Paula Deen’s Cozy Squash Casserole Recipe: Southern Comfort

Southern kitchens have long celebrated this hearty squash casserole recipe that captures pure comfort.

Butter-rich and creamy, paula deens signature dish brings warmth to any dinner table.

Crisp summer squash mingles with golden cheese in a delightful medley of flavors.

Childhood memories often revolve around such classic Southern side dishes that feel like home.

Layers of tender vegetables and melted cheese create a nostalgic experience you won’t forget.

Simple ingredients combine to make something truly magical on your plate.

Every bite promises a connection to traditional Southern cooking that feels both familiar and exciting.

Take a delicious journey through Southern culinary traditions with this irresistible casserole.

Why Paula Deens Squash Casserole Recipe Shines

• Quick Comfort Cooking: Paula Deen's squash casserole delivers a warm, cheesy side dish that comes together in under 45 minutes, perfect for busy home cooks seeking delicious comfort food.
• Southern-Style Simplicity: With basic ingredients and straightforward steps, this recipe welcomes novice cooks to create a classic Southern-inspired dish without complicated techniques or expensive components.
• Crowd-Pleasing Versatility: This casserole shines at potlucks, family dinners, and holiday gatherings, offering a crowd-friendly vegetable dish that even picky eaters will enjoy with its creamy texture and crispy cracker topping.
• Budget-Friendly Goodness: Using affordable ingredients like seasonal squash, common cheeses, and pantry staples, this recipe provides a cost-effective way to transform simple vegetables into a decadent, satisfying side dish.

Steps To Make Paula Deens Squash Casserole Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Oven And Baking Dish

Warmly welcome your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Gently coat a charming casserole dish with a light butter layer to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Sauté Vegetable Medley

• Fresh summer squash
• Sweet onions
• Creamy butter

Dance these ingredients over medium heat, stirring occasionally until vegetables transform into a soft, golden harmony (approximately 10 minutes). Carefully drain any excess liquid to maintain a perfect texture.

Step 3: Create Cheesy Blending

• Nutty Parmesan cheese
• Sharp cheddar cheese
• Tangy sour cream

Sprinkle salt and pepper, creating a delightful seasoning that will make taste buds dance. Stir until ingredients embrace each other completely.

Step 4: Craft Casserole Foundation

Pour the veggie-cheese mixture into your prepared baking dish. Smooth the surface with graceful strokes, creating an inviting landscape.

Step 5: Add Crunchy Topping

Generously scatter crushed crackers across the casserole, creating a golden, crispy crown that will provide delightful texture.

Step 6: Bake To Perfection

Slide the casserole into the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the topping turns a beautiful golden brown and the filling bubbles with excitement.

Step 7: Rest And Serve

Allow your masterpiece to rest for 5-10 minutes. This magical pause helps the casserole set and makes serving a breeze. Slice and enjoy the Southern comfort!

Helpful Tips For Paula Deens Squash Casserole Recipe

• Drain Excess Moisture: Remove extra liquid from squash to prevent a watery casserole and ensure a creamy, thick texture.
• Cheese Customization: Experiment with different cheese combinations like gruyere or monterey jack for unique flavor profiles and added depth.
• Cracker Crunch Enhancement: Toast crackers briefly before crushing to intensify their nutty flavor and create an extra crispy topping.
• Vegetable Variation: Swap yellow squash with zucchini or use a mix of both for a more complex vegetable base and interesting color contrast.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the casserole up to a day in advance and refrigerate, then bake just before serving to save time and develop richer flavors.

How To Store Paula Deens Squash Casserole Recipe

• Refrigerate leftover squash casserole in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
• Seal the dish tightly to prevent moisture loss and maintain freshness.
• Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or warm the entire casserole in a 350F oven for 15-20 minutes until heated through.
• Avoid freezing this dish, as the creamy texture and cracker topping may become soggy when thawed.
• For best taste and texture, enjoy within the first two days after preparation.

Great Sides With Paula Deens Squash Casserole Recipe

• Protein-Perfect Partners: Grilled chicken breast or roasted turkey tenderloin complement the creamy casserole beautifully, adding lean protein that balances the rich cheese and sour cream.
• Wine Wonderland: Crisp Sauvignon Blanc cuts through the casserole's richness, while an unoaked Chardonnay enhances the buttery squash flavors with its smooth, subtle notes.
• Southern Side Kick: Serve alongside pulled pork or honey-glazed ham for a classic Southern-style meal that celebrates comfort food traditions and brings warm, hearty textures to the table.
• Fresh Finish: A light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette provides a tangy, fresh contrast to the dense, cheesy casserole, helping to cleanse the palate between bites.

