Butter: Brings golden-brown crispiness to the topping, use softened butter for easy mixing.
Tools You’ll Use for Ina Garten Sweet Potato Casserole
Large saucepan: Perfect for boiling sweet potatoes until soft and tender.
Large mixing bowl: Essential for mashing potatoes and combining ingredients smoothly.
9×13-inch baking dish: Ideal for spreading and baking the sweet potato mixture evenly.
Potato masher or fork: Great for mashing sweet potatoes to creamy perfection.
Wooden spoon or spatula: Helps mix ingredients and spread topping gently.
Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements for the best results.
Instructions to Make Ina Garten Sweet Potato Casserole
Potato Preparation Sweet potatoes get their first moment of transformation, softening gently in bubbling water until tender and ready for their delicious destiny.
Creamy Blending Comfort mashes these golden beauties with rich eggs, smooth milk, and warm vanilla, creating a velvety base that whispers holiday memories.
Topping Magic A crumbly layer of brown sugar and nutty pecans dances across the surface, promising a delightful crunch that contrasts the silky sweet potato beneath.
Oven Transformation The casserole nestles into a warm embrace of 325°F, slowly caramelizing and melding flavors into a harmonious side dish that celebrates comfort and tradition.
Serving Celebration Straight from the oven, this golden-topped marvel arrives at the table, ready to be spooned onto plates and savored by grateful dinner guests who will marvel at its delectable charm.
How to Change Up Ina Garten Sweet Potato Casserole
Swap white sugar for maple syrup or honey to add depth of flavor and natural sweetness while increasing nutritional value.
Experiment with different nuts like walnuts or almonds instead of pecans for varied texture and unique taste profiles.
Prepare the casserole one day ahead and refrigerate, then bake just before serving to save time during holiday meal preparation.
Enhance the sweet potato mixture by adding ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or a dash of orange zest to create a more complex and aromatic dish.
Replace butter with coconut oil for a dairy-free version, or use gluten-free flour to accommodate different dietary needs without compromising delicious flavor.
Serving Suggestions for Ina Garten Sweet Potato Casserole
Pair with Hearty Proteins: Complement this sweet potato casserole with roasted turkey, honey-glazed ham, or juicy roast chicken for a complete holiday meal that satisfies every taste bud.
Create a Colorful Side Spread: Arrange the casserole alongside green beans almondine, cranberry sauce, and fresh dinner rolls to build a vibrant, festive plate that looks as delicious as it tastes.
Elevate with Garnish Touches: Sprinkle extra chopped pecans on top just before serving, or add a light dusting of ground cinnamon to enhance the warm, comforting flavors and create a beautiful presentation.
Wine and Beverage Pairing: Serve with a crisp Riesling, sparkling apple cider, or a smooth pinot noir that balances the casserole's sweet and rich characteristics for an elevated dining experience.
Store Ina Garten Sweet Potato Casserole for Later
Advance Prep: Slice and boil sweet potatoes one day before assembling the casserole, storing them covered in the refrigerator to save time on cooking day.
Refrigerate Leftovers: Store any remaining casserole in an airtight container for up to 4 days, keeping it fresh and delicious for quick reheating.
Freeze for Later: Wrap the casserole tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 3 weeks. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheat with Care: Warm the casserole in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes, covering with foil to prevent the topping from burning while ensuring the interior stays moist and heated through.
Ina Garten’s sweet potato casserole combines creamy mashed potatoes with a crunchy pecan topping. Comforting flavors and textures make this dish perfect for holiday gatherings or weekend meals you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
4 cups (946 ml/32 oz) sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
½ cup (100 g/3.5 oz) white sugar
½ cup (100 g/3.5 oz) packed brown sugar
2 large eggs, beaten
½ cup (120 ml/4 fl oz) milk
7 tablespoons (100 g/3.5 oz) butter, softened
⅓ cup (42 g/1.5 oz) all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup (60 g/2 oz) chopped pecans
Instructions
Potato Preparation: Submerge sweet potatoes in cold water, bring to a rolling boil, and cook until fork-tender, approximately 15-20 minutes. Drain completely and mash until silky smooth using a potato masher or electric mixer.
Mixture Creation: Whisk mashed sweet potatoes with eggs, sugar, milk, melted butter, vanilla extract, and salt in a large mixing bowl until uniformly blended and luxuriously creamy.
Dish Assembly: Coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray, then spread the sweet potato mixture evenly across the surface, creating a perfectly level base.
Crumble Construction: Combine brown sugar and flour in a separate bowl, then incorporate softened butter using a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse, pebble-like crumbs. Gently fold chopped pecans throughout the crumble, ensuring even distribution.
Topping Application: Sprinkle the pecan crumble generously over the sweet potato base, covering the entire surface with a uniform layer that promises delightful texture and crunch.
Baking Process: Position the baking dish in a preheated 325°F (165°C) oven and bake for 25-35 minutes, watching for a golden-brown topping that develops a slight crispy edge.
Serving Preparation: Allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes after removing from the oven, enabling it to set and facilitating easier portioning for a picture-perfect presentation.
Notes
Potato Perfection: Choose firm, orange-fleshed sweet potatoes for the richest flavor and creamiest texture.
Smooth Technique: Mash potatoes while hot to prevent lumps and create a velvety, silky consistency.
Topping Trick: Ensure butter is softened but not melted when making the crumble for the ideal crumbly texture.
Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the casserole up to 2 days in advance and refrigerate, then bake just before serving for stress-free holiday cooking.
Pastry Arts and Dessert Innovation, French and European Baking Techniques, Food Writing and Blogging, Culinary Event Planning
Education
Le Cordon Bleu Paris
Diploma: Grand Diplôme®
Focus: Intensive training in classic French cuisine and pastry techniques, combining the Diplôme de Cuisine and Diplôme de Pâtisserie.
Isabella Rodriguez is the co-founder and pastry chef at wd-50.com. She studied at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, where she earned the Grand Diplôme®, a top award in both cooking and baking. After working in fancy bakeries and as a personal pastry chef, Isabella now shares her love for desserts in an easy way for home bakers to enjoy.
At wd-50.com, Isabella creates recipes for cookies, cakes, tarts, and more, always with clear steps and helpful tips. She believes baking should be fun, not stressful, and she hopes her recipes bring joy to your kitchen and smiles to your table.
Isabella Rodriguez
Co-Founder & Content Creator
Expertise
Pastry Arts and Dessert Innovation, French and European Baking Techniques, Food Writing and Blogging, Culinary Event Planning
Education
Le Cordon Bleu Paris
Isabella Rodriguez is the co-founder and pastry chef at wd-50.com. She studied at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, where she earned the Grand Diplôme®, a top award in both cooking and baking. After working in fancy bakeries and as a personal pastry chef, Isabella now shares her love for desserts in an easy way for home bakers to enjoy.
At wd-50.com, Isabella creates recipes for cookies, cakes, tarts, and more, always with clear steps and helpful tips. She believes baking should be fun, not stressful, and she hopes her recipes bring joy to your kitchen and smiles to your table.