How to Make Squash Casserole

Name: How to Make Squash Casserole
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 4 cups yellow squash (sliced); ½ cup onion; 35 Ritz crackers ((a sleeve of buttery round Ritz crackers)); 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese; 2 eggs, beaten; ¾ cup milk; ¼ cup melted butter; 1 teaspoon salt; Ground black pepper to taste; 2 tablespoons butter

This easy Cheesy Ritz Squash Casserole will make a squash lover out of anybody! Tender squash and sweet onion are tucked into a creamy cheddar filling, all topped with a golden, buttery Ritz cracker crust. Just 20 minutes of prep is all you need, and then the oven does the rest. This comfort food will be a hit with the whole table, and it’s perfect with some Southern fried chicken!

A spoon taking a scoop out of squash casserole.

A Quick Look At The Recipe

Recipe Name: How to Make Squash Casserole
Serves: 8
Main Ingredients: yellow squash, sliced, onion, Ritz crackers, shredded cheddar cheese, eggs, beaten, milk, melted butter, salt
Why You'll Love It: This squash casserole recipe includes gooey cheese, buttery cracker crumbs adding a hint of crunch, and the taste of garden-fresh squash.

Gooey, Crunchy, and Delicious

I’ll admit, I’m a recent convert to squash. But in my defense, I never actually tried it until a few years ago. I don’t know what exactly held me off, but I do know that when I finally did taste it, I was won over on the first bite. Now I love making dishes like this Stove-Top Zucchini and Squash, Vegan Butternut Squash Soup, and this Summer Squash Pasta.

Squash casserole is one of those dishes that varies so widely… I swear there are at least a hundred different variations out there! But this one is my favorite: gooey cheese, buttery cracker crumbs for a hint of crunch, and the taste of garden-fresh squash (even though I use frozen squash most of the time!). Fortunately, this is a cinch to make and very filling for a side dish.

The children might need a little convincing, but if they had any decent judgment in things, they wouldn’t need parents now, would they? Just don’t mention the squash, and I’m sure they will clean their plates!

Ingredients

Squash (either yellow or zucchini)
Onion
Butter
Ritz crackers (or generic)
Cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese!)
Salt & pepper
Milk
Eggs

Tips for a Delicious Squash Casserole

If you want to add even more vegetables to your casserole, sauté some diced red bell pepper with the other veggies in the skillet. It goes great with the squash!
For even more flavor, add some fresh herbs to your casserole. Chop them and add them to the skillet with the butter. I sometimes like to use parsley, thyme, oregano, basil, or chives.
After draining the squash, squeeze out any excess moisture. Too much liquid will make your casserole soggy!
Let the casserole sit for about 5 minutes after pulling it out of the oven. It helps everything set up nicely before you start scooping it out.

How to Make a Squash Casserole

1. Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F, then grease your casserole dish with a little butter or cooking spray.

2. Cook the Squash & Onions

Now pour about a cup and a half of water into a large skillet.

Then add your diced onion and squash. Cook over medium heat for about 5 to 10 minutes until they’re nice and tender.

When done, drain the water from the skillet and add your butter, letting it melt.

3. Make the Ritz Topping

Now in a medium bowl, crush your crackers and stir in the shredded cheese. Then mix in the salt and pepper.

Shredded cheese and Ritz crumbs in a glass blue mixing bowl.

Shredded cheese, Ritz crumbs, and salt and pepper, in a glass blue mixing bowl.

Once it’s all mixed together, fold half of the cracker mixture into the squash. Set the remaining half aside – you’re gonna save the rest to sprinkle on top of your casserole.

Cracker and shredded cheese piled on sliced squash in a skillet.

4. Add Milk & Eggs

In a small bowl, whisk together your milk and eggs until well combined.

Beating together milk and eggs in separate measuring cup.

Then go ahead and pour that mixture right into the skillet with your squash, giving it a good stir until everything comes together.

Pouring egg and milk to a skillet of squash.

Sliced squash in a skillet with a milky sauce.

5. Assemble & Bake

Transfer your filling to a casserole dish, sprinkle the remaining cracker mixture right on top, and dot it with a little butter.

Squash casserole in a baking dish ready to go in the oven.

Cracker topped squash casserole with sliced butter in a baking dish ready to bake.

Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.

6. Serve & Enjoy!

Let your casserole sit for at least 5 minutes, then dig in!! Enjoy this delicious squash casserole recipe.

Storage

Store casserole leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. However, it can get soggy over time, so it’s best to eat ASAP. Reheat in the microwave, oven, or air fryer. Alternatively, store leftovers in the freezer for up to 3 months. However, once again, the casserole might be soggy once thawed.

Cheesy Ritz Squash Casserole FAQs

Should I use fresh squash or frozen squash in my casserole?

I use fresh squash when it is given to me, but if I am buying it, I just get frozen squash, as I’ve found the quality and size of fresh squash at the grocery store vary widely. It is rare to find any decent-sized squash that is still somewhat firm, and when you do, they are priced out the wazoo for the quantity you need.

When you buy frozen squash, you get nice thick slices and a quality that has never been less than excellent from what I’ve seen. To yield the same amount of nice, thickly sliced squash from the produce section, I’d pay twice as much and likely end up with overripe squash anyway. Perhaps it is different where you are, but that is how it is in ‘Bama.

What can I use other than Ritz crackers?

If you don’t have access to Ritz crackers, any knockoff brand works just as well, or you can swap them out for corn flakes, panko bread crumbs, or crumbled croutons.

Can I make my cheesy squash casserole ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the casserole in advance and then cover and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. When it’s time to bake, let the dish come to room temperature for at least 30 minutes before it goes into the oven. You can also cook the casserole and then reheat leftovers as well.

What do you serve with yellow squash casserole?

This casserole is the perfect side dish to accompany all kinds of main meals, like my Crock Pot Turkey Breast, Butter Roasted Chicken, Baked Ham, Fried Chicken, Fried Catfish, and Pan-Seared Pork Chops. It’s also delicious served with other side dishes, such as creamy mashed potatoes and old-fashioned macaroni salad.

Did this recipe make a squash lover out of you? Leave a star rating and tell me all about it in the comments below.