Lighter Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe (2024)

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This light Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe gets its sweetness and creaminess from low-fat vanilla yogurt instead of butter, cream, and sugar.

As a Canadian, I didn’t grow up eating the classic American Sweet Potato Casserole, or very many sweet potatoes at all. When I finally tasted this traditional Thanksgiving side dish, I didn’t love it. I’m sorry. I found it too sweet and kind of strange. Marshmallows at dinner time?

That was a long time ago though. These days I’m totally on board with it! Except for, well, I’m never sure I want to have very much because I know that it’s loaded with butter and cream and those marshmallows! I’d much prefer to save my calories for this perfectly roasted turkey, the stuffing and gravy – oh, and the pumpkin pie of course!

The goal for today’s recipe was therefore to find a sweet potato casserole that both I and traditionalists will enjoy. This recipe is a touch less sweet than the classic. But you can add some extra brown sugar if you really need to. Check out the recipe below. It tells you when to taste it and when and how much sugar to add if you like it sweeter than I do.

Jump To:

  1. Video: Delicious and Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole
  2. Making Sweet Potato Casserole Lighter And Healthier
  3. What About The Topping?
  4. More Thanksgiving Recipes
  5. Podcast Episode: Making Sweet Potato Casserole
  6. Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
Lighter Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe (1)

Video: Delicious and Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole

Making Sweet Potato Casserole Lighter And Healthier

For the lightened sweet potato recipe below, I’ve played around with the basics a bit to come up with something that’s just as creamy as the original but a bit healthier. This version doesn’t have any butter or cream. Instead, the creaminess comes from vanilla yogurt. It still has the flavor you love, just with a couple tweaks to the original recipe.

To further reduce the sugar in the recipe, I’ve tweaked the classic sweet potato casserole topping by cutting back on the marshmallows. The marshmallows are still there and their brown puffiness will please traditionalists. But they don’t cover the whole casserole in melted candy.

What About The Topping?

As for the Sweet Potato Casserole Topping, I have a trick for making sure that the marshmallows don’t get crunchy. First, you bake the casserole for awhile without the topping. Then you add the pecans and marshmallows and continue to bake just until the marshmallows are puffed softly and starting to brown. This ensures that the pecans don’t get overly dark and bitter as well.

Don’t want marshmallows at all? Try making a pecan crumble mixture for the topping! Finely chop up the pecans and mix with old fashioned oats, melted butter or coconut oil, and some brown sugar if you’d like. Mix it all up and sprinkle on top of the sweet potato mixture instead of the marshmallows.

More Thanksgiving Recipes

If you’re looking for more healthy Thanksgiving side dishes, be sure to also check out my recipe forGreen Bean Casserole from Scratch. It’s just as tasty and just as easy as the original but with fresher ingredients.

You can also browse all my Thanksgiving recipes, including turkey and cranberry sauce, in my Thanksgiving collection to complete your meal.

Podcast Episode: Making Sweet Potato Casserole

Listen to me explain briefly about how to make this casserole, with some great tips along the way, by clicking the play button below:

Listen to more Recipe of the Day episodes here.

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Lighter Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe (2)

Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star5 from 2 reviews
  • Author: Christine Pittman
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: American
Print Recipe

DESCRIPTION

This healthier twist on the classic Sweet Potato Casserole uses low-fat vanilla yogurt instead of butter and cream. And there are fewer marshmallows on top.

Ingredients

UnitsScale

  • 3 lbs. sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch cubes
  • 1 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon
  • A pinch of nutmeg
  • A pinch of salt
  • Brown sugar (optional)
  • 4 large egg whites OR 2 large whole eggs, lightly beaten
  • 3/4 cup chopped pecans
  • 1/2 cup mini marshmallows

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease or spray a 2.5 quart casserole dish.
  2. Put the sweet potatoes in a medium sauce pan with enough water just to cover them. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce to a simmer and cook until fork-tender, 5-7 minutes. Drain them.
  3. Return the sweet potatoes to the pot and use an egg beater to mash them up (or transfer them to the bowl of a stand mixer and beat them in there.
  4. Add the yogurt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Beat some more. Taste it. If it’s not sweet enough for you, beat in brown sugar 1 tablespoon at a time and taste.
  5. Once you’re satisfied with the sweetness, add the eggs and beat them in as well. Transfer the mixture to the lightly greased (or sprayed) casserole baking dish.
  6. Bake for 30 minutes. Top evenly with the pecans and marshmallows and continue to bake until marshmallows are puffed and lightly browned, 10-15 more minutes.

Love this recipe? I’d appreciate it if you could scroll down and add a *5 star rating* to help others know they’ll love it as well!

This post originally appeared in November 2014 and was revised and republished in November 2022.

