This Easter Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows is our favorite holiday side dish. It is a perfect side dish for Easter, thanksgiving dinner or for special occasions.

a slice of sweet potato casserole on a white plate with a white kitchen towel in the background

Sweet potatoes are one of my favorite root vegetables and they are easily found in the grocery stores. When purchasing sweet potatoes from the grocery store look for firm, smooth potatoes without blemishes. Any bruising, cracks, soft spots or sprouting should be avoided.

fresh sweet potatoes sitting on a counter top that is white with grey and black specks

Once you picked out the perfect sweet potatoes you can start making this classic sweet potato casserole. It is very simple to make and is a family favorite that looks appetizing when sitting on the holiday table. It makes me think of grandmas house, comforting and inviting.

sweet potato casserole removed from the oven and sitting on a cooling rack to cool

This is the best sweet potato casserole recipe and its a perfect side dish. Sweet potato casseroles have been around for quite some time and I can see why people still enjoy it to this day.

When was sweet potato casserole invented?

The first recipe with sweet potatoes topped with marshmallows was apparently invented in the early 1900’s. This recipe has now become a staple in many homes over the holidays. Who can resist these creamy sweet potatoes with marshmallows on top of the casserole?

What goes with sweet potato casserole?

Roasted turkey
Stuffing
Cranberry sauce
Green bean casserole
Glazed ham
Homemade mac and cheese
Mashed potatoes and gravy
Dinner rolls
Salads
Sautéed carrots
Deviled eggs
Cream Corn

These are also great options for your thanksgiving menu, Easter dinner or Christmas dinner.

a slice of sweet potatoes with marshmallows on top that are toasted on a white plate

a delicious slice of sweet potato baked with marshmallows that are toasted and sitting on a white plate

What is sweet potato casserole made of?

Fresh Sweet Potatoes
Light or dark brown sugar
Large eggs
Melted Butter
Whole milk
Salt to taste
Cinnamon
Vanilla extract
Mini marshmallows, for the marshmallow topping

A slice of Easter Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows sitting on a white serving plate

Why are eggs in sweet potato casserole?

It binds the ingredients and helps hold it together so the casserole can come out looking like the above picture.

Why does sweet potato casserole have marshmallows?

The marshmallows end up having a crunchy texture when baked and the combination of the smooth sweet potatoes makes it taste amazing. There are other recipes that have crunchy pecan crumble or ones that have a simple pecan topping. I personally have a hard time getting the little ones to eat things with nuts so if I add them I will be the only one eating the recipe, so marshmallows it is!

adding brown sugar to the sweet potatoes — Add Sugar to sweet potatoes

adding 2 eggs to the sweet potatoes — Add Sugar to sweet potatoes

adding marshmallows on top of sweet potatoes — Bake for 3-4 minutes at 500 until marshmallows are toasted

sweet potato casserole with toasted marshmallows on it — Bake for 3-4 minutes at 500 until marshmallows are toasted

How do you make sweet potato casserole?

Cook the sweet potatoes and strain well. Add them back to the pot on medium heat to cook out the rest of the water. Stir the whole time. This should take about 30 seconds at most. Set aside for a moment.
Pre heat oven to 350 f.
Grease an 8×11 casserole dish with butter and set it aside.
Mash the sweet potatoes with a potato masher and measure out 4 cups.
Add the sweet potatoes to a large bowl.
Mix in the sugar. Mix in the eggs very well. Add in the butter and mix until smooth. Mix in the salt and cinnamon. Mix in the milk. Lastly stir in the vanilla.
Pour the sweet potato mixture into the baking dish and smooth out the top.
Bake for 35 minutes in a 350 f oven or until the center is set and firm. or a thermometer reads 165 in the middle. It contains eggs so it must be cooked through.
Remove it from the oven and turn it to 500 f.
Once it reaches temperature add the marshmallows on top of the sweet potatoes making sure to cover the whole thing then bake for 3-4 minutes or until the marshmallows are golden brown.
Watch carefully as it may need to come out sooner, we don’t want anything burning.
Remove from the oven and enjoy once it cools down slightly.

sweet potatoes in a casserole dish — Sweet potato casserole before heading to the oven

sweet potatoes that are in a casserole dish that were just baked in the oven — Sweet potato casserole that came out of the oven

mini marshmallows on sweet potatoes that are about to be browned in the oven — Adding marshmallows on top

Easter Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows sitting on a cooling rack with oven mitts and a kitchen towel to the sides of it — Sweet potato casserole once the marshmallows are toasted

a slice of sweet potato casserole with mini marshmallows on it that are toasted

How do I know when my Sweet potato casserole is done?

You will know your sweet potato casserole is done baking once the center is set and firm and internal temperature is 165.

How to re-heat sweet potato casserole?

Cover the casserole dish with tin foil and bake it at 350 until it is heated through.

How long does sweet potato casserole last in the fridge?

Store leftovers for 3-5 days in the fridge covered with cling wrap or in an airtight container. It tastes great the next day!

Why is the casserole watery?

It can be caused by over boiling the sweet potatoes or not draining them properly after boiling them.

Will it thicken as it cools?

Yes, it naturally thickens due to the starch in the sweet potatoes.

Watch how to make Easter Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows on YouTube