Southern Squash Casserole

Southern Squash Casserole Recipe – seriously the BEST squash casserole recipe EVER! I took this to a cookout and it was the first thing to go! Fresh yellow squash, zucchini, onion, garlic, cheddar cheese, eggs, heavy cream, parmesan, butter, and Ritz crackers. Can make ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze for later. SO easy and everyone LOVES it! 

Classic Southern Squash Casserole Recipe

This Southern Squash Casserole is the BEST! OMG! I don’t even really care for squash, and I loved this recipe! Tender squash, zucchini, gooey cheese, butter, and buttery crackers? YUM! This is the perfect side dish to use up all that yellow summer squash you have in the house! This is a staple at our dinner table during the summer months. It is equally delicious at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Give this a try ASAP. The whole family is sure to enjoy it.

How To Make Cheesy Squash Casserole

This casserole is a simple recipe to make with only a few ingredients. Using a sharp knife, slice yellow squash, zucchini, and an onion. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion to the pan and cook for 3 minutes. Add fresh garlic cloves and squash slices and zucchini to the pan and cook until tender. Transfer squash mixture to a colander to drain the excess moisture. Press down on it to really get all that liquid out. You don’t want a watery casserole.

In a small bowl, combine melted butter and crushed crackers. Place half of the crackers into a separate bowl. Add squash mixture, cheddar cheese, eggs, heavy cream, salt, and black pepper to the bowl. Mix well. Transfer the squash mixture to a greased casserole dish. Sprinkle butter cracker crumbs, cheddar cheese, and grated parmesan cheese top of casserole. Bake uncovered until golden brown.

Helpful Tips & Frequently Asked Questions

• I like to use a handheld mandoline slicer to slice the squash into thin slices. Having all the slices the same thickness helps the squash cook evenly. It also only takes a minute to slice the squash with the handheld mandoline slicer.
• You can use freshly grated parmesan or the green can of parmesan cheese.
• Feel free to add some chopped bell pepper to the casserole.
• If you want a low-carb/keto-friendly/gluten-free dish, you can substitute crushed pork rinds for the buttery cracker crumbs.
• Don’t like Ritz crackers? You can substitute saltine crackers.
• Can Squash Casserole be Made Ahead of Time & Frozen? Absolutely! This casserole can be made ahead of time and refrigerated or frozen until ready to bake. Just assemble the casserole and refrigerate or freeze it before baking.
• If baking after being refrigerated overnight, you may need to add a few minutes to the cooking time.
• If you are freezing this casserole before baking, thaw the casserole completely and bake as directed below.
• You can also freeze the leftovers. When ready to reheat, thaw and pop in the microwave for a quick side dish.
• Store leftover squash casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

What to Serve with Squash & Zucchini

This squash recipe is one of our favorite side dishes! We love it with just about anything – grilled chicken, fried chicken, burgers, steaks, hot dogs, pork chops. This is also a delicious side dish for any upcoming holiday dinners. It goes wonderfully with ham, Turkey & Dressing, and homemade biscuits.

Looking for more recipes to serve with this dish? Here are a few recipes from the blog that go great with this easy squash casserole:

Grilled Chicken

Sweet and Spicy Grilled Chicken

Sweet and Spicy Grilled Chicken – CRAZY good!! Chicken marinated in an easy dry rub and grilled. Ready for the…

Burgers

Best Burgers EVER!

Best Burgers EVER! – these are hands down the best burgers I’ve ever eaten! SO good!!! Hamburger, onion, basil, teriyaki…

Beef

Melt in your Mouth Steaks

Melt in Your Mouth Steaks – the best steak marinade EVER! The steaks are so tender and juicy. They literally…

Main Dish

Cola Glazed Baked Ham

Cola Glazed Baked Ham – you’ll never buy a fancy store-bought honey-glazed baked ham again! Only 3 ingredients in the…

Recipe Print Recipe

Southern Squash Casserole

Author: Plain Chicken

Yield: 6 people

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 20 mins

Total Time 35 mins

Southern Squash Casserole – seriously the BEST squash casserole recipe EVER! I took this to a cookout and it was the first thing to go! Yellow squash, zucchini, onion, garlic, cheddar cheese, eggs, heavy cream, parmesan, butter, and Ritz crackers. Can make ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze for later. SO easy and everyone LOVES it! #casserole #squash #recipe #sidedish #freezermeal

Equipment:

• Hand-Held Mandoline Slicer
• 9-inch Square Baking Dish

Ingredients:

• 3 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 Vidalia onion, chopped
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1½ pounds yellow squash, sliced
• 1½ pounds zucchini, sliced
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese divided
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp salt or to taste
• ½ tsp black pepper or to taste
• 3 Tbsp grated parmesan
• 3 Tbsp butter, melted
• 1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed (approximately 24 crackers)

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 375ºF. Spray a 9×9-inch or 11×10-inch pan with cooking spray.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and saute for 3 minutes. Add garlic and squash to pan. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until squash is tender.
• Remove pan from heat and transfer squash to a colander. Drain away excess liquid.
• Combine melted butter and crushed crackers. Place half of the crackers into a large bowl.
• Add cooked squash to bowl with crackers. Add ¾ cup cheddar cheese, eggs, heavy cream, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
• Spread squash mixture into prepared pan. Top with remaining ¼ cup cheddar cheese, remaining cracker crumbs and parmesan cheese.
• Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes.

Notes:

• I like to use a handheld mandoline slicer to slice the squash into thin slices. Having all the slices the same thickness helps the squash cook evenly.  It also only takes a minute to slice the squash with the handy dandy handheld mandoline slicer.
• You can use freshly grated parmesan or the green can of parmesan cheese.
• If you want a low-carb/keto-friendly/gluten-free dish, you can substitute crushed pork rinds for the Ritz crackers.
• Can Squash Casserole be Made Ahead of Time & Frozen? Absolutely! This casserole can be made ahead of time and refrigerated or frozen until ready to bake. Just assemble the casserole and refrigerate or freeze before baking.
  • If baking after being refrigerated overnight, you may need to add a few minutes to the cooking time.
  • If you are freezing this casserole before baking, thaw the casserole completely and bake as directed below.
  • You can also freeze the leftovers. When ready to reheat, just thaw and pop in the microwave for a quick side dish.

Plain Chicken

https://www.plainchicken.com/southern-squash-casserole/

All images and text © Plain Chicken, Inc.

Did you make this recipe?Mention @plainchicken or tag #plainchicken!

Steph