Description
Southern squash casserole blends creamy cheese and tender vegetables into a comforting Southern classic. Crispy breadcrumb topping and rich flavors make this dish a perfect side for family gatherings and weekend meals you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Vegetables:
- 4 small yellow squash (about 2 lbs.), sliced (about 6 cups total)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
Dairy and Eggs:
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons (29.5 ml) butter, divided
Seasonings and Topping:
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt
- 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 ml) pepper
- 3/4 cup crushed butter crackers (such as 18 Ritz crackers)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare an 8-inch or 9-inch square baking dish with cooking spray.
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat and sauté squash, onion, and bell pepper until vegetables become tender, approximately 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, then remove from heat.
- In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, cheddar cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise until thoroughly blended.
- Fold the cooked vegetable mixture into the egg mixture, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
- Transfer the combined mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it uniformly.
- Create the topping by combining crushed butter crackers with melted butter in a separate bowl.
- Evenly sprinkle the buttered cracker crumbs across the casserole surface.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes until the casserole sets and the topping turns golden brown and crispy.
- Allow the casserole to cool slightly before serving alongside grilled meats or roasted chicken.
- Refrigerate any remaining portions in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, reheating thoroughly before consuming.
Notes
- Choose fresh, young squash for the best texture and flavor, avoiding overly mature or tough vegetables that can become watery.
- Drain excess moisture from cooked squash by patting with paper towels to prevent a soggy casserole bottom and ensure a crispy topping.
- Swap butter crackers with gluten-free alternatives like crushed rice crackers or gluten-free breadcrumbs for a celiac-friendly version.
- Boost protein content by adding cooked diced ham or crumbled bacon to the squash mixture for extra depth and richness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 221
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 88 mg