Crack Squash Casserole

Crack Squash Casserole – hands down the BEST squash casserole! Even our squash haters love this casserole. Squash, onions, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, ranch dressing mix, bacon, cheddar cheese, and french fried onions. Can assemble ahead of time and refrigerate overnight. This is always a hit at our dinner table.

scooping squash from baking dish with text overlay

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Squash Casserole with Cheddar, Bacon & Ranch

This Crack Squash Casserole is our favorite squash casserole recipe. Squash and onions baked a creamy sauce loaded with cheddar, bacon, and ranch? Um, yes, please!  PLUS it is ready to eat in about 30 minutes. We love quick and easy side dish recipes like this. Perfect for busy weeknight meals and holiday dinners. One bite and you are sure to be a fan!

What does CRACK mean?

If a recipe has “crack” in the title it means that the recipe has cheddar, bacon, and ranch in the ingredients. It all started with my Crack Dip way back in 2007. I made the dip for a Titans football game. Everyone went crazy over it. We couldn’t stop eating it and said it was like crack. The name stuck. 

According to the dictionary, the definition of crack is “of superior excellence or ability”. We think the flavor combination of cheddar, bacon, and ranch fits this definition! This recipe is most definitely of superior excellence!

baking dish of squash casserole

How to Make Crack Squash Casserole

This recipe is super easy to make with only a few simple ingredients. Chop fresh yellow squash and onions. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add squash and onion. Cook until tender. Drain any excess liquid in a colander. 

In a large bowl, whisk together cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and ranch seasoning. Stir in squash mixture, cooked bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and french fried onions. Pour the squash mixture into a baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Bake in a preheated oven until warm and bubbly. Sprinkle casserole with more shredded cheese and french fried onions. Bake an additional 5 or 10 minutes to melt the cheese.

Helpful Tips & Frequently Asked Questions

  • I use fresh yellow summer squash.
    • Can substitute zucchini or use a combination of yellow squash and zucchini.
  • Can use any onion that you enjoy. I usually use sweet onions, white onions, or a yellow onion.
  • If you are sensitive to ranch seasoning mix, adjust the amount to your personal preference.
  • Here is our recipe for Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix made with buttermilk powder, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, chives, dill, salt, and black pepper: https://www.plainchicken.com/homemade-ranch-dressing-mix
  • Don’t like fried onions? You can substitute a quick buttery cracker topping made with crushed ritz crackers and melted butter.
  • Can use any flavor of condensed cream of soup that you prefer. Cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, or cream of celery soup all work great.
  • Add a dash of cayenne pepper for a little kick!
  • Can Squash Casserole be made in advance? Yes! Assemble the casserole and cover the casserole dish with plastic wrap. Store in the fridge until ready to bake.
  • Can Squash Casserole be frozen? Yes! Assemble the casserole with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months.
    • When ready to bake, remove from the freezer and thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Bake as directed.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
    • Reheat leftovers in the microwave.
scooping squash from baking dish

What to Serve with Squash

This is a great recipe to get your family to eat their vegetables!  is great for a quick weeknight meal. It also makes a great addition to your holiday menu. We make this for holiday dinners with baked ham and roasted turkey. I never have any leftovers. Give this recipe a try ASAP. You won’t be disappointed!

Here are a few of our favorite recipes from the blog that go great with this squash casserole recipe:

scooping squash from baking dish with text overlay

Crack Squash Casserole

Yield: 6 people
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Crack Squash Casserole – hands down the BEST squash casserole! Even our squash haters love this casserole. Squash, onions, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, ranch dressing mix, bacon, cheddar cheese, and french fried onions. Can assemble ahead of time and refrigerate overnight. This is always a hit at our dinner table.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  • Preheat oven to 350ºF. Lightly spray a 9×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter. Add onion to the melted butter in the skillet and cook for 5 minutes, or until tender. Add yellow summer squash, salt, and pepper. Cook until the squash is tender. Drain well.
  • In a large bowl, mix together squash mixture, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, ranch seasoning, cheddar cheese, chopped bacon, and half of the fried onions. Spread into prepared pan.
  • Bake for 25 minutes. Remove from oven, top with remaining cheese and onions. Bake an additional 5 minutes.

Notes:

  • If you are sensitive to ranch seasoning mix, adjust the amount to your personal preference.
  • Here is our recipe for Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix made with buttermilk powder, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, chives, dill, salt, and black pepper: https://www.plainchicken.com/homemade-ranch-dressing-mix
  • Can use any flavor of condensed cream of soup that you prefer. Cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, or cream of celery soup all work great.
  • Can Squash Casserole be made in advance? Yes! Assemble the casserole and cover the casserole dish with plastic wrap. Store in the fridge until ready to bake.
  • Can Squash Casserole be frozen? Yes! Assemble the casserole with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months.
    • When ready to bake, remove from the freezer and thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Bake as directed.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
    • Reheat leftovers in the microwave.

Steph

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Pin this recipe to your favorite board now to remember it later!

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baking dish of squash casserole with text overlay

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