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Cozy Southern Baked Yellow Squash Casserole Easy Crispy Ritz Topping Recipe

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A comforting Southern-style baked yellow squash casserole topped with a crispy buttery Ritz cracker crust, perfect as a quick and easy side dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups yellow squash, sliced thin
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 ½ cups Ritz crackers, crushed
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon fresh herbs (parsley or thyme), optional

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
  2. Wash and slice yellow squash into thin rounds about ¼-inch thick. Set aside.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  4. Add sliced squash to skillet and cook until slightly softened, stirring occasionally, about 7 minutes.
  5. Sprinkle flour over the squash mixture and stir constantly to coat evenly. Cook for 2 minutes to remove raw flour taste.
  6. Slowly pour in milk while stirring to avoid lumps. Continue cooking until sauce thickens, about 3–4 minutes.
  7. Remove skillet from heat and stir in shredded cheddar and Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in fresh herbs if using.
  8. Pour the cheesy squash mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
  9. Crush Ritz crackers finely using a food processor or rolling pin. Mix crushed crackers with 2 tablespoons melted butter until evenly coated.
  10. Sprinkle the buttered cracker crumbs evenly over the squash mixture.
  11. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until topping is golden brown and casserole is bubbly around edges.
  12. Let casserole rest for about 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

If topping browns too fast, tent casserole loosely with foil halfway through baking. Use freshly shredded cheese for best melting and flavor. Don’t overcook squash to avoid watery casserole. For gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with almond flour and use gluten-free crackers. For dairy-free, use coconut milk and dairy-free cheese alternatives.

Nutrition

Keywords: yellow squash casserole, Southern casserole, baked squash, Ritz cracker topping, comfort food, easy side dish, cheesy squash casserole

Find it online: https://twirltaste.com/cozy-southern-baked-yellow-squash-casserole-easy-crispy-ritz-topping-recipe/