17 Old-School Sweet Potato Recipes That Never Left the Thanksgiving Table

Sweet potatoes topped with marshmallows were one of my biggest Thanksgiving surprises as an immigrant. I grew up between the former USSR and Israel, where our holiday tables were set very differently, so dessert sitting next to the turkey stopped me in my tracks.

Now I host Thanksgiving every year, and my kids race to pick the marshmallows off the casserole before anyone else can. Some sides come and go, but sweet potatoes keep coming back: candied, mashed, baked into pie, or hidden under a crunchy topping.

These 17 recipes are the classics that keep earning their spot, plus a few fresh twists from my own kitchen. Pick one, and you’re carrying on a tradition that never left the table.

Stove Top Candied Sweet Potatoes

Anyone who hosts Thanksgiving, me included, knows the oven fills up fast. These candied sweet potatoes simmer on the stove with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until soft and glossy. They’re as old-school as sides get, and they leave the oven free for the turkey.
Get the Recipe: Stove Top Candied Sweet Potatoes

Almond, Cranberry And Sweet Potato Stuffing Casserole

My take on a stuffing casserole leans on roasted sweet potatoes, tart dried cranberries, and toasted almonds. It brings plenty of color and crunch to a table full of beige sides.
Get the Recipe: Almond, Cranberry And Sweet Potato Stuffing Casserole

Sweet Potato Pie

Long before pumpkin spice was everywhere, sweet potato pie was a Southern Thanksgiving staple. Smooth, spiced sweet potato filling bakes in a flaky crust until just set. Slice it with coffee after dinner, the way it’s been done for years.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Pie

Braided Sweet Potato Yeast Bread

Braided loaves bring old-fashioned bakery charm to a holiday table. Mashed sweet potatoes keep the yeast dough soft, and warm cinnamon runs through every slice. Serve it with butter for Thanksgiving breakfast or alongside dinner.
Get the Recipe: Braided Sweet Potato Yeast Bread

Sweet Potato Cornbread

I bake mashed sweet potato right into my cornbread batter to keep it soft and moist. It comes out golden and slightly sweet, and sits perfectly next to turkey and gravy.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Cornbread

Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows and Pecans

The first time I saw sweet potato casserole with marshmallows, I couldn’t understand why dessert was sitting next to the turkey. Mashed sweet potatoes baked under a layer of toasted marshmallows and pecans. Now my kids race to pick the marshmallows off the top.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows and Pecans

Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Mashed sweet potatoes are the simplest way to put this classic on the table. Whip soft sweet potatoes with butter and cream into a smooth, naturally sweet bowl, with a pinch of cinnamon if you like. Some traditions stick around because they’re easy, and this is one of them.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Sweet Potato Puffs

Vintage sweet potato puffs hide a gooey marshmallow in the middle. Sweet potato balls get rolled in a crispy cracker coating and baked until the centers melt. They’re a true retro holiday side, and kids love finding the surprise inside.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Puffs

Sweet Potato Cheesecake

Cheesecake isn’t old-school, but sweet potato desserts certainly are. Creamy sweet potato filling sits on a graham cracker crust with warm fall spices. It’s a modern way to put an old favorite on the dessert table.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Cheesecake

Sweet Potato Pudding with Grated Potatoes

If kugel was on your holiday table growing up, like my grandmother’s was on mine, this grated sweet potato pudding will feel familiar. Shredded sweet potatoes bake with milk and brown sugar until golden and soft. It’s old-fashioned comfort that fits right in on Thanksgiving.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Pudding with Grated Potatoes

Sweet Potato Fritters with Sweet & Spicy Sauce

Fritters turn a Thanksgiving side into a crispy snack. Sweet potato patties get pan-fried until golden and served with a sweet and spicy dipping sauce. Set them out while the turkey rests for a fresh bite of an old favorite.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Fritters with Sweet & Spicy Sauce

Orange Glazed Sweet Potatoes

A bright orange glaze is an old trick for making sweet potatoes shine. Sweet potatoes cook in butter and orange juice until they’re sticky and glossy. The citrus keeps this sweet side from feeling heavy next to everything else on the plate.
Get the Recipe: Orange Glazed Sweet Potatoes

Gooey Apple Cobbler with Sweet Potato Biscuits

Apple cobbler is about as old-school as dessert gets, and sweet potato biscuits make it even cozier. Gooey baked apples go under soft sweet potato biscuits, which is a great way to use up leftover sweet potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Gooey Apple Cobbler with Sweet Potato Biscuits

Scalloped Sweet Potatoes with Two Types of Potatoes

Two kinds of potatoes mean everyone at the table gets their favorite. Thin layers of sweet and regular potatoes bake in a creamy, cheesy sauce until golden and tender. It brings two holiday classics together in one dish.
Get the Recipe: Scalloped Sweet Potatoes with Two Types of Potatoes

How to Make a Sweet Potato Souffle with Pears

Pears are the quiet surprise in this sweet potato soufflé. The creamy, spiced sweet potato base bakes under a crunchy pecan topping. It’s a holiday classic with just a little something extra.
Get the Recipe: How to Make a Sweet Potato Souffle with Pears

Sweet Potato Casserole with Hazelnuts

This is my twist on the classic casserole, using hazelnuts instead of the usual pecans. Smooth sweet potatoes bake under the crunchy nut topping. Same comforting base, just a new crunch on top.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole with Hazelnuts

Sweet Potatoes with Candied Maple Pecans

Maple-candied pecans make a classic sweet potato side feel special. Tender sweet potatoes get topped with crunchy pecans glazed in maple syrup. It’s familiar enough for the traditionalists and just different enough to stand out.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potatoes with Candied Maple Pecans

Is there a sweet potato dish your family would notice immediately if it disappeared from Thanksgiving dinner?