Description
This creamy yellow squash casserole with a crunchy Ritz cracker topping is a comforting and delicious side dish perfect for family dinners or potlucks. Combining tender sautéed yellow squash and onions with a cheesy, seasoned creamy base, then baked to golden perfection, it’s an easy-to-make recipe that turns simple ingredients into a crowd-pleasing classic.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Base:
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 medium onion, diced (1/2-inch pieces)
- 4 cups yellow squash, sliced about 1/4-inch thick
For the Filling:
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 cup milk (whole, 2%, half-and-half, or non-dairy alternative)
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (such as Tillamook)
For the Topping:
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers, roughly crushed
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Prepare Vegetables and Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large pan, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the sliced yellow squash and diced onion, sauté until just tender and liquid is released, about 8-10 minutes, but avoid overcooking to keep some texture.
- Assemble the Creamy Base and Combine: In a large bowl, whisk the eggs thoroughly, then stir in cheddar cheese and milk until well combined. Season with cayenne pepper, kosher salt, and ground black pepper. Add the cooked squash and onions to this mixture and stir gently to combine evenly.
- Prepare Topping and Bake: Lightly grease a baking dish. Pour the squash mixture evenly into the dish. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter, toss it with the crushed Ritz crackers, and spread this over the casserole evenly. Bake for 45 minutes until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 3 minutes to set. This helps the casserole hold together when served.
Notes
- To avoid a watery casserole, cook the yellow squash until just tender and drain well before mixing with other ingredients.
- Add the cracker topping just before baking, especially if assembling ahead, to keep it crunchy.
- You can swap yellow squash with zucchini or a combination of both for a similar texture and flavor.
- Use any melting cheese such as Monterey Jack or Colby for variation; avoid soft cheeses like mozzarella to prevent excess moisture.
- Butter is preferred for both cooking and topping for the best flavor and browning, but olive oil or margarine can be substituted.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge up to 4 days; reheat in the oven or microwave.
- Freezing is best done before adding the cracker topping for best texture retention. Thaw before baking and add fresh topping.
- This casserole pairs well with grilled meats, roasted chicken, green beans, fresh salads, or Southern-style meals with ham and cornbread.
- Prep Time: 15-20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: yellow squash casserole, squash side dish, cheesy squash casserole, Ritz cracker topping, easy vegetable casserole, summer squash recipe, family dinner side
