Healthier Sweet Potato and Pumpkin Casserole

There are a handful of reasons why there is no need to make anything healthy when it comes to Holiday dinners. For starters, its a Holiday. Splurge, go all out, pull a Joey and wear maternity pants! We all have that one dish we look forward to every Holiday dinner. Mine are the rolls and mashed potatoes. Two of the healthiest things on the menu. Wheat and vegetables as I like to call it.

HEALTHIER SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE VIA THE DIVA DISH
HEALTHIER SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE VIA THE DIVA DISH

But you see, sometimes it's a good idea to balance out the indulgent recipes and healthier recipes...for me at least. For my husband, hecks no.

So let me tell you what happened the other day...

I was at the library with all three of my kids at 4:30 in the afternoon. I know. Anyways, I was doing my best to lasso them up so we could leave when a lady came up to me and said, "Excuse me..."

In my mind I had figured she was going to say one of two things,  "Your kids are just so cute, I don't know how to do it raising three good little obedient girls!" Or...

"Girl, what the hell were you thinking! Get these kids in check!"

HEALTHIER SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE VIA THE DIVA DISH
HEALTHIER SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE VIA THE DIVA DISH

Instead she said...

"So, I'm not a lesbian or anything but girl you have a nice ass! You've got a big booty, I'm so jealous!"

I was so flattered and kind of embarrassed thinking those tight Lululemon leggings were a mistake, but I quickly replied, " Oh if I could, I would give my big booty to you!"

In a non sexual way. Like a plastic surgical kind of way. I need to leave. Immediately.

HEALTHIER SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE VIA THE DIVA DISH
HEALTHIER SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE VIA THE DIVA DISH

I'm not quite sure what it necessarily has to do with this Healthier Sweet Potato Casserole, but let's just assume for a second that sometimes when you've been blessed with extra junk in the trunk...I'm all for a healthier side dish at Thanksgiving!

HEALTHIER SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE VIA THE DIVA DISH
HEALTHIER SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE VIA THE DIVA DISH

Healthier Sweet Potato and Pumpkin Casserole

Ingredients

  • 2-3 large sweet potatoes
  • 1 c. pumpkin puree
  • 1 TB. molasses
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 1 c. milk of choice
  • 1 tsp.pumpkin pie spice
  • sprinkle of salt and pepper
  • 1/2 c. coconut sugar
  • (For the topping)
  • 2 TB. softened/room temp coconut oil
  • 3 TB. coconut sugar
  • 1 heaping TB. flour
  • 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/4 c. pecans, measured, then finely chopped
  • 1/2 c. mini marshmallows

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375.
  2. Wash your sweet potatoes, stab them with a fork multiple times, and bake them in the oven for 20-30 minutes, or until soft. You can also skin, dice, and boil your sweet potatoes until soft as well!
  3. Once they are cooked and cooled, remove the skin (if you roasted them), and place in a medium bowl. Mash them together. You want about 2 cups of puree.
  4. Add in the rest of your ingredients, minus the toppings.
  5. Mash together until smooth.
  6. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  7. Grease a 8x8 baking dish, and add your sweet potato mixture to it. Gently smooth it on top.
  8. In a separate bowl, add your toppings (minus marshmallows) and mash together with a fork.
  9. Sprinkle toppings evenly on top of casserole.
  10. Bake for 20, remove from the oven, then sprinkle marshmallows on top, and place back in the oven for 10 more minutes.
  11. Once done, remove and let cool slightly! Then serve and enjoy!

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I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving Holiday!!