Southwestern Summer Squash Casserole is an updated twist on a classic Southern-style favorite with the kick of fresh green chiles!
There are some who would consider messing with an old classic Southern recipe a sacrilege, but I’m happy to take the heat for doing it and will enjoy every bite!
My husband is the caretaker of our garden and we grow plenty of hot peppers–enough to give away. However, they are still your basic jalapeño, habanero and cayenne pepper. Someone we know who also grows hot peppers had an excess of peppers so we became the happy recipients of new varieties we had not tried.
The chili peppers we received were called Inferno Hot Banana, Wenk’s Yellow Hot Jalapeño and yet another called Purple Jalapeño. Yow. Let’s just say these babies were hot!
I have been wanting to make an old-fashioned Southern-inspired yellow squash casserole, so when we received these new varieties of peppers, I decided to add them. Good decision on my part and hope you enjoy it!
Almost any green chile will work–hot or mild–including canned diced green chilies if you like ease and convenience.
Southern-style yellow squash casserole recipes often call for boiling the squash. To me…..That’s. Just. Wrong.
Yellow squash has a delicate flavor so why would anyone want to boil it and then drain any remaining flavor away? Instead, I prefer a quick sauté with butter and a little oil. I add the chilies and scallions about halfway through because I only want to soften them but not cook all the heat out of the chilies.
Won’t lie. This is a very rich dish but try not to skimp on anything. Use real mayonnaise, real cheese and yes, butter crackers on the top. Skimp on something else tomorrow.
This casserole is perfect served with simply grilled or roasted chicken, fish or meat. It’s also great as a vegetarian main course served with a fresh, crunchy green, vegetable or tomato salad.
Let’s eat!
For more great vegetable casserole recipes, be sure to try my:
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Layered Zucchini Corn Casserole is Southern-inspired, creamy, cheesy and the perfect way to enjoy a summer vegetable bounty!
Italian Summer Vegetable Casserole
Italian Summer Vegetable Casserole is the best of summer produce in a beautiful Mediterranean-inspired dish! The vegetables are grilled first for a touch of smokiness, then smothered and layered with marinara sauce and cheese. This beautiful combination is then baked until bubbling and crusty!
Healthier Turkish Eggplant Casserole - Imam Bayildi
Healthier Turkish Eggplant Casserole is spin on the classic Imam Bayildi, known for the extravagant amount of olive oil that's typically in it. Here's a lighter version without all the oil but with all the flavor!
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Brown Rice Cheddar Kale Casserole is perfect meatless comfort food that's also super versatile! Vary the grains and vary the greens!
Cheesy Brown Rice and Greens Casserole
Cheesy Brown Rice and Greens Casserole is a delicious, hearty, vegetarian casserole that’s also super flexible! Use any kind of grain such as quinoa, barley or lentils and any type of leafy green.
Brown Rice and Summer Vegetable Casserole with Feta and Black Olives
Brown Rice and Summer Vegetable Casserole with Feta and Black Olives is perfect vegetarian comfort food! Topped with fresh tomatoes, it's especially wonderful in the late summer!
Zucchini Yellow Squash and Quinoa Casserole
Zucchini, Yellow Squash and Quinoa Casserole is a delicious way to use a summer bounty of zucchini and yellow squash either as a side dish or hearty meatless meal! With a delightfully creamy texture, the goodness and protein of quinoa, the crunchy topping, it's worth turning your oven on for!
Southwestern Squash Corn and Poblano Casserole
Southwestern Squash, Corn and Poblano Casserole is a spicy and delicious twist on a classic squash casserole with corn and earthy, slightly smoky poblano peppers!
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Southwestern Summer Squash Casserole
Southwestern Summer Squash Casserole is an updated twist on a classic Southern-style favorite with the kick of fresh green chiles!
Ingredients
- Non-stick cooking spray
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon canola or olive oil
- 5 medium yellow squash (1 3/4 to 2 pounds), sliced
- salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 fresh green chilies of your choice (hot or mild) sliced
- 1 bunch scallions, white and light green part only, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 2/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 10-12 butter crackers (such as Ritz), crushed
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8 x 8-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
- Heat butter and oil over medium-high heat in a large sauté pan.
- Add the yellow squash and cook 4-5 minutes or until squash begins to soften. Add the chiles and scallions and cook another 3-4 minutes. Stir in garlic. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
- Blend mayonnaise, cream cheese and eggs together until smooth. Stir in 1/2 cup cheese.
- Transfer squash mixture to the prepared baking dish.
- Pour egg mixture over squash.
- Top with remaining cheese followed by crushed crackers. Lightly spray crackers with cooking spray.
- Bake 30 to 40 minutes or until hot and bubbling and cracker topping is lightly browned.
Notes
MAKE AHEAD: Can be assembled one day ahead of time.
Nutrition Information
Yield
6Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 476 Total Fat 40g Saturated Fat 13g Trans Fat 0g Unsaturated Fat 26g Cholesterol 112mg Sodium 572mg Carbohydrates 21g Net Carbohydrates 0g Fiber 4g Sugar 10g Sugar Alcohols 0g Protein 10g
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