Terry’s Traditional Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping is the stuff legends are made of. It’s indescribably delicious, and decadent beyond measure. It will have your family or guests clamoring for more. And, it’s the perfect side dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter.

A large baking dish full of sweet potato casserole topped with pecans and brown sugar.

Of course, this traditional sweet potato casserole is also perfect for any other holiday gathering or special occasion. Not only is it easy and delicious, but you can make it 24-48 hours ahead and cook it whenever you are ready.

Terry’s Traditional Sweet Potato Casserole is my husband’s recipe. He makes it every year to take to our neighborhood Thanksgiving potluck party and it’s usually one of the first dishes to run-out.

I know over the years you have probably had lots of really good sweet potato casseroles, but I promise you your family and guests will absolutely swoon over this one. With a crunchy topping of pecans, brown sugar, and butter, it is addicting and deserves a place of honor on your holiday table.

Unfortunately, this casserole is not a low-calorie dish. Despite the fact that sweet potatoes are healthy, with the butter and sugar, it’s probably not a dish you should eat every night. But since it’s a holiday… well, maybe you might want to take a long walk after dinner.

More sweet potato recipes

If you like sweet potatoes as much as we do, be sure to check out these other scrumptious sweet potato recipes on my blog:

You might also want to check out my roundup post: 14 Sweet Potato Recipes.

Looking for even more options for easy and delicious Thanksgiving recipes?

10 Amazing Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes

12 Delicious Thanksgiving Dressing and Stuffing Recipes

40 Best Desserts for Thanksgiving – Recipes and Menu Ideas

12 Awesome Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes

50 Best Thanksgiving Desserts to Make Now

Terry’s Traditional Sweet Potato Casserole Ingredients

You will need canned yams or sweet potatoes, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, salt, eggs, butter, milk, ground cinnamon, flour, pecans, and vanilla extract.

Sweet potato casserole ingredients including canned yams, milk, butter and brown sugar.

How to make Terry’s Traditional Sweet Potato Casserole

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Rinse, drain and mash the sweet potatoes.

In a large bowl, combine the mashed sweet potatoes, sugar, salt, eggs, melted butter, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla. Mix well.

A clear glass bowl with eggs, brown sugar, cinnamon, butter and sweet potatoes.

Pour this mixture into a 9×13 inch casserole dish which has been lightly sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.

How to make the pecan topping

Combine, light brown sugar, flour, chopped pecans, and melted butter in a small bowl and mix well.

Pecan topping ingredients including pecans, butter and brown sugar in a clear glass bowl.

Sprinkle the topping evenly over the sweet potato mixture.

Bake the casserole uncovered for approximately 35-40 minutes or until the mixture is bubbly.

A clear glass baking dish with a sweet potato casserole topped with pecans.

Sharon’s Expert Tips

This recipe calls for two (40-ounce) cans of cut sweet potatoes in syrup. Canned sweet potatoes are sometimes called yams, so if you don’t see canned sweet potatoes, look for yams.

You can substitute six to seven cups of fresh cooked and mashed sweet potatoes for the canned sweet potatoes in this recipe.

This recipe can be made up to 48 hours ahead of time. If making ahead, cover and refrigerate until about an hour before you are ready to bake it.

★ If you make Terry’s Sweet Potato Casserole, please leave a comment and give this recipe a star rating. I would love to know how you liked it!

Thank you so much for visiting Grits and Pinecones!

📋 Recipe:

*Updated October 29, 2019, to add new pictures, expanded directions, and tips. The recipe was also revised to increase the amount of sweet potatoes added and reduce the amount of butter and sugar added.

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