Classic Ruth Chris Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel

Indulge in the luxurious taste of a classic Ruth Chris sweet potato casserole, right from your own kitchen. This iconic dish features perfectly creamy, spiced sweet potatoes topped with a crunchy, buttery pecan streusel. It’s an unforgettable side that brings restaurant-quality sophistication to any meal, especially during the holidays. You’ll find this impressive recipe surprisingly easy to recreate at home.

Why You’ll Love This Ruth Chris Sweet Potato Casserole

• Irresistible Sweet and Savory Flavor: Enjoy the delightful contrast between the naturally sweet potatoes and the rich, buttery topping. This balance makes every bite truly memorable.
• Perfectly Smooth and Creamy Texture: The sweet potato base is whipped until light and fluffy, melting in your mouth with each spoonful. It’s pure comfort food perfection.
• Crispy, Buttery Pecan Topping: A generous streusel of brown sugar, flour, pecans, and butter bakes into an addictive golden crust. This adds a fantastic textural contrast to the soft potatoes below.
• Authentic Copycat Steakhouse Recipe: Recreate the beloved taste of a high-end steakhouse dish without leaving your home. Your family and friends will be amazed.
• Ideal for Holiday Gatherings: This casserole shines on your Thanksgiving or Christmas table, making it a guaranteed crowd-placer. It’s also simple enough for any special occasion.
• Simple Ingredients, Impressive Results: You only need common pantry staples to craft this show-stopping side dish. Achieve gourmet flavors with minimal fuss.

Ingredients

Gather these simple ingredients to create your own delicious ruth chris sweet potato casserole. Each component plays a crucial role in building the classic flavors and textures you know and love.

• For the Pecan Streusel Topping:
  • 1 cup brown sugar: Provides a deep, caramelized sweetness and helps form a rich crust.
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour: Binds the ingredients, creating the perfect crumbly streusel texture.
  • 1 cup chopped pecans: Adds a delightful nutty flavor and a satisfying crunch.
  • 1/3 cup butter (melted): Melds with the dry ingredients to create the signature buttery crumble.
• For the Sweet Potato Mixture:
  • 3 cups cooked and mashed sweet potatoes: Forms the creamy, naturally sweet base of the casserole.
  • 1 cup white sugar: Balances the flavors and enhances the inherent sweetness of the potatoes.
  • ½ teaspoon salt: A touch of salt is essential to round out and elevate all the other flavors.
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Infuses the potatoes with a warm, aromatic depth that pairs wonderfully with sweet potato.
  • 2 eggs (well beaten): Act as a binder, providing structure and contributing to the rich, smooth texture.
  • 1/2 cup butter (melted, 1 stick): Adds luxurious richness and moisture, making the filling incredibly decadent.

Notes & Substitutions

You can use either fresh or canned sweet potatoes for this recipe. If using canned, ensure you drain them extremely well to prevent a watery casserole. For the butter, either salted or unsalted works, but adjust the added salt to taste if using salted. If pecans are not an option, you can substitute chopped walnuts or simply omit the nuts entirely for a plain streusel. Feel free to adjust the sugar content to suit your personal sweetness preference. To make this casserole gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the streusel topping.

Equipment

Making this delightful dish requires just a few standard kitchen tools. Having the right equipment makes the preparation process smooth and enjoyable.

• Medium casserole dish: A 2-quart or 7×11 inch dish is ideal for baking this recipe.
• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining the sweet potato filling ingredients.
• Hand mixer: An electric hand mixer helps achieve the smoothest, fluffiest sweet potato mixture.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Accurately measure ingredients for consistent results.
• Potato masher or fork: Useful for mashing cooked sweet potatoes before beating.
• Parchment paper: Optional, but handy for lining your dish for easier cleanup or for chilling the streusel.

Instructions

Follow these clear, step-by-step directions to create your perfect ruth chris sweet potato casserole with ease. This recipe simplifies a classic, ensuring delicious results every time.

1. Preheat Oven & Prepare Dish: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray a medium-size casserole dish, approximately 2 quarts or 7×11 inches, with nonstick cooking spray. This prepares your dish for baking and prevents sticking.
2. Make the Streusel Topping: In a mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, all-purpose flour, chopped pecans, and 1/3 cup melted butter. Mix these ingredients thoroughly until they form a crumbly mixture. Transfer the streusel to the refrigerator to chill while you prepare the potatoes. Chilling helps the topping maintain its distinct crumbly texture and prevents it from melting too quickly into the sweet potatoes during baking.
3. Prepare Sweet Potatoes: Ensure your sweet potatoes are fully cooked and tender. You can bake, boil, or microwave them until soft. Once cooked, scoop the vibrant orange flesh from their skins and discard the skins. Place the sweet potato flesh into a large mixing bowl. Mash the potatoes thoroughly with a potato masher or a fork until they are as smooth as possible.
4. Create Sweet Potato Filling: Add the white sugar, salt, vanilla extract, well-beaten eggs, and 1/2 cup melted butter to the mashed sweet potatoes in the large mixing bowl. Beat this mixture thoroughly with an electric hand mixer for about 3-4 minutes. This extended beating time is key to incorporating air, which results in an incredibly light, fluffy, and smooth sweet potato filling.
5. Initial Bake: Pour the prepared sweet potato mixture evenly into your greased casserole dish. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes. At this point, the filling will begin to set.
6. Add Topping & Final Bake: Carefully remove the casserole dish from the oven. Evenly sprinkle the chilled streusel topping over the surface of the partially baked sweet potato mixture. Return the casserole to the oven for an additional 10-20 minutes. Continue baking until the streusel topping is beautifully golden brown and lightly crisp.
7. Serve: Once baked to perfection, remove the casserole from the oven. Allow it to stand for a few minutes before serving. This brief resting period helps the casserole set further, making it easier to serve and enjoy.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

