Joanna Gaines’ Sweet Potato Casserole

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If you’re looking for something a little different to add to your Thanksgiving dinner this year, you have to try Joanna Gaines’ Sweet Potato Casserole! This isn’t your typical sweet potato casserole, and after making it for my family, I can tell you it’s one recipe that deserves a spot on your holiday table.

For as long as I can remember, we’ve always made the same old canned yams recipe for Thanksgiving. You know the one with the sweet potatoes, brown sugar, butter, and marshmallows. While there’s nothing wrong with an old family favorite, sometimes it’s fun to switch things up and try something new.

I came across this recipe while watching an episode of Magnolia Table with Joanna Gaines, and it immediately caught my attention. The combination of creamy sweet potatoes, a crunchy cornflake and pecan topping, and toasted marshmallows looked absolutely amazing.

But here’s the best part!

One of my daughters, who is a pretty picky eater, actually said she wanted to try it after watching Joanna make it on the show. That alone was enough to convince me we needed to give it a try. And guess what? She loved it!

I think we may have found our new Thanksgiving sweet potato recipe because this one is definitely making its way onto our holiday menu this year.

What Is Sweet Potato Casserole?

Sweet potato casserole is a traditional holiday side dish made with cooked sweet potatoes that are mashed or whipped until smooth, combined with ingredients like butter, sugar, milk, and eggs, and baked until warm and fluffy.

Depending on the recipe, sweet potato casserole can have a variety of toppings, including brown sugar, pecans, streusel, or marshmallows.

Joanna Gaines’ version takes this classic Thanksgiving dish up a notch with a delicious combination of textures and flavors. The sweet potato filling is creamy and smooth, while the topping adds a buttery crunch from crushed cornflakes, chopped pecans, and brown sugar. Mini marshmallows are added at the end and lightly toasted under the broiler.

It’s almost like having dessert alongside your Thanksgiving dinner!

Why You’ll Love Joanna Gaines’ Sweet Potato Casserole

• A fun twist on a classic: If you’ve been making the same sweet potato recipe for years, this is a great way to change things up.
• Amazing flavor combination: The sweet potatoes, vanilla, butter, pecans, and brown sugar come together beautifully.
• The perfect texture: Creamy sweet potatoes paired with a crunchy topping and gooey toasted marshmallows make every bite delicious.
• Family approved: Even my picky daughter loved this recipe, which is always a win in my book!
• Perfect for Thanksgiving: It’s a wonderful addition to your holiday menu and pairs beautifully with turkey and all your favorite Thanksgiving sides.

Ingredients

One of the things I like about this recipe is that it uses simple ingredients that you can easily find at your local grocery store.

Sweet Potato Filling

• Sweet potatoes
• Granulated sugar
• Heavy cream
• Unsalted butter
• Whole milk
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Kosher salt

Cornflake Pecan Topping

• Crushed cornflakes
• Chopped pecans
• Light brown sugar
• Melted butter
• Mini marshmallows

The cornflakes are what make this topping a little different from other sweet potato casserole recipes. They add a buttery crunch that pairs perfectly with the creamy sweet potato filling.

And of course, you can’t forget the toasted marshmallows!

How to Make Joanna Gaines’ Sweet Potato Casserole

This recipe takes a little time because the sweet potatoes are roasted in the oven first, but the actual hands-on preparation is pretty simple.

Start by preheating your oven to 450°F.

Wash the sweet potatoes, poke each one several times with a fork, and wrap them individually in aluminum foil.

Place them in the oven and roast for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until they are fork-tender.

Allow them to cool for about 20 minutes before handling.

Reduce the oven temperature to 375°F and grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.

Remove the skins from the cooled sweet potatoes and place the flesh in a large mixing bowl.

Add the sugar, heavy cream, softened butter, milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt.

Using a hand mixer, beat everything together for about 3 to 5 minutes until the mixture is smooth and creamy.

Spread the sweet potato mixture evenly into your prepared baking dish.

