Summer Squash Casserole

Why This Recipe is a Keeper!

If you tend a garden and plant yellow squash, chances are pretty good you’ve got LOTS of yellow squash. Yellow squash is quite prolific–especially in the South. This Summer Squash Casserole with southwestern flair has green chiles, cream cheese, mayonnaise, and buttery cracker topping is a delicious way to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Some would consider messing with an old classic Southern recipe like a yellow squash casserole or Cream Cheese Corn Casserole a sacrilege, but I’m happy to take the heat for doing it, and we love this version!

This yellow squash casserole recipe:

• Is EASY!
• A great way to use an abundance of yellow squash.
• Can be made ahead of time, refrigerated, and baked 1-2 days later.
• Leftovers reheat beautifully in the oven or toaster oven.
• Can be frozen after it is baked.
• Decadent but delicious!

This is a rich dish, but try not to skimp on anything.  Use real mayonnaise, cream cheese and definitely the butter crackers on the top.

How to Make Summer Squash Casserole:

Recipe Ingredients:

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this yellow squash casserole recipe. See the recipe card below for the exact quantities.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions:

• Oil and Butter? Yes! By combining the two, you get the flavor of butter but the oil’s searing and higher-temperature cooking ability. When cooking with butter, I always use unsalted butter to better control the salt level in the dish.
• Yellow / Summer Squash: Use small to medium-sized yellow squash if possible so you do not have to remove the seedy center. If you’re inundated with zucchini or pattypan squash, by all means, use it.
• Green Chiles: Almost any green chile will work–hot or mild–including canned diced green chilies if you prefer the ease and convenience.
• Scallions: Also called green onions. I like to use them in this dish because they cook quickly and only add a delicate onion flavor to the delicately flavored yellow squash.
• Mayonnaise: If you live in the South, then you know about Duke’s! It’s our favorite and what I used here.
• Cream Cheese: Neufchatel cheese will lighten up the casserole slightly.
• Parmesan Cheese: Even though it’s not “Southwestern,” it works in this yellow squash casserole recipe because it’s a dry cheese. With the creaminess of the mayonnaise and cream cheese, a melty style of cheese is overkill. Parmesan cheese also adds a lot of flavor without having to use a lot.
• Butter Crackers: Any cracker with a buttery flavor, such as Ritz or Townhouse, will work.

Step-By-Step Instructions:

• Gather and prep all the ingredients. Slice the yellow squash.
• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8 x 8-inch or 11 x 7-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Set it aside.
• Heat the butter and oil in a large skillet or saute pan over medium-high heat.
• Add the sliced yellow squash and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until it softens.
• Add the green chiles and continue cooking for another 3 to 4 minutes, then add the scallions and garlic. Cook briefly to wilt the scallions. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.

• Take the vegetables off the heat and let cool slightly.
• Mix the mayonnaise, cream cheese, eggs and 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese together.

• Pour half of the mayonnaise, egg and cheese combination into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, then spoon in the squash combination. No need to drain off any residual liquid.

• Pour the remaining mayonnaise, egg, and cheese combination over the top, gently working it into the squash combination so it’s evenly distributed. (Note: It looks like it will be super soupy but stay with me!)

• Top the summer squash casserole with the remaining Parmesan cheese and crushed crackers to cover the top.
• Give the crackers a quick, light spray with cooking spray.
• Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until the yellow squash casserole is set and the top is light toasty golden brown!
• Summer Squash Casserole with green chiles! An updated twist on a classic! Let’s eat!

Chef Tips and Tricks:

• I use a chef’s knife to slice the yellow squash, but a hand-held mandoline slicer will make the process go very quickly. Just be careful as that blade is super sharp!
• Southern-style yellow squash casserole recipes often call for boiling the squash.  Yellow squash has a delicate flavor that is easily boiled away. Instead, as demonstrated, I saute the yellow squash in a butter and oil combination with scallions, garlic, and green chiles, which ups the flavor factor.

Serve with:

• Chili-Glazed Meatloaf
• Grilled Citrus Chicken with Spicy Basil Chimichurri
• Maryland-Style Crab Cakes
• Baked Catfish Pecan Meuniere with Spicy Sauteed Greens
• Or any simple grilled or roasted entree!
• Serve as a vegetarian entree and add a green vegetable, green salad or fresh tomato salad on the side!

More yellow squash recipes you’ll love!

• Zucchini Yellow Squash and Quinoa Casserole
• Yellow Squash and Tomato Gratin with Two Cheeses
• Southwestern Summer Squash Corn and Poblano Casserole
• Black Bean and Yellow Squash Enchilada Casserole

Get all my vegetable side dish recipes at: Side Dishes – Vegetables – From A Chef’s Kitchen