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    Home » Holidays

    Published: Nov 22, 2021 · Modified: Nov 21, 2021 by Angela · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Sweet Potato Marshmallow Casserole

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    A classic Thanksgiving side dish is this sweet potato casserole with apples and pecans. These candied yams are topped with mini marshmallows at the end for a toasty, gooey, and sweet treat.  The fresh apples, crunchy pecans, and savory canned yams all come together for the perfect side dish with turkey, chicken, or pork. As a child (and still today) marshmallow candied yam casserole is my favorite part of the meal at Thanksgiving. 

    As someone that does not like pumpkin, this was often my dessert as well.  It is like a crustless apple sweet potato pie that you just cannot get enough of.  My mom makes it every year and often reminds me that I even dreamed about it when I was 5. In kindergarten, a cookbook was created by the teacher asking us all to tell her how to make our favorite recipe. Mine was this but back then at age 5 I called it "Goodie Casserole" and I said to cook it at 17°.  Well, rest assured I know how to cook this now and it's not frozen at 17°. 

    Jump to Recipe

     

    Sweet Potato Marshmallow Casserole PN2 ready to eat with toasted marshmallows on top

     

    Ingredients for Sweet Potato Casserole

    For this Thanksgiving sweet potato casserole, you will need mostly pantry items but also some fresh ones.  You can shop for these items before the Thanksgiving grocery store madness begins, which is a life-saver for many who hate the crowds and lines.   For this holiday recipe, you will need apples, pecans, brown sugar, cinnamon, butter, canned yams, and of course mini marshmallows.  Use your favorite apples to make candied yams but I recommend something more on the tart side to balance the sweetness from the brown sugar and marshmallows.

    Sweet potatoes and yams are actually different vegetables. Learn all about the difference between a sweet potato and a yam. However, the canned yams we find in America are often actually sweet potatoes.  So I will use the terms interchangeably here.  This is made with canned yams that have been drained and then the rest is added to the casserole before baking. The most common brands will be Bruce's or Princella canned sweet potatoes/yams that are best to use for candied yams with marsmallows. You can use fresh sweet potatoes too that you have cooked until soft in the oven, microwave, Instant Pot, or Crock-Pot. 

     

    Sweet Potato Marshmallow Casserole ingredients

     

     

    How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole

    There is not much to prepping this quick & easy candied yam casserole recipe.  To make this, start by preheating the oven to 350°.  Also, spray an 8x8" casserole dish with nonstick spray.

    While the oven warms up, core and chop up the apples. You want chunks about ½" in size. You can peel them or leave the peel on; however, you like baked apples will work in this recipe.  Now, chop the pecans if they are not already in pieces. You want big chunks and some are ok if they are in whole halves.

     

    Sweet Potato Marshmallow Casserole peel and dice apples

     

     

    Drain the yams and add them to the casserole dish. There will be large & small chunks in the can. Use a knife to cut the bigger ones, you want the chunks to be about 1-2" in size. They do not need to be all the same exact size just keep them in that range.
     
    Once the yams are ready and in bite-sized chunks, sprinkle the apple chunks & pecan pieces over the yams in an even layer.  Next, sprinkle on the brown sugar and cinnamon evenly over all the ingredients. Lastly, dice the butter into smaller chunks to get about 12 small pieces. Evenly distribute the small butter pats over the top of the entire casserole dish. 

    Sweet Potato Marshmallow Casserole ingredients in the pan ready to bake

     

     

    How Long & Temperature to Cook Candied Yam

    NOTE - **  You can also just bake the marshmallows on instead of a toasted layer as seen here. To do that, simply add the marshmallows now for the baking process, instead of broiling at the end.**

    Bake on the center rack in the oven at 350° for 20-25 minutes. The apples should be soft and the brown sugar juices should be bubbling. Remove the casserole dish using an oven mitt from the oven. Now is the time for that magical marshmallow layer.  Carefully sprinkle the mini marshmallows over the top of the casserole.  Put as many as you want but at least half the bag of the 10oz size. 
     

