Sweet potato casserole in a white dish with a plate of sweet potatoes and a stainless steel fork in front next to a white napkin and glasses of milk all on a light surface (with logo overlay)

Grandpa’s Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows

Sweet potato casserole is a staple at most Thanksgiving tables. Add some marshmallow creme and it’s closer to a yummy dessert.

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Every Thanksgiving dinner my grandpa is in charge of the sweet potato casserole. We call it one of our favorite Thanksgiving side dishes, but really it’s more like a family favorite dessert. Yes, it’s sweet potatoes, but we top it with gooey marshmallows and brown sugar. So it’s a bit of your starch/veggies and mostly dessert. This makes it the perfect side dish in my opinion! 

Of course, if you don’t want the marshmallow creme, you can skip that. Then you would basically be making candied yams. In my opinion, though, the marshmallow is the best part and what makes this easy recipe so delicious.

Most of the time, Grandpa put the marshmallow creme on top as-is. When I make it, I like to put it under the broiler to brown the marshmallow on the sweet potatoes just a bit.

Ideas for the Best Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

  • You can use mini marshmallows or regular marshmallows instead of the marshmallow creme. Give them time to melt on the casserole at the end of the baking time. 
  • Use fresh sweet potatoes and slice them just before baking for the best results. 
  • Add some pecan crumble or pecan streusel to the top of the casserole after browning the marshmallows or mix them into the casserole. 
  • If you want a sweeter taste try adding a little bit of maple syrup or vanilla extract to the sweet potato recipe. 
  • Sprinkle the top with warm cinnamon for added fall flavor on this classic casserole.
  • Add this to your next holiday table setting along with some green bean casserole, southern cornbread dressing, and your favorite turkey recipe. 

Grandpa’s Sweet Potato Casserole Step by Step

Ingredients

  • 4 tbsp butter, softened to room temperature
  • 4 large sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 jar marshmallow creme
Ingredients for sweet potato casserole in dishes on a white surface

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 350F.

In a 9×13 casserole dish, spread out 2 tbsp of butter.

Melted butter in a white casserole dish on a light surface

Spread the potatoes on top of the melted butter.

Sliced sweet potatoes in a white casserole dish on a light surface

Add the brown sugar to the sweet potato layer, then top with the remaining butter.

Sliced sweet potatoes covered with brown sugar and butter in a white casserole dish on a light surface

Bake the sweet potato mixture for 1 hour until the potatoes are fork tender.

Cooked sweet potatoes in a white casserole dish on a light surface

Top with marshmallow creme while still warm.

Cooked sweet potatoes covered with marshmallow fluff in a white casserole dish on a light surface

Place under the broiler for a few minutes until the sweet marshmallows are golden brown.

Sweet potato casserole in a white dish with a plate of sweet potatoes and a stainless steel fork in front next to a white napkin and glasses of milk all on a light surface (vertical)

Grandpa’s Sweet Potato Casserole Leftovers

Storage: Any leftover sweet potato casserole can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. This recipe is even better the next day after allowing the sweet potatoes to soak up the filling. 

Reheating: A great way to reheat the sweet potato casserole is by placing it back in the oven at 350F for about 10 minutes until warmed through. 

Recipe

Originally Published On: September 5, 2022

Last Updated On: October 16, 2023

Sweet potato casserole in a white dish with a plate of sweet potatoes and a stainless steel fork in front next to a white napkin and glasses of milk all on a light surface

Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet potato casserole is a staple at most Thanksgiving tables. Add some marshmallow creme and it's closer to a yummy dessert.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course:
Dessert
|
Side Dish
Cuisine:
American
Diet
Gluten Free
Keyword:
casserole
|
marshmallow
|
sweet potatoes
|
thanksgiving
Dietary Needs:
Gluten-Free
|
Nut-Free
Servings: 6 servings
5 from 7 votes

Ingredients

  • 4 tbsp butter (softened)
  • 4 large sweet potatoes (peeled and sliced)
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 7 oz marshmallow creme

Recommended Equipment

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350F
  • In a 9×13 baking dish, spread out 2 tbsp of butter
  • Spread the potatoes on top of the butter
  • Add the brown sugar, then top with the remaining butter
  • Bake for 1 hour
  • Top with marshmallow creme while still warm
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Nutrition Facts
Sweet Potato Casserole
Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
Calories 438 Calories from Fat 72
% Daily Value*
Fat 8g12%
Saturated Fat 5g25%
Trans Fat 0.3g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3g
Monounsaturated Fat 2g
Cholesterol 20mg7%
Sodium 153mg6%
Potassium 559mg16%
Carbohydrates 94g31%
Fiber 5g20%
Sugar 62g69%
Protein 2g4%
Vitamin A 21608IU432%
Vitamin C 4mg5%
Calcium 78mg8%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutrition content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.

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19 thoughts on “Grandpa’s Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows”

  1. Mmmm this sounds yummy! I haven’t had a sweet potato casserole but you piqued my interest with your recipe. I can’t wait to make this! Perfect for the upcoming season and even Thanksgiving.

  2. We are a family of sweet potato lovers, so this is right up our street and a must try one weekend, because it looks yummy xx

  3. Wow! Just a few ingredients and a lazy bum like me can also experiment with this recipe. Btw sweet potato is so versatile and i like it’s mild aroma.

  4. 5 stars
    That’s certainly something I’ve never tried. What an unusual combination although I can really see that working well. I need to try this next time I have guests and see what they think.

  5. 5 stars
    You’re Grampa is awesome! He knows how to make a sweet potato casserole. I love that it is gluten-free and I would put about 6 inches of marshmallow cream on top!

  6. Bedabrata Chakraborty

    Sweet potatoes are widely available in my locality. Plus i love a good casserole. But dessert casserole is new to me. Will surely try this recipe.

  7. This sweet potato casserole dish is new to me. It is so full of health. Plain boiled sweet potatoes are not a hit with my kids, but this will surely be.

  8. Turtles Mosaic Artwork

    This looks so so good!!! I can’t wait to make your grandpas’ recipe, can’t wait!!!! I love sweet potatoes.

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