This is THE BEST Southern Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows. It's the real deal with butter, brown sugar, and fresh mashed sweet potatoes all topped with melted marshmallows. This classic and old fashioned recipe will be a hit at your Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter table.
My Mom had a big sweet tooth. She would stash Little Debbie's and chocolate bars around the house trying to ensure she'd have something sweet when the cravings kicked in. She was also very southern in her style of cooking, so you could expect a dash (or a lot) of sugar to go into most dishes including her macaroni and cheese. And it all tasted so good.
Southern Sweet Potato Casserole Marshmallows
So it's no surprise that her famous sweet potato casserole with marshmallows is the real deal. Yup, I'm talking brown sugar AND real butter AND marshmallows, friends. I don't cook with these ingredients a lot but when I do I do it RIGHT.
This recipes uses fresh sweet potatoes, hand mashed to perfection and big doses of cinnamon and nutmeg. Even though it looks fancy it's surprisingly easy to put together with only a handful of basic ingredients.... many of which your probably already have.
This is a TRUE Southern Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows and is downright delicious. It's perfect for your Thanksgiving or holiday table.
The Best Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
I haven't shared this Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows recipe on Running in a Skirt because I worried that it doesn't exactly fit into the healthy mold I try to create here. BUT I believe that you should eat and enjoy foods like this in moderation, especially when it is such a family favorite.
Making this old fashioned recipe during the holidays helps keep my Mom's memory alive.
I believe in traditional family recipes and I believe in THIS recipe. I know if you try it you will feel the same.
Ingredients in the Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows:
- Sweet Potatoes: I use fresh sweet potatoes as my Mom did. Peel them and cut them into 1-inch cubes. You can use canned but I think fresh sweet potatoes taste so much better.
- Brown Sugar: You need the real stuff for this recipe.
- Butter: Butter makes the potatoes rich and creamy.
- Cinnamon: I use a heavy hand with the cinnamon to get the flavor she did.
- Nutmeg: Nutmeg balances out the cinnamon.
- Milk: You can use whatever type of milk you keep in the house. I usually make this with 2%.
- Marshmallow: Mini marshmallows make this recipe so fun and southern.
Note: I occasionally will eat marshmallows, but they aren't strictly vegetarian. If you have concerns try these vegan marshmallows.
How to Make Southern Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows:
- To cook the potatoes for the casserole you boil them. Cover the potatoes with water and bring to a boil. Simmer until tender which should be around 20 minutes. You want them to be very soft.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Mash the sweet potatoes with a potato masher or mixer.
- Add the milk, brown sugar, butter, and spices. Taste and add more brown sugar if desired.
- Smooth the potato mixture into your Grandmother's casserole dish. Add marshmallows to the top
- Bake until golden brown.
Casserole Variations & FAQ
- My Mom's big secret is she made her recipe and THEN added even more brown sugar until it was absolutely sinful. If you really want to channel her sweet tooth, I suggest doing the same thing... but just for Thanksgiving. AND maybe Christmas too.... I promise not to tell.
- I recommend adding just a single layer of marshmallows on top to get the best cooked consistency and to keep them from melting into the casserole.
- You can also steam your sweet potatoes or bake them whole before mashing them. My Mom boiled them so that's how I included it in this recipe.
Can Sweet Potato Casserole be made ahead of time?
YES! Make the mashed sweet potatoes and put them in a casserole dish. It can stay in the fridge up to 48 hours before your event. When you are ready to bake the sweet potato casserole with marshmallows ADD the marshmallow on top and bake according to the instructions. It will need to cook a few minutes longer to get it warm.
Can you freeze sweet potato casserole?
This dish also reheats and freezes well. To freeze the casserole make it up until the point you are going to add the marshmallows. Cover, freeze and store until you need it. It should keep 4-6 months.
Sweet Potato Casserole for 2?
This recipe can be very easily adjusted for the size of your party! You can half it to make a small batch sweet potato casserole for a couple or small family. When I make this for my extended family I easily double or even triple it.
It bakes easily in different size casserole dishes too. This is a pretty easy and forgiving recipe.
This one is truly from my heart guys, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
Need more Thanksgiving recipes? Try my 50 Delicious and Mainly Healthy Vegetarian Thanksgiving Dishes. It includes some great side dishes even turkey lovers will crave.
Mom's Best Sweet Potato Casserole with marshmallows
Ingredients
- 3 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and roughly cubed
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 3 tablespoon butter
- 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk **
- 1 cup mini marshmallows*
Instructions
- Boil potatoes in salted water until fork tender (about 20 minutes.)
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees
- Mash the sweet potatoes with a potato masher until smooth.
- Add the brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and mix until well combined. Add the milk a small amount at a time to reach desired consistency. Taste to decide if you want to add even more brown sugar like my Mom did.
- Put sweet potatoes in a casserole dish and top with a layer of the marshmallows.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until marshmallows are golden brown.
Notes
Nutrition
Pin for later...
sylvia says
Planning to make this for Thanksgiving day but will be traveling so will need to prepare it the Monday before. Would it be okay to refrigerate from Monday until Thursday or should I freeze it?
Christine @ myblissfulmess.com says
My son LOVES sweet potato casserole, and this recipe is so simple to make. I used ½ the brown sugar called for in this recipe (because honestly, sweet potatoes are quite sweet on their own), and I used 1% milk to cut back on some calories. This worked out very well and it came out with the perfect flavor (just the right sweetness) and it looked so pretty with the toasted marshmallows on top. Another bonus for my family is that this recipe does not call for any nuts of any kind. Big bonus for my daughter who has a peanut and tree nut allergy! Thank you for this wonderful recipe!
Tatiana says
This such a classic old fashioned casserole recipe that our family only makes for Thanksgiving. Its so delicious with that extra brown sugar in top.
Melanie says
A classic that never goes out of style! This looks easy and delicious! Can't wait to try it!
Dana says
This casserole is a classic at our Thanksgiving table. You can't argue with food that has great memories attached! As far as I'm concerned, sweet potato casserole is a staple at southern Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts.
Natalie says
Oh yum! These marshmallows on top are winners. I'm making this for Thanksgiving. Looks delicious and super buttery!
Gloria says
I don't think there is a holiday dinner table that this does not make!! Always a delicious hit with everyone.
Claudia Lamascolo says
Mom sure knows how to prepare the best casserole, her recipe is spot on perfect and we loved it!
Monique says
What is the serving size?
JulieWunder says
6-8 people! Enjoy!
Savanna says
Can you make the day before and refrigerator bake the day you serve it?
JulieWunder says
YES!
Kristel says
What size casserole dish did you use?
JulieWunder says
A 9x12 baking dish
Kristel says
What if you double the recipe? Would the baking times change?
Melissa says
I made this for Thanksgiving and now my son asks me every holiday to please make it. Love this recipe. Thanks for sharing it.
Miz Helen says
Your recipe is awesome, I have pinned it. We really enjoy you sharing with Full Plate Thursday and hope to see you again soon!
Miz Helen
JulieWunder says
THanks so much Miz Helen! I always appreciate your support.
Chistine says
This. looks. AMAZING! Thanksgiving is the one day where I would allow myself to have something like this and enjoy every bite!
JulieWunder says
Totally! Thanksgiving is the perfect day for some indulgences!
Farrah says
Yummy! 😀 I love both this + the roasted slices one--they both look amazing, and I like to think they balance each other out! ;P
Michelle at A Dish of Daily Life says
I've never had anything like this before! It looks so yummy!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Michelle! It is very southern and very good! I only eat it at Thanksgiving though 🙂
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes says
Wow, this sounds sinful! I've never had a traditional sweet potato casserole like this. I feel like it would be a bit too sweet for me...is it served as dessert?
JulieWunder says
Nope! Totally a side dish. It is sweet, but balanced very well. It's very southern 🙂
Jess @hellotofit says
Okay, now I really can't wait for Thanksgiving!!
My mom makes Martha Stewart's mashed potatoes every year. So good. And yes, there's heavy cream and butter involved.
JulieWunder says
Oh! I bet that is delicious! I put just milk in mine!
Mandi Korn says
Thanks for sharing this recipe. I think my daughter and your mother had a lot in common. When I ask her what she wants to eat, she always answers, "Something sweet, please". I love this kind of dish, their are so many variations out there, so something this simple is probably the best. I will let you know if I make it and how it turns out.
JulieWunder says
Please do! It's funny how some people are programmed sweet and some savory! I just love ALL food!
Heather@hungryforbalance says
Sweet potato casserole is my favorite! This one looks totally sinful and indulgent! Perfect for the holidays!!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Heather! It is like sweet holiday perfection!
Rachel @ RachelMcMichael.com says
Oh my goodness - this sounds so amazing! And the roasted slices look delicious too!! Adding both to my "must try" list! Thank you!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Rachel! Something for everyone 🙂 The slices are my day to day favorite!
Heather @Fit n Cookies says
Thank you so much for sharing a recipe so dear to you! It looks absolutely delicious. I have only started liking sweet potato casseroles in the last year. My favorite family recipe was my grandpa's cinnamon rolls. I haven't shared the recipe quite yet! haha
JulieWunder says
I'm glad you started liking sweet potatoes! There is so much to like in this one!
Robin says
Looks awesome and yummy.. Thanks for sharing
JulieWunder says
Thanks Robin!
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West says
Hi Julie, Although I'm all for healthy eating, I'm also all for good recipes with that are totally decadent and authentic, so I'm all over your Mom's sweet potato casserole here. It sounds amazing!! Passing it along to my own Mom to make for Thanksgiving when I visit this year! 🙂
JulieWunder says
Thanks Ashley! That means so much to me!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says
looks yum! WE are both on the sweet potato page this week. Yours is much more decadent 🙂
JulieWunder says
We are! We took it in polar opposite directions 🙂 Something for everyone now!
April Puglisi says
Thank you for sharing this. I will fix this for Thanksgiving yummy !!!!!
JulieWunder says
Thanks April! I know you will enjoy it.
Susie @ SuzLyfe says
I don't really think that sweet potato needs all the extra stuff, but I totally agree with you that indulgent food totally has its place in a healthy diet and life. And, even more important, I'm glad that you are helping to bring your mom to the Thanksgiving table. She would be so proud of you, Julie. I know she would.
JulieWunder says
Thanks Susie! That means a lot to me.
Blane Sherer says
I'm glad you shared your mom's recipe.
I know it's close to your heart and it's a nice reminder for you.
JulieWunder says
Thank you so much!
Jenny says
Yum! Your mom had the right idea as far as I'm concerned. I like my sweet potatoes cinnamon-spice-y and basically like pie in a casserole dish. Don't mess with a southern Thanksgiving, give me allthebutterandbrownsugar on Thursday, and we'll have a green juice and salads on Friday. Worth it. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
JulieWunder says
EXACTLY! I could not agree more 🙂