This foundational side dish combines velvety roasted mashed sweet potatoes with a buttery, crunchy pecan and brown sugar streusel. By roasting the potatoes instead of boiling them, the dish achieves a concentrated natural sweetness and a perfect, dense texture. It is a quintessential Southern holiday staple that balances earthy root vegetables with warm spices, offering a delightful textural contrast that pairs beautifully with any main course.
3 lbs sweet potatoes
1/2 cup unsalted butter, divided
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp kosher salt
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pierce the sweet potatoes with a fork and roast on a baking sheet for 50 minutes until tender.
Peel the cooled potatoes and mash in a large bowl with half of the butter and the salt until smooth.
Spread the mashed potatoes evenly into a greased casserole dish.
In a separate bowl, mix the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, pecans, and remaining melted butter until crumbly.
Sprinkle the streusel topping over the mashed sweet potatoes.
Reduce oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for 45 minutes until the topping is golden and crisp.
Ensure you roast the potatoes until completely tender to ensure a smooth mash without lumps. You can substitute pecans with chopped walnuts if preferred. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Find it online: https://itisrecipes.com/classic-sweet-potato-casserole/