Description
Southern squash casserole blends creamy comfort with garden-fresh goodness. Crisp buttery topping and rich cheese create a classic side dish that brings southern hospitality right to your plate.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 (medium) yellow squash (thinly sliced)
- 1 (large) Vidalia onion (thinly sliced)
- 1 cup (shredded) sharp cheddar cheese
- 0.5 cup (grated) Parmesan cheese
- 0.5 cup sour cream
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 sleeve buttery crackers (like Ritz, crushed)
- Salt (to taste)
- Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and lightly grease a 2-quart casserole dish to ensure easy serving and cleanup.
- Vegetable Sauté: In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium heat. Add squash, onions, and butter, sautéing until vegetables soften and turn translucent, approximately 10 minutes. Drain excess liquid to maintain casserole’s desired consistency.
- Cheese Mixture: Combine sautéed vegetables in a mixing bowl with Parmesan, cheddar cheese, and sour cream. Season with salt and pepper, mixing thoroughly to create a uniform flavor profile.
- Assembly and Topping: Spread the vegetable-cheese mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Crush crackers and sprinkle uniformly over the top, creating a crispy golden layer.
- Baking and Finishing: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the cracker topping turns golden brown and edges begin to bubble. Allow the casserole to rest 5-10 minutes after removing from oven, enabling ingredients to set and facilitating cleaner serving.
Notes
- Manage Moisture Content: Thoroughly drain sautéed squash to prevent excess liquid from making the casserole soggy, ensuring a creamy yet firm texture.
- Cheese Selection Flexibility: Experiment with different cheese combinations like Gruyère or Monterey Jack to customize flavor profiles while maintaining the dish’s creamy consistency.
- Cracker Topping Variations: Swap traditional crackers with gluten-free alternatives or use panko breadcrumbs for a crunchier texture, accommodating different dietary needs without compromising taste.
- Temperature Control Technique: Let the casserole rest after baking to allow ingredients to set, creating more stable and beautifully presented servings with enhanced flavor melding.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg