Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams

Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams is a classic dish that brings delicious warmth and comfort to the table, especially during the holiday season. Whether it’s Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas dinner, or any holiday feast, this delicious sweet potato casserole is the perfect side dish. Its creamy texture, sweet potato filling, and nutty flavor make it a delicious addition to your holiday table. This easy sweet potato casserole recipe is also a good recipe to prepare ahead of time, which can be a lifesaver when you’re in charge of cooking a holiday dinner!

Why This Recipe Works

This sweet potato casserole with canned yams recipe is the best way to make a classic Thanksgiving side dish without the hassle of peeling and boiling fresh sweet potatoes. Using canned sweet potatoes or yams cuts down on cooking time while still delivering a rich, creamy texture that everyone will love. 

The sweet, smooth mashed sweet potato mixture is topped with a crunchy pecan topping and finished off with a marshmallow topping for that super-yummy combo of flavors and textures. This easy side dish is also versatile! There are so many simple swaps you can make based on what your family likes.

How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams

Making sweet potato casserole with canned yams is easy. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a delicious casserole that will be the star of your holiday meals. This easy recipe can be prepared ahead of time, making it perfect for those busy days leading up to Thanksgiving dinner or any holiday feast. Here’s a breakdown of the ingredients I use in this casserole dish, followed by step-by-step instructions to guide you through the cooking process.

Ingredients

• Canned Yams: Using a can of yams (I use Bruce’s Yams: Canned Sweet Potatoes in Syrup) to make this recipe quick and easy, while still providing the wonderful sweetness of the sweet potatoes that we all love. These canned yams are tender and ready to use, saving you the time and effort of peeling and cooking fresh yams. You can certainly use any brand, but I find that the Bruce’s are great quality.
• White Sugar: The sugar adds sweetness to the sweet potato mixture, enhancing the natural flavors of the yams and balancing the savory items in the dish.
• Melted Butter: Salted butter provides a rich, buttery flavor that complements the sweetness of the potatoes. It also helps to create a creamy texture in the sweet potato filling. Go for that good butter for the best taste. I love Kerrygold brand butter.
• Evaporated Milk: This ingredient adds creaminess and richness to the mashed sweet potato mixture, giving it a smooth, velvety consistency.
• Large Eggs: Eggs help bind the ingredients together, giving the casserole structure and ensuring a perfect, sliceable consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a hint of sweetness and depth of flavor to the dish, enhancing the overall taste of the casserole.
• Cinnamon: A teaspoon of cinnamon adds a warm, spicy note to the sweet potato mixture, complementing the sweetness of the yams.
• Chopped Pecans: Pecans provide a crunchy, nutty flavor that contrasts beautifully with the creamy sweet potato filling. They are a key component of the brown sugar streusel topping.
• Brown Sugar: Dark brown sugar is used in the pecan topping to add sweetness and a rich, caramel-like flavor.
• All-Purpose Flour: Helps bind the topping ingredients together, creating a crumbly, streusel-like texture.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step One: Gather all your ingredients. This step is crucial to ensure you have everything you need before you start. It’s also a good idea to preheat your oven to 350 degrees F, so it’s ready when you are.

Step Two: Prepare your casserole dish. Butter an 8×8 baking dish to prevent the sweet potato mixture from sticking. This will make serving and cleaning up much easier.

Step Three: Drain the canned yams and place them in a large mixing bowl. Using a potato masher or a fork, mash the yams until they reach your desired consistency. Some prefer a smooth texture, while others like a bit of chunkiness.

Step Four: Add the white sugar, melted butter, evaporated milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and cinnamon to the mashed sweet potatoes. Mix these ingredients well until they are fully combined and the mixture is smooth.

Step Five: Pour the sweet potato mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly to ensure it cooks uniformly. Place the dish in your preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes.

Step Six: While the casserole is baking, prepare the pecan topping. In a medium bowl, mix the chopped pecans, brown sugar, flour, and melted butter using a fork. The mixture should be crumbly, with the pecans fully coated in the sugary-buttery goodness.

Step Seven: Once the initial 40 minutes of baking time is up, carefully remove the casserole from the oven. Sprinkle the pecan topping evenly over the top of the casserole.

Step Eight: Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes. The topping should become golden brown and crunchy.

Step Nine: After the final baking time, remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. This will help the flavors to meld and make it easier to slice.

