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Costco Sweet Potato Casserole has a special place in the hearts of many during the holiday season. With creamy sweet potatoes, a touch of warm spices, and that irresistible crunchy pecan topping, it’s no wonder this dish has become a go-to crowd-pleaser. But what if I told you that you could easily make your own version of this classic casserole at home, with all the deliciousness and none of the last-minute shopping stress?
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Table of Contents
How to make Costco Sweet Potato Casserole
Costco Sweet Potato Casserole is a ready-made holiday side dish sold in the Costco deli or refrigerated prepared foods section, especially around Thanksgiving and Christmas. It’s designed to be a convenient, heat-and-serve version of classic sweet potato casserole.
Ingredients
For the Sweet Potato Base:
- 4 large sweet potatoes (about 4 pounds), peeled and cubed
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- â…“ cup brown sugar (adjust to your taste)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup heavy cream (or milk)
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Topping:
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional, for extra warmth)
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Sweet Potato Base
- Cook the sweet potatoes: Place peeled and cubed sweet potatoes in a large pot. Cover them with water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook for about 15–20 minutes or until they’re fork-tender.
- Drain the potatoes and let them cool slightly.
- Mash the sweet potatoes: In a large mixing bowl, mash the sweet potatoes until smooth using a potato masher or electric mixer.
- Mix the sweet potato filling: Stir in the butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, heavy cream, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg (if using), and salt. Mix until well combined and creamy.
Step 2: Assemble the Casserole
- Prepare the dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish with butter or nonstick spray.
- Pour the sweet potato mixture: Transfer the sweet potato mixture into the prepared casserole dish, smoothing it out evenly.
Step 3: Make the Topping
- Combine the topping ingredients: In a small bowl, mix the chopped pecans, flour, brown sugar, softened butter, and cinnamon (if using). Use a fork or your fingers to create a crumbly texture.
- Add the topping to the casserole: Sprinkle the pecan mixture evenly over the sweet potatoes, ensuring it covers the entire surface.
Step 4: Bake the Casserole
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 30–40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is bubbling around the edges.
- Cool slightly and serve: Let the casserole rest for about 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy it warm!
Tips for Success
- Sweet Potatoes: Choose sweet potatoes that are firm, with smooth skin for the best flavor and texture.
- For extra flavor, roast the sweet potatoes in the oven instead of boiling them. Roasting brings out their natural sweetness.
- Consistency of Filling: If you prefer a thicker texture in the Costco Sweet Potato Casserole, reduce the amount of heavy cream slightly. On the other hand, for a more silky finish, add an additional splash of cream or milk.
- Customization: Feel free to experiment with the topping! Add shredded coconut, oats, or even mini marshmallows for a unique twist.
- If you’re avoiding nuts, replace pecans with crushed graham crackers or omit them entirely.
- Make-Ahead Option: Prepare the sweet potato filling and topping a day ahead, keeping them in separate containers in the fridge. Assemble and bake when ready to serve.
- Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 300°F or microwave individual portions.
Ingredients Substitutes
Sweet Potato Substitutes
- Yams: If sweet potatoes aren’t available, yams are an easy alternative. While yams are starchier and less sweet than sweet potatoes, they work well in a casserole. You might want to increase the sugar slightly to balance the flavors.
- Butternut Squash: Butternut squash provides a silky texture similar to sweet potatoes, plus a mild natural sweetness. Roast or steam the squash before mashing to match the consistency required.
- Carrots: Carrots bring sweetness and vibrancy to the dish and can be mashed to mimic sweet potato texture. You may need more butter or cream since carrots can be slightly drier after cooking.
Butter Substitutes
- Coconut Oil: Use melted coconut oil for a dairy-free alternative. It adds a subtle sweetness that complements the casserole.
- Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil can replace butter in both the filling and the topping for a lighter, heart-healthy substitute.
- Plant-Based Butter: Vegan butter substitutes work well, providing the same creaminess and flavor as regular butter. Brands like Earth Balance are great options.
Heavy Cream Substitutes
- Milk: Regular milk (whole, 2%, or skim) can replace heavy cream for a slightly lighter Costco Sweet Potato Casserole.
- Evaporated Milk: Evaporated milk is a great alternative for heavy cream. It has a creamy texture without the higher fat content.
- Coconut Milk: For a dairy-free option, go with canned coconut milk. It adds richness and a subtle tropical sweetness that complements the dish well.
- Almond, Cashew, or Oat Milk: All these plant-based milks can substitute heavy cream, but they’re thinner in texture. You may need to reduce the amount slightly to keep the filling balanced.
Egg Substitutes (For Egg-Free and Vegan Option)
- Applesauce: Replace each egg with ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce. This maintains the moisture and helps bind the mixture.
- Mashed Banana: Use ¼ cup mashed banana per egg. Keep in mind that this will add a mild banana flavor to the dish.
- Flaxseed Meal: Mix 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal with 3 tablespoons of water. Let it sit for 5 minutes to thicken. This creates a binding agent similar to eggs.
- Silken Tofu: Blend ¼ cup silken tofu per egg until smooth, and add it to the filling. It’s ideal for maintaining creaminess.
Sugar Substitutes
For Brown Sugar
- Coconut Sugar: Coconut sugar mimics the flavor of brown sugar and is a great natural swap.
- Maple Syrup: Use 3 tablespoons of maple syrup in place of every ¼ cup of brown sugar. Adjust the wet ingredients slightly to balance the texture.
- Honey: Honey brings a similar sweetness, but it’s denser. Use slightly less than the brown sugar amount and decrease other liquid ingredients (butter or cream).
For Granulated Sugar
- Stevia or Monk Fruit Sweetener: For a sugar-free version, substitute granulated sugar with stevia or monk fruit. Check brand-specific conversion instructions, as they can be more concentrated than sugar.
- Date Paste: Blend dates with a bit of water into a paste and use this as a natural sweetener substitute for granulated sugar.
Final Thoughts
This homemade Costco Sweet Potato Casserole is rich, creamy, and bursting with holiday flavors. The buttery, crunchy pecan topping perfectly complements the velvety sweet potato base.
More Costco Recipe:
Ingredients
For the Sweet Potato Base:
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- 4 large sweet potatoesÂ
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- â…“ cup brown sugarÂ
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Topping:
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Sweet Potato Base
- Cook the sweet potatoes: Place peeled and cubed sweet potatoes in a large pot. Cover them with water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook for about 15–20 minutes or until they’re fork-tender.
- Drain the potatoes and let them cool slightly.
- Mash the sweet potatoes: In a large mixing bowl, mash the sweet potatoes until smooth using a potato masher or electric mixer.
- Mix the sweet potato filling: Stir in the butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, heavy cream, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg (if using), and salt. Mix until well combined and creamy.
Step 2: Assemble the Casserole
- Prepare the dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with butter or nonstick spray.
- Pour the sweet potato mixture: Transfer the sweet potato mixture into the prepared casserole dish, smoothing it out evenly.
Step 3: Make the Topping
- Combine the topping ingredients: In a small bowl, mix the chopped pecans, flour, brown sugar, softened butter, and cinnamon (if using). Use a fork or your fingers to create a crumbly texture.
- Add the topping to the casserole: Sprinkle the pecan mixture evenly over the sweet potatoes, ensuring it covers the entire surface.
Step 4: Bake the Casserole
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 30–40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is bubbling around the edges.
- Cool slightly and serve: Let the casserole rest for about 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy it warm!
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