Description
Comfort comes straight from Southern kitchens with Southern Squash Casserole, a cheesy, creamy side that connects generations around the dinner table. Packed with tender squash and a golden crackers topping, this dish brings warmth and nostalgia to your family meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 pounds yellow squash
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- ¼ cup butter
- ½ cup diced onion
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Toppings and Binders:
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup butter crackers finely crushed
Instructions
- Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large pan over medium heat. Saute ½ cup diced onion for 7-8 minutes until soft and translucent.
- Add 2 pounds sliced squash to the pan. Cook 10-12 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent browning and release moisture.
- Line a colander with a towel. Transfer squash and onions to the towel, draining for 5 minutes. Press out excess liquid thoroughly.
- Combine drained squash, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ¾ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ cup sour cream, 1 beaten egg, 1 cup cheddar cheese, and ¼ cup Parmesan in a mixing bowl.
- Melt remaining 3 tablespoons butter. Mix with ¼ cup Parmesan and 1 cup crushed butter crackers to create a crumbly topping.
- Transfer squash mixture to an 8×8 inch baking dish. Sprinkle cracker topping evenly across the surface.
- Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes until golden and bubbly. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Drain the squash thoroughly to prevent a watery casserole, using a towel-lined colander and pressing out excess moisture carefully.
- Chop squash into consistent, thin slices to ensure even cooking and a smoother texture in the final dish.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular crackers with gluten-free crackers or use crushed almond flour mixed with parmesan for the topping.
- Make this side dish ahead of time by preparing the casserole and refrigerating up to 24 hours before baking, which can enhance the flavors.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 234 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 370 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg