Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe is Thanksgiving Favorite

Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe is Thanksgiving Favorite

Sweet potato casserole is a traditional side dish for Thanksgiving. If you leave out the sugar, butter and sticky marshmallows, the essential ingredient -- the sweet potato -- is one of the most nutrient dense vegetables available. Add pecans, brown sugar, marshmallows and different toppings and you might not get the same nutrient values, but sweet potato casserole is just too good to pass up.

There are many variations on the traditional Sweet Potato Casserole recipe. If you search the Internet, you'll come up with both traditional sweet versions and a little of that are savory and cut back on the sugary sweet stuff.

Go ahead and enjoy an ultra sugary sweet potato casserole for the holidays .. it's tradition. You can get back to enjoying the health benefits of a sweet potato without the marshmallows after the holidays.

Here is a traditional recipe from Better Homes and Gardens for Sweet Potato Casserole that doesn't use marshmallows. You can add them if you'd like:

* 2 pounds sweet potatoes
* 1/2 cup sugar
* 1/4 cup butter, melted
* 1/4 cup milk
* 2 eggs, lightly beaten
* 1 teaspoon vanilla
* 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
* 1/2 cup chopped pecans
* 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
* 1 tablespoon butter, melted

Directions

1. Wash and peel sweet potatoes. Cut off woody portions and ends. Cut into quarters. In a large saucepan, cook potatoes, covered, in enough boiling salted water to cover for 25 to 30 minutes or until tender; drain.

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Transfer potatoes to a large mixing bowl. Mash lightly. Stir in sugar, 1/4 cup melted butter, milk, eggs, and vanilla. Transfer sweet potato mixture to a 2-quart casserole dish.

3. In a small mixing bowl, combine brown sugar, pecans, flour, and 1 tablespoon melted butter. Sprinkle over sweet potato mixture.

4. Bake, uncovered in preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until hot and bubbly.