In the realm of Southern cuisine, few dishes evoke a sense of comfort and nostalgia quite like squash casserole. This delectable dish, often served during family gatherings and holiday feasts, is a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that has been passed down through generations.
At its core, squash casserole is a symphony of tender, buttery squash, savory seasonings, creamy sauce, and a crispy, golden-brown topping. The squash, typically butternut or yellow squash, is cooked until fork-tender and then combined with a mixture of eggs, milk, and cheese. This creamy custard base envelops the squash, infusing it with a velvety richness. To enhance the flavor profile, a medley of spices and herbs, such as nutmeg, black pepper, and thyme, is incorporated into the mixture, adding depth and complexity.
The crowning glory of this casserole is the crispy topping, a combination of breadcrumbs, butter, and grated Parmesan cheese. This golden-brown crust provides a textural contrast to the creamy interior, creating a delightful interplay of textures in every bite.
Whether you prefer a classic squash casserole recipe or one with a unique twist, this article offers a curated collection of recipes that cater to every palate. From the traditional Southern squash casserole to variations that incorporate ingredients like bacon, corn, or even sweet potatoes, there's a recipe here to satisfy every craving.
So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and embark on a culinary journey that will transport you to the heart of Southern hospitality. Let the aroma of squash casserole fill your kitchen and warm your soul as you create a dish that will become a cherished family favorite.
SOUTHERN SQUASH CASSEROLE
A classic Southern Squash Casserole is the perfect way to enjoy the bounty from your summer garden! The cheesy filling is topped with a buttery crumb topping for the ultimate family-friendly side dish recipe!
Provided by Blair Lonergan
Categories Side Dish
Time 55m
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray an 8-inch or 9-inch square baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add squash, onion, and bell pepper to the skillet, cooking and stirring for about 10 minutes (or until vegetables are tender). Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper.
- Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise.
- Stir the egg mixture into the squash mixture.
- Transfer the squash mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- In a separate bowl, combine crushed crackers with remaining 1 tablespoon of melted butter. Sprinkle buttered cracker crumbs over top of casserole.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until casserole is set and topping is golden brown.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 /6 of the casserole, Calories 249.1 kcal, Carbohydrate 14.5 g, Protein 10 g, Fat 18.1 g, SaturatedFat 8.5 g, Cholesterol 98.6 mg, Sodium 502.2 mg, Fiber 1.9 g, Sugar 5.2 g, UnsaturatedFat 8.4 g
OLD-SCHOOL SQUASH CASSEROLE RECIPE
This classic casserole is a staple dish found at meat-and-three diners and church covered-dish suppers across the South.
Provided by Paige Grandjean
Categories Casserole
Time 1h5m
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Melt 3 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium-high. Add squash, onion, and 1 teaspoon of the salt; cook, stirring often, until center of squash is just tender and liquid has evaporated, about 10 minutes. Transfer mixture to a colander set over a bowl. Drain 5 minutes; discard any liquid.
- Stir together eggs, sour cream, Cheddar and Swiss cheeses, mayonnaise, thyme, pepper, and remaining 1 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Gently fold in squash mixture. Spoon into a lightly greased 11- x 7-inch (2-quart) baking dish.
- Microwave remaining 3 tablespoons butter in a medium-size microwavable bowl on HIGH until melted, about 25 seconds. Toss together crackers, Parmesan cheese, and melted butter until combined; sprinkle over casserole. Bake in preheated oven until golden brown, about 20 minutes.
EASY SQUASH CASSEROLE
Nothing beats a classic squash casserole.
Provided by Southern Living Editors
Categories Casserole
Time P2DT2h
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Cook squash in boiling water to cover in a large skillet 8 to 10 minutes or just until tender. Drain well; gently press between paper towels.
- Melt 4 tablespoons butter in skillet over medium-high heat; add onion, and sauté 5 minutes or until tender. Remove skillet from heat; stir in squash, cheese, and next 4 ingredients. Spoon mixture into a lightly greased 11- x 7-inch baking dish.
- Melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Stir together melted butter and crushed crackers; sprinkle evenly over top of casserole.
- Bake at 350°F for 30 to 35 minutes or until set.
SLAP YOUR MAMA IT'S SO DELICIOUS SOUTHERN SQUASH CASSEROLE
Looking at this casserole is a bit deceiving. The buttery crushed cracker topping is beautiful, but the real surprise is the yummy squash filling underneath. This squash casserole is cheesy and super creamy. Yellow squash is naturally a tad sweet. Mixed with the savory cheese and soup it's the perfect combination. Covering the...
Provided by Sherri Jackson
Categories Side Casseroles
Time 1h5m
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- 1. Preheat oven to 350.
- 2. Wash and slice squash into small medallions or dice into smaller pieces if the squash is large. I prefer smaller sized squash since it is tender. Put squash into a large bowl for mixing with the filling.
- 3. In a separate bowl, mix together the soup, mayo, eggs, cheese, onions, salt, and pepper.
- 4. Pour over squash.
- 5. Stir until well mixed.
- 6. Then pour into a casserole dish for baking.
- 7. Crush crackers while in "tubes" (I usually wrap them in a dish towel to avoid a mess, and use a rolling pin or meat tenderizer) or place in a resealable plastic bag.
- 8. Pour crushed crackers into a bowl. Melt butter in the microwave and stir into crackers until moist.
- 9. Drizzle on top of casserole. (You can make more or less of the topping. More topping = more yummy!)
- 10. Bake at 350 degrees until bubbly and brown on top (usually 45-50 minutes). Bake for 30 minutes covered. with foil to help prevent crackers from burning.
- 11. Then uncover and bake an additional 20 minutes until golden brown on top.
- 12. ***If you want, you can add a cup of chopped cooked chicken into casserole. Also, adding 2 cups of cooked rice into it makes a delish meal.
SOUTHERN YELLOW SQUASH CASSEROLE
Also known as Summer Squash Casserole, this is a very simple yet authentic Southern recipe that my family has been making for years. This casserole goes very well with those summer, fresh vegetable dinners and is also a hit at pot luck dinners, family reunions, or any other gathering of people. As with all good southern food, make sure you have your bottle of bright red paprika ready to sprinkle on top. Enjoy!
Provided by jpknight22
Categories Vegetable
Time 50m
Yield 1 casserole, 10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a small, square casserole dish.
- Boil squash and onion in a large pot 15 to 20 minutes until tender.
- Pour the squash and onion into a colander and drain. Press firmly against the mixture until all excess moisture is drained.
- In a medium mixing bowl combine drained squash and onion mixture and stir in butter (while still warm) allowing the butter to melt. Fold in sour cream, garlic salt, black pepper, and 1/4 cup of cheddar cheese (note: reserve the remaining half cup for the topping). Check mixture to see if levels of salt and pepper suit your taste and adjust accordingly.
- Add contents of bowl into the greased casserole dish. Layer with remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese, and top with 3/4 cup saltine or Ritz crackers. Gently sprinkle paprika over top for color.
- Bake 25-30 minutes until topping is lightly golden-brown.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 181.3, Fat 12.2, SaturatedFat 7.2, Cholesterol 27.6, Sodium 163.6, Carbohydrate 14.2, Fiber 2.9, Sugar 4.7, Protein 6.4
Tips:
- For a creamy casserole, use heavy cream or evaporated milk instead of milk.
- If you don't have yellow squash, you can use zucchini instead.
- Add 1/2 cup of chopped onion or bell pepper for extra flavor.
- Top the casserole with 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese before baking for a cheesy crust.
- For a vegetarian casserole, omit the bacon.
Conclusion:
Southern squash casserole is a classic comfort food that is perfect for any occasion. It is easy to make, and the leftovers can be enjoyed for days. Whether you are looking for a side dish or a main course, this casserole is sure to please everyone at the table.
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