Description
This Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole is a creamy, flavorful, and easy-to-make side dish perfect for Thanksgiving or any cozy meal. Featuring real ingredients like fresh sweet potatoes, warm whole milk, maple syrup, and toasted pecans, this casserole is cooked slowly to perfection, freeing up your oven space and filling your kitchen with a delightful aroma.
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
- Prepare Sweet Potatoes: Place sweet potato chunks in the bottom of a large (5 1/2- to 7-quart) slow cooker. Pour in 1 1/2 cups of 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 Mix Ingredients: Drain any remaining 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 ground ginger. Mix thoroughly until smooth and well combined.
- Heat Through: Cover the slow cooker again and cook on LOW for an additional 15 to 30 minutes to ensure everything is heated through and flavors meld.
- Add Topping and Serve: Before serving, gently stir the mashed sweet potatoes to smooth the surface, then evenly sprinkle the toasted chopped pecans on top. Serve warm.
- Store Leftovers: Transfer any leftovers into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 to 5 days.
Notes
- This casserole is a great make-ahead side dish that saves oven space during busy holiday meals.
- Use pure maple syrup for the best natural sweetness and flavor.
- To toast pecans, spread them on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 5-7 minutes or until fragrant, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Ensure the slow cooker size is adequate (5 1/2 to 7 quarts) for even cooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 309 kcal
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 322 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 12 mg