Achieve bakery-level results with these simple pro tips.

• Achieving Smoothness: For the silkiest sweet potato mixture, use an electric hand mixer and beat thoroughly for at least 3-4 minutes.
• Perfect Streusel: Always chill your streusel topping before sprinkling it on the casserole. This prevents it from sinking into the potatoes.
• Flavor Boost: Do not skip the vanilla extract; it adds a crucial layer of warm, aromatic flavor.
• Adjust Sweetness: Taste your sweet potato mixture before adding eggs, then adjust the white sugar to your preference.
• Prevent Watery Casserole: Make sure your cooked sweet potatoes are very well-drained. Excess moisture makes the casserole loose.
• Crust Consistency: If your streusel seems too dry, add a tiny bit more melted butter. If too wet, a pinch more flour helps.
• Even Browning: Rotate your casserole dish halfway through the final baking step for uniformly golden and crisp streusel.

Serving, Storage, & Variations

This versatile ruth chris sweet potato casserole is perfect for any occasion.

Serving Suggestions

This casserole is a traditional and cherished side for holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. It pairs beautifully with roasted turkey, glazed ham, or baked chicken. You can even serve smaller portions as a rich, comforting dessert.

Storage

Store any leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and delicious for 3-4 days.

Make Ahead Instructions

Prepare and bake the sweet potato filling as directed in step 5. Allow it to cool completely, then cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days. When ready to serve, reheat the potato mixture in the oven for 10-20 minutes before adding the chilled streusel topping and continuing with the final bake.

Freezing Instructions

You can freeze the baked casserole for up to 3 months. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil before freezing. Thaw the frozen casserole in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat it at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through, adding the streusel in the last 15-20 minutes if not already on.

Variations

• Spices: Enhance the potato mixture with a pinch of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger for extra warmth.
• Nuts: Substitute the pecans with chopped walnuts for a slightly different nutty flavor profile.
• Marshmallows: For a more traditional sweet potato casserole, top with mini marshmallows instead of, or in addition to, the streusel topping during the last 5-10 minutes of baking.
• Maple: Swap out some of the white sugar for pure maple syrup in the potato mixture for a subtle maple sweetness.

Nutrition

This recipe for ruth chris sweet potato casserole yields approximately 8.8 servings. Nutritional information can vary based on specific ingredients and brands used. The following values are approximate per serving and based on the provided ingredients. For precise figures, consider using a nutrition calculator with your exact components.

Beyond their delicious taste, sweet potatoes are packed with essential vitamins and minerals, offering a range of health advantages. According to Healthline, sweet potatoes are rich in antioxidants and fiber, supporting various aspects of health from gut to vision.

FAQ

You have questions, and we have answers about this delightful sweet potato dish.

• What is the difference between yams and sweet potatoes? In most U.S. grocery stores, what are labeled “yams” are actually a type of sweet potato with darker skin and moist, orange flesh. True yams are a distinct, starchy tuber with rougher skin. To clarify the common confusion, understanding the botanical differences is key, as explained by the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, which notes that the USDA requires “yam” labels to also include “sweet potato” in the U.S. the botanical differences between yams and sweet potatoes.
• Can I use canned sweet potatoes for this recipe? Yes, you can. Just be sure to drain them extremely well to remove any excess liquid, as moisture can make the casserole watery.
• How many fresh sweet potatoes do I need for 3 cups mashed? You will typically need about 3-4 medium to large fresh sweet potatoes to yield 3 cups of mashed sweet potato flesh.
• Can I make this recipe gluten-free? Absolutely. Simply substitute the all-purpose flour in the streusel topping with an equal amount of your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
• Can I omit the pecans due to allergies? Yes, you can omit the pecans entirely from the streusel topping. Alternatively, you could use rolled oats for a different texture.
• How long can I make this casserole in advance? You can prepare the sweet potato filling up to 2-3 days ahead of time. Store it covered in the refrigerator and add the streusel just before the final bake.

Conclusion

Bringing the exquisite flavor of a restaurant-quality Ruth Chris sweet potato casserole to your table has never been easier. This recipe, with its creamy sweet potato base and irresistible pecan streusel, is a true crowd-pleaser and a staple for any holiday or special meal. Embrace the simplicity and incredible taste of this homemade delight. Go ahead and try this fantastic copycat recipe; it is guaranteed to become a cherished part of your culinary traditions. Enjoy every delicious, comforting bite!