Every holiday, our husbands family makes an good squash casserole topped with Cheeze-Its and loaded with flavor – their Cheesy Baked Squash Casserole is a hit with our guests, and will be your new favorite prep-ahead side dish!

This casserole is loaded with creamy casserole flavor, with a solid crispy crunch thanks to the cracker topping. We can never get enough – this is one side dish we never have leftovers of!

At Avdaye, we add lots of tips in all of our recipes – because we are a home cook without any formal training, and we find we are more confident making dishes when we understand why it works, and what each ingredient means to the flavor of a recipe. Our goal is for even the most beginner home cook to feel empowered in the kitchen.

How to Bake Cheesy Squash Pie

The recipe involves a mixture of yellow squash, onions, and cheese, baked into a pie with a Cheez-It cracker crust.

Cheesy Baked Squash Pie Ingredients

To make this recipe, you will need:

Yellow Squash: The yellow squash provides a slightly sweet and nutty flavor that is suited to this casserole. It also adds a tender texture to the dish.
Onion: The onion adds a slightly pungent and savory flavor to the casserole. It also helps to balance out the sweetness of the squash.
Cheddar Cheese: The cheddar cheese provides a rich and savory flavor to the casserole. It also adds a creamy texture and helps to bind the ingredients together.
Parmesan Cheese: The parmesan cheese adds a nutty and salty flavor to the casserole. It also helps to enhance the overall cheesiness of the dish.
Sour Cream: The sour cream adds a tangy and slightly acidic flavor to the casserole. It also adds a creamy texture to the dish.
Mayonnaise: The mayonnaise provides a rich and creamy flavor to the casserole. It also helps to bind the ingredients together.
Garlic Powder: The garlic powder adds a savory and slightly pungent flavor to the casserole. It also helps to enhance the other flavors in the dish.
Salt and Pepper: Salt and pepper are essential for seasoning the casserole and bringing out the flavors of the other ingredients.
Cheez-It Crackers: The Cheez-It crackers provide a crunchy and salty flavor to the casserole. They also add a unique and interesting texture to the dish.
Unsalted Butter: The melted butter is used to help bind the crushed Cheez-It crackers together and create a crispy crust on top of the casserole. It also adds a rich and buttery flavor to the dish.

Steps to Make Cheesy Squash Pie

Once you've gathered your ingredients, you will use the following process:

Prep. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place grated squash in cheesecloth, and wring out any excess liquid. In a large bowl, combine the sliced squash and onion with the cheddar cheese, parmesan cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Pour the mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish. In a separate bowl, mix together the crushed Cheez-It crackers and melted butter. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the top of the squash mixture.
Bake. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the squash is tender.
Cool. Let the casserole cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Kitchen notes

Grate squash: To ensure that the squash cooks evenly, slice it as thinly as possible – we find using a cheese grater produces the best results. You can also use a mandoline slicer or a sharp knife to achieve thin slices.

Use a mixture of cheeses: A combination of cheddar and parmesan cheese creates a nice balance of flavors in this casserole. You can also experiment with other types of cheese, like mozzarella or goat cheese, to add different flavors.

Use fresh squash: Use fresh, firm yellow squash that is free of bruises or soft spots. Overripe or soft squash can make the casserole watery and affect the texture.

Pre-bake the crust: Pre-baking the Cheez-It cracker crust for a few minutes before adding the filling will help it hold its shape and prevent it from getting too soggy.

Season the squash mixture well: season the squash mixture with enough salt, pepper, and garlic powder to enhance the flavor of the dish.

Don't overcook the casserole: Cook the casserole until the squash is tender and the top is golden brown. Overcooking the casserole can cause the squash to become mushy and the cheese to become overly melted.

Let the casserole cool before serving: Letting the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving will help it to set and make it easier to slice.

Squeeze out liquid: for best results, add squash to cheesecloth and squeeze well to remove extra water so your casserole isn't runny and wet.

A few answers

Can we use other types of squash?

Yes, you can use other types of squash, like zucchini or pattypan squash,.

Can we make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the casserole ahead of time and bake it later. Cover the dish with foil and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking.

Can we use a different type of cheese?

Yes, you can use different types of cheese to suit your tastes. Consider using a mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack, or adding some crumbled feta cheese for extra flavor.

Can we make this recipe without the cheez-it crackers?

Yes, you can omit the Cheez-It crackers or use a different type of cracker or bread crumbs for the topping.

How long does this casserole keep in the refrigerator?

Store any leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Can we freeze this casserole?

Yes, you can freeze this casserole for up to 2-3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating it in the oven.

Serve it with

Grilled Meats: Grilled chicken or steak would provide a hearty and flavorful main course to balance out the richness of the casserole.

Salad: A fresh and crisp salad with a simple vinaigrette would provide a refreshing contrast to the creamy and cheesy casserole.

Garlic Bread: Garlic bread would provide a savory and crunchy contrast to the creamy and cheesy casserole.

Rice or Quinoa: A fragrant rice or quinoa dish would provide a hearty and filling complement to the casserole.

Green Beans: Steamed or roasted green beans would provide a fresh and nutritious side dish to