    Sweet Potato Marshmallow Casserole partially baked and marshmallows added on the top

     

     

    Toast the Marshmallows on Sweet Potato Casserole

    To get that roasted marshmallow goodness, you will be broiling them.  So at this time, change the oven to broil, on low. On a top rack of the oven place the casserole to broil the marshmallows slowly. You want it to be at least 4-6" from the top broiler element in your oven.

     

    DO NOT STEP AWAY, leave the oven door ajar and watch the marshmallows as they toast. You may need to rotate the pan to get an even toast. Once they are to your desired doneness, remove using an oven mitt.  We love them well done and the marshmallows roasted to a dark brown almost burnt texture.  We are that family that loves when we are roasting marshmallows over a campfire and they catch on fire.  Oh sooo crispy on the outside and gooey marshmallow heaven on the inside. 

     
    Sweet Potato Marshmallow Casserole ready to serve hot from the oven

     

    What to Serve with Sweet Potato Casserole

    All of these main courses and side dish recipes are great ideas to make & serve with this sweet potato casserole topped with melty toasted marshmallows.   Here are the best things to eat with sweet potato casserole including easy, gluten-free, and holiday recipes.

    Smoked Beef Short Ribs
    The best way to make short ribs in my mind is in the smoker.  The low and slow method of smoking meat breaks down the meat and renders the fat for the most delicate fall-off-the-bone short ribs you will have ever had. 
    Check out this recipe
    Smoked Beef Short Ribs featured portrait plate of ribs in the center and parsley and napkin utensils in the top left
    Ultimate Broccoli Alfredo Chicken Roll-ups (rollatini style)
    Chicken roll-ups filled with 3 kinds of cheeses and broccoli then baked with alfredo sauce are a must-have dinner for weeknights and special occasions.
    Check out this recipe
    broccoli alfredo chicken rollups rollatini style
    Crispy Parmesan Chicken Cutlets
    Thin chicken breast cutlets coated in parmesan and almond flour and fried crispy for a great keto-friendly and grain-free main dish.
    Check out this recipe
    crispy parmesan chicken cutlets
    How to Dry Brine a Turkey
    In just 3 days you can have the perfect holiday bird. When you dry brine a turkey, it is so moist and juicy. This works great for turkey, chicken, and other birds.
    Check out this recipe
    pat salt for dry brine
    Caramelized Brussel sprouts with Brown Sugar, Bacon, & Blue Cheese
    Caramelized Brussel sprouts with brown sugar are a wonderful simple side dish.  To make Brussel sprouts even more wonderful add bacon and blue cheese for a sweet, salty, creamy, and nutty delight. 
    Check out this recipe
    Caramelized Brussel Sprouts with Brown Sugar, Bacon, & Blue Cheese featured overhead
    Amazing Roasted Green Beans with Everything But the Bagel Sesame Seasoning
    These delicious but easy green beans will be a family favorite. The nutty sesame seasoning that includes garlic and onion adds so much flavor.
    Check out this recipe
    plated green beans sprinkles with everything bagel seasoning
    Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli
    Instant pot steamed broccoli is a healthy and easy recipe that comes out perfect every time. In just a few minutes fresh broccoli is cooked and ready to enjoy.  This method works in any electric pressure cooker with or without a steamer basket and results in fresh steamed broccoli that is not mushy. 
    Check out this recipe
    Steamed Broccoli featured in instant pot overhead shot

     

    How to Store Marshmallow Sweet Potato Casserole

    This casserole can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer easily.   To store sweet potato casserole that has already been cooked with the toasted marshmallow topping, simply cover the casserole with foil.  Place it in the refrigerator and store for up to 5 days. To reheat sweet potato casserole, microwave individual servings for about 1 minute.  To reheat a larger portion like ½ of the casserole dish, microwave for 3-4 minutes and stir it halfway to evenly heat.

    You can freeze both leftover and made-ahead marshmallow sweet potato casserole. To freeze leftovers that have already been cooked, place them in an air-tight container and freeze for up to a month. To make this ahead of time to freeze and then cook later, it will be different.  Making this sweet potato casserole for meal planning is easy.  Combine all the ingredients in the casserole dish except the mini marshmallows.  Place a lid on the casserole dish or wrap in plastic wrap and then foil to make it air-tight. You can freeze this for up to 3 months.  When you want to cook frozen sweet potato casserole, defrost it in the refrigerator for 2 days.  Once thaw, bake per the recipe and top with the marshmallows.  

