Yellow Squash Casserole
User Reviews
5
Yellow Squash Casserole
Description
The Yellow Squash Casserole combines sliced yellow squash boiled until just tender with a rich mixture of sour cream, egg, cheddar, Parmesan, parsley, and dried chives. The sautéed onion and garlic are mixed in for added flavor. This mixture is baked in a buttered dish and topped with a blend of panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese coated in melted butter, which forms a crisp, golden topping. The casserole offers a creamy texture contrasted by a crunchy breadcrumb crust, suitable as a comforting side dish especially during summer when yellow squash is in season.
During preparation, boiling the squash until nearly tender ensures the final texture avoids excess wateriness. The layering of cheeses adds sharpness and richness, while herbs and toasted garlic-onion bring out savory notes. Baking covered initially helps meld flavors, and finishing with the buttered breadcrumb topping introduces a pleasing crispness.
This casserole serves well alongside proteins like roasted chicken or pork and can also be a hearty vegetarian main when paired with a salad. Adjusting the cheese varieties or adding other vegetables can vary the flavor slightly without altering the creamy and crunchy balance.
Possible variations include substituting zucchini for yellow squash or using different cheeses such as Romano or Gruyere. Using crushed Ritz crackers instead of panko achieves a softer topping that does not require broiling. Swapping sour cream for crème fraîche can give a tangier flavor. The dish freezes well after baking but topping freshness is best maintained when added just before serving.
Ingredients
- 4 lbs. yellow squash (preferably small to medium), sliced into rounds about 1/3-inch thick
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 large egg
- 3/4 cup + 1/3 cup panko breadcrumb divided
- 1 1/4 cups cheddar cheese shredded sharp
- 1/2 cup parsley chopped
- 2 Tbsp chives dried
- 3 Tbsp butter divided
- 1 medium yellow onion chopped
- 2 garlic minced (2 tsp, cloves
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese divided, finely shredded
- salt freshly ground
- black pepper freshly ground
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 13 by 9-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add squash and let boil just until nearly tender, about 5 - 6 minutes. Drain into a colander, set aside to drain well.
- While squash is boiling in a mixing bowl stir together sour cream, egg, 1/3 cup breadcrumbs, cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, parsley and chives. Set aside.
- Melt 1 Tbsp butter in a 12-inch saute pan or deep skillet over medium heat. Add onion and saute until slightly golden brown and tender, about 7 minutes. Add garlic and saute 1 minute longer. Remove from heat.
- Add squash and sour cream mixture to pan (with onions) and season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss mixture to evenly coat the pour into prepared baking dish and spread even. Cover with foil and bake in preheated oven 20 minutes.
- Melt remaining 2 Tbsp butter in a small mixing bowl. Add in 3/4 cup panko and 1/2 cup parmesan cheese and toss to evenly coat mixture. Remove casserole from oven after the 20 minutes and sprinkle mixture evenly over top.
- Move oven rack to upper third of the oven, return casserole to oven. Bake 10 minutes longer or until cheese has melted and casserole is heated through.
- Turn on broiler and broil just briefly to make topping golden brown, about 1 - 2 minutes (don't walk away from it, it will brown quickly!). Serve casserole warm garnished with a little chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute zucchini instead of yellow squash to change the flavor slightly.
- Try different cheese options like Romano for Parmesan or Gruyere instead of cheddar for a sharper taste.
- Replacing panko breadcrumbs with crushed Ritz crackers (approximately 35 crackers) can create a softer topping without needing to broil.
- Sour cream can be swapped for crème fraîche to add a tangier note to the casserole.
- Adding extra cheese or sneaking in sliced tomato can enrich the dish and add moisture.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
You'll Also Love
