1-First Step: Prepare the Sweet Potatoes Start by placing 4-5 large sweet potatoes in a large pot with water covering them halfway. Bring the water to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 20-40 minutes until the potatoes are fork-tender but not mushy.

2-Second Step: Cool and Mash Once done, drain the water, let the potatoes cool slightly for easy handling, then peel off the skins and add them to a large mixing bowl. This step yields about 4-5 cups of mashed sweet potatoes, perfect for an 8×11-inch or 9×13-inch dish.

3-Third Step: Mix the Filling In the same bowl, mix in 3 large eggs, 1/2 cup evaporated milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 cup melted butter. Mash everything smooth with a fork or masher, then use an electric mixer on low for 45 seconds to blend it perfectly for a creamy texture.

4-Fourth Step: Transfer to Dish Pour the mixture into a lightly greased 8×11-inch, 9×13-inch casserole dish, or a deep 10-inch pie pan. Spread it evenly to ensure even baking, which takes about 35-40 minutes at 350°F.

5-Fifth Step: Prepare the Topping For the topping, combine 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1 cup brown sugar, and 1 cup chopped pecans in a bowl. Cut in 3 tablespoons butter using a fork or pastry blender until it becomes crumbly, then sprinkle it evenly over the sweet potato mixture for that signature crunch.

6-Sixth Step: Bake the Casserole Bake at 350°F for 35-40 minutes until the top is golden and the center is set. If you prefer an alternative, cover with miniature marshmallows and bake for 25 minutes until puffy and browned, or do a half-and-half version by baking with pecans for 15 minutes first, then adding marshmallows to half and continuing until golden.

7-Final Step: Serve and Enjoy Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving to about 8-10 people. It’s ready for your table, and you can adapt it for dietary needs, like using rolled oats instead of pecans for nut-free options. The total time is around 55 minutes, making it ideal for busy schedules. For similar fall favorites, try our apple cranberry crisp for another easy dessert.