Description
This Easy Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams is a simple and comforting dish perfect for holiday dinners or family gatherings. Made quickly with canned yams, it combines a sweet, buttery yam base with a festive topping of toasted miniature marshmallows and crunchy chopped pecans. The casserole bakes to a warm, creamy texture and finishes under the broiler for a golden, bubbly marshmallow crust.
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potato Mixture
- 1 (40 ounce) can cooked yams, drained
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Topping
- 8 ounces miniature marshmallows
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare a 1-quart baking dish by spraying it with cooking spray to prevent sticking, then set it aside.
- Mash the yams and mix: Drain the canned yams thoroughly. Transfer them to a large mixing bowl and mash using a potato masher or the back of a wooden spoon until smooth with a few lumps. Stir in the melted butter, brown sugar, egg, cinnamon, and salt until everything is fully combined and uniform.
- Bake the yam mixture: Spread the sweet potato mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Place it uncovered in the oven and bake for 30 minutes to heat through and let the flavors meld.
- Add topping and broil: Remove the dish from the oven and evenly distribute the miniature marshmallows and chopped pecans on top. Change your oven setting to broil and place the dish on the upper-middle rack. Broil for 1-2 minutes, carefully watching, until the marshmallows have puffed up and developed a light golden-brown color.
- Serve and enjoy: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. The combination of creamy yams, sweet marshmallows, and crunchy pecans makes a deliciously festive side dish.
Notes
- You can substitute fresh sweet potatoes cooked and mashed for canned yams if preferred, adjusting the moisture accordingly.
- Use unsalted butter to control the salt level; adjust salt to taste if using salted butter.
- Keep a close eye during broiling as marshmallows can burn quickly.
- For a nuttier flavor, toast the pecans lightly before sprinkling on top.
- This dish is best served warm but can be reheated covered in the oven.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes baking + 1-2 minutes broiling
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: sweet potato casserole, canned yams recipe, holiday side dish, sweet potato side, marshmallow sweet potato casserole, easy sweet potato casserole
