Copycat Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

Sweet Potato Heaven: The Copycat Casserole Recipe You Need

Sweet potato casserole sparks memories of cozy family gatherings around warm, inviting tables.

Nostalgic aromas drift through kitchens, promising comfort in every delectable bite.

Southern traditions blend perfectly with modern culinary creativity in this delightful dish.

Creamy textures mingle with crunchy pecan toppings, creating a sensational balance of flavors.

Soft sweet potatoes underneath become a canvas for indulgent marshmallow layers.

Memories of grandma’s kitchen come flooding back with each spoonful of this classic comfort food.

Let you dive into this irresistible recipe that promises to become a new cherished tradition.

Key Tips for Nailing That Famous Ruth’s Chris Potato Bake Texture

  • Replace sweet potatoes with regular potatoes for a classic version that still delivers amazing flavor.
  • Cut brown sugar by 25% to make the dish less sweet while maintaining its delicious caramelized texture.
  • Add a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg to enhance antioxidant content and create deeper, warmer flavor profile.
  • Prepare the entire dish up to the final baking stage, then refrigerate for up to 24 hours before finishing in the oven.
  • Use gluten-free flour instead of regular flour in the topping to make the recipe suitable for those with wheat sensitivities.

Delicious Variations on the Classic Ruth’s Chris Potato Bake

  • Vegan Sweet Potato Delight: Replace butter and cream with coconut milk and olive oil. Use maple syrup instead of brown sugar and swap pecans for walnuts.
  • Low-Carb Cauliflower Alternative: Substitute sweet potatoes with roasted cauliflower. Use almond flour for topping and monk sweetener instead of brown sugar.
  • Gluten-Free Comfort Bake: Use gluten-free flour blend for topping. Keep all other ingredients the same. Ensure pecans are certified gluten-free.
  • Dairy-Free Potato Casserole: Use plant-based butter substitute and coconut cream. Maintain original recipe's flavor profile with adjusted dairy-free ingredients.

Ways to Present Ruth’s Chris Potato Bake on Any Table

  • Sweet Potato Feast Companion: Pair this decadent sweet potato casserole with roasted turkey or honey-glazed ham for a classic holiday meal that sings with flavor.
  • Festive Dinner Centerpiece: Serve this rich dish alongside green beans almondine or roasted Brussels sprouts to create a balanced and colorful plate that impresses guests.
  • Brunch Showstopper: Transform leftovers into a morning delight by topping a slice with a fried egg and crispy bacon for an indulgent weekend breakfast experience.
  • Dessert-Like Side Treat: Enjoy this sweet potato bake as a bridge between savory main courses and traditional desserts, satisfying both sweet and hearty cravings in one delightful dish.

How to Store Ruth’s Chris Potato Bake for Later Enjoyment

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, ensuring the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness.
  • Transfer cooled sweet potato casserole to a freezer-safe dish. Wrap securely with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months, maintaining best quality and taste.
  • Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Preheat oven to 350F. Cover with foil to prevent burning. Warm for 20-25 minutes until heated through, removing foil for the last 5 minutes to crisp the topping.

FAQs

  • Can I use regular potatoes instead of sweet potatoes?

While you can technically use regular potatoes, sweet potatoes provide the signature flavor and texture of this dish. The natural sweetness and creamy consistency of sweet potatoes are key to the recipe’s success.

  • How do I know the sweet potatoes are fully baked?

Sweet potatoes are done when they’re extremely soft and can be easily pierced with a fork. They should feel tender throughout and slightly caramelized on the outside.

  • Is this recipe gluten-free?

The recipe contains flour in the topping, which means it’s not gluten-free. To make it gluten-free, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour or almond flour.

Ruth’s Chris Potato Bake: What Sets It Apart From the Rest

  • Elevate Family Gatherings: This sweet potato casserole transforms ordinary side dishes into a memorable centerpiece that brings everyone together with its rich, comforting flavors.
  • Master Easy Cooking Skills: Beginner cooks can confidently create a restaurant-quality dish with simple steps and basic ingredients, making it perfect for building kitchen confidence.
  • Celebrate Seasonal Delights: Packed with classic fall ingredients like pecans and brown sugar, this recipe captures the warmth and nostalgia of holiday and autumn meals.
  • Customize with Creativity: Easily adapt the recipe by adjusting spices, trying different nuts, or experimenting with sweetener levels to match personal taste preferences.

Essential Ingredients for Ruth’s Chris Signature Potato Bake

Main Ingredients:
  • Sweet Potatoes: Soft, orange-fleshed root vegetables that form the base of this creamy side dish.
Binding and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Butter, Cream: Rich dairy ingredients that add smoothness and deep flavor to the mashed potatoes.
  • Salt: Essential seasoning that brings out the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes.
Topping Ingredients:
  • Brown Sugar: Sweet ingredient that caramelizes and creates a delicious crumbly layer on top.
  • Flour: Helps bind the topping ingredients and creates a crisp texture.
  • Pecans: Crunchy nuts that add nutty flavor and textural contrast to the creamy sweet potatoes.

