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Creamy Yellow Squash Casserole with Ritz Crackers and Cheddar

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A creamy, cheesy yellow squash casserole topped with a buttery, crunchy Ritz cracker crust. This easy recipe is perfect for family dinners and potlucks, delivering comfort food with a delightful texture contrast.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups sliced yellow squash (about 4 medium squash)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 4 tablespoons butter, divided
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
  • 1 1/2 cups milk (whole or 2%, or unsweetened almond milk)
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 1/2 cups crushed Ritz crackers
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: pinch of paprika or cayenne, fresh herbs like thyme

Instructions

  1. Wash and slice the yellow squash into 1/4-inch thick half-moons. Finely chop the onion.
  2. In a medium skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add onions and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Add sliced squash and cook until tender but not mushy, about 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Sprinkle flour over the cooked vegetables and stir well to coat.
  5. Slowly pour in milk, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Cook and stir until sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.
  6. Remove skillet from heat and stir in 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese until melted and combined. Adjust seasoning as needed.
  7. Crush Ritz crackers finely in a bowl. Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter and mix into crushed crackers to create a buttery crumb topping.
  8. Transfer creamy squash mixture to a 9×9-inch baking dish. Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup cheddar cheese evenly over the top, then cover with the buttery Ritz cracker crumbs.
  9. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until topping is golden brown and filling is bubbly.
  10. Let casserole cool for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow sauce to set.

Notes

If sauce is too thick before baking, stir in a splash more milk. If too thin, cook a minute longer to thicken. Watch the topping near the end of baking to avoid burning; cover loosely with foil if needed. Fresh shredded cheese melts better than pre-shredded. For gluten-free, use gluten-free flour and crackers. Can prepare ahead and refrigerate before baking. Freezes well before baking.

Nutrition

Keywords: yellow squash casserole, creamy casserole, Ritz crackers, cheddar cheese, easy side dish, comfort food, cheesy squash casserole

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