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This small batch sweet potato casserole recipe reinvents a traditional favorite for those cooking for one or two. Envision soft, creamy sweet potatoes, delicately flavored and sweetened, crowned with a luscious layer of golden, melting marshmallows. Quick and easy, this dish can be served in just 30 minutes, ideal for a quick, yet fulfilling meal or side.

Whether you’re hosting a Thanksgiving meal for two or treating yourself, this marshmallow-topped sweet potato casserole brings a warm, rich flavor to any table.

Looking for more single serving and small batch Thanksgiving recipes? Try our mini Sweet Potato Pie, Green Bean Casserole, Cornbread Dressing, and Pumpkin Pie! If you find yourself with Thanksgiving leftovers, consider using them in Thanksgiving Sliders!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Simplified Measurements: This recipe scales down the traditional casserole to create a perfect portion for one, making it an ideal choice for those cooking for themselves or looking to manage portion sizes.
  • Easy Preparation: Using readily available ingredients, the method is easy to follow, ensuring a delightful result even for beginner cooks.
  • Versatile Dish: This recipe can be served as a side dish or dessert, making it suitable for various meals and occasions.

What Is A Sweet Potato Casserole?

A Sweet Potato Casserole is a traditional American dish that combines sweet potatoes with a blend of comforting spices, nuts, and marshmallows. Typically served during holidays, it’s a dish that perfectly balances sweet and savory flavors.

Ingredient Notes

sweet potato casserole ingredients on a kitchen counter.
  • Sweet potatoes: Use either cooked or canned sweet potatoes. You might like to use our Instant Pot sweet potato recipe to cook your sweet potato. If you’ve got an extra sweet potato, you’ll love using it in a small batch of Sweet Potato Fries or in a Sweet Potato and Black Bean Salad!
  • Brown sugar: This sweetens the sweet potatoes and gives them a delightfully subtle molasses flavor. If you don’t have brown sugar, use our small batch brown sugar recipe to make up a quick batch.
  • Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, allspice, ginger, and cloves: These spices take these potatoes to a whole new level. Feel free to adjust the seasonings to suit your taste. If you don’t have all of the spices, you can use a pre-made pumpkin pie spice mix.
  • Egg: I use one large egg which is an important binder in a sweet potato casserole.
  • Pecans: These can be swapped with walnuts or almonds, or omitted for a nut-free version. You can enjoy leftover pecans in our pecan pie recipe!
  • Marshmallows: Some might consider the marshmallow topping to be the star of the dish! They add a sweet and creamy crust. If you have leftover marshmallows, consider using them in small batch Rice Krispies Treats or a mini S’mores Dip.

This is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why I used them. For the full recipe please scroll down to the recipe box at the bottom of the post.

RELATED: Single Serving Comfort Food Recipes

Recipe Variations

Flexibility is one of the great advantages of this recipe. There are many ways to personalize your small sweet potato casserole:

  1. Nut-Free Variation: If you’re allergic to nuts or simply prefer a nut-free version, you can leave out the pecans. The casserole will still have its characteristic creamy texture and sweet taste.
  2. Additional Toppings: Feel free to experiment with the toppings. Apart from marshmallows, you can also top the casserole with a sprinkling of brown sugar, a dash of cinnamon, or even some granola for an added crunch.
  3. Spice it up: For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or some chipotle powder to the sweet potato mixture before baking. It will give a nice, spicy kick that contrasts wonderfully with the sweetness of the dish.

Remember, the best recipes are those that you tweak to suit your taste. Don’t be afraid to experiment and make this sweet potato casserole your own!

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How To Make A Sweet Potato Casserole

These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to make a small sweet potato casserole. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.

mashed sweet potatoes in a bowl.
  1. Start by baking 1 large or 2 small sweet potatoes. Alternatively, you can opt for canned sweet potatoes; just drain and rinse them under cool water. Once baked or drained, mash the sweet potatoes and transfer them to a bowl, aiming for about 1 cup of mashed sweet potatoes.
glass bowl containing brown sugar, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, ground cloves, and a pinch of salt.
  1. In a separate small bowl, create your spice blend by combining brown sugar, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, ground cloves, and a pinch of salt.
glass bowl with mashed sweet potatoes mixed with the dry ingredients.
  1. Add this blend to the mashed sweet potatoes, stirring thoroughly to combine.
glass bowl with mashed sweet potatoes mixed with the dry ingredients and an eggs mixed together.
  1. Next, incorporate one lightly beaten egg into the sweet potato mixture.
an unbaked sweet potato casserole topped with pecans on a wooden counter.
  1. Prepare a 5×5 inch baking dish by lightly buttering it, then pour the sweet potato mixture into the dish. Evenly sprinkle pecans over the top. Bake the casserole in a preheated oven for 15 minutes.
an unbaked sweet potato casserole with marshmallows in a white baking dish.
  1. After 15 minutes, take the casserole out of the oven. Add marshmallows to the top and return it to the oven.
a mini sweet potato casserole on a rimmed baking sheet.
  1. Bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the marshmallows are golden and puffy.

