Sweet Potato Casserole is an easy, festive side dish to make for the holidays.  

The addition of marshmallows and cherries give it a festive flair that will entice even your youngest guests to eat their vegetables!

Printable Recipe Card with a Full List of Ingredients and Instructions is Located at the Bottom of the Post.

Be sure to read through the entire post so that you don’t miss out on any important tips and tricks!

To begin I poked each sweet potato several times with a fork and then put them in the microwave.  How many you cook depends on their size.  

You need to have 4 cups for the recipe.

To calculate cooking time allow five minutes for the first one and add two minutes for each additional sweet potato.

Before removing the sweet potatoes from the microwave I poked them with a fork to make sure they were cooked through.  Then I cut them in half.

I used a spoon to scoop the flesh from the sweet potatoes into a mixing bowl and mashed them well.

Next I added all the other ingredients at the same time.  This included brown sugar, margarine, maraschino cherry juice, maraschino cherries, mini marshmallows, ground cinnamon, ground ginger and nutmeg. 

I stirred all the ingredients together well.

Then I dumped everything into a casserole dish.  I used a small round one.

Next I placed the casserole in a 375F oven for 30 minutes.

To make the casserole look festive, after I removed it from the oven, I topped it with more mini marshmallows and maraschino cherries.

I turned the broiler on and returned the casserole to the oven.  I made sure that the topping was not too close to the broiler.

The marshmallows brown very quickly so make sure to stay at the oven and watch. 

How brown you let them get  depends on personal taste.  Much the same as toasting marshmallows over the fire!

Sweet Potato Casserole is a festive side dish to add to your Holiday dinner.  The combination of sweet potatoes, spices, marshmallows and cherries will have everyone looking for a second helping of vegetables!

Printable Recipe Card with a Full List of Ingredients and Instructions is Located at the Bottom of the Post.

More Side Dishes You Will Love…

PRINTABLE VERSION OF THE RECIPE CAN BE FOUND AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE

Ingredients You’ll Need to Make this Sweet Potato Casserole:

• 4 cups cooked and mashed sweet potato
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp margarine
• 1/3 cup maraschino cherry juice
• 1 cup maraschino cherries (divided)
• 3 cups mini marshmallows (divided)
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 1/8 nutmeg

How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole:

1. Preheat oven to 375F.
2. Cook sweet potatoes in microwave on high power. Calculate 5 minutes for one potato and add 2 minutes for each additional potato. I used 4 large sweet potatoes.
3. Scoop flesh from sweet potatoes into a large mixing bowl.
4. Add the brown sugar, margarine, cherry juice, 1/3 cup of the cherries, 1/2 cup marshmallows, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg.
5. Stir to combine all ingredients well.
6. Dump ingredients into a casserole dish.
7. Bake in the 375F oven for 30 minutes.
8. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes before topping with remaining marshmallows and cherries.
9. Return to oven under the broiler for a very short time. Do not put too close to broiler because they brown very quickly. How brown you let them get depends on personal taste.
10. Remove from oven, serve and enjoy!

FAQS:

What should I serve with sweet potato casserole?

Sweet potato casserole is a delicious and popular side dish, especially during Thanksgiving and other holiday meals. Here are some ideas for what you can serve with sweet potato casserole to create a well-rounded meal:

