Rich aromas of vanilla and toasted pecans fill the kitchen as this dish bakes, signaling that a comforting meal is moments away. This Ruth Chris Sweet Potato Casserole combines fluffy sweet potatoes with a buttery, brown sugar crust that James asks for every holiday. It's a homemade side dish that rivals the famous restaurant version, Ruth's Chris Sweet Potato Casserole, bringing warmth to any family gathering.
Why You'll Love This
This casserole transforms simple root vegetables into a decadent side that feels almost like a dessert. The contrast between the velvety, airy filling and the thick, crunchy pecan topping creates a Sweet Potato Crunch Casserole texture that everyone at the table enjoys. It is rich without being overly heavy, and the reliable instructions ensure it comes out golden and bubbly every time.
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Ingredients
This recipe relies on standard pantry staples to create a Ruth Chris Sweet Potato Casserole that tastes luxurious but is simple to assemble. You can easily use fresh potatoes or swap in Sweet Potato Casserole With Canned Yams if you are short on time.
The full Ruth Chris Sweet Potato Casserole instructions are right in the card below.
Core Ingredients
- Sweet Potatoes: Cooked and mashed to form the creamy base of the dish.
- White Sugar: Sweetens the potato mixture just enough to enhance the natural flavors.
- Eggs: Provide structure and richness, helping the casserole puff up slightly.
- Butter: Melted into both the filling and the crust for that essential savory depth.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm aromatic note that complements the pecans.
Topping Ingredients
- Brown Sugar: Creates a deep, caramel-like flavor in the crust.
- Pecans: Chopped nuts add a necessary crunch and nutty flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour: Binds the sugar and butter into a crumbly streusel.
How to Make Ruth Chris Sweet Potato Casserole (Step-by-Step)
This method ensures a light texture and a crisp topping, similar to a Sweet Potato Casserole Boston Market Copycat but with a homemade touch.
Prep Oven Preheat your oven to 375°F and coat a medium casserole dish with nonstick spray. This prevents sticking so the casserole lifts out easily.
Make Crust Mix the brown sugar, flour, chopped pecans, and melted butter in a small bowl until crumbly. Chill this mixture in the fridge so the topping stays crisp during baking.
Mix Filling Beat the sweet potatoes, sugar, salt, vanilla, eggs, and melted butter in a large bowl for 3-4 minutes. This incorporates air to ensure a light, fluffy texture rather than a dense mash.
Bake Base Pour the potato mixture into the prepared dish and bake for 25 minutes. This initial bake sets the custard-like base before the heavy topping is added.
How do I know when the base is ready for the topping? You will notice the edges beginning to set while the center remains slightly soft.
Add Topping Sprinkle the chilled pecan crumble evenly over the top and bake for another 10-20 minutes. The casserole is ready when the crumble is golden brown.
Tips
The secret to a great Ruth Chris Sweet Potato Casserole lies in the temperature of your ingredients and the timing of the crust. Here are a few ways to ensure your Make Ahead Sweet Potato Casserole turns out beautifully.
Don't Overbake → keeps the center moist → look for a slight jiggle in the middle.
Chill the Crust → keeping the butter cold prevents spreading → look for distinct crumbs after baking.
Beat the Potatoes → adds air for fluffiness → look for a lighter, smoother texture.
Room Temp Eggs → mixes more evenly into the batter → look for a uniform orange color.
Follow Aliana on Pinterest →Variations
You can easily adapt this dish to suit different dietary needs or flavor preferences. For a Gluten Free Sweet Potato Casserole, simply substitute the all-purpose flour in the crust with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. Some families prefer adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the filling for extra warmth, or swapping half the pecans for walnuts if that is what you have on hand.
Storage
If you have leftovers, this casserole stores surprisingly well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Cover the dish tightly with foil or plastic wrap to maintain the moisture of the potatoes and the texture of the Sweet Potato Casserole With Streusel topping. To reheat, place individual portions in the microwave or warm the entire dish in the oven at 350°F until heated through.
Serving Suggestions
This Ruth Chris Sweet Potato Casserole pairs perfectly with savory main courses like roasted turkey, glazed ham, or a hearty pot roast. The sweetness of the dish balances salty, savory meats, making it a staple for traditional feasts and Candy Yams Recipes Southern spreads. Serve it warm alongside green beans or roasted Brussels sprouts to complete a colorful and balanced holiday plate.
FAQs About Ruth Chris Sweet Potato Casserole
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the potato filling and the crust separately a day in advance. Store the filling in the baking dish and the crust in a baggie in the fridge, then assemble and bake before serving, which is great for a Sweet Potato Au Gratin style meal plan.
Can I use canned yams?
Absolutely, you can use canned yams instead of fresh sweet potatoes. Just be sure to drain them very well before mashing to avoid adding excess liquid to the mixture.
Why is my topping soggy?
A soggy topping usually happens if the butter was too warm or if the casserole was covered while hot. Chill your crust mixture before baking and always let the casserole cool uncovered to maintain the crunch.
How do I mash the potatoes smoothly?
For the smoothest texture, bake or boil your potatoes until very tender, then peel and use a ricer or a hand mixer. Avoid a food processor, as it can make the potatoes gummy instead of fluffy.
More Recipes You'll Love
Dinner allows for wonderful sides, and this Ruth Chris Sweet Potato Casserole is just the beginning of our holiday favorites. If you enjoy this, you might also like trying a Cracker Barrel Sweet Potato Casserole variation or other comforting classics.
Whipped this up already? Show it off on Pinterest @AlianaRecipes - your version might inspire someone!
Ruth Chris Sweet Potato Casserole
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and spray a medium casserole dish with nonstick spray.
- Mix brown sugar, flour, pecans, and ⅓ cup melted butter in a bowl, then chill in the fridge. This keeps the topping firm so it doesn't melt into the potatoes.
- Beat sweet potatoes, white sugar, salt, vanilla, eggs, and ½ cup melted butter in a large bowl for 3-4 minutes. This incorporates air to create a light, fluffy texture.
- Pour the mixture into the baking dish and bake for 25 minutes to set the base.
- Sprinkle the chilled pecan mixture evenly over the top and bake for another 10-20 minutes. The casserole is ready when the crumble is golden brown.
- Let the dish sit for a few minutes before serving to allow the filling to firm up.
Nutrition
Notes
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Ruth Chris Sweet Potato Casserole:
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