Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Crumble and Meringue

Trade traditional sweet potato casserole for this better-for-you alternative, which still features everything you love about the classic version. This is a must-have for this season’s Thanksgiving meal lineup, featuring fluffy marshmallow meringue and a pecan and brown sugar center.

Are you a sweet potato casserole with nuts person or one who prefers marshmallows on top? People are generally on one side or the other, but I actually prefer both!

After living in Holland and learning that the marshmallow topping was, well, unusual, I started swapping the marshmallows with a homemade meringue. Then I added a crunchy pecan crumble to have the best of both worlds! Crunchy and creamy.

the ultimate Thanksgiving side dish

• Textures Galore: I am a sensory scientist, after all! Various textures create intrigue and joy when we eat, and who doesn’t want a little more joy?!
• Classic Flavors: Keeping this vegetarian doesn’t mean completely changing a staple. It still has those fall flavors of cinnamon, pecans, and nutmeg.
• Easy: The meringue is the hardest part of this whole dish. But with some helpful tips and step-by-step photos, I’ll walk you through exactly how to make foolproof meringue!

Here’s what you’ll need

Sweet potato casserole calls for three sections of ingredients. Let’s break it down! This is just an overview; jump to the recipe card for full measurements!

Mashed Sweet Potatoes

• Sweet Potatoes: These add natural sweetness and are the bulk of the casserole.
• The Basics: Milk and butter help turn this into a smooth and creamy filling. We’ll also need some butter for the pecan crumble.
• Spices: Grab vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt to flavor the sweet potatoes.
• Eggs: We’ll need whole eggs, but we want to separate the yolks and the whites. The yolks are for the filling and the whites will be for the meringue.

pecan crumble

• Pecans: Of course, we need these! Walnuts will work, too, but I recommend lightly roasting them. Otherwise, walnuts can be bitter raw.
• Flour: All-purpose flour or a 1:1 gluten-free flour will work.
• Brown Sugar: To sweeten the crumble and double down on the toasted and nutty notes.

Meringue

• Cream of Tartar: This helps to stabilize the egg whites so they don’t fall after being whipped.
• Sugar: Any white sugar will work. You can also use powdered sugar.

here’s how to make it

This healthy sweet potato casserole is one recipe that takes a lot of love to prepare, but the result is so worth it. You’ll have a dish filled with fluffy, cinnamony potatoes topped with a mouth-watering, tangy meringue when all is said and done. This is just an overview; jump to the recipe card for full instructions!

Step 1: Prepare the Sweet Potatoes
First, preheat the oven to 350°F (176°C). Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Chop the sweet potatoes and throw them in. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes, or until fork tender, and then drain. Mash the potatoes until smooth. 

Add the butter, milk, vanilla, cinnamon and salt. Stir until combined and then set aside until cooled (room temperature).

Step 2: Bake the Crumble
Pour the sweet potato mix into a casserole dish. Then, combine the butter, pecans, flour, and brown sugar in a small bowl. Sprinkle it on the casserole and bake for 25 minutes or until the pecan crumble is crisp. 

Step 3: Make the Meringue
While the crumble bakes, add the egg whites to a clean bowl and begin beating at medium speed. When they become frothy, add the tartar and begin adding the sugar. Gradually add the sugar until it’s fully incorporated, beating until firm, glossy peaks form. 

When the pecan crumble is crispy, spread the meringue on top. Return the dish to the top rack of the oven for 3 minutes, until golden brown (watch closely to prevent burning).  

make it a full Thanksgiving feast

To complete the Thanksgiving lineup, here are some more delicious recipes to prepare!

• Vegetarian Thanksgiving Dinner on a Sheet Pan: This is one of our most popular recipes, and for good reason!
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Grapes: We need veggies for Thanksgiving dinner.
• Autumn Pomegranate Salad: With all the fall flavors, this is a refreshing side to pair with sweet potato casserole.
• Vegan Bread Stuffing: Another holiday staple, this vegan stuffing ensures everyone can have some!