1. Roast Turkey or Ham: Sweet potato casserole pairs well with traditional holiday meats like roast turkey or ham. The savory flavors of the meat complement the sweetness of the casserole.
2. Green Vegetables: To balance the sweetness of the casserole, consider serving green vegetables such as steamed broccoli, green beans, or Brussels sprouts. These provide a fresh and nutritious contrast.
3. Cranberry Sauce: Cranberry sauce is a classic accompaniment to Thanksgiving meals. Its tartness helps cut through the richness of the sweet potato casserole.
4. Stuffing or Dressing: Another traditional Thanksgiving side dish, stuffing or dressing, goes nicely with sweet potato casserole. The combination of flavors and textures is satisfying.  Just make sure your stuffing is gluten free.
5. Gravy: A flavorful gravy can be drizzled over the sweet potato casserole, adding a savory element to the dish. It’s particularly good if you’re serving roast turkey.
6. Salad: A light salad with fresh greens, vinaigrette dressing, and some nuts or dried fruits can provide a refreshing contrast to the richness of the casserole.
7. Dinner Rolls or Bread: Serve some warm gluten free dinner rolls or slices of gluten free crusty bread to round out the meal and soak up any delicious sauce or gravy.
8. Mashed Potatoes: While it might seem like a carb overload, mashed potatoes can complement sweet potato casserole nicely. They offer a different potato texture and taste.
9. Roasted Root Vegetables: Consider roasting a mixture of root vegetables like carrots, parsnips, and turnips. Their earthy flavors can contrast well with the sweetness of the casserole.
10. Pickles or Relish: Some people enjoy the tangy contrast of pickles or relish alongside their sweet potato casserole. It adds a zesty element to the plate.

Remember to consider the overall balance of flavors, textures, and colors when planning your meal. Ultimately, the choice of what to serve with sweet potato casserole will depend on your personal preferences and the other dishes you’re including in your holiday spread.

How do I store sweet potato casserole?

Storing sweet potato casserole is relatively straightforward. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Cooling: After baking the sweet potato casserole, allow it to cool down to room temperature. This helps prevent condensation inside the storage container, which can make the casserole soggy.
2. Portioning: If you made a large casserole and don’t plan to consume it all at once, consider portioning it into smaller servings. This makes it easier to reheat only what you need and helps maintain the casserole’s quality.
3. Storage Container: Use an airtight container or wrap the casserole tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Make sure there are no gaps or openings to prevent air from getting in. If using a container, choose one that’s the right size to minimize empty space.
4. Refrigeration: Store the sweet potato casserole in the refrigerator. It can stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
5. Reheating: When you’re ready to eat the sweet potato casserole, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake it, covered with foil, until heated through. This typically takes 20-30 minutes for refrigerated casserole and 45-60 minutes for frozen casserole. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave if needed.
6. Toppings (Optional): If your casserole had toppings like marshmallows or pecans, consider adding them just before reheating or serving to maintain their texture and flavor.

Remember that while storing sweet potato casserole, it may lose some of its initial crispiness or texture, especially if it had a crunchy topping. Nevertheless, it should still be safe to eat if stored and reheated properly. Always check for signs of spoilage (unpleasant odor, mold, off-putting appearance) before consuming leftovers.

Can I freeze sweet potato casserole?

Yes, you can freeze sweet potato casserole. Sweet potato casserole is a dish that generally freezes well, and it’s a convenient way to prepare it in advance or store leftovers. Here are some steps to follow when freezing sweet potato casserole:

1. Prepare the Casserole: Make your sweet potato casserole as you normally would, following your favorite recipe.
2. Cool to Room Temperature: Allow the casserole to cool to room temperature after baking. This helps prevent condensation from forming inside the container and causing ice crystals to form.
3. Portioning: You can freeze the entire casserole in one container or portion it into individual servings if you prefer. Using airtight containers or freezer-safe containers is essential to prevent freezer burn and maintain the quality of the dish.
4. Wrap for Extra Protection: If you’re concerned about freezer burn or want to protect the casserole further, you can wrap the container with plastic wrap or aluminum foil before sealing it with a lid.
5. Label and Date: Always label the containers with the date of freezing so you can keep track of how long they’ve been in the freezer. Sweet potato casserole can generally be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
6. Freeze: Place the containers in the freezer, making sure they are stored flat and not stacked on top of each other until they are frozen solid.
7. Thaw and Reheat: When you’re ready to enjoy the sweet potato casserole, you can thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, you can reheat it in the oven or microwave until it’s heated through. You may want to add a fresh topping or marshmallows if the original topping became soggy during freezing.

Keep in mind that the texture and quality of some casseroles may change slightly after freezing, but sweet potato casserole generally freezes well and is a convenient dish to have on hand for future meals or gatherings.