Serving Suggestions

Sweet potato casserole is a versatile dish that pairs well with a variety of mains, be it roasted turkey during the holiday season, a nicely grilled steak for a weekend dinner, or even a simple broiled chicken breast or baked pork chop for a weeknight meal. The creamy texture and sweetness of this casserole complement mildly spiced, as well as rich, savory dishes.

an overhead picture of a mini sweet potato casserole with marshmallows on a silver tray next to a handful of pecan halves.

Expert Tips

  • Thoroughly mash sweet potatoes: Ensure they are well mashed for a smooth texture.
  • Adjust spices as needed: Tailor the spice levels to suit your taste preferences.
  • Allow to cool before eating: Make sure to let the casserole sit for a few minutes after baking, as it will be hot.

How To Store Leftovers

Got a little left over from this individual Sweet Potato Casserole? Storing the remaining portion is a breeze!

Simply allow the casserole to cool down completely. Then, either cover it tightly with plastic wrap or place it inside an airtight container. This delicious treat can be refrigerated for up to 3-4 days without losing its wonderful texture and flavor.

When you’re ready to enjoy it again, just remove the cover and warm the casserole in a preheated oven at 350°F for roughly 15 minutes, or until it’s heated through. Enjoying this dish twice is twice as nice!

Single Serving And Small Batch Thanksgiving Recipes

Planning a small-scale Thanksgiving feast? This delightful mini sweet potato casserole fits perfectly into a menu tailored for one or two people.

Pair it with some of our favorite traditional holiday side dishes:

Why not make a complete meal by adding one of our easy turkey recipes? Choose from:

And don’t forget dessert! Include a traditional holiday treat to round off your meal:

With these dishes, you can create a Thanksgiving meal that’s both intimate and satisfying without feeling overwhelmed by large quantities. Enjoy the holiday your way!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use canned sweet potatoes in a sweet potato pie?

Yes, you can. I recommend draining the canned liquid and rinsing the potatoes off with cool running water.

What is the best size baking dish to use?

For this easy sweet potato casserole recipe, I use 5×5-inch baking dish or a 4×6 inch baking dish.

Can I make a sweet potato casserole in advance?

Yes, you can make this recipe ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, simply remove the casserole from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking.

Can I double this recipe to serve more?

Absolutely! Simply double the ingredient amounts and use either two 5×5-inch baking dishes, one 6.5-inch square baking dish, or one 6×8-inch baking dish. These dishes can be found on our Store page.

Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients

If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:

If you’ve tried this sweet potato casserole or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.

Also, if you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!


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Because you’re worth it

Mini Sweet Potato Casserole

4.84 from 12 votes
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Indulge in a mini Sweet Potato Casserole, perfect for small servings. This easy recipe features creamy sweet potatoes topped with marshmallows, ready in 30 minutes for a cozy, flavorful treat.

Ingredients 
 

  • 1 cup cooked and mashed sweet potatoes
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon allspice
  • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
  • teaspoon cloves
  • 1 large egg , lightly beaten
  • ¼ cup pecans
  • ½ cup miniature marshmallows

Instructions 

  • Heat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C).
  • Place the mashed sweet potatoes in a bowl.
  • In a separate small bowl, create your spice blend by combining brown sugar, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, allspice, ginger, and ground cloves. Mix well and then add this blend to the mashed sweet potatoes, stirring thoroughly to combine.
  • Next, incorporate one lightly beaten egg into the sweet potato mixture.
  • Prepare a 5×5 inch baking dish by lightly buttering it, then pour the sweet potato mixture into the dish. Evenly sprinkle pecans over the top.
  • Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.
  • After 15 minutes, take the casserole out of the oven. Add marshmallows to the top and return it to the oven. Bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the marshmallows are golden and puffy.

Notes

  • Thoroughly mash sweet potatoes: Ensure they are well mashed for a smooth texture.
  • Adjust spices as needed: Tailor the spice levels to suit your taste preferences.
  • Allow to cool before eating: Make sure to let the casserole sit for a few minutes after baking, as it will be hot.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 281kcal, Carbohydrates: 42g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Cholesterol: 93mg, Sodium: 551mg, Potassium: 110mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 25g, Vitamin A: 142IU, Vitamin C: 0.1mg, Calcium: 38mg, Iron: 1mg

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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18 Comments

  1. Made this recipe. it was really good. I’m diabetic so I substituted monk brown sweeter for the brown sugar. Since I have to watch my carbs I divided into 2 ramekins. Next time will divide into 3 and use a little less of the cloves.