Ruth's Chris Sweet Potato Casserole (The BEST Copycat Recipe)

Name: Ruth's Chris Sweet Potato Casserole (The BEST Copycat Recipe)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 75 min
Ingredients: 3 lbs sweet potatoes (peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes); 1 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened); 2 large eggs (lightly beaten); 1/4 cup heavy cream; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1/4 tsp salt; 1 cup light brown sugar (packed); 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup unsalted butter (cold and cubed); 1 cup chopped pecans; 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

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Craving that iconic, dessert-like side dish from Ruth’s Chris Steak House? You’ve come to the right place. This is the ultimate copycat Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole recipe, perfectly replicating the creamy, decadent sweet potato filling and the crunchy, buttery pecan crust that makes it a legend. Forget waiting for a special occasion; you can now make this crowd-pleasing dish right in your own kitchen.

Why This is the Best Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

While many recipes attempt to copy the classic, this one is designed for perfection. We’ve tested and tweaked to ensure the texture is velvety smooth and the topping is addictively crunchy, just like the original. It’s the perfect side dish for holidays, family dinners, or anytime you want a taste of steakhouse luxury at home. This recipe strikes the perfect balance of sweetness and flavor, making it a standout on any dinner table.

What is Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole?

Unlike traditional sweet potato casseroles that might use marshmallows, the Ruth’s Chris version features a rich, soufflé-like sweet potato base sweetened with sugar and vanilla. The true star, however, is the signature crunchy topping made from brown sugar, butter, flour, and chopped pecans. It bakes into a sweet, praline-like crust that provides the perfect textural contrast to the smooth filling beneath. It’s so decadent, it could easily pass for dessert!

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients to recreate the signature steakhouse flavor. Here’s what you’ll need to gather.

For the Sweet Potato Filling

Sweet Potatoes: About 3 pounds, peeled and cubed. This is the foundation of our casserole.
Granulated Sugar: Provides the perfect amount of sweetness to the filling.
Butter: Use unsalted butter, softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
Eggs: Large eggs act as a binder and give the casserole a rich, custard-like texture.
Heavy Cream: Adds richness and moisture, creating that signature velvety texture.
Vanilla Extract: A touch of pure vanilla extract enhances the dessert-like quality of the dish.
Salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness.

For the Pecan Crumble Topping

Light Brown Sugar: Creates a deep, caramel-like flavor for the crust. Make sure it’s packed.
All-Purpose Flour: Helps bind the topping ingredients together into a perfect crumble.
Butter: Unsalted and cold, cut into cubes. This creates a crumbly, crispy texture when baked.
Chopped Pecans: The star of the topping, providing a nutty flavor and fantastic crunch.
Cinnamon: A pinch of ground cinnamon adds a warm, spicy note that complements the sweet potatoes beautifully.

How to Make Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole Step-by-Step

Follow these simple steps to create a flawless copycat of the famous Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole. We’ll start by making the filling and then prepare the irresistible pecan topping.

Step 1: Cook the Sweet Potatoes

Place the peeled and cubed sweet potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold, salted water. Bring to a boil and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until they are very tender when pierced with a fork. Drain the potatoes thoroughly and return them to the hot pot for a minute to steam dry.

Step 2: Prepare the Filling

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. In a large bowl, mash the cooked sweet potatoes until smooth. You can use a potato masher or an electric mixer for an extra smooth consistency. Add the granulated sugar, softened butter, eggs, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix until everything is well combined and the filling is smooth and creamy.

The Ruth's Chris Sweet Potato Casserole being served onto a plate, with steam rising from the dish. — Ready to serve! The best side dish for any holiday meal.

Step 3: Assemble the Casserole Base

Pour the sweet potato mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer. Set aside while you prepare the topping.

Step 4: Make the Pecan Crumble Topping

In a separate medium bowl, combine the packed light brown sugar and all-purpose flour. Add the cold, cubed butter. Using a pastry blender or your fingertips, cut the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the chopped pecans and cinnamon until evenly distributed.

Step 5: Top and Bake

Sprinkle the pecan crumble topping evenly over the sweet potato filling in the baking dish. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is heated through. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Tips for the Perfect Copycat Casserole

To ensure your homemade Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole is as good as the restaurant’s, keep these tips in mind.

Use Fresh Sweet Potatoes: For the best flavor and texture, use fresh sweet potatoes, not canned. Roasting them instead of boiling can also deepen their natural sweetness.
Don’t Overmix the Topping: When cutting in the butter for the topping, work quickly and keep the butter cold. Overmixing can melt the butter, resulting in a greasy topping rather than a crumbly one.
Toast the Pecans: For an extra layer of flavor, lightly toast the pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes before adding them to the topping mixture.

Serving Suggestions

This sweet potato casserole is a star side dish for any occasion. It pairs perfectly with holiday mains like a Spatchcock Turkey or Baked Lobster Tails. It also complements classic comfort food dinners, such as Maple Dijon Chicken or a hearty steak.

A close-up spoonful of sweet potato casserole with pecan crust, highlighting the creamy texture of the filling against the crunchy topping. — Look at that perfect texture! Creamy filling and a crunchy pecan topping.

Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions

One of the best parts of this recipe is that it can be prepared in advance, making it perfect for busy holiday meals.

Making It Ahead

You can assemble the entire casserole without the topping up to 2 days in advance. Prepare the sweet potato filling, place it in the baking dish, cover, and refrigerate. Prepare the topping separately and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When ready to bake, sprinkle the topping over the filling and bake as directed, adding 5-10 minutes to the baking time.

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover casserole tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The topping may soften slightly upon refrigeration.

Reheating

To reheat, place the casserole in an oven preheated to 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through. This will also help re-crisp the topping.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole different?

Unlike many traditional recipes that use marshmallows, the Ruth’s Chris version is known for its sweet, soufflé-like filling and a distinct crunchy topping made with brown sugar, butter, and chopped pecans, which creates a praline-like crust.