Sweet Potato Casserole With Canned Yams

This sweet potato casserole with canned yams is warm, decadent, and comforting. Every bite is filled with flavor from the tender, perfectly cooked yams, buttery brown sugar, and gooey melted marshmallow topping. It's just delicious and will complete your Thanksgiving dinner!

The Best Sweet Potato Casserole With Canned Yams

If you love sweet potatoes, there's no better way to eat them than in this recipe.

This canned sweet potato casserole is as easy to make as it is to eat. The tenders yams are tossed in melted butter, brown sugar, and just a touch of cinnamon before being topped with chopped nuts and mini marshmallows.

It's a warm and satisfying comfort food dish that's filled with a balance of delicious flavors everyone will love. It truly makes for one of the best Thanksgiving casseroles. Honestly, it might be the best sweet potato casserole recipe ever! Right up there with this Ruth Chris sweet potato casserole, of course.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Quick and easy to make. Mash the canned yams with the butter and spices, layer it in your casserole dish with mini marshmallows and chopped nuts, and let the oven take care of the rest.

This casserole is so versatile. Whether you're serving it as a classic Thanksgiving side dish, for any other holiday, or for a regular weeknight dinner, this casserole is perfect. It's as delicious eaten as a dinner side as it is for dessert.

Family favorite. My family literally texts in the Cunningham family group chat before Thanksgiving each year to make sure someone is making this recipe. It's a huge hit with kids and adults, so it's a guaranteed winner no matter when you serve it.

Ingredients You'll Need

• Sweet potatoes- canned cooked yams for convenience. 
• Butter- melted and cooled. I used unsalted butter, but salted works too.
• Brown sugar- for that classic sweetness.
• Egg- one small egg.
• Cinnamon- for the best spice.
• Marshmallows- I used mini marshmallows.
• Pecans- chopped into pieces.

How To Make Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams and Pecan Topping

1. Prep: Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray a baking dish with some nonstick cooking spray or you can grease it with butter.

2. Mash the yams: Drain the canned yams and transfer them to a large mixing bowl. Mash the yams with a potato masher until they reach your desired consistency.

3. Combine the ingredients: Add the butter, brown sugar, egg, and cinnamon to the bowl with the mashed yams. Stir until everything is well combined, then transfer the mashed sweet potato mixture to the prepared baking dish.

4. Bake and broil: Bake the casserole for 30 minutes. Remove the casserole from the oven and top it with the mini marshmallows and pecans. Broil the casserole under the broiler for 2 minutes or until the marshmallows are lightly golden brown.

5. Serve: Allow the casserole to cool slightly, then serve as desired and enjoy!

Tips To Make The Best Recipe

• Use fresh sweet potatoes if you can't find canned yams. You'll want to cook the sweet potatoes and mash them before baking the casserole.
• Use an egg substitute, vegan butter, and vegan marshmallows to make a vegan sweet potato casserole. 
• Add vanilla extract, maple syrup, or pumpkin pie spice to the brown sugar streusel topping mix for even more flavor. 
• Add other nuts like walnuts or hazelnuts to the crunchy pecan topping.
• Don't add the marshmallows until the end of baking, or they will burn!

How To Store and Reheat Leftovers

In the fridge: Cover the casserole dish with a lid or transfer any leftovers to an airtight container and store for up to 4 days.

In the freezer: Allow the casserole to cool completely, then you can freeze it in a freezer-safe airtight container for up to 3 months.

Reheating: My favorite way to reheat the casserole is in the oven. Transfer the leftovers back to the casserole dish and reheat it at 350°F for 10-15 minutes until it reaches your desired temperature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare and assemble the casserole and store it covered in the fridge overnight. Then bake, add the topping, broil, and serve. 

Are canned sweet potatoes already cooked?

Yes, they are pre-cooked, so they can be mashed and added directly to the casserole.  

Are canned yams the same as canned sweet potatoes?

Although the terms are often used interchangeably, there is a difference. Yams tend to be more starchy and less sweet than sweet potatoes. 

More Side Dish Recipes

• Sweet potato biscuits
• Sweet potato crunch casserole
• Sweet potato cornbread
• Carrot casserole
• Pumpkin casserole
• Green bean tater tot casserole
• Corn casserole with cream cheese