Yellow Squash Casserole

This hearty Yellow Squash Casserole is a comforting side dish full of fresh and savory flavor. Tender and sweet, yellow squash joins with garlic, onions, fresh herbs, and plenty of cheesy filling to make the perfect casserole you can serve with any main dish. Make this creamy, cheesy casserole for your family tonight!

Do you plant squash in your garden? If so, this Southern Squash Casserole Recipe is a great way to enjoy the “fruits” of your labor! It’s easy to prepare, the fresh squash filling is delicious, and the buttery crackers on top give it the perfect crunch!

While this classic casserole is typically made as a side dish, the squash is filling enough that you could certainly make this as a main dish with a green salad and some crusty bread on the side.

Ingredients for Squash Casserole

This Yellow Squash Casserole is full of fresh ingredients for maximum flavor. Here’s what you need to make it:

Sliced yellow summer squash (you can also use half yellow squash and half zucchini)

Small onion

Garlic cloves, minced

Water

Ritz crackers, crumbled

Shredded cheddar cheese (I prefer sharp cheddar cheese but any will do)

Dried parsley

Large egg

Milk

Unsalted Butter

Freshly chopped basil

Dried oregano

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

The ingredient list with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below, so make sure to check it out!

How to make this Fresh Yellow Squash Casserole

This casserole is so easy to put together! Slice up your squash ahead of time to make the process even quicker!

First, preheat oven to 400°F, then prepare a 1 1/2 qt. oven-safe casserole dish by spraying it with nonstick cooking spray. You can also use an 8×8-inch baking dish, but you won’t fill it all the way full.

Add the sliced squash, onion, garlic, and water to a large skillet. Cover and cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes until the squash and onions are slightly tender. Drain well and put them into a large bowl.

In a separate small bowl, whisk together the beaten egg and milk. Add the egg mixture to the squash mixture.

In a medium bowl, combine the crushed crackers, cheese, parsley, and 1 tablespoon of melted butter. Mix well. The crackers will still appear somewhat dry. Add half of this cracker mixture to the large bowl with the squash. Reserve the rest for the topping.

Add the remaining two tablespoons of butter, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper to the bowl of squash and mix until well combined. Pour the contents into the prepared baking dish.

Sprinkle the remaining cheese and the cracker mixture evenly over the top, and bake uncovered for 25 minutes, or until heated throughout. cheese is melted, and the topping is golden brown.

Recipe Notes

Feel free to make more or less of the topping. I like a lot of buttery crunch on top of my squash casserole. More crispy cracker crunch= more yumminess! If you don’t have crackers, you can try Panko bread crumbs.

If your cracker crumbs are browning too quickly you can cover the casserole with a sheet of aluminum foil.

You can add a protein such as cooked chicken to this to make it a complete meal and even more filling.

Use crushed cornflakes instead of crackers for a gluten-free version!

FAQS

Can I use frozen squash in this dish?

Yes, just cook and drain them as noted in the recipe to get rid of any excess water. You don’t want a runny casserole!

What’s the best way to slice squash?

You can slice squash by hand with a sharp knife and cutting board, but I highly recommend using a mandolin to slice it. It saves time and is so easy to use!

How thick should I slice the squash for Yellow Squash Casserole?

I recommend slices about ¼-inch thick. Try to make them as uniform in thickness as possible so the casserole cooks evenly.

Why is my casserole watery?

This happens if you have too much liquid in the recipe. Make sure to drain your squash well after cooking them. It can also happen if your squash is sliced too thinly and starts to break down.

How do I store leftover squash casserole?

You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge once they cool to room temperature. The casserole will last for up to 3 days. Reheat your casserole in the microwave for individual portions, or reheat a large amount in a baking dish covered with foil in the oven until warm throughout.

Can I freeze the Summer Squash Casserole?

I don’t recommend freezing this, as the squash will release water into the casserole when thawed, and it will get a bit mushy. The cracker topping also will not hold up through the thawing process.

Need to Use Up Your Squash? Try one of These Squash Recipes:

I love all the summer vegetables, so I’ve put together a bunch of recipes to make good use of all your squash varieties in particular. Give one of these a shot next time:

Roasted spaghetti squash and sausage come together for an easy dinner. Seasoned with garlic and Italian herbs, Sausage Spaghetti Squash is a flavorful family favorite!

Roasted Butternut Squash makes a simple and flavorful side dish for your meals! Tossed in fresh herbs like sage and thyme, cubes of butternut squash turn out perfectly tender on the inside with nice crisp edges. 

Roasted Butternut Squash and Chicken Ravioli is a dinner recipe that is perfect for the Fall. This homemade ravioli is made of roast butternut squash and shredded chicken tucked into wonton wrappers, then covered in a garlic alfredo sauce!

Enjoy the flavors of all with this easy Roasted Acorn Squash recipe! Tossed with olive oil and fragrant spices, and served with goat cheese and pomegranate arils, this is the perfect side dish to share with your family and friends! 

Butternut Spinach Multi-Grain Medley – roasted butternut squash, sautéed spinach and onion, and pomegranate arils tossed with multi-grain rice make this colorful Fall side dish perfect for your dinner table.

More Casseroles You’ll Love

I’m all about casseroles for an easy weeknight meal. Here are some of my favorites:

Turkey Noodle Casserole

Taco Casserole

Mexican Breakfast Casserole

Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

20-Minute Chili Casserole

Which one will you make next?

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