Boston Market Sweet Potato Casserole (Spot-On Copycat Recipe You’ll Love)

If you’ve ever sat down at Boston Market and found yourself dreaming about their Boston Market Sweet Potato Casserole long after the meal ended, you’re not alone. That creamy, sweet, slightly spiced filling paired with that crunchy, buttery streusel topping? Pure comfort food magic.

Today, I’m sharing a spot-on copycat recipe that lets you recreate this beloved dish right in your own kitchen. Whether you’re planning a holiday feast, a cozy family dinner, or just craving a nostalgic side dish, this recipe delivers all the flavors you remember; and maybe even a little better.

As a home cook and food blogger with years of experience recreating restaurant favorites, I’ve tested and tweaked this recipe to perfection. I’ll walk you through every step with easy instructions, helpful tips, and even a few ways to customize the casserole to suit your tastes or dietary needs.

Ready to make your kitchen smell like Boston Market? Let’s get started!

Why This Boston Market Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe Stands Out

There are dozens of sweet potato casserole recipes online, but not all of them capture the iconic flavor and texture that Boston Market fans crave. This one does.

Here’s what makes this version special:

🏆 Authentic Taste, Homemade Touch

This isn’t just a random copycat attempt. I’ve carefully balanced the sweetness, spices, and texture to mirror the original Boston Market dish, while making sure it’s easy to prepare at home with simple, pantry-friendly ingredients.

🧑‍🍳 Tested to Perfection

I’ve tested this recipe multiple times (and had some very willing taste testers!). The result? A creamy, perfectly spiced sweet potato base with a golden, buttery streusel topping that stays crisp without getting too hard or soggy.

✨ Customizable for Every Diet

Whether you need it gluten-free, nut-free, or dairy-free, I’ll show you easy swaps that don’t compromise flavor or texture. This makes it a crowd-pleaser, even for guests with dietary restrictions.

👪 Family & Holiday Favorite

This casserole isn’t just for copying a restaurant dish; it’s for creating memories. It’s the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving table, Christmas dinner, or any gathering where comfort food takes center stage.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Before we dive into the step-by-step instructions, let’s gather everything you’ll need. I’ve also included some easy substitutions to make sure this Boston Market sweet potato casserole fits your preferences or dietary needs.

🥔 For the Sweet Potato Filling:

• 4 cups mashed sweet potatoes (about 4 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cooked)
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup melted butter
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• ½ cup milk (whole milk recommended, but you can use any type)
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch of salt

Tip: For extra creaminess, some like to add a splash of heavy cream or a spoonful of sour cream.

🍯 For the Streusel Topping:

• ⅔ cup brown sugar (light or dark)
• ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
• ⅓ cup melted butter
• ½ cup chopped pecans

Optional: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for a spiced topping.

🔄 Ingredient Substitutions:

• Dairy-Free Option: Swap in a plant-based butter and choose a non-dairy milk like almond or oat to keep the casserole creamy and rich without any dairy.
• Nut-Free: Skip the pecans or replace them with rolled oats or sunflower seeds for crunch.
• Gluten-Free: Swap the all-purpose flour in the streusel for a gluten-free flour blend or almond flour.

✅ Why These Ingredients Matter

Each ingredient plays a crucial role:

• Sweet potatoes give that natural sweetness and creamy texture.
• Butter and sugar balance richness and sweetness (key to mimicking Boston Market’s version).
• Eggs and milk provide structure and creaminess.
• Pecans add the signature crunch on top, without it, it’s just not the same casserole!

Step-by-Step Instructions (With Pro Tips)

Creating your Boston Market sweet potato casserole at home is easier than you might think. Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a crowd-pleasing dish that tastes like it came straight from the restaurant kitchen!

🔥 Step 1: Prepare the Sweet Potatoes

1. Start by peeling the sweet potatoes and cutting them into big, even pieces.
2. Boil or steam them until tender (about 15–20 minutes).
3. Drain and mash the sweet potatoes until smooth. You should end up with approximately 4 cups of mashed sweet potatoes.

Pro Tip: For the creamiest texture, use a hand mixer or stand mixer instead of a potato masher.