Baking Ruth’s Chris Potato Bake Like a Pro, Step by Step

Step 1: Prepare Sweet Potatoes

Wash sweet potatoes thoroughly and pat them dry.

Place the sweet potatoes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil.

Pierce each potato several times with a fork to allow steam to escape during baking.

Step 2: Roast Potatoes

Place the sweet potatoes in a preheated oven at 350°F.

Roast for 60-75 minutes, or until they become incredibly soft and can be easily pierced with a fork.

The skin will look slightly wrinkled and caramelized.

Step 3: Create Creamy Potato Base

Allow roasted sweet potatoes to cool slightly for easy handling.

Carefully peel off the skin.

In a large mixing bowl, mash the potatoes until smooth using a potato masher or electric mixer.

Ingredients:
  • Roasted sweet potatoes
  • Unsalted butter
  • Heavy cream
  • Kosher salt

Step 4: Prepare Baking Dish

Grease a rectangular baking dish with butter or cooking spray.

Transfer the mashed sweet potato mixture into the dish, spreading it evenly with a spatula.

Step 5: Craft Pecan Crumble Topping

In a separate bowl, combine the topping ingredients until they form a crumbly texture.

Ingredients:
  • Brown sugar
  • All-purpose flour
  • Cold butter
  • Chopped pecans

Step 6: Add Crumble Topping

Sprinkle the pecan crumble evenly over the sweet potato base, ensuring complete coverage.

Step 7: Final Bake

Return the dish to the oven at 350°F.

Bake for 20-25 minutes until the topping turns golden brown and the edges are bubbling.

Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving.

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Copycat Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

Copycat Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe


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4.5 from 37 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Southern comfort meets creamy indulgence in this sweet potato casserole that blends hearty mashed potatoes with a golden marshmallow topping. Irresistible layers of caramelized sweetness and buttery crunch will transport you straight to a classic holiday gathering.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 34 cups (680760 grams) mashed sweet potatoes
  • 1 cup (100 grams) chopped pecans
  • 2 large sweet potatoes

Sweeteners and Binding:

  • 1/2 cup (110 grams) brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup (30 grams) all-purpose flour

Dairy and Seasonings:

  • 3 tablespoons (45 grams) butter
  • 1/3 cup (75 grams) butter
  • 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) half-and-half cream
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350F and thoroughly wash sweet potatoes, ensuring they are clean and free from dirt.
  2. Place sweet potatoes directly on oven rack and roast for approximately 60 minutes until they become extremely soft and easily pierced with a fork.
  3. Remove potatoes from oven and allow them to cool slightly for handling comfort.
  4. Carefully peel the roasted sweet potatoes, discarding the skin, and transfer flesh to a large mixing bowl.
  5. Using a potato masher or electric mixer, blend the sweet potato flesh with butter, cream, and salt until achieving a smooth, creamy consistency.
  6. Grease a baking dish generously with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  7. Transfer the mashed sweet potato mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly with a spatula.
  8. In a separate bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, and butter, using fingertips or a fork to create a crumbly texture.
  9. Gently fold chopped pecans into the crumbly mixture, ensuring even distribution.
  10. Sprinkle the pecan-sugar topping uniformly across the sweet potato surface.
  11. Return the baking dish to the 350F oven and bake for 20 minutes until the topping turns golden brown and the edges become slightly bubbly.
  12. Remove from oven and let cool for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the casserole to set.

Notes

  • Select firm, uniform-sized sweet potatoes for consistent cooking and best texture.
  • Wrap potatoes in aluminum foil while baking to retain moisture and enhance natural sweetness.
  • Use room temperature butter and cream for smoother, more evenly blended mashed potatoes.
  • Toast pecans briefly before adding to topping for deeper, richer nutty flavor profile.
  • Consider reducing sugar for diabetic-friendly version or using alternative sweeteners like stevia.
  • Prepare dish ahead and refrigerate before final baking to develop more complex flavors.
  • Add marshmallows alongside pecan topping for extra decadent holiday-style presentation.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Side Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 412 kcal
  • Sugar: 18 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 28 g
  • Saturated Fat: 9 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 40 mg
Nathaniel Brooks

Nathaniel Brooks

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Farm-to-table cuisine, Seasonal recipe development, Culinary storytelling

Education

Ivy Tech Community College – Indianapolis, IN
Culinary Arts / Hospitality Administration & Events
Focused on hands-on training in classical and modern culinary techniques. ​


Nathaniel’s story starts in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, where farm stands, backyard gardens, and old family recipes shaped his love for real food. After graduating from Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis, he spent years working in farm-to-table kitchens, learning how to turn local, seasonal ingredients into something memorable.
Today, Nathaniel pours that same spirit into every single recipe on Aspiring Culinarian – recipes that feel real, comforting, and connected to the land. When he’s not in the kitchen, you’ll find him foraging wild herbs, chasing sunsets with his camera, or writing about the flavors that shaped his roots.

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