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Mini Sweet Potato Casserole

This Mini Sweet Potato Casserole with mini marshmallows and crunchy pecans is light, fluffy, and has just the right sweetness and creamy texture. This small batch recipe for two is a favorite Thanksgiving side dish. Try it for an intimate Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas dinner, holiday meal, or any day of the year.

Why I love this recipe

With just 7 ingredients and 35 minutes, you can have a favorite holiday side dish on our Thanksgiving table. We serve it alongside this Turkey breast, this green bean casserole, and these homemade dinner rolls.

Mini Sweet Potato Casserole in a baking dish.
Mini Sweet Potato Casserole

For more about this magical flavor combination read The History of a Match Made in Thanksgiving: Sweet Potatoes and Marshmallows.

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Ingredients

(amounts are listed in the recipe card at the bottom of the post)

sweet potato

brown sugar (light or dark)

unsalted butter

salt

vanilla extract

pecans

miniature marshmallows

Substitutions

You can use canned sweet potatoes instead of fresh sweet potatoes. Use about 8 ounces or 1 cup of canned.

You can make this a nut-free version by omitting the pecans.

Use light brown sugar or dark brown sugar.

If you want to serve individual portions you can make two mini sweet potato casseroles using two 10-ounce ramekin dishes.

If you have large marshmallows cut them into smaller pieces for this recipe.

Equipment used for this recipe

How to make Mini Sweet Potato Casserole

Step 1 – Preheat the oven temperature to 375 degrees F.

Step 2 – Peel the sweet potato and dice it into 1-inch cubes on a cutting board.

Step 3 – Add the sweet potato cubes to a medium saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring the water to a boil. Reduce the heat to low heat, and simmer for 15 minutes or until very tender.

cubed sweet potatoes cooking in a pan.

Step 4 – Drain the water off of the potatoes using a colander and cool slightly.

Step 5 – Place potatoes in the bowl of a stand mixer (or medium bowl and hand mixer).

Step 6 – Add the brown sugar, butter, salt, and vanilla. Mix until the potatoes are mashed and the mixture is well combined.

sweet potato mixture mashed in a bowl.

Step 7 – Fold in 1 tablespoon of the chopped pecans.

Step 8 – Coat an 18.6 oz oven-safe baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Scoop the sweet potato mixture into the dish in an even layer and spread out to flatten the top.

mashed sweet potato mixture pressed into a baking dish.

Step 9 – Sprinkle with the remaining 1 tablespoon of chopped pecans.

pecans sprinkled on top of sweet potato casserole.

Step 10 – Top with the mini marshmallows.

marshmallows on top of sweet potato casserole.

Step 11 – Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans and Marshmallows baked in a dish.
Mini Sweet Potato Casserole

Serve and Enjoy!

Mini Sweet Potato Casserole in a baking dish.
Mini Sweet Potato Casserole

Pro Tips

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days. To freeze this cooked sweet potato casserole, let it come to room temperature, then store it in a sealed container or freezer bag.

Recipe FAQs

Are canned yams and sweet potatoes the same?

True yams have rough, dark brown skin similar to tree bark, and their flesh is dry and starchy like a regular potato. Sweet potatoes have smooth red-ish colored skin, softer flesh, and a sweet flavor. Yams are rarely found in an American grocery store. Canned yams are actually sweet potatoes.

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Yield: Serves 2

Mini Sweet Potato Casserole

Mini Sweet Potato Casserole in a baking dish.

This mini sweet potato casserole with marshmallows and pecans is light, fluffy, and has just the right sweetness. Just 7 ingredients and 35 minutes!

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 large fresh sweet potato
  • 3 Tablespoons packed brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter (room temperature)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 Tablespoons finely chopped pecans (divided)
  • 1/2 cup miniature marshmallows

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  2. Peel the sweet potato and cut it into 1-inch cubes on a cutting board.
  3. Cover the sweet potato cubes in a medium saucepan with cold water. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, and simmer for 15 minutes or until very tender.
  4. Drain the potatoes using a colander and cool slightly.
  5. Place potatoes in the bowl of a stand mixer (or medium bowl and hand mixer).
  6. Add the brown sugar, butter, salt, and vanilla and mix until mashed and well combined.
  7. Fold in 1 tablespoon chopped pecans.
  8. Coat an 18.6 oz oven-safe baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
  9. Scoop the mashed sweet potatoes into the dish in an even layer.
  10. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 tablespoon chopped pecans.
  11. Top with marshmallows and bake for 15 minutes or until golden.

Notes

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days. To freeze this cooked sweet potato casserole, let it come to room temperature, then store it in a sealed container or freezer bag.
  • You can use canned sweet potatoes instead of fresh sweet potatoes. Use about 8 ounces or 1 cup of canned.
  • You can make this a nut-free version by omitting the pecans.
  • Use light brown sugar or dark brown sugar.
  • If you want to serve individual portions you can make two mini sweet potato casseroles using two 10-ounce ramekin dishes.
  • If you have large marshmallows cut them into smaller pieces for this recipe.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

2

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 283Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 312mgCarbohydrates: 46gFiber: 4gSugar: 29gProtein: 3g

Nutrition information is a guideline only, is calculated automatically by third party software, and absolute accuracy is not guaranteed.

Did you like this recipe?

Please leave a comment on this post and pin this recipe on Pinterest.

Hi and welcome. I’m Zona and I have a passion for recipes. I share recipes, tips, tricks, and resources to help you cook for two. Eat, drink, and enjoy!

Sweet Potato Casserole Web Story

Mini Sweet Potato Casserole in a baking dish.
Mini Sweet Potato Casserole
Mini Sweet Potato Casserole in a baking dish.
Mini Sweet Potato Casserole

Amy

Thursday 17th of November 2022

Can I increase this recipe? I don't want a full 13x9 version but maybe an 8x8...to serve a few more than 2.

Zona

Thursday 17th of November 2022

Hi Amy, yes you should be able to double this and use an 8x8. Enjoy :)

Missy

Sunday 6th of June 2021

Thank you for these recipes "for two". So much easier than trying to convert amounts and the recipes are amazing!!!

Zona

Monday 7th of June 2021

You're welcome! I'm happy you are enjoying my recipes, thank you :)

Hope

Monday 16th of November 2020

Can I use canned yams instead? If so how many cans would you recommend?

Carol

Thursday 21st of October 2021

@Hope, yes you can use canned yams I've done it several times

Zona

Tuesday 17th of November 2020

Hi Hope, I have not tried making this with canned. If you try it you would probably need around 10 oz or 1/3 of a 29 oz can. Since they are already cooked you would not need to boil them per my steps 2 - 4. Good luck, let me know how it turns out for you :)

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