Step Ten: Serve and enjoy your sweet potato casserole! It’s a delicious addition to any holiday table, bringing together the flavors of the season in a single, comforting dish.

Substitutions and Variations

• Fresh Sweet Potatoes: If you prefer to use fresh yams or sweet potatoes instead of canned yams, you can certainly do so. Simply peel, chop, and boil them until tender before mashing and following the recipe as directed. This can add a bit more freshness to the dish, but it will increase the cooking time.
• Maple Syrup: For a natural sweetener and added flavor, you can replace the white sugar in the sweet potato mixture with maple syrup. This will give the casserole a subtle, earthy sweetness that pairs well with the pecans.
• Oat Topping: If you’re looking for a slightly different texture, try adding rolled oats to the pecan topping mixture. This will create an even crunchier, more rustic topping that’s perfect for those who love a bit of extra bite in their casserole.
• Marshmallow Topping: Prefer a sweet potato casserole with marshmallows on top? Mini marshmallows are the perfect sweet finish for this casserole, adding a gooey, golden brown topping. You can add marshmallows to the existing topping mix, or, replace the topping mix completely with a layer of mini marshmallows. Just be sure to keep an eye on them and only bake for about 5-10 minutes.

Best Tips

• Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Bringing ingredients like butter and eggs to room temperature before mixing them into the sweet potatoes will help them incorporate more easily, resulting in a smoother, more consistent filling.
• Don’t Overmix the Sweet Potatoes: When mashing and mixing the sweet potatoes, be careful not to overmix. Overmixing can cause the potatoes to become gluey instead of light and fluffy.
• Taste Before Baking: After mixing the sweet potato filling, give it a quick taste. If you prefer a sweeter casserole, you can add a bit more sugar or cinnamon to suit your preference before baking.
• Make Ahead of Time: This casserole can be made ahead of time, which is perfect for holiday meals when you have a lot to prepare. Simply assemble the casserole, cover it with plastic wrap, and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, remove the plastic wrap and proceed with baking as directed.
• Use a Baking Sheet: To prevent any potential spills or drips in your oven, place the casserole dish on a baking sheet before putting it in the oven. This will catch any overflow and make cleanup much easier. We don’t want any oven spills on Thanksgiving!

How to Store Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams

Storing sweet potato casserole is easy and ensures you can enjoy leftovers for days to come. Once the casserole has cooled to room temperature, cover it tightly with aluminum foil or transfer it to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 days.

If you have leftover sweet potato casserole and want to save it for a later date, you can also freeze it. Transfer the cooled casserole to a freezer-safe container and store it in the freezer for up to a month. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat it in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F until warmed through.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is sweet potato casserole a dessert or side dish?

I would categorize sweet potato casserole as a side dish that’s typically reserved for special occasions or holiday meals. However, if you want to serve it as a dessert, it’s your world! I would eat it as a side or a dessert any day. Call it whatever you want!

Can I use fresh sweet potatoes instead of canned yams?

​Yes, you can use fresh sweet potatoes instead of canned yams. Simply peel, chop, and boil them until fork tender, then mash and follow the recipe as directed. This will add some extra freshness to the dish but will increase the overall cooking time.

Can I make Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams ahead of time?

​Yes, this easy sweet potato casserole recipe can be made ahead of time. Assemble the casserole and cover it tightly with plastic wrap. Store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake. When ready, remove the plastic wrap and bake as directed.

Can I top this sweet potato casserole with marshmallows?

Yes, you can top this casserole with mini marshmallows if you prefer. To prevent the marshmallows from burning, add them during the last 10 minutes of baking. This allows them to melt and turn golden brown without burning. You can also loosely cover the casserole with aluminum foil if you notice the marshmallows browning too quickly.

How long does this sweet potato casserole recipe last in the fridge?

​Sweet potato casserole can last for up to 1-2 days in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight container. If you want to keep it longer, consider freezing it for up to a month.

Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams is a classic dish that’s sure to please at any holiday gathering. Its creamy texture, sweet and savory flavors, and crunchy topping make it a must-have on your holiday table.

With this easy recipe, you can enjoy everything wonderful about sweet potato casserole, without all the extra fuss. It’s the ultimate shortcut recipe for your Thanksgiving table.

More Delicious Sides

• Best Mashed Potatoes
• Cinnamon Glazed Carrots