Lighter Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe (3)

Lighter Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why add eggs to sweet potato casserole? ›

Eggs help bind and lift the casserole for a light, set texture once baked. Sweet potato casserole can also be made without eggs, if needed.

How to make sweet potato casserole less watery? ›

Eggs and cream help stabilize the dish and prevent it from becoming too runny (a common complaint with many sweet potato casserole recipes).

Why do you soak sweet potatoes before baking? ›

The cold water bath helps rinse the starch off the sweet potatoes so they're a bit more crispy. That said, if you do not have the time, you can still get crispy baked sweet potato fries by using high heat and a little drizzle of olive oil.

What does baking soda do to sweet potatoes? ›

Baking Soda – boiling the potatoes in baking soda draws out the starch and allows the outside to get brown and crispy. Sweet Potatoes – yams work fine too. Extra Virgin Olive Oil – gets infused with rosemary and garlic and is the key to getting that crispy exterior.

How do you make a casserole taste better? ›

Fresh herbs or citrus zest can also punch up flavors with a bit of welcome brightness for a long-cooked dish, as can adding some heat in the form of a dash of hot sauce, a generous pinch of minced or sliced fresh chili pepper, or a shake of red pepper flakes.

How do you make a casserole less runny? ›

Simply whisk equal parts butter and flour together. Then, roll the thick paste into little teaspoon-sized balls. Add one ball to your casserole at a time, waiting about a minute before adding another one, until you get the right thickness.

How to tell when sweet potato casserole is done? ›

Sprinkle the topping evenly over the sweet potato mixture, then pop it into the oven and let it bake for 40 to 45 minutes. You will know it's done when the topping is lightly browned and the center of your casserole is set and firm.

Why is boiling not good for sweet potatoes? ›

Despite their sweet taste, these potatoes have an intermediate glycemic index (GI) level, meaning they are digested and absorbed fairly slowly, leading to a more gradual increase in blood sugar levels. But, a lot of these benefits, including nutrients and taste, can be lost by boiling sweet potatoes.

Why soak sweet potatoes in cold water? ›

TIPS & TRICKS to Make this Recipe: The main secrets to achieving that incredible crispy texture, is to soak the cut sweet potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes. This helps remove the starch from the sweet potatoes so they´re not limp & soggy.

Is it better to peel sweet potatoes before or after boiling? ›

There is not much difference between boiling sweet potatoes with the skins on versus peeling them, but you will get a boost of fiber and potassium if you keep the skin on. The skin also adds a subtle texture to each bite. If you're looking for a smoother mash, peel the potatoes first before boiling.

What does soaking potatoes in sugar do? ›

The best potatoes for French fries are soaked in a sugar solution before frying. The sugar solution has something to do with the carbohydrates and prevents the potatoes from soaking up a lot of grease, so they get crunchy.

Is it better to boil or bake sweet potatoes? ›

The takeaway. If you want to eat sweet potatoes and maintain blood sugar balance, Sapola suggests boiling rather than roasting them. This method will take the glycemic index impact down a few points and maybe even challenge your cooking creativity.

Should you rinse starch off sweet potatoes? ›

Give them a cold water bath: Once your fries are chopped, toss them into a large bowl. Then cover the fries completely with cold water and let them soak for at least 30 minutes (or up to overnight). This will help to rinse off the excess starch and help the potatoes crisp up beautifully in the oven.

Can dogs eat sweet potatoes? ›

How to Safely Feed Sweet Potatoes to Your Dog. Whether they're mashed, baked, or boiled, sweet potatoes are fine for dogs to eat as long as they're cooked, peeled, and plain. Again, avoid any seasonings or extra ingredients that may be included in “human food” recipes, such as butter, sugar, or salt.

What is the purpose of adding eggs in baking? ›

Eggs play an important role in everything from cakes and cookies to meringues and pastry cream — they create structure and stability within a batter, they help thicken and emulsify sauces and custards, they add moisture to cakes and other baked goods, and can even act as glue or glaze.

Does egg thicken casserole? ›

Thicken with Eggs

First you need to drizzle a small amount of the hot liquid onto the egg, whisking vigorously as you pour. Then stir the egg back into the pan and heat gently until it starts to thicken. This is a similar method to the one we use in our Carbonara recipe!

Can egg and sweet potato eat together? ›

It's for good reason, as these two ingredients offer you a pair of two crucial nutrients: protein and carbohydrates. So, when you start your day with these Sweet Potato Halves with Over-Easy Eggs, and you'll have both the energy to face a long to-do list and the nutrients your body needs to run at its best.

What is the purpose of eggs when preparing advanced desserts and dough dishes? ›

Eggs Help Add Texture And Fluffiness

The structure from beaten whites also leavens the recipes you use them in. For instance, the airy texture of an angel food cake would be impossible without the leavening of the beaten whites.

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