Description
Southern Yellow Squash Casserole celebrates summer’s bounty with creamy cheese and buttery cracker topping. Comforting layers of sliced squash meld with sharp cheddar, creating a rich side dish home cooks adore.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 to 8 cups raw squash
- 1 large chopped onion
- 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- 4 tbsps (¼ cup) butter
- 1 cup water
- 1 tsp Paula Deen’s House Seasoning
- 1 cup crushed buttery crackers
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C), creating an ideal baking environment for the squash casserole.
- Squash Cooking: Simmer sliced squash in water for 7-8 minutes until tender, then drain thoroughly using a towel-lined colander to remove excess moisture.
- Onion Sautéing: In a skillet, caramelize onions in butter until they turn translucent and develop a soft, golden color, releasing their sweet aromatics.
- Mixture Creation: Blend the drained squash with sautéed onions, sour cream, Paula Deen’s House Seasoning, and cheddar cheese, mixing until ingredients are fully incorporated and evenly distributed.
- Dish Assembly: Generously butter a casserole dish, transfer the squash mixture, and spread it evenly to ensure consistent cooking and flavor distribution.
- Topping Application: Generously scatter crushed crackers across the surface, creating a crunchy, golden-brown layer that will add textural contrast to the creamy base.
- Baking Process: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, monitoring until the top turns a beautiful golden brown and the interior is heated completely through.
Notes
- Moisture Management: Squeeze excess water from cooked squash to prevent a soggy casserole and maintain a rich, concentrated texture.
- Onion Caramelization: Sauté onions slowly until translucent and golden for deeper, sweeter flavor that enhances the overall dish.
- Seasoning Balance: Use Paula Deen’s House Seasoning generously to elevate the squash’s natural taste and create a well-rounded flavor profile.
- Cracker Topping Technique: Crush crackers evenly to create a consistent, crispy golden-brown crust that adds delightful crunch and texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 40mg