Quick & Easy Ina Garten Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans Recipe

Sweet potato casserole embodies comfort and warmth on every family dinner table.

Rich, velvety sweet potatoes transform into a luxurious side dish that beckons memories of festive gatherings.

Creamy textures blend with nutty undertones, creating a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.

Soft, mashed sweet potatoes absorb butter and spices, turning ordinary ingredients into extraordinary culinary magic.

Each forkful carries the promise of indulgence, promising a delightful experience that transcends simple side dishes.

Layers of sweetness and crunch define this classic recipe, inviting you to savor every delectable bite.

The pecan topping adds a delightful contrast, elevating the humble sweet potato to new heights: get ready to make mealtime memorable.

What Makes Ina Garten’s Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans So Good

• Creamy Comfort Delight: This sweet potato casserole delivers ultimate comfort food with its velvety smooth texture and rich, indulgent flavor that feels like a warm hug on a plate.
• Perfectly Balanced Topping Crunch: The pecan topping transforms an ordinary dish into an extraordinary experience, adding a delightful nutty crunch that contrasts beautifully with the creamy sweet potato base.
• Stress-Free Holiday Hero: With simple preparation steps and under an hour of total cooking time, this recipe becomes a stress-free side dish that's perfect for busy holiday meals, impressing guests without complex techniques.
• Nutritious Dessert-Like Side: Sweet potatoes packed with vitamins and the protein from eggs make this dish not just delicious, but secretly nutritious, letting you enjoy something that tastes like a treat while providing substantial health benefits.

Needed Ingredients for Ina Garten Sweet Potato Casserole

• Sweet Potatoes: Starchy root vegetable with creamy texture and sweet flavor, best when fresh and firm.
• Eggs: Binding agent that helps hold the casserole together, room temperature preferred.
• Milk: Adds creaminess and helps create smooth filling, whole milk recommended.
• Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps create smooth consistency, unsalted preferred.
• Brown Sugar: Adds deep sweetness and caramel notes, light or dark both work well.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall sweetness and adds depth of flavor, pure vanilla best.
• Salt: Balances and highlights the sweet flavors in the dish.

• Pecans: Crunchy nut that adds texture and nutty flavor, fresh and crisp nuts preferred.
• Flour: Helps create crumbly topping texture, all-purpose flour works best.
• Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create crispy topping.
• Butter: Helps bind topping ingredients and provides rich flavor, melted works perfectly.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Baking Dish: 2-quart size needed for proper casserole preparation and even baking.

How to Cook Ina Garten Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans

Step 1: Prepare Sweet Potatoes

Wash and peel 3-4 medium sweet potatoes. Cut into 1-inch cubes. Boil in a large pot with salted water for 15-20 minutes until super soft. Drain completely and mash thoroughly until smooth.

Step 2: Preheat Cooking Station

Turn oven to 350°F. Generously butter a 2-quart baking dish to prevent sticking.

Step 3: Create Creamy Potato Base

• Melted butter
• Mashed sweet potatoes
• Milk
• Brown sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Salt
• 2 large eggs

Whisk until completely blended. Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish.

Step 4: Craft Nutty Topping

• All-purpose flour
• Brown sugar
• Melted butter
• Salt
• Chopped pecans

Stir until crumbly and ingredients are well incorporated.

Step 5: Bake and Garnish

Sprinkle pecan topping evenly across sweet potato base. Bake for 25-30 minutes until center sets and top turns golden brown. Remove from oven and serve warm.

Tips for a Scrumptious Ina Garten Sweet Potato Casserole

• Savor Resting Time: Let casserole sit 10 minutes after baking, allowing flavors to settle and making serving easier.
• Warm Ingredient Blend: Use room temperature eggs to ensure smoother mixing and consistent filling texture.
• Enhance Nutty Crunch: Toast pecans quickly in dry skillet before topping, developing deeper flavor and extra crispiness.
• Prep Ahead Brilliance: Assemble casserole day before serving, storing in refrigerator and adding few extra minutes to baking time.
• Customize Milk Magic: Play with whole milk, half-and-half, or coconut milk to create unique richness and subtle flavor variations.

