Southern Squash Casserole

Southern Squash Casserole – When you marry a southerner, you learn to cook like a southerner!! This classic southern squash casserole is a typical vegetable dish smothered in butter, cream and cheese just the way they prefer it.

Mildly flavored sweet squash folded into a creamy, cheesy sauce and topped with buttery cracker topping (and yes, Ritz is the best)… people will be going for seconds and thirds!

Treat your family this holiday season with this yellow squash soufflé-ish dish, which pairs wonderfully with that giant turkey meal, or just a regular weekend fried chicken feast.

The last few years I have been trying to learn all the southern favorites that my husband grew up on. As they say, the way to your man’s heart is through his stomach. I can vouch for that big time, it’s been working great for the last 7 years or so.

My first taste of this Southern Squash Casserole came in one of our favorite spots in the Golden Isles of Georgia. I remember it came in small individual ramekin like bowls, and one spoon into that cheesy squashiness and I said “how can your regular vegetable get to that level of yum??”

My husband just said “welcome to the South.”

This is a dish you will find in those small little diners or at any of those family get togethers like Thanksgiving, Christmas or just a summer potluck. It’s everybody’s favorite!

Like so many holiday side dishes, it’s pretty quick and simple to put together. First, a few tips to ensure you end up with a mighty tasty dish on your table:

Tips for Perfect Southern Squash Casserole

Tip #1: It’s very important to get as much liquid out of the squash during the initial cooking as possible, to prevent a watery casserole. Remember, these squash have a very high water content, so when you sauté them discard the liquid from the pan. To make sure most of it is gone, rest the sautéed squash in a colander for 10 minutes to drain out any remaining liquid.

Tip #2: Slice your squash evenly and don’t overcook it. Avoid browning them. You just need to make them a little bit soft, otherwise you may end up with a mushy casserole.

Tip #3: Try to stick with Ritz crackers, they are super buttery.

Tip #4: Gently fold the sauce mixture in your sauteéd squash as you don’t want to break the squash up.

Ingredients for Southern Squash Casserole

• Yellow Squash – the base for your dish.
• Onions – because they go in everything.
• Mayo, Sour Cream, Egg, Cheddar and Parmesan Cheese – the sauce!
• Butter – mandatory for holiday casseroles!
• Ritz crackers – for the crunchy topping.
• Salt and Pepper – for taste.

How to make Southern Squash Casserole

Melt some butter in a skillet and sauté chopped onions until translucent. Add sliced squash and sauté with salt and pepper until a little soft, not mushy.

Prepare the creamy sauce by folding together sour cream, mayonnaise, cheddar cheese, egg, salt and pepper.

Add sauce to squash and gently stir until mixed.

Crush Ritz crackers and mix with 2 Tbsp melted butter. Spread this mixture over the top of your casserole.

Bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes uncovered until your casserole is a little bubbly and the topping is lightly browned.

Squash Casserole Variations

1. You can do the same with zucchini or mix and match with both.
2. If you want a complete, one-pot meal, how about adding some shredded rotisserie chicken along with the sauce. Brilliant, isn’t it??
3. Try different cheeses like asiago, gouda, pimento cheese, or for a little kick some pepper jack.
4. Use panko instead of crackers for a different crunch.

What to serve with this Squash Casserole

• As mentioned before, it’s perfect on your Thanksgiving or Christmas spread, or with fried chicken.
• It goes great with grilled or roasted meats.
• Try it with my Honey Mustard Chicken.
• It’s delicious alongside stuffed Pork Pinwheels.

Can I Make Southern Squash Casserole Ahead of Time?

Absolutely! This casserole is very holiday friendly, as it freezes great. You can make it few days back, minus the Ritz crumble. Take it out to thaw the day before eating and leave in the fridge overnight.

Add the Ritz topping right before baking. Voila, one dish you don’t have to put much effort into on the big day!

We always have these squash a plenty in our refrigerator. Try this yellow squash casserole one of these days. Let me know if you try this for your special Turkey spread this year, or for a regular weeknight meal with my shredded chicken idea!!

I would love to hear from you, come and say hello in my comment section. And if you haven’t already, subscribe to GypsyPlate for so much more to come!

Looking for more squash recipes? Check out my collections of Butternut Squash Recipes, Spaghetti Squash Recipes, and Pumpkin Recipes!

Southern Squash Casserole, on our Gypsy Plate… Enjoy!

Try these other great sides this holiday season!
Lazy Sweet Potato Mash
Fruity Nutty Crispy Brussels Sprouts
Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel
Thanksgiving Kale Salad
Butternut Squash Blossom
Creamed Peas with Pearl Onions
Stuffed Acorn Squash
Succotash