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    Home / Recipes / Sides

    Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams

    By Lisa MarcAurele · Oct 31, 2023 · This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosures.

    Jump to Recipe
    Sweet potato casserole with pecans and marshmallows, made with canned yams.
    Sweet potato casserole made with canned yams is a delicious and comforting dish.
    Sweet potato casserole featuring the use of canned yams.
    Scrumptious sweet potato casserole made with canned yams, cooked in a skillet.

    Dive into savory sweetness when you serve this heavenly sweet potato casserole with canned yams. You won't be able to resist the taste!

    A skillet with sweet potato casserole and pecans.

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    This classic dish is perfect for holidays but can be enjoyed at any meal. The comforting and flavorful casserole is made with just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time.

    Using canned yams provides a time-saving advantage without compromising on taste. The yams are already peeled and cooked, which means no more hours spent boiling or baking sweet potatoes from scratch.

    While some may argue that using fresh sweet potatoes is always best, there's nothing wrong with embracing convenience when cooking. Canned yams can be just as delicious as their fresh counterparts if you choose high-quality brands.

    Reasons to Love

    • Quick and easy preparation. Using canned yams instead of fresh sweet potatoes makes the preparation process much faster.
    • Creamy and crunchy textures. When you take a bite, you'll experience the smooth and velvety consistency of the mashed sweet potatoes, complemented by the delightful crunch of the crispy pecan topping.
    • A delightful blend of flavors. The natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes pairs perfectly with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.

    Ingredients

    The great thing about this canned sweet potato casserole recipe is that you only need a few ingredients. You probably already have all the items right in your kitchen.

    A tabletop with sweet potato casserole ingredients.

    Here's what you'll need to make the recipe:

    • canned yams
    • butter
    • vanilla extract
    • cinnamon
    • nutmeg
    • egg
    • salt
    • mini marshmallows
    • chopped pecans

    Scroll down to the recipe card for quantities used.

    Instructions

    Ready to make this recipe? To start, preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Then, drain the liquid from the can and rinse the yams before transferring to a mixing bowl. Beat them with an electric mixer (or press with a potato masher) until smooth and creamy.

    A person adding melted butter to ingredients in a bowl with canned yams.

    Add the melted butter and vanilla extract to the mashed yams.

    A person holding spices over canned yams in bowl.

    Sprinkle in the cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.

    Beaten canned yams in a bowl with a whisk.

    Mix until the ingredients are well blended into the yams. Add in the egg, and beat until creamy.

    A skillet full of sweet potato casserole canned yams mixture.

    Spread the sweet potato mixture into a well-greased small oven-safe skillet or baking dish.

    A sweet potato casserole with canned yams topped with marshmallows and pecans.

    Bake for 20 minutes. Remove, and top with the mini marshmallows and chopped pecans.

    A skillet filled with sweet potato casserole and pecans.

    Bake for another 5-10 minutes or until the marshmallows have browned on top.

    Hint: It's important to drain the yams thoroughly. This will help remove excess liquid from the can, preventing your casserole from becoming too watery. Simply open the can of yams and pour out the syrup or liquid they are packed in.

    Variations

    Another winning aspect of this recipe is its versatility. You can easily customize it to suit your preferences. Here are a few ideas to try:

    • Decadent - incorporate other ingredients like crushed pineapples or orange zest for a citrusy zing.
    • Flavor - experiment with different spices such as cardamom or allspice to add depth and complexity to your flavor profile.
    • Sweet - Feel free to add brown sugar to the yam mixture if you like your casserole sweeter.

    Check out how to make frozen sweet potato fries in the air fryer if you love yam.

    Tips

    Top tip: To achieve a smooth and creamy texture, use an electric mixer or food processor to make the yam mixture.

    • Bake with Care: Bake the casserole until it's heated through and the topping is golden brown. Be cautious not to overbake, as it can dry out the sweet potatoes.
    • Make-ahead: Sweet potato casserole can be made ahead of time. Prepare the casserole, cover it, and refrigerate. You can then bake it when you're ready to serve it.
    • Broil: Place the casserole under the broiler instead of baking if you want to brown the topping quickly.
    A spoon is being used to take a scoop of a sweet potato casserole.

    Serving suggestions

    This sweet side dish is often served during holiday meals and special occasions. When it comes to serving, it pairs wonderfully with various main dishes like roast turkey and baked ham.

    You can also serve it with grilled chicken or slow cooker pork loin. If you prefer vegetarian options, try it with mushroom risotto or a hearty ratatouille.

    Storage

    Wondering how long leftover sweet potato casserole will last in the fridge? You can refrigerate it for up to four days.

    Just make sure to store it in an airtight container or cover it tightly with aluminum foil before placing it in the refrigerator. This will help maintain its freshness and prevent any unwanted odors from seeping into the dish.

    To reheat, cover with foil and place in a preheated 350°F oven until heated. It should take about 10 to 15 minutes depending on the amount.

    A skillet with sweet potato casserole in it.

    Related Recipes

    Looking for more easy side dishes that won't make more than you need? Check out some of these recipes:

    • Green beans with garlic butter are perfectly seasoned and full of flavor.
    • Crock-pot mac and cheese is the ultimate cheesy delight.
    • Cabbage steaks in oven are warm and comforting.
    • Scalloped potatoes for two is sure to be a hit.
    • Southern fried cabbage recipe is an easy dish made in a skillet.

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    Recipe

    A delectable sweet potato casserole with canned yams topped with pecans and marshmallows, cooked to perfection in a skillet.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Review Recipe

    Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams

    4.98 from 39 votes
    Discover the secret to a delicious sweet potato casserole with canned yams. This recipe will surely be a hit and become a personal favorite.
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time25 minutes mins
    Total Time35 minutes mins
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian
    Servings (Adjustable): 2
    Calories: 566kcal
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    Ingredients

    • 15 ounces canned yams rinsed and drained
    • 2 tablespoon butter melted
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
    • pinch nutmeg
    • 1 large egg
    • Salt to taste
    • 1 cup mini marshmallows
    • ¼ cup chopped pecans

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
    • Place the yams, butter, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt into a mixing bowl, and blend until well combined.
    • Add in the egg, and beat until creamy.
    • Spread the mixture into a well-greased small oven-safe skillet or baking dish.
    • Bake for 20 minutes. Remove, and top with the mini marshmallows and pecans.
    • Bake for another 5-10 minutes or until the marshmallows have browned on top.

    Notes

    To achieve a smooth and creamy texture, use an electric mixer or food processor to make the yam mixture.
     
    Bake the casserole until it's heated and the topping is golden brown. Be cautious not to over bake, as it can dry out the sweet potatoes.
     
    Sweet potato casserole can be made ahead of time. Prepare the casserole, cover it, and refrigerate. You can then bake it when you're ready to serve it.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 566kcal | Carbohydrates: 82g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 123mg | Sodium: 169mg | Potassium: 1831mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 786IU | Vitamin C: 37mg | Calcium: 64mg | Iron: 2mg

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    About Lisa MarcAurele

    Lisa MarcAurele is a blogger and cookbook author. She created Little Bit Recipes to help people save money by minimizing leftovers when cooking for one or two people. Lisa is also a co-founder of Daily Life Travels, where you can discover new places to visit and things to do. You can sign up for her recipe emails to see all her latest content.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      4.98 from 39 votes (38 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Jane

      February 05, 2024 at 2:26 am

      5 stars
      It was my first time making sweet potato casserole with marshmallows. I thought it was a weird pairing, but oh my gosh! I totally love how it came out, the sweetness was just right for me and the pecans really added some texture and crunchiness!

      Reply

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