Description
This Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole is a creamy and comforting side dish perfect for Thanksgiving or any holiday meal. Made with real ingredients like fresh sweet potatoes, pure maple syrup, warm milk, and topped with toasted pecans, this recipe is easy to prepare and frees up valuable oven space. The slow cooker method ensures tender sweet potatoes with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potato Base
- 4 pounds sweet potatoes (washed, peeled, & cut into 2-inch chunks)
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1 cup whole milk (warm)
- 4 tablespoons butter (at room temperature)
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon fresh-squeezed lemon juice
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
Topping
- 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans (toasted)
Instructions
- Cook Sweet Potatoes: Place sweet potato chunks in the bottom of a large (5 1/2- to 7-quart) slow cooker and pour in the water. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours until the sweet potatoes are tender.
- Mash and Combine Ingredients: Drain the water from the slow cooker. Using a potato masher, mash the sweet potatoes directly in the slow cooker. Add warm milk, butter, maple syrup, lemon juice, vanilla extract, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Mash and mix thoroughly until smooth and well-combined.
- Heat Through: Cover the slow cooker again and cook for an additional 15 to 30 minutes to heat the mixture through evenly.
- Add Topping and Serve: Before serving, stir the sweet potatoes, smooth the surface, then evenly sprinkle the toasted pecans over the top. Serve warm.
- Store Leftovers: Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for 3 to 5 days.
Notes
- This recipe frees up oven space, making it ideal for large holiday meals.
- Using real, wholesome ingredients enhances flavor and nutrition.
- To toast pecans, spread them on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes until fragrant.
- For a smoother texture, you can use a hand mixer or immersion blender after mashing.
- Feel free to adjust the sweetness or spice levels according to your preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 309 kcal
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 322 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 12 mg
