Lets Make Ruths Chris Sweet Potato Casserole!

Lets Make Ruths Chris Sweet Potato Casserole: The Best Sweet Potato Souffle Side Dish

Stop whatever you’re doing and take a deep breath. Can you smell it? That deep, comforting aroma of cinnamon, nutmeg, and butter hitting a hot oven? That, my friend, is the smell of a successful holiday or Tuesday, if you’re like me and believe in luxury side dishes year round.

We’re not making a heavy, dense sweet potato mash today. We are mastering the Lets Make Ruths Chris Sweet Potato casserole that iconic version known for being impossibly light, like a spiced cloud, thanks to a few clever binding tricks.

It’s essentially a sweet potato soufflé, topped with a pecan streusel that absolutely shatters when you bite into it. I’ve messed this recipe up enough times (hello, watery base!), so trust me when I say this is the foolproof method.

This recipe is fast to pull together (just 15 minutes of prep!) and delivers that high end, creamy texture that defines the original dish. If you thought replicating that famous Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole was too hard, you were wrong.

Let’s get cooking!

The Science of the Soufflé: Achieving the Cloud Like Consistency

Why This Works: Achieving the Sweet Potato Souffle Texture

The secret to why this Chris Sweet Potato Casserole feels more like a soufflé than a typical heavy casserole isn’t just volume it’s aeration.

1. The Fluffy Base: We boil the potatoes and drain them thoroughly. Crucially, we beat the cooked potatoes with softened butter and sugar before adding the eggs. This step is mandatory! Beating incorporates massive amounts of air (volume) and creates a smooth emulsion, preventing the final dish from turning grainy.
2. The Egg Binder: The eggs act as both leavening and a binder. When baked, the proteins in the eggs coagulate, trapping the steam from the milk and starches. This is what causes that signature puff.
3. The Resting Period: That long total time? It’s important. Allowing the dish to rest after baking (even though it's hard to wait!) lets the starches settle and the egg structure stabilize. This prevents the filling from running out when you slice into it.

The Perfect Blend of Sweet, Spice, and Buttery Finish

The flavor profile is simple but addictive: high-quality butter, vanilla, and a hint of warm spices. The richness of the sweet potato base, combined with the buttery flour and brown sugar in the pecan streusel, creates a perfect balance that makes this the Best Sweet Potato Casserole you’ll ever try.

Gather Your Ingredients: What You Need to Make the Ruth’s Chris Copycat

Ingredient Swaps: Making the Recipe gluten-free or Vegan Friendly

Nutrition Information

step-by-step Guide: Lets Make Ruths Chris Sweet Potato Casserole at Home

Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 35 minutes Rest Time: 85 minutes (Allows cooling and setting) Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes Yield:

6 servings

1. Prepare and Dry the Sweet Potatoes

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.

Peel and chop the sweet potatoes into roughly 1 inch chunks. Boil them in salted water for 15 to 20 minutes until they are fork tender. Drain them aggressively .

Transfer them back to the empty pot or a bowl and let them sit for 5 minutes, allowing residual steam to escape. This drying step is critical to prevent a watery base!

2. Whip the Soufflé Base

Transfer the hot, dry sweet potatoes to a large mixing bowl. Mash them until there are no lumps left. Now, add the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat on medium speed for 2– 3 minutes until the butter is fully incorporated and the mixture is light and creamy.

Next, pour in the milk, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Mix until combined. Finally, add the two eggs, one at a time, beating for 30 seconds after each addition. You should end up with a smooth, light, and airy base, almost like a thick pancake batter consistency.

This is the airy volume that makes the Sweet Potato Souffle so famous!

Quick Tip: If you want an extra decadent, slightly boozy flavor perfect for pairing with a rich roast add 1 tablespoon of good quality bourbon here. If you love deep, spiced holiday flavors, you might also like my recipe for Christmas Cupcakes: Spiced Ginger Cake with Brown Butter Frosting .

3. Assemble and Top the Casserole

Pour the sweet potato mixture into the prepared baking dish. Smooth the top slightly with a spatula.

For the streusel, grab a separate medium bowl. Combine the flour, brown sugar, and chopped pecans. Add the cold, cubed butter. Use your fingers (my preferred method!), a pastry cutter, or two forks to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse, pea-sized crumbs.

The butter needs to stay cold so it can melt slowly in the oven, creating that lovely golden crunch.

Sprinkle the streusel evenly over the sweet potato base. Make sure you cover the whole surface.

4. Bake and Rest

Bake the Lets Make Ruths Chris Sweet Potato casserole for 30 to 35 minutes. You are looking for the streusel to be a deep golden brown and the filling to be set and slightly puffed in the center.

Remove from the oven and let it rest on the counter for at least 15– 20 minutes before serving. Remember, the total time commitment for this Sweet Potato Casserole includes a resting period this guarantees the best texture!

Troubleshooting and Pro Tips for the Perfect Sweet Potato Soufflé

Nobody wants a flat, watery sweet potato dish. Here are the most common pitfalls when you Make Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole and how to bounce back.

Quick Tip: Can You Use Canned Sweet Potatoes?

Yes, technically. But be warned: the flavor depth won't be the same, and the texture will be looser. If you use canned sweet potatoes (drained very well), skip the boiling step entirely.

To ensure a thick base, I highly recommend adding an extra tablespoon of flour or cornstarch to the mash to compensate for the canned potatoes' high water content when you Lets Make Ruths Chris Sweet Potato .

make-ahead and Storage: Keeping Your Sweet Potato Casserole Fresh

This Chris Sweet Potato Casserole is actually fantastic for making ahead, which is why it's a staple for Thanksgiving Side Dishes.

Freezing Instructions: Preparing the Casserole Ahead of Time

You can freeze this in two stages:

1. Unbaked (Recommended): Assemble the sweet potato base and spread it in a freezer safe dish. Mix the streusel, but store it separately in a sealed bag. Cover the base tightly with plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, thaw overnight in the fridge. Remove plastic wrap, top with the streusel, and bake as directed, adding 5– 10 minutes to the cook time.
2. Baked: Bake completely, let it cool entirely, and then wrap tightly. Freeze. Thaw overnight in the fridge.

Storing Leftovers: Reheating for Best Texture

Leftovers should be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

• Reheating: To maintain the delicate soufflé texture and the crispness of the topping, avoid the microwave. Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C) and reheat the casserole, uncovered, for about 10– 15 minutes until warmed through. The low temperature prevents the topping from burning while the interior slowly re-fluffs.

If you happen to have any leftovers, they pair beautifully with a drizzle of homemade caramel. If you're trying to cut back on holiday sugar, definitely check out my recipe for SugarFree Caramel Sauce: Rich, Keto Friendly Easy to Make to take this over the top!

The Perfect Pairings: Serving Suggestions for This Classic Side Dish

Because this Lets Make Ruths Chris Sweet Potato recipe is so rich, it works best alongside savory main courses. It’s perfect with roast turkey, baked ham, or a deeply seasoned pork tenderloin.

It’s sweet enough to feel like a dessert but structurally savory enough to hold its own as a side dish.

Honestly, once you master this version, you’ll never go back to the boring, heavy style of Sweet Potato Recipes Casserole . This method creates that Best Sweet Potato Casserole experience every time. Happy baking!