshmallows.
7. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
8. The day you're baking the casserole, remove it from the refrigerator and allow it to come to room temperature - about 30 minutes. Bake as directed.

Equipment

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• 9x13 casserole dish
• small bowl
• whisk

FAQ's

Things to know

• Make sure that you spray your casserole dish well with nonstick cooking spray or grease it with butter or shortening.
• Though it's tempting to use ready-made OJ, zest an orange. It only takes about a minute and adds so much flavor!
• I like to use mini marshmallows for the top of the casserole. However, you can use the larger marshmallows also.
• I like to use a potato masher to break up the large chunks in the sweet potato mixture. But, if you want really smooth sweet potatoes, you can also use an electric mixer or potato ricer.

No oven space? Make this in the slow cooker instead! Layer the ingredients as directed and cook on low for 4 hours.

Variations

• If you want a little extra sweetness, you can drizzle the casserole with honey or maple syrup before serving.
• You can also use white sweet potatoes in this recipe if you can't find orange sweet potatoes.
• Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the butter mixture for a little extra flavor.
• If you don't like pecans, you could use walnuts or almonds instead.
• Instead of the marshmallow topping, you could also top this casserole with a crunchy pecan streusel topping instead.

Storage

Refrigerate - Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 days. Store them in an airtight container or wrapped tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.

Freezer - This casserole can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then bake as directed.

Reheat - Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cover with foil and heat for 15-20 minutes or until heated through.

• This Campbell's Green Bean Casserole is one of my favorite Thanksgiving Sides. And, it will definitely be on my table this year.
• Dressing is a must-make for any holiday meal! This recipe for Sausage and Bacon Stuffing is savory, salty and delicious.
• If you love to serve pumpkin pie at your family holiday gathering, but want an easy recipe with the same flavor, look no further than this No Bake Pumpkin Pie recipe.
• These Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes are the perfect way to make this classic Thanksgiving side dish yet still save some space on your stovetop for other side dishes.

Serve with

• These Steamed Brussels Sprouts are one of the best holiday side dishes to make when you want a healthy vegetable on the table.
• If you want a twist on this classic holiday side dish, give these Pan Fried Vegetables a try this holiday season.
• You can't have Thanksgiving without Cranberry Sauce on the Thanksgiving table.

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