Preserving Ina Garten Sweet Potato Casserole

• Vacuum Seal: Lock in freshness by using a vacuum sealer to remove air completely. This method prevents moisture and freezer burn, keeping your sweet potato casserole tasting like it was just made. Carefully transfer the casserole into vacuum-seal bags, ensuring no gaps or air pockets remain.
• Glass Container Layering: Stack casserole portions in glass containers with tight-fitting lids. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and preserve the crispy pecan topping. Press down gently to minimize air exposure and maintain the dish's original texture.
• Flash Freeze Method: Spread the casserole on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper before final storage. Allow it to freeze solid for 1-2 hours, then transfer individual portions into freezer-safe containers. This technique prevents large ice crystals from forming and maintains the casserole's delicate structure.

Tasty Variations on Ina Garten Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans

• Marshmallow Mountain Topper: Swap the pecan crumble with a layer of fluffy marshmallows that caramelize into a golden, gooey crust during baking.
• Maple Bourbon Infusion: Add a splash of bourbon and pure maple syrup to the sweet potato mixture for a rich, complex flavor profile that elevates the classic recipe.
• Coconut Crunch Conversion: Replace pecans with toasted coconut flakes and add a sprinkle of cinnamon to create a tropical-inspired casserole with a crispy, nutty texture.
• Savory Herb Transformation: Incorporate fresh rosemary, thyme, and a touch of garlic into the sweet potato base, turning this side dish into a sophisticated, herb-forward accompaniment.

Summation of Ina Garten Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans

Sweet potato casserole emerges as pure comfort wrapped in culinary magic.

Ina Garten’s recipe bridges nostalgic memories with contemporary kitchen artistry.

Southern hospitality whispers through each carefully crafted spoonful of buttery goodness.

Pecans add delightful crunch, transforming simple ingredients into extraordinary experience.

Holiday tables become more inviting with this luxurious side dish nestled among classic favorites.

When golden-brown perfection calls your name, savor each moment, share generously, spark conversation, and let deliciousness unite friends and family around one magnificent creation.

Ina Garten Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans Recipe

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4.5 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s sweet potato casserole elevates classic holiday comfort with Southern charm and luxurious texture. Creamy mashed sweet potatoes topped with a crunchy pecan streusel create a perfect balance of smooth richness and nutty crunch that will delight you at the dinner table.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 to 4 large sweet potatoes (about 1.75 pounds / 794 grams), peeled and cubed
• 2 large eggs

Sweeteners and Dairy:

• ½ cup (100 grams) brown sugar, packed
• ¼ cup (50 grams) brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) milk
• 4 tablespoons (56 grams) unsalted butter, melted
• 4 tablespoons (56 grams) unsalted butter, melted

Flavor Enhancers and Dry Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ cup (60 grams) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (84 grams) chopped pecans

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly wash and peel sweet potatoes, then dice into uniform cubes approximately 1-inch (2.5 centimeters) in size for even cooking.
2. Submerge sweet potato cubes in a large pot of generously salted water, bringing to a rolling boil over high heat. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until potatoes are incredibly soft and easily pierced with a fork.
3. Drain potatoes completely in a colander, then return to the pot and mash using a potato masher or electric mixer until smooth and creamy with minimal lumps.
4. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously coat a 2-quart (1.9 liters) baking dish with unsalted butter to prevent sticking.
5. Whisk melted butter, mashed sweet potatoes, whole milk, dark brown sugar, pure vanilla extract, kosher salt, and large eggs in a spacious mixing bowl until ingredients are fully incorporated and mixture appears glossy and uniform.
6. Transfer the sweet potato mixture into the prepared baking dish, ensuring an even surface with a spatula.
7. In a separate bowl, combine all-purpose flour, additional brown sugar, melted butter, and a pinch of salt, mixing until the texture resembles moist, crumbly clusters.
8. Fold chopped pecans into the flour mixture, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the topping.
9. Carefully sprinkle the pecan topping across the entire surface of the sweet potato base, creating a consistent layer.
10. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, watching for a golden-brown topping and a set center.
11. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 to 10 minutes before serving to help the casserole set and make cutting easier.

Notes

• Storing leftovers keeps the sweet potato magic alive for several days of delicious enjoyment.
• Holiday meal planning becomes a breeze when you prep this casserole in advance.
• Gentle shaking reveals the perfect doneness with a slightly firm center.
• Brown sugar transforms the dish with its deep caramel-like embrace.
• Toasting pecans unlocks their intense, nutty richness before crowning the casserole.
• Room temperature eggs blend seamlessly for a silky-smooth filling.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Side Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 350 kcal
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg