🍽️ Southern Squash Casserole – A Creamy, Cheesy, Classic Side Dish

If there’s one dish that belongs on every Southern dinner table, it’s Squash Casserole. A staple at potlucks, Sunday suppers, holiday feasts, and family reunions, this comforting, creamy casserole is a delicious way to enjoy fresh yellow squash at its peak. Paired with onions, bell peppers, a creamy cheesy filling, and topped with buttery Ritz cracker crumbs, this dish is the very definition of Southern comfort food.

Simple to make and always a crowd-pleaser, Southern Squash Casserole is a wonderful way to highlight summer’s bounty while adding soul-warming flavor to any meal. Whether you serve it as a weeknight side or bring it to your next gathering, don’t be surprised when guests go back for seconds (or thirds!).

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🌿 Why Southern Squash Casserole Is So Beloved

Southern squash casserole has deep roots in community and tradition. It brings together humble ingredients—yellow squash, onions, eggs, cheese—and turns them into something rich, savory, and comforting. The texture is creamy with just the right amount of bite from the squash, and the topping? Buttery, golden, and utterly irresistible.

This is the kind of dish your grandma made every Thanksgiving, the one your neighbor always brings to church potlucks, and the one that disappears first from the buffet line.

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🛒 Ingredients – Simple & Classic

You don’t need anything fancy to make this dish. Just fresh vegetables, pantry staples, and a few Southern favorites like sour cream and buttery crackers.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons butter, divided
• 4 small yellow squash (about 2 lbs.), sliced (about 6 cups total)
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
• ¼ cup sour cream
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• ¾ cup crushed butter crackers (about 18 Ritz crackers)

🧀 Pro Tip: Use sharp cheddar cheese for a more pronounced cheesy flavor. Freshly grated cheese melts smoother than pre-shredded.

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👩‍🍳 Instructions – Step-by-Step Guide to Creamy Perfection

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Dish

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly spray an 8-inch or 9-inch square baking dish with cooking spray and set it aside.

Step 2: Sauté the Veggies

Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced squash, diced onion, and red bell pepper. Cook and stir for about 10 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and softened.

Remove from heat and season with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper.

🧄 Optional Add-In: A clove of minced garlic sautéed with the vegetables adds a delicious depth of flavor.

Step 3: Make the Creamy Base

In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, cheddar cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise until smooth and well blended.

Step 4: Combine Mixtures

Stir the egg mixture into the warm squash mixture until evenly combined.

Step 5: Assemble the Casserole

Pour the squash filling into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.

In another small bowl, mix ¾ cup crushed butter crackers with the remaining tablespoon of melted butter. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Glory

Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 30–35 minutes, or until the filling is set and the cracker topping is golden brown.

Let cool slightly before serving to allow it to firm up.

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🕒 Cooking Timeline

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: ~50 minutes
• Servings: 6–8 side dish portions

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🥗 Serving Suggestions

This casserole pairs beautifully with:

• Fried or baked chicken
• Glazed ham
• Grilled pork chops
• Pulled pork BBQ sandwiches
• Cornbread and collard greens for a full Southern spread

It’s also a great vegetarian-friendly addition to a holiday table.

🍷 Drink Pairing: Try with sweet iced tea or a light white wine like Pinot Grigio.

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🔁 Recipe Variations

This casserole is endlessly adaptable. Here are a few tasty twists:

• Add bacon or ham for a smoky, meaty version
• Use zucchini in place of some or all the squash
• Swap cheddar for gouda, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack for a kick
• Top with panko breadcrumbs if you prefer a crispier topping
• Make it gluten-free with gluten-free crackers or breadcrumbs

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🧊 Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

• Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days
• Reheat: Bake covered at 300°F or microwave individual portions
• Freezer: You can freeze this casserole before baking. Cover tightly with foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as directed.
• Make Ahead: Assemble the casserole up to one day in advance and refrigerate. Add cracker topping just before baking.

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❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Southern squash casserole is one of those easy, make-you-feel-good dishes that checks all the boxes:

• ✅ Great use for summer squash
• ✅ Creamy, cheesy, and comforting
• ✅ Crowd-pleaser at any gathering
• ✅ Budget-friendly and versatile
• ✅ Quick and easy to make ahead

If you’re looking for a side dish that’s more than just an afterthought, this is it.

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📌 Final Thoughts: A True Southern Classic

There’s a reason Southern Squash Casserole is a beloved staple on dinner tables across the South—it’s warm, cheesy, nostalgic, and loaded with flavor. From busy weeknights to festive holiday meals, this casserole brings people together and keeps them coming back for more.

It’s easy enough for a weeknight but special enough for a celebration. And once you’ve made it, it might just become your favorite way to serve yellow squash.

So go ahead and bookmark this one. Print it. Pin it. Bake it. Share it. This is Southern comfort at its best.

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