🥄 Step 2: Make the Filling

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine mashed sweet potatoes, sugar, melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, milk, cinnamon, and salt.
2. Mix until fully combined and the mixture is smooth.

Pro Tip: Make sure the sweet potatoes have cooled slightly before adding the eggs to avoid scrambling them.

🥘 Step 3: Assemble the Casserole

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
3. Transfer the sweet potato filling to the baking dish and smooth it into an even layer.

🍯 Step 4: Prepare the Streusel Topping

1. Combine the brown sugar and flour in a medium-sized bowl.
2. Add the melted butter and mix until the texture turns crumbly.
3. Fold in chopped pecans.

Pro Tip: For extra crunch and flavor, toast the pecans lightly before adding them.

🔥 Step 5: Bake

1. Evenly distribute the streusel topping across the sweet potato layer.
2. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the topping turns golden and develops a crisp texture.

Pro Tip: If the topping browns too quickly, cover the dish loosely with foil for the last 10 minutes of baking.

🌟 Step 6: Serve & Enjoy

Let the casserole cool slightly before serving. The topping will firm up as it cools, giving you that perfect creamy-meets-crunchy texture that Boston Market fans love.

Variations & Dietary Adjustments

One of the biggest advantages of making your own Boston Market sweet potato casserole at home, besides the amazing flavor, is how easy it is to customize it for different tastes, dietary needs, and creative preferences. Whether you’re serving picky eaters, managing food allergies, or just feeling adventurous, there’s a variation that will suit your table perfectly.

🌱 Gluten-Free Version

Swap the all-purpose flour in the streusel topping for a gluten-free flour blend or almond flour. Both options will provide the structure needed for that perfect crumbly texture.

Make sure all other ingredients, especially vanilla extract and any packaged spices, are certified gluten-free to avoid cross-contamination.

Pro Tip: Almond flour not only makes the topping gluten-free but also adds a slightly nutty flavor that complements the sweetness of the casserole beautifully.

Bonus: You can also use crushed gluten-free graham crackers or gluten-free oats for the topping if you want a different texture.

🥥 Dairy-Free Option

Replace butter with a plant-based butter or refined coconut oil (which has a neutral taste).

Swap out the milk for a dairy-free option like almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk.

Pro Tip: Oat milk tends to give the creamiest texture without overpowering the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes.

Extra Tip: Choose unsweetened and unflavored plant-based milks to maintain control over the sweetness level of the casserole.

🥜 Nut-Free Adaptation

Simply omit the pecans from the streusel topping to make the dish nut-free.

For a crunchy alternative: Use rolled oats, crushed pretzels, or sunflower seeds.

Pro Tip: Lightly toasting the oats or sunflower seeds before adding them to the topping can enhance the texture and bring out a rich, nutty flavor, without using actual nuts.

🍁 Reduced Sugar

If you prefer a less sweet casserole or are serving guests who need to limit sugar intake:

• Reduce the granulated and brown sugar in both the filling and the topping by up to one-third.
• Rely on the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes, which often eliminates the need for extra sugar.

Pro Tip: Adding a touch more vanilla or a sprinkle of cinnamon can help maintain the perception of sweetness, even with less sugar.

Note: This version still retains the iconic flavor and texture while being a bit more health-conscious.

🎉 Fun Variations

Here are some creative twists to make your casserole stand out:

🥄 Mini Casseroles

• Portion the casserole into individual ramekins or small baking dishes and bake.
• Ideal for portion control, dinner parties, or adding a personal touch to holiday meals.

🍂 Spiced Holiday Version

• Add a pinch of nutmeg, cloves, or pumpkin pie spice to the filling.
• These warm spices deepen the flavor and make the dish feel even more festive.

🍬 Marshmallow Topping

• For a classic, kid-friendly version, add a layer of marshmallows halfway through baking.
• Broil for the last 1–2 minutes to create a beautifully toasted, gooey topping.

🍫 Dessert Twist

• Add a handful of mini chocolate chips to the streusel topping for a dessert-like experience.

Pro Tip: Get creative with toppings, try coconut flakes, crushed graham crackers, or even a drizzle of maple syrup.

📝 Why Offer Variations?