In a separate bowl, combine the crushed cornflakes, chopped pecans, brown sugar, and melted butter.

Stir everything together until the cornflakes and pecans are coated with the buttery mixture.

Sprinkle the topping evenly over the sweet potatoes.

Place the casserole in your preheated 375°F oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown.

Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the mini marshmallows evenly over the top.

Turn your oven to broil and place the casserole under the broiler for about 1 minute, just until the marshmallows are lightly browned and bubbly.

Keep a close eye on them because marshmallows can go from perfectly toasted to burnt pretty quickly!

Serve warm and enjoy!

Tips for Making the Best Sweet Potato Casserole

Roast your sweet potatoes instead of boiling them. Roasting makes the sweet potatoes tender and gives you a wonderful base for the casserole.

Let the sweet potatoes cool before mixing. This makes them much easier to handle when removing the skins.

Use plain cornflakes. You’ll want regular, unsweetened cornflakes for the topping. They provide just the right amount of crunch without making the casserole overly sweet.

Watch the marshmallows carefully. They toast very quickly under the broiler, so don’t walk away from the oven!

Make sure to spread the topping evenly. You want a little bit of that crunchy pecan and cornflake topping in every bite.

Can You Make Sweet Potato Casserole Ahead of Time?

Yes! Thanksgiving is busy enough without having to prepare every single dish on the same day.

You can roast the sweet potatoes and prepare the filling ahead of time. Store the prepared filling covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to assemble the casserole.

You can also prepare the cornflake and pecan topping separately and store it in an airtight container.

When you’re ready to bake, spread the filling into your baking dish, add the topping, and bake according to the recipe directions. Add the marshmallows right before serving.

What to Serve With Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet potato casserole is one of those dishes that goes with just about everything on your Thanksgiving table.

I love how the sweetness balances out all the savory dishes we usually serve during the holidays.

Here are a few dishes that would be delicious alongside this casserole:

• Roast turkey
• Honey glazed ham
• Mashed potatoes and gravy
• Green bean casserole
• Homemade dinner rolls
• Stuffing or dressing
• Joanna Gaines’ Holiday Cranberry Sauce

If you’re still planning your Thanksgiving menu, be sure to check out my collection of Thanksgiving Side Dishes for Your Holiday Table.

Other Thanksgiving and Joanna Gaines Recipes You’ll Love

If you’re like me and enjoy trying new recipes for the holidays, here are a few more recipes from Recipes Made With Love that you might want to add to your menu.

More Thanksgiving Recipes

• Joanna Gaines’ Holiday Cranberry Sauce – A homemade cranberry sauce with fresh cranberries, orange juice, and cinnamon. It’s an easy way to replace the canned cranberry sauce on your Thanksgiving table.
• Thanksgiving Side Dishes for Your Holiday Table – A collection of delicious side dish ideas to help you plan your holiday meal.
• Twice Baked Potatoes – Creamy, cheesy potatoes that are always a hit with the family.

More Joanna Gaines Recipes

• Joanna Gaines’ Skillet Peach Cobbler – A delicious old-fashioned peach cobbler with a buttery topping.
• Joanna Gaines’ Maple Pecan Baked Oatmeal – A cozy breakfast recipe with maple syrup, pecans, and cinnamon.
• Joanna Gaines’ Apple Baked Beans – A sweet and savory side dish with apples, bacon, and baked beans.
• Joanna Gaines’ Cannoli Dip – An easy dessert dip that’s perfect for sharing.

Final Thoughts

I always love finding recipes that become new family favorites, especially when they come from trying something a little different than what we’ve always made.

Our family has been making the same canned yams recipe for Thanksgiving for years, but I think Joanna Gaines’ Sweet Potato Casserole might just be taking its place this year.

The creamy sweet potato filling, crunchy pecan and cornflake topping, and toasted marshmallows make such an amazing combination. And when you can get even your picky eaters to try something new and actually love it, you know you’ve found a winner!

I’ll definitely be adding this one to our Thanksgiving menu, and I have a feeling it will be requested for years to come.