Description
Southern comfort meets culinary elegance in this irresistible Southern Squash Casserole, a classic dish celebrating summer’s golden bounty. Creamy, cheesy, and perfectly seasoned, it promises a delightful journey through Southern hospitality that will make you crave another serving.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 pounds yellow squash, sliced 1/4 inch thick (about 5 medium-sized squash)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Dairy and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup butter, divided
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Topping Ingredients:
- 1 cup butter crackers (such as Ritz), finely crushed (about 25 crackers)
Instructions
- Initiate the vegetable preparation by gently sweating diced onions in melted butter over medium heat until they become soft and translucent, approximately 7-8 minutes.
- Incorporate sliced squash into the onion mixture, continuously stirring to prevent sticking and cooking until vegetables become tender and release their natural moisture, around 10-12 minutes.
- Transfer the cooked vegetable blend into a towel-lined colander, allowing excess liquid to drain completely by gently pressing and extracting moisture for at least 5 minutes.
- Create the casserole base by combining the drained vegetables with garlic powder, seasonings, sour cream, beaten egg, cheddar cheese, and a portion of Parmesan in a spacious mixing bowl, blending thoroughly until ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Prepare the crispy topping by melting remaining butter and combining it with crushed crackers and additional Parmesan cheese, ensuring a uniform coating.
- Carefully spread the vegetable mixture into a baking dish, ensuring an even layer and smoothing the surface with a spatula.
- Generously sprinkle the prepared cracker topping across the entire surface, creating a uniform golden-brown crust.
- Position the casserole in a preheated 350°F oven and bake until the top transforms into a rich, golden color and the edges become delicately crisp, approximately 25 minutes.
Notes
- Draining the squash thoroughly prevents a watery, soggy casserole that could ruin the delightful texture.
- Swap traditional crackers with gluten-free alternatives like rice crackers or almond flour-based crackers for a celiac-friendly version.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like gouda, monterey jack, or pepper jack to create unique flavor profiles while maintaining the creamy consistency.
- Incorporate additional vegetables like zucchini or yellow squash to boost nutritional value and add vibrant colors to the dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern (American)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 305
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 501 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg