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Freshly baked Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams topped with brown sugar pecan crumble in glass baking dish, served warm for Thanksgiving dinner.
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Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams

This easy Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams is a classic holiday side dish made with creamy mashed yams and topped with a buttery brown sugar pecan crumble. Perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas, this simple casserole comes together quickly using pantry staples and bakes into a rich, golden brown favorite the whole family will love.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: canned yam casserole, holiday sweet potato casserole, Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams, Thanksgiving sweet potato casserole
Servings: 8
Author: Ashley Nicole

Ingredients

Sweet Potato Layer:

  • 1 40 oz can yams, drained and mashed
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup milk
  • ¼ cup butter ½ stick, melted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Pecan Crumble Topping:

  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • ¼ cup melted butter ½ stick

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F.

Prepare the sweet potato mixture:

  • Drain the canned yams very well to prevent excess moisture. Place them in a large mixing bowl and mash until smooth.
  • Add sugar, eggs, milk, melted butter, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix until fully combined and creamy.
  • Transfer to baking dish:
  • Pour the sweet potato mixture into an 8x10 baking dish and spread evenly.

Prepare the topping:

  • In a medium bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, and chopped pecans. Stir in melted butter until the mixture becomes crumbly and resembles wet sand.
  • Assemble:
  • Spoon the crumble topping evenly over the sweet potato layer.

Bake:

  • Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the center is set.
  • Cool slightly before serving to allow the casserole to firm up.

Notes

  • Drain the yams thoroughly. Excess liquid can make the casserole runny.
  • For best texture, spread the sweet potato mixture in a thinner layer rather than a thick one. A thinner layer allows for more even baking, better caramelization around the edges, and the perfect topping-to-filling ratio.
  • Recommended baking dishes:
    • 8x8 or 8x10 dish for a thicker, traditional casserole
    • 9x13 dish for a slightly thinner layer
    • 10x15 dish if doubling the recipe for Thanksgiving
  • To double for holidays, simply double all ingredients and bake in a larger dish. You may need to add 5–10 additional minutes to the bake time.
  • Make ahead option: Prepare the sweet potato layer up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate. Add topping just before baking.