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Cozy Southern Loaded Squash Casserole Recipe with Golden Cheese Crust

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A comforting Southern-inspired squash casserole featuring tender yellow squash and zucchini, smoky bacon, and a crispy golden cheese crust. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or holiday gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups combined yellow squash and zucchini, thinly sliced
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • ½ cup breadcrumbs (optional, Panko or regular)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Rinse and thinly slice about 2 cups each of yellow squash and zucchini to about 1/8-inch thickness. Set aside.
  3. Cook 6 slices of bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 8-10 minutes. Drain on paper towels and crumble once cooled. Reserve 1-2 tablespoons of bacon fat.
  4. In the same skillet, sauté chopped onion and minced garlic in reserved bacon fat or butter over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until soft and fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  5. In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, beaten egg, salt (about ½ teaspoon), and black pepper (about ¼ teaspoon).
  6. Add sliced squash, sautéed onions and garlic, crumbled bacon, and shredded cheddar cheese to the bowl. Gently fold to combine without breaking up the squash too much.
  7. Lightly butter or spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish. Pour in the squash mixture and smooth the top evenly.
  8. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the casserole. If desired, scatter breadcrumbs on top. Drizzle melted butter over the topping.
  9. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes until bubbly and golden brown. If the top browns too quickly, loosely cover with foil after 20 minutes.
  10. Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to set and meld flavors.

Notes

If squash releases excess water, gently squeeze out moisture with a kitchen towel before mixing to prevent sogginess. Use sharp cheddar for best flavor. Let casserole rest before serving for better slicing. For vegetarian version, omit bacon and add sautéed mushrooms or smoked paprika. Gluten-free option by using gluten-free breadcrumbs or omitting them.

Nutrition

Keywords: squash casserole, southern recipe, loaded squash casserole, cheesy squash casserole, zucchini casserole, comfort food, bacon casserole, golden cheese crust

Find it online: https://tastytuck.com/cozy-southern-loaded-squash-casserole-recipe-with-golden-cheese-crust/