Southwestern Summer Squash, Corn and Poblano Casserole is a spicy and delicious twist on a classic squash casserole with corn and earthy, slightly smoky Poblano peppers!
The inspiration behind this recipe:
I think I've told you once or twice that I have yet to find a vegetable I don't like. Although I'm a carnivore and love a good steak, I'm also thoroughly in love with vegetables!
Give me a cheesy, delicious vegetarian casserole like this Southwestern Summer Squash, Corn and Poblano Casserole and I may even pass on the steak!
We've been overrun with peppers lately--everything from habanero to jalapeno to poblanos. There's still a bunch to pick so stay tuned for more poblano pepper recipes over the next few weeks!
This Southwestern Summer Squash, Corn and Poblano Casserole is a twist on my Southwestern Summer Squash Casserole. That recipe is a twist on a classic Southern-style summer squash casserole. I know.... we've got lots of twists happening but it's all good!
How to make Southwestern Summer Squash, Corn and Poblano Casserole:
- Slice up a bunch of zucchini and yellow squash.
- Saute the squash with onion and the poblano peppers until softened, then add fresh or frozen corn kernels.
- Let it cool a bit then add some shredded Mexican blend cheese...
- Transfer the vegetable combination to a baking dish.
- Whisk together the custardy blend of cream cheese, mayonnaise, half and half and eggs.
- Pour it over the vegetables...
- Top with a little more cheese.
- Add crushed tortilla chips. (This is a great way to use all those broken chips at the bottom of the bag!)
- Cover and bake.
- Garnish with a little chili powder...
- And serve!
- Then, sit back and enjoy the accolades!
Want more delicious summery vegetable casseroles? Try my:
- Layered Zucchini Corn Casserole
- Italian Summer Vegetable Casserole
- Brown Rice and Summer Vegetable Casserole with Feta and Black Olives
- Yellow Squash and Tomato Gratin with Two Cheeses
- Zucchini, Yellow Squash and Quinoa Casserole
- Cream Cheese Corn Casserole
Southwestern Summer Squash Corn and Poblano Casserole
Ingredients
- oil or cooking spray - for baking dish
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 1 medium onion - finely chopped
- 3 medium zucchini - sliced
- 3 medium yellow squash - sliced
- 4 medium poblano peppers - seeded and chopped
- 4 cloves garlic - minced
- 1 cup corn kernels - (approximately) fresh or frozen
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 4 ounces cream cheese - half an 8-ounce block, room temperature
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup half and half
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups shredded Mexican blend cheese - divided
- 1 cup crushed tortilla chips
- chili powder - for sprinkling over the top
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Oil or spray a deep square baking dish. Set aside.
- Heat butter and oil in a saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook 4 to 5 minutes or until beginning to soften.
- Add the sliced zucchini, yellow squash and chopped poblano peppers and continue cooking, stirring often another 5 to 6 minutes or until vegetables are starting to become tender.
- Add the corn kernels and garlic and stir until garlic is fragrant, approximately 30 seconds. Set aside to cool slightly.
- While vegetables are cooling, whisk together cream cheese, mayonnaise, half and half and eggs.
- Stir ¾ cup of the cheese into the vegetables, then transfer to prepared baking dish.
- Pour custard mixture over vegetable and cheese combination.
- Top with remaining cheese and tortilla chips.
- Cover loosely with aluminum foil.
- Bake 30-35 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake another 10-15 minutes or until cheese on the top is nicely melted and casserole is bubbling.
- Sprinkle with a little chili powder to garnish.
Notes
Nutrition
These are estimated values generated from a nutritional database using unbranded products. Please do your own research with the products you're using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.
Vicki says
I realize this is a vegetarian dish but I found it when I was looking for a way to use up all the ingredients left in my frig Plus I have some left over chicken - what do you think of adding the chicken?
Carol says
Hi, Vicki, Thanks so much for your question. I think chicken added to this dish would be just fine! Thanks again and hope you enjoy!
Jenny says
Do you think I could change the yellow squash for winter squash, I can’t find any yellow squash here in Queensland
Carol says
Hi, Jenny, Thanks so much for your question. I think you probably could but it would be on the sweeter side. Thanks again and hope you enjoy!
Anonymous says
Nan says
Is there a print function I'm failing to find?
Carol says
Hi Nan, Thanks for your question. It’s in the recipe area. There’s a box that says Print Recipe. Thanks again and hope you enjoy!
Nan says
Thank you! I don't know how I missed it..
Lori says
I have this in the oven as we speak and it smells wonderful!
Carol says
Hi, Lori, Thanks so much and hope you all enjoyed!
thewimpyvegetarian says
The tortilla chips on top is genius! I love having a crunch to my casserole toppings. And I love everything about what's inside this casserole. Pinning to make it!!
Carol says
Thanks, Susan! It's the perfect way to use those crushed bits at the bottom of every bag! Hope you enjoy!
Aleta says
Wow thanks for sharing this delicious recipe. What a great way to use up squash, zucchinis and peppers and I love the use of tortilla chips for the topping. Can't wait to give this a try!
Carol says
Thanks so much, Aleta! Hope you enjoy!