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This easy sweet potato casserole recipe with canned yams and mini marshmallows is a classic Thanksgiving side dish the whole family loves. A delicious addition to any holiday meal!
Canned Sweet Potato Casserole
My mom always made this easy recipe for sweet potato casserole with canned sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving dinner. I was in charge of mashing! Grandma used fresh sweet potatoes, but honestly, canned is so much easier!
No scrubbing, peeling or boiling. Just mash and heat! I’ve made both versions of this delicious casserole for my family, and they love it both ways. With all of the work that goes into preparing turkey and all the trimmings for the Thanksgiving table, it’s nice to have at least one easy side dish!
Table of Contents
- Canned Sweet Potato Casserole
- Ingredient Notes
- How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams
- How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
- Can I Make This Casserole Ahead of Time?
- Are Canned Yams and Canned Sweet Potatoes the Same?
- Recipe Tip
- More Thanksgiving Recipes
- Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams Recipe
Ingredient Notes
You can find the simple ingredients for this canned yams with marshmallows recipe in your grocery store. Full amounts are in the printable recipe card below.
- Cans of sweet potatoes — Look for cut yams in syrup. I use either Princella brand or Bruce’s brand with great results.
- Brown sugar — adds a little sweetness
- Maple syrup — pure maple syrup for delicious fall flavor
- Cinnamon — enhances the flavor and adds warmth
- Butter — either salted or unsalted butter
- Miniature marshmallows — for that classic topping
How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams
First, preheat the oven and grease a baking dish or casserole dish using non stick cooking spray or butter. I use an 8×8 baking dish. We usually have the oven on anyway during the holidays, and this casserole goes in after the turkey comes out!
Next, drain the yams. You may want to reserve a little of the syrup in case the casserole seems dry, but this is optional. I like to mash the yams up a little first, using a potato masher or hand mixer.
You can do this in a large bowl or right in the prepared baking dish like I do.
Then, you can add the remaining ingredients, except the marshmallows and butter. Mash until well combined.
Smooth the top of the mashed sweet potato mixture so that it is nice and even. Then, place the pats of butter on top, and pop the casserole into the preheated oven.
Bake the casserole for 30-40 minutes or until heated through. The cooking time may vary with the size of the casserole dish and your own particular oven.
Stir the melted butter into the casserole, Sprinkle the mini marshmallows on top of the casserole and bake for 5 more minutes or until the marshmallows are golden brown. You can also turn on the broiler for a minute or two.
Save oven space and microwave sweet potato casserole for 5 minutes or until heated through.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Refrigerate leftover casserole in an airtight container or in the casserole dish covered with plastic wrap for 3-4 days — if it lasts that long. Reheat the dish in a 300-degree oven until heated through Or, reheat individual servings in your microwave. You can add more marshmallows when reheating.
Freeze leftover sweet potato casserole for up to 3 months in a freezer safe container. I recommend removing the marshmallow topping before freezing.
Can I Make This Casserole Ahead of Time?
Yes, I usually make most of my side dishes the day before any holiday. Just prepare the casserole according to the recipe, cover and refrigerate for 1-2 days. Allow the dish to warm up at room temperature for a little bit, then bake as directed.
Are Canned Yams and Canned Sweet Potatoes the Same?
Yes! Although sweet potatoes and yams are completely different, canned yams are actually sweet potatoes. The USDA requires cans labeled as yams also have the wording sweet potatoes added. So, in the United States, if you buy a can of yams, you are actually eating a can of sweet potatoes.
Recipe Tip
Save time and microwave the casserole, then transfer to oven to broil the marshmallow topping.
More Thanksgiving Recipes
You can never have too many holiday side dishes! Try my easy green bean casserole and my easy cheesy corn casserole or these delicious mashed potatoes. If you would like different sweet potato recipes, try my stove top candied yams or my sweet potato casserole with fresh potatoes.
Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams
Ingredients
- 58 oz canned yams 2 29 oz cans
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 3 tbsp butter
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350℉ and grease a casserole dish with butter or non stick spray
- Drain yams, reserving 2 tbsp juice in case casserole seems dry
- In a large bowl, mash the yams
- Add the brown sugar, maple syrup and cinnamon, and mash until well blended. Add a little of the reserved syrup if needed
- Spoon the sweet potato mixture into the prepared baking dish, and smooth top so that it is even. Add butter on top.
- Bake in preheated oven for 30-40 minutes or until heated through
- Top with mini marshmallows, and bake for another 5-10 minutes or until golden brown. You can broil for a minute or 2 if desired
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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What size casserole dish should we be using. I don’t have a casserole dish so trying to figure out what I could use. Thanks!
I use a smaller 8-inch casserole or Corning Ware dish, but you can use a square baking pan. You can use a larger size, like 9×11 or 9×13 baking dish, if you want to double the recipe.
Looking fwd to making this! How would it do in a crockpot? IDK if the marshmallows would fluff up? But I could torch them for some browning!
The marshmallows should fluff up as they heat up, but I’m not sure if they will brown well in the slow cooker.
Loved these as a kid! Super easy to make and love them just as much!
Sweet potatoes look delicious. Please check written recipe against your detailed post…butter is not added and cook times are different. Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanks for catching that! It’s now corrected. 🙂