Cheesy Southern Squash Casserole – Looking for the perfect side dish. Or appetizer. For your next family gathering? This Cheesy Southern Squash Casserole. Combines tender yellow squash, and savory onions. Two types of cheese, and a buttery cracker topping. For a dish that will be. An instant crowd-pleaser. With a creamy, cheesy base. And a crisp golden top. This Southern classic is a perfect way. To enjoy the fresh flavors of yellow squash!
The first time I made this Cheesy Southern Squash Casserole. It quickly became a household favorite. My husband. Who’s usually skeptical about squash. Absolutely loved it. And our kids couldn’t stop asking for seconds. The combination of creamy cheese. And crunchy cracker topping. Won everyone over. Now, it’s a go-to recipe. Whenever I want to add a bit of Southern comfort. To our meals. It’s easy to whip up. And the smell of it baking in the oven. Always brings everyone to the kitchen. With anticipation!
What makes this Cheesy Southern Squash Casserole truly special?
This recipe brings together. All the best elements of Southern cooking: fresh veggies. Rich and melty cheese. And a buttery, golden topping. Not only is it simple. And comforting. But the balance between the soft squash. And the crispy cracker layer. Creates the perfect texture. The combination of cheddar. And pepper jack cheese. Gives it a cheesy kick. And the optional cayenne. Adds just the right amount of heat. It’s the perfect dish. For potlucks, holidays. Or cozy family dinners.
What You Need To Make This Cheesy Southern Squash Casserole Recipe?
Yellow Squash: Make sure to slice the squash evenly. Around 1/4 inch thick. To ensure they cook evenly. And stay tender. Without becoming too mushy.
Cheddar and Pepper Jack Cheese: These two cheeses. Add a wonderful combination of sharpness. And spice. You can adjust the amount of Pepper Jack. Depending on how much heat you prefer.
Buttery Crackers: I use Ritz crackers. For that perfect golden crunch. Feel free to swap. With your favorite brand of buttery crackers.
Sour Cream: Adds richness. And helps to balance the heat. From the Pepper Jack. And cayenne.
Cayenne Pepper: Totally optional. But it gives a nice subtle heat. That really complements the cheesy goodness.
Steps To Make Cheesy Southern Squash Casserole:
Step 1: Preheat Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F.
Step 2: Cook Squash & Onion: In a large skillet. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Over medium heat. Add in the sliced yellow squash. Chopped onion, salt, pepper, and cayenne (if using). Cook until the squash. And onions are tender. Stirring occasionally. This should take. About 10 minutes.
Step 3: Mix the Filling: In a large bowl. Whisk together the eggs, cheddar cheese, Pepper Jack cheese, and sour cream. Until smooth. And creamy.
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Step 4: Combine: Pour the cooked squash. And onion mixture. Into the egg. And cheese mixture. Stir everything together. Until well combined.
Step 5: Prepare Casserole Dish: Spray a 9×13 casserole dish. With non-stick cooking spray. Pour the squash. And cheese mixture. Into the dish. Spreading it out evenly.
Step 6: Add the Topping: Crush the buttery crackers. And sprinkle them evenly. Over the casserole. Drizzle the top. With 2 tablespoons of melted butter. To ensure the cracker topping. Becomes perfectly crispy. And golden.
Step 7: Bake: Place the casserole. In the preheated oven. And bake for 30-40 minutes. Or until the top. Is golden brown. And the cheese is bubbly.
Step 8: Serve: Let it cool. For about 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy this cheesy, comforting dish!
Tip:
For an extra flavor boost. Cook the squash. And onions. Until they’re just starting to caramelize. Giving them a slight golden brown color. This step adds depth to the dish. And enhances the natural sweetness of the squash. When baking. Make sure to let the cracker topping. Get golden and crisp—it’s the perfect crunchy contrast. To the creamy filling. If you want to save time. You can also prepare the casserole. A day in advance. And refrigerate it. Then bake it fresh before serving!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use a different type of squash?
Yes. You can substitute yellow squash. With zucchini. Or a combination of both. For a different flavor profile.
How can I make this dish lighter?
For a lighter version. You can use reduced-fat cheese. And light sour cream. Skipping the buttery crackers. Can also reduce calories.
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the casserole. Up to the point of adding the cracker topping. And refrigerate. When you’re ready to bake. Top with the crackers. And bake as directed.
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Cheesy Southern Squash Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 5 yellow squash sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
- 1 medium onion chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper optional
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 c shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 c shredded pepper jack cheese
- 8 oz sour cream
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 sleeve of buttery crackers such as Ritz, crushed
- 2 tbsp melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Melt 2 tablespoons of butter. In a large skillet. Over medium heat. Add the sliced squash and onions. And season with salt, and pepper. And optional cayenne. Cook until the squash. And onions are softened.
- In a large mixing bowl. Whisk together the eggs. With shredded cheddar, Pepper Jack cheese, and sour cream. Stir in the cooked squash. And onions. Until everything. Is well mixed.
- Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. And pour in the squash mixture. Spread the crushed crackers evenly. Over the top. And drizzle with the melted butter. Bake for 30-40 minutes. Or until the top. Is golden brown. And crispy.
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
2 Responses
Any suggestions on how to substitute the eggs to make it egg free?
To make the Cheesy Southern Squash Casserole egg-free, try one of these options:
Flaxseed meal: 1 tbsp flaxseed + 3 tbsp water = 1 egg.
Applesauce: 1/4 cup for each egg.
Silken tofu: 1/4 cup per egg, blended.
Vegan yogurt: Plain yogurt as an egg substitute.
Add in step 3 with the cheeses and sour cream.