If you are craving the perfect blend of creamy, sweet, and crunchy in a holiday or comfort food side dish, you must try this Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe. It brings together velvety mashed sweet potatoes with a buttery, pecan-packed topping that bakes to a golden perfection, creating a symphony of textures and flavors that will delight your family and guests. This recipe feels like a warm hug and elevates the humble sweet potato into a centerpiece worthy of any celebratory table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients for this Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe is straightforward but essential. Each component contributes something special—smooth sweetness from the potatoes, richness from the butter, and a satisfying crunch from the pecan topping—making this dish a standout.
- 3 cups mashed sweet potatoes: For that creamy, natural sweetness and smooth base.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: Balances the earthy sweetness with just the right amount of sugar.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Enhances all the flavors and cuts through the sweetness.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds subtle aromatic warmth and depth.
- 2 large eggs (lightly beaten): Bind the mixture for a silky texture and hold it together.
- ½ cup unsalted butter (melted): Brings richness and smoothness to the sweet potato mixture.
- 1 cup brown sugar (lightly packed): Sweet and molasses-y, essential for that crunchy topping.
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour: Helps create a crumbly, slightly cakey pecan topping.
- 1 cup chopped pecans: Adds a toasty crunch and nutty flavor that’s simply irresistible.
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter (melted): Used in the topping to bring it all together into crumbly perfection.
How to Make Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Dish and Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish lightly with butter or cooking spray. This simple step ensures your casserole will slide out effortlessly once baked and keeps everything from sticking.
Step 2: Mix the Sweet Potato Base
In a large mixing bowl, combine the smooth mashed sweet potatoes with granulated sugar, salt, vanilla extract, lightly beaten eggs, and the melted butter. Mix until you have a luscious, creamy batter. This silky base is what makes Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe so comforting and cohesive, setting the foundation for the delightful layers to come.
Step 3: Spread the Sweet Potato Mixture
Pour the sweet potato mixture into your greased baking dish and spread it evenly, smoothing the surface with a spatula. An even layer ensures uniform baking and that every bite captures the velvety texture you love.
Step 4: Make the Pecan Topping
In a separate bowl, mix together brown sugar, all-purpose flour, chopped pecans, and melted butter until the topping forms a crumbly texture. This topping will bake into a crunchy, caramelized layer that contrasts perfectly with the creamy sweet potatoes beneath, delivering the classic crunch that makes this Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe unforgettable.
Step 5: Assemble and Bake
Sprinkle the pecan topping evenly over the sweet potato layer. Place the casserole in your preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the top is a beautiful golden brown and the casserole feels set to the touch. Let it cool slightly before serving so the flavors settle and the texture firms up just right.
How to Serve Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
Garnishes
Add a little extra love by garnishing this casserole with a few whole pecans or a light dusting of cinnamon. These simple touches not only enhance the aroma but also boost its festive look, making it truly ready for your holiday or family dinner table.
Side Dishes
This sweet potato casserole pairs wonderfully with roasted turkey, glazed ham, or even a savory green vegetable like sautéed kale or asparagus. The balance between the rich, sweet casserole and savory mains or sides creates an unforgettable meal that everyone will talk about long after the last bite.
Creative Ways to Present
For an elegant touch, consider serving individual portions in small ramekins topped with pecan halves. Alternatively, spoon the casserole atop warm dinner plates alongside your main course and garnish with fresh herbs such as rosemary or thyme to add a lovely herbaceous contrast.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers—and many do—they can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to three days. Keeping this casserole chilled preserves freshness and allows you to enjoy its comforting flavors again with ease.
Freezing
Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe freezes beautifully. After baking, let it cool completely, then wrap tightly with plastic wrap followed by foil, or place in an airtight container. Freeze for up to two months. This makes it a fantastic make-ahead dish for busy holiday seasons.
Reheating
When ready to enjoy again, thaw the casserole overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat covered in a 325°F oven for about 20 minutes or until warmed through. This method brings back that fresh-baked taste and perfect texture, just like the first time you made it.
FAQs
Can I make this casserole vegan?
While the original Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe uses butter and eggs, you can substitute vegan butter and use flaxseed meal or another egg replacer to accommodate a vegan diet. The taste and texture will still be rich and delicious.
What type of sweet potatoes work best?
Medium-sized orange-fleshed sweet potatoes are ideal due to their natural sweetness and smooth texture when mashed. They bake evenly and create that classic creamy base that this dish is famous for.
Is the topping nut-free adaptable?
Definitely! For nut allergies, swap the pecans with toasted oats or crushed pretzels to keep that crunchy texture without any nuts. Just keep the butter and brown sugar to maintain the flavor balance.
Can the sugar be reduced in this recipe?
Yes, you can reduce the sugar slightly in both the sweet potato base and the topping if you prefer a less sweet dish. However, be mindful that the sugar also affects texture and caramelization, so cutting it too much might change the classic character of the casserole.
What’s the best way to reheat without drying it out?
Reheating covered in the oven at a low temperature, around 325°F, helps retain moisture. Adding a small pat of butter on top before reheating can also keep the casserole luscious and prevent dryness.
Final Thoughts
This Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe truly is a treasure. It’s the kind of dish that brings smiles, warms hearts, and welcomes everyone to the table. Whether for your holiday feast or any special occasion, making this casserole will give you a delicious and memorable centerpiece that’s just waiting to become your new favorite tradition.
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Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole is a classic American side dish perfect for holidays and special occasions. It features a creamy sweet potato base mixed with sugar, eggs, and butter, topped with a crunchy pecan and brown sugar crumb topping. Baked to golden perfection, this casserole offers a delightful balance of sweet and nutty flavors, making it a favorite comfort food.
Ingredients
For the Sweet Potato Mixture:
- 3 cups mashed sweet potatoes (about 3–4 medium sweet potatoes)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs (lightly beaten)
- ½ cup unsalted butter (melted)
For the Pecan Topping:
- 1 cup brown sugar (lightly packed)
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter (melted)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Mix Sweet Potato Base: In a large bowl, combine the mashed sweet potatoes, granulated sugar, salt, vanilla extract, lightly beaten eggs, and melted unsalted butter. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the sweet potato mixture into the greased baking dish and smooth the top evenly with a spatula to prepare for layering.
- Prepare Pecan Topping: In a separate bowl, mix together the brown sugar, all-purpose flour, chopped pecans, and melted butter. Stir until the ingredients form a crumbly topping.
- Top Sweet Potato Mixture: Evenly sprinkle the crumbly pecan topping over the sweet potato layer, covering the entire surface.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is set.
- Cool and Serve: Once baked, remove from the oven and allow the casserole to cool slightly before serving to enhance the flavors and texture.
Notes
- This casserole can be made a day ahead and refrigerated. Bring it to room temperature before baking or reheat in a low oven.
- You can reduce the sugar slightly if you prefer a less sweet version without compromising flavor.
