Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole

The irresistibly sweet, buttery aroma of Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole wafting through your kitchen signals that something truly special is in the oven. This legendary side dish perfectly balances velvety smooth sweet potatoes with a crunchy, caramelized pecan praline topping that makes it an unforgettable addition to any meal. The Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole has earned its reputation as one of the most beloved restaurant copycat recipes that home cooks can actually master. You’ll learn how to recreate this iconic steakhouse favorite with simple ingredients and straightforward techniques that deliver restaurant-quality results right in your own kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

The Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole isn’t just another sweet potato dish—it’s a transformative experience that blends comfort and luxury in every bite. What makes this recipe truly exceptional is the textural contrast between the silky, whipped sweet potato base and the crunchy, caramelized pecan praline topping that creates a perfect harmony of textures and flavors.

Unlike many casseroles that require complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients, this recipe uses simple pantry staples to create something extraordinary. The sweet potato layer achieves a delicate balance of sweetness and vanilla that perfectly complements the buttery, brown sugar-laden pecan crumble.

Even better, this casserole can be prepared ahead of time, making it perfect for holiday gatherings, special Sunday dinners, or anytime you want to elevate your meal. The Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole has that rare quality of being sophisticated enough for special occasions yet comforting enough to make any weeknight dinner feel special. It’s the type of dish that inspires “mmms” of appreciation around the table and requests for the recipe before the meal is even over.

Ingredients List for the Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole

The magic of this casserole comes from the perfect balance of simple, quality ingredients that create layers of complementary flavors. The sweet potatoes provide a creamy base, while the praline topping delivers irresistible crunch and caramelized sweetness.

For the Pecan Praline Topping:

• ¼ cup unsalted butter
• ¾ packed cup brown sugar (light or dark)
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup coarsely chopped pecans (or coarsely chopped walnuts)

For the Sweet Potato Layer:

• 1 large egg
• ¼ cup unsalted butter
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt (more or less to taste)
• ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups mashed sweet potatoes (fully cooked, see Notes)

Pro Tips

Creating the perfect Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole is all in the details. These three critical techniques will elevate your casserole from good to unforgettable:

1. Perfect Sweet Potato Preparation: For the smoothest, most flavorful base, bake your sweet potatoes instead of boiling them. Wrap them individually in foil and bake at 400°F for about 45-60 minutes until completely tender. This method concentrates their natural sweetness and prevents the waterlogged texture that can happen with boiling. Let them cool slightly before peeling and mashing.

2. Temperature Matters: Ensure all ingredients are at the proper temperature before combining. The sweet potatoes should be warm (but not hot) when mixing with the other ingredients, as this helps them incorporate smoothly. However, make sure melted butter has cooled slightly before adding to the beaten egg to prevent cooking it.

3. The Perfect Praline Crumble: For the ideal crunchy topping, don’t overmix the praline ingredients. Stir just until combined to maintain a coarse, crumbly texture. Distribute the topping evenly but don’t press it down—allowing some air between the crumbles ensures they’ll bake into a perfectly crunchy texture rather than a solid mass.

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit. Position oven racks so that casserole dish can sit in center of oven. Lightly grease bottom and sides of casserole dish with neutral cooking spray and set aside.

Step 2: Add ¼ cup unsalted butter to small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave butter in 15-second increments, stirring well between each, until butter is melted but not burnt. Carefully remove bowl from microwave.

Step 3: Add ¾ packed cup brown sugar, ¼ cup all-purpose flour, ¾ cup coarsely chopped pecans, and melted butter to medium mixing bowl. Stir until ingredients are incorporated into crumbly mixture. Set bowl aside.

Step 4: Crack 1 large egg directly into large mixing bowl. Whisk vigorously until egg is well-beaten and no longer streaky.

Step 5: Again add ¼ cup unsalted butter to small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave butter in 15-second increments, stirring well between each, until butter is melted but not burnt. Carefully remove bowl from microwave and let butter cool slightly.

Step 6: Add melted butter, ¾ cup granulated sugar, ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract, and 2 cups mashed sweet potatoes to large bowl with beaten egg. Stir all ingredients together until fully combined into smooth mixture. See Notes for hand mixer option.

Step 7: Transfer sweet potato mixture to prepared casserole dish. Spread mixture out into one even layer, covering bottom of dish completely.

Step 8: Sprinkle praline crumble over top of sweet potato layer, distributing crumble as evenly as possible.

Step 9: Place casserole dish in preheated oven. Bake casserole 30 minutes or until sweet potato layer is hot and praline crumble is browned. Note: if praline crumble browns too quickly, cover casserole dish loosely with aluminum foil.

Step 10: When casserole is ready, carefully remove casserole dish from oven. Set aside to rest 10 to 20 minutes, then serve warm.

Variations

The classic Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole is perfect as is, but these variations offer delicious alternatives for different dietary needs or flavor preferences:

Gluten-Free Version: Simply substitute the all-purpose flour in the topping with an equal amount of gluten-free flour blend or almond flour. The almond flour will add a subtle nuttiness that complements the pecans beautifully. The texture may be slightly different, but the flavor will remain deliciously similar.

Reduced Sugar Option: For those watching their sugar intake, you can reduce the granulated sugar in the sweet potato mixture to ½ cup and the brown sugar in the topping to ½ cup without significantly affecting the texture. Adding an extra ¼ teaspoon of vanilla extract will help maintain the perception of sweetness.

Coconut Pecan Twist: For a tropical variation, replace ¼ cup of the pecans with unsweetened coconut flakes. This adds a subtle coconut flavor that pairs surprisingly well with sweet potatoes and creates an interesting textural dimension to the classic topping.

Storage and Serving

Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole is a versatile dish that stores beautifully and can be prepared in advance, making it perfect for busy holidays or meal planning.

To store leftovers, allow the casserole to cool completely before covering tightly with plastic wrap or transferring to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

To reheat, warm in a 325°F oven for about 15-20 minutes until heated through. If frozen, you may need to add an additional 10 minutes. Cover with foil if the topping starts to darken too much.

For serving, this casserole shines alongside roasted turkey, glazed ham, or prime rib for holiday meals. It’s equally delicious paired with simple grilled chicken or pork chops for an elevated weeknight dinner. For a truly authentic experience, serve it alongside a perfectly cooked steak with a pat of butter melting on top, just as they would at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse.

FAQs

Can I make Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the entire casserole up to 2 days in advance. Assemble but don’t bake, cover tightly and refrigerate. When ready to serve, allow the casserole to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking. You may need to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time if starting from a cold state.

What size casserole dish works best for this recipe?
An 8×8-inch or 9×9-inch square baking dish works perfectly. You can also use a 2-quart casserole dish of any shape. The ideal depth is about 2 inches to allow the proper ratio of sweet potato filling to pecan topping.

Can I use canned sweet potatoes instead of fresh?
Yes, though fresh is preferred for optimal flavor. If using canned, drain very well and pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. You’ll need approximately 1 pound of canned sweet potatoes to yield 2 cups mashed.

Is this casserole too sweet to be served as a side dish?
While the Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole is certainly sweet, it’s traditionally served as a side dish, not a dessert. The sweetness balances beautifully with savory main dishes, especially those with herbs or a bit of spice.

Can I substitute walnuts for the pecans?
Absolutely! While pecans are traditional in the original Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole, walnuts make an excellent substitution with their slightly more bitter profile that helps balance the sweetness of the dish.

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