     

    PIN FOR SAFEKEEPING & SHARING!

     

    Sweet Potato Marshmallow Casserole PIN ready to eat with toasted marshmallow topping

     

     

     

    Sweet Potato Marshmallow Casserole PINREDO overhead of yams casserole with browned marshmallows as a topping

     

     

    Sweet Potato Marshmallow Casserole featured overhead square casserole dish with toasted marshmallows on top

    Sweet Potato Marshmallow Casserole

    Angela
    The classic candied yams recipe is this easy sweet potato casserole with mini marshmallows. A sweet side dish perfect for holidays, especially Thanksgiving or Christmas. It has been a tradition since I was a kid to enjoy this every year with our Thanksgiving turkey. The apples, pecans, and dash of cinnamon make this the best sweet potato marshmallow casserole.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8

    Equipment

    • 8x8 casserole dish

    Ingredients
      

    • 29oz canned sweet potatoes/yams in syrup drained
    • 4 tablespoons salted butter
    • 4 small apples, cored, peeled, & cut into chunks about 1 ½ cups
    • ¼ cup packed brown sugar
    • ½ cup salted roasted pecans pieces or chopped in big chunks
    • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
    • ½ 10oz - package mini marshmallows about 3 cups

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350°
      Spray an 8x8" casserole dish with nonstick spray.
    • Core and chop up the apples. You want chunks about ½" in size. You can peel them or leave the peel on; however, you like baked apples will work in this recipe.
      Chop the pecans if they are not already in pieces. You want big chunks and some are ok if they are in whole halves.
    • Drain the yams and add them to the casserole dish. There will be large & small chunks in the can. Use a knife to cut the bigger ones, you want the chunks to be about 1-2" in size. They do not need to be all the same exact size just keep them in that range.
    • Sprinkle the apple chunks & pecan pieces over the yams in an even layer.
    • Dice the butter into smaller chunks to get about 12 small pieces. Evenly distribute the small butter pats over the top of the apples and yams.
      Sprinkle on the brown sugar and cinnamon evenly over all the ingredients.
    • Bake on the center rack in the oven at 350° for 20-25 minutes. The apples should be soft and the brown sugar juices should be bubbling. Remove the casserole dish using an oven mitt from the oven.
    • Carefully sprinkle the mini marshmallows over the top of the casserole.
    • Change the oven to broil, on low. On a top rack of the oven place the casserole to broil the marshmallows slowly. You want it to be at least 4-6" from the top broiler element in your oven.
      DO NOT STEP AWAY, leave the oven door ajar and watch the marshmallows as they toast. YOu may need to rotate the pan to get an even toast. Once they are to your desired doneness, remove using an oven mitt.
    • Let it rest for about 5 minutes as it will be piping hot. This also helps the brown sugar juices set up a bit to more of a syrup vs a thin liquid. Serve and enjoy.

    Notes

    Nutrition Facts
    Servings: 8
    Amount per serving  
    Calories 429
    % Daily Value*
    Total Fat 16.5g 21%
    Saturated Fat 4.6g 23%
    Cholesterol 15mg 5%
    Sodium 160mg 7%
    Total Carbohydrate 70.5g 26%
    Dietary Fiber 3.8g 14%
    Total Sugars 43.2g  
    Protein 2g  
    Vitamin D 4mcg 20%
    Calcium 28mg 2%
    Iron 1mg 8%
    Potassium 116mg 2%
    *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice.
    Keyword Autumn, baked, broil, christmas, fall, fruit, holiday, marshmallow, nuts, orange, oven, sweet, sweet potato, thanksgiving, toasted, vegetable, yam

     

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    Hi, I'm Angela I’m Angela, a petite mom that loves to cook, eat and explore all things food. I have been cooking since I could pull up a stool to finally reach the counter. I still rely on my trusty stool every day. I am a former personal chef turned blogger that enjoys cooking with and for my family, traveling to try new cuisine, and constantly learning about food, drink, & how it touches all our lives.

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