Creative Twists On Paula Deens Squash Casserole Recipe

• Green Zucchini Edition: Replace yellow squash with zucchini for a lighter, greener casserole. Add fresh herbs like basil or thyme for extra flavor complexity.
• Mediterranean Cheese Blend: Swap traditional cheeses with feta and goat cheese. Incorporate chopped sun-dried tomatoes and sprinkle oregano for a Mediterranean-inspired version.
• Spicy Southwest Kick: Mix in diced jalapeños and green chiles. Replace cracker topping with crushed tortilla chips and add pepper jack cheese for a zesty southwestern profile.
• Bacon Lover's Upgrade: Crisp and crumble bacon into the mixture. Use bacon drippings instead of vegetable oil for deeper, richer flavor. Top with additional crispy bacon bits.

Questions On Paula Deens Squash Casserole Recipe

• Why use both Parmesan and cheddar cheese in this recipe?

The combination adds depth and complexity to the flavor. Parmesan brings a sharp, salty note while cheddar provides a creamy, rich taste that complements the squash perfectly.

• Can I use frozen squash instead of fresh?

Fresh squash is recommended for the best texture and flavor. Frozen squash tends to release more water and can make the casserole soggy, potentially affecting the overall consistency of the dish.

• What's the purpose of the cracker topping?

The crushed crackers create a delightful crispy layer that adds crunch and a golden-brown finish to the casserole. It provides a wonderful textural contrast to the creamy squash mixture underneath.

• Is this recipe considered a side dish or can it be a main course?

This squash casserole is typically served as a side dish, but it’s hearty enough to be a vegetarian main course when paired with a light salad or some crusty bread.

What’s Inside Paula Deens Squash Casserole Recipe

Main Ingredients:

Vegetables: – Squash, Onion: Fresh, tender vegetables that form the hearty base of the casserole. Yellow squash works best, with sweet onions adding depth of flavor.

Dairy: – Parmesan Cheese, Cheddar Cheese, Sour Cream: Creamy ingredients that provide rich texture and tangy taste. Choose full-fat versions for best results.

Binding and Seasoning:

Seasonings: – Salt, Pepper: Essential for enhancing the natural flavors of the vegetables and cheese.

Topping: – Crackers: Crispy element that adds crunch and golden-brown texture to the casserole surface. Ritz or buttery crackers work perfectly for a classic southern-style topping.

Cooking Base:

Cooking Fats: – Vegetable Oil, Butter: Help cook vegetables and add richness to the dish. Use unsalted butter for better control of salt content.

Paula Deens Squash Casserole Recipe

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4.8 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Southern comfort meets creamy delight in Paula Deen’s squash casserole, a cheesy Southern classic that brings warmth to any dinner table. Crispy crackers and melted cheese create a golden crown over tender squash, inviting you to savor each comforting bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 6 medium yellow squash, thinly sliced
• 1 large Vidalia onion, thinly sliced
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Dairy and Binding Ingredients:

• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon butter

Seasoning and Topping Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 sleeve buttery crackers (like Ritz), crushed
• Salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Prepare your kitchen workspace by heating the oven to 350F (175C) and coating a 2-quart casserole dish with a light layer of grease for easy serving and cleaning.
2. Select a large skillet and warm vegetable oil over medium heat. Introduce sliced squash, diced onions, and a pat of butter to the pan. Gently sauté the vegetables until they soften and become translucent, which typically takes around 10 minutes. Carefully drain any accumulated liquid to prevent a watery casserole.
3. Transfer the cooked vegetables to a spacious mixing bowl. Incorporate grated Parmesan, shredded cheddar cheese, and creamy sour cream into the mixture. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper, ensuring all ingredients are thoroughly blended for a harmonious flavor profile.
4. Gently spread the squash and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish, creating an even surface. Crush crackers into fine fragments and distribute them uniformly across the top, creating a delightful crispy layer.
5. Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for approximately 20-25 minutes. Watch for a golden-brown cracker topping and bubbling edges, which indicate the dish is perfectly cooked.
6. Remove from the oven and allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes. This brief cooling period helps the ingredients settle and makes serving more manageable, resulting in cleaner, more attractive portions.

Notes

• Drain squash thoroughly to prevent a watery casserole, using a colander or paper towels to remove excess moisture before cooking.
• Experiment with different cracker types like whole wheat or gluten-free options to accommodate dietary restrictions while maintaining a crispy topping.
• For a lighter version, substitute full-fat cheeses with reduced-fat alternatives and use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream without compromising flavor.
• Enhance nutrition by adding diced bell peppers or spinach to the squash mixture, boosting vegetable content and creating more complex flavor profiles.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 270
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 500mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 23g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 9g
• Cholesterol: 40mg