It's no surprise that one of the most popular foods from southern kitchens and recipes is the classic sweet potato casserole. Whether it's a side dish, main course, or snack, the combination of flavorsome potatoes and creamy sauce is always a hit. If you are looking for the easiest way to prepare a casserole, you should know that the process is not difficult. It requires some patience, but the end result will be a warm, gooey dessert.

The first thing you need to know if you want to make a classic sweet potato casserole is that you can use potatoes of any variety. If possible, choose ones with skin. If they have no skin, you can use potatoes with green skin (no yellow or brown spots) as long as you puree them instead of draining them first.

When picking up your ingredients, be sure to get the firm sweet potatoes and of a good size. In addition, ensure that you pick ones with a high starch content to retain their shape and do not shrink. Even better is to buy small packages of sweet potatoes instead of big sacks. This ensures that they don't get mixed up with other ingredients and need to be tossed out. It's a common mistake among amateur cooks to throw away smaller pieces just because they don't like them.

Of course, you are going to need a food processor to make a classic sweet potato casserole. There are many different kinds available, so you'll want to get one that does a good job. Choose a processor that cuts through the butter or oil without getting clogged up. A blender works great, as does a food chopper.

When it comes to cooking sweet potatoes, you need to remember that they do not cook evenly. When you slice one up, you should try to have an even cutting angle to keep the skin intact and attached to the flesh. Remember that potatoes tend to have a gamey texture at times, so when you cut them, pay careful attention to this factor. If you find the center is dark red instead of white, it is safe to assume that you have cut too hard. You can always add more potatoes and continue to stir while you do this.

Once you have successfully chopped up your sweet potatoes, it is time to prepare your other ingredients. Using a food processor or a blender is a great way to make a nice puree. Add your items such as butter, milk, sour cream, and cream if you desire. I generally like to add some cranberries or raisins, but you may want to experiment with different types of fruit as well.

At this point, you are ready to create your masterpiece. To prevent burning, you will want to heat your oven. Bring it up to 350 degrees and allow the sweet potato to cook for about 10 minutes. When it does, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool down. It is now time to puree the rest of your ingredients to make a classic sweet potato casserole.

Once this is done, you can serve and enjoy your delicious casserole. If you want to be completely prepared, you can add frozen vegetables at this point, such as peas, corn, cauliflower, squash, onions, mushrooms, and chicken. Make sure that everything is fully mixed by blending it very well, especially the vegetables. You can taste the ingredients while it is blending very well to ensure that there are no unnecessary additives or anything that could potentially burn the spices. Once the casserole has cooled down, you can serve it hot.