Offering these customizations not only makes your recipe more accessible but also increases your visibility for searchers looking for:

• Gluten-free sweet potato casserole
• Dairy-free sweet potato casserole
• Healthy sweet potato casserole
• Kid-friendly sweet potato casserole
• Vegan sweet potato casserole

This builds topical authority and satisfies Google’s preference for complete, helpful content.

Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating Tips

This Boston Market sweet potato casserole is more than just delicious comfort food, it’s also incredibly practical. Whether you’re prepping ahead for a big holiday feast or making sure those tasty leftovers don’t go to waste, here’s everything you need to know to keep your casserole tasting fresh and fabulous.

🕒 Make-Ahead Tips

One of the best parts about this recipe? It’s extremely make-ahead friendly.

Assemble Ahead (Best Method)

• You can prepare both the sweet potato filling and the streusel topping up to 2 days in advance.
• Store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Keeping them separate helps maintain the topping’s texture and prevents it from absorbing too much moisture.

Fully Assembled (Optional)

• Alternatively, you can assemble the entire casserole, cover it tightly with foil or plastic wrap, and refrigerate it overnight.
• When ready to bake, remove from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for 20–30 minutes before baking. This step ensures even cooking and prevents the dish from cracking or becoming too dense.

Pro Tip: If you’re making it for a special occasion, assembling ahead will save you valuable time on the day of your event!

❄️ Storage

Got leftovers? No problem, this casserole stores beautifully.

Refrigerator Storage

• Either wrap the casserole dish with plastic wrap or move the leftovers into an airtight container.
• Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Freezer Storage

• This casserole freezes well both baked and unbaked.
• Fully baked: Let it cool completely, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to 2 months.
• Unbaked (filling only): You can freeze just the filling in a sealed container and add fresh streusel topping before baking when ready.

Pro Tip: For best texture, always freeze the topping separately or add it fresh before baking. This prevents sogginess.

🔥 Reheating

Reheating properly is the key to keeping that delightful contrast between the creamy filling and crunchy topping.

Oven (Best Method)

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Cover the casserole with foil to prevent over-browning.
• Reheat for 15–20 minutes, or until the center is warmed through.
• For extra crisp topping, remove the foil during the last 5 minutes of reheating.

Microwave (Quick Option)

• Scoop individual portions into microwave-safe dishes.
• Heat on medium power for 1–2 minutes, checking for warmth and adjusting as needed.

Pro Tip: The oven is always best for preserving the texture, but the microwave works great for speedy single servings.

👩‍🍳 Extra Storage & Reheating Tips

Always check that the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F (74°C) when reheating for food safety.

Avoid refreezing leftovers that have already been frozen once, as this can degrade the texture.

If the topping has softened during storage, you can sprinkle a few extra pecans or a little brown sugar on top before reheating for added crunch.

FAQ

Conclusion

There’s just something special about the Boston Market sweet potato casserole, that perfect balance of creamy, sweet filling and crunchy streusel topping brings comfort and nostalgia to any table. With this spot-on copycat recipe, you can now enjoy that same restaurant-quality flavor at home, whether it’s for a holiday feast, a family gathering, or a simple weeknight treat.

What’s even better? You can easily customize it to suit dietary needs or add creative twists that make it your own. From gluten-free and dairy-free versions to fun additions like marshmallows or mini casseroles, this dish is endlessly adaptable.

I’d love for this recipe to earn a spot among your family’s favorites. If you try it, I’d love to hear how it turned out! Feel free to leave a comment, share your tips, or snap a photo and tag me on social media. Happy cooking!

🍽 Love This Recipe? Try These Reader Favorites!

If you enjoyed making this Boston Market sweet potato casserole, you’ll love some of my other comforting, crowd-pleasing recipes:

• Paula Deen Sweet Potato Casserole another delicious take on this classic side dish.
• Paula Deen Corn Casserole the perfect easy side for holidays or weeknight meals.
• Sweetie Pie’s Mac and Cheese creamy, cheesy, and always a hit at gatherings.
• Keto Tuna Casserole a low-carb option that doesn’t skimp on flavor.
• Chicken Spaghetti with Velveeta and Rotel easy, cheesy comfort food at its best.

👉 Explore all my casseroles and comfort food recipes here to keep your meal planning simple and satisfying!