There’s an apple and squash bake that my mom makes every year for Thanksgiving. It’s really good. Like…really REALLY good. So good, that it’s been on the holiday menu every single year that I’ve been alive (that’s 37 years, for those of you who are counting). But this Easy Apple and Sweet Potato Casserole with a rich, buttery streusel topping is not that dish…
I love my mom, and I love her cooking. While we might share the same short dark hair, the same taste in clothes, the same books, and most of the same mannerisms, I am not my mom.
You see, my mom enjoys preparing elaborate, fancy, and often time-consuming meals that will knock your socks off. Her apple and butternut squash Thanksgiving casserole is no exception. It’s delicious, but man is it labor-intensive. I’ve made it once or twice in my adult life and I remember thinking (as I wrestled with a butternut squash) that it was a lot of effort for one side dish.
But then again, I’m the self-proclaimed Queen of Dump-and-Bake or 10-Minute Meals, so maybe I’m not the best judge of what should be considered “complicated” or “time consuming.” If it takes more than about 30 minutes, I’ve already lost interest (and I’ve probably been interrupted by small children at least 16 times)!
But enough about my mom’s casserole. This sweet potato casserole RIGHT HERE, my friends…
is easy…
and it’s so darn good that the kids and I deemed it (gasp!) BETTERÂ than my mom’s 37-year-old favorite!
I’ll be honest: this sweet potato casserole is basically like eating dessert alongside your turkey. I won’t even pretend that I’m offering you a nutritious “fruits and veggies” option on an otherwise decadent holiday (if that’s what you’re after, check out THIS salad). Instead, the thick layer of streusel topping on the casserole is similar to the crust on an Apple Crisp, and it’s going to take your holiday meal to the next level! You might even want to go ahead and serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert. Either way, I hope you’ll give it a try — because Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be time-consuming, intimidating, or complicated — take it from me!
Easy Apple and Sweet Potato Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 sweet potatoes about 8 ounces each
- 2 cups apples peeled and sliced (I used about 3 small apples)
- 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- Topping:
- 3 packages instant cinnamon spice oatmeal just the dry packets -- NOT prepared
- ¾ cup chopped pecans
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup 1 stick butter, melted
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Pierce the potatoes with a fork on all sides (this will prevent them from exploding in the microwave!). Wrap each potato in a damp paper towel. Microwave a potato for 2 minutes, turn it over, and microwave for another 2 minutes. You want it tender, but not mushy. Repeat with the second potato. Set aside to cool for a few minutes while you prepare the rest of the ingredients. Once the potatoes are cool enough to handle, trim the ends and remove peels. Slice into ½-inch rounds.
- Spray an 11-inch by 7-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, gently toss together potato rounds, chopped apples, and 2 teaspoons flour. Add 1 cup of sugar and mix well. Place in prepared baking dish.
- To prepare the topping, stir together oatmeal, pecans, ½ cup flour, brown sugar, melted butter and salt until completely combined. Sprinkle over the potato mixture.
- Bake uncovered at 350 for 45 minutes, or until apples are very tender. If the topping starts to get too brown before the fruit is done cooking, just cover lightly with foil for the remaining time.
- To prepare ahead: Follow instructions through step 3 (placing the fruit in the baking dish), cover, and refrigerate. When ready to bake, add the topping and bake according to directions above.
You are definitely the queen of easy meals, and that’s why I love your site! Your mom’s dish sounds delicious, but I’m loving how simple and full of flavor this is. I’ve never had apples and sweet potatoes together, so I’m amazed. Sounds SO good, Blair!
Totally! Thanks, Gayle! 🙂
I love normal sweet potato casseroles, but this version looks even better with the apples and the crumbly topping! I’d much rather be in the ten minutes to prep this dish than be in the kitchen for hours!
Thanks so much, Bethany! The crumbly topping is EVERYTHING!
OH MY YUM!!!!!!!!!!!! Do you think I could make this with gluten-free flour and it would still turn out like yours? I love my mom too – but we are definitely NOT alike in the kitchen!!! Pinning this!
Thanks, Chrissa! If you make it with GF flour, you’d need to add some sweetener and some spices (cinnamon and nutmeg, mostly) — since those are “extras” that are included in the packet of oatmeal! 🙂
Soo I have never tried a dish anything like this before but you have me SOLD! I definitely need to try making this!
Oh, Kristy — you’re missing out! It’s basically just a great excuse to eat dessert with dinner. 🙂
I absolutely love sweet potato casserole! I’ve never added apples, but can’t wait to give this a try 🙂
Thanks, Megan! I hope you’ll give this combo a try. It’s the perfect side dish for fall!
Apples with sweet potatoes is genius Blair! I need to make this. Never would have thought to combine the two.
Oh, you’ll love the combo Megan! The best of fall! 🙂
The way you described the dish makes me starving. I have not ever tried to mix apples and sweet potatos in a dish. I need to try this one as your recommendation. Thanks for your sharing.
Thanks, Jack! It’s really that good! 🙂 I hope you get to try it!
Hi Clair. Can I use pears or apricots instead of apples ? Do they make the casserole wet? But they could put more flavor into the dish. Sour and sweet
Hi, Michael! I would go with the pears. That should be a fine substitute!
Your mom and you are talent cooks, I think.
I absolutely like any food mixed with potatoes. That’s why your recipes make me interested and it does not take too much time to cook.
Thanks, Susanne!
I’ve never seen apples mix with sweet potatoes before. However, when I look at this pic I think it could be used to make an assorted bread.
Thanks for your post It looks so delicious and easy to do. I must try to do it for my lover
Nice !!! Always come to your site to get the quick and easy recipe for a busy day haha 😀
I tried this recipe already but i just use the normal oatmeal, but it tasted good still 🙂
Thanks for your recipe xoxo
Thank you for letting me know and for reading this blog, Emily. I appreciate YOU! 🙂
i very like apple and potato. I often eat them in the dinner.
Thank you so much !
Apples and sweet potatoes are both sweet. You add an INSANE amount of sugar to them! 52 grams of sugar per serving??? I have made this with NO added sugar and it is delicious.
Apples and sweet potatoes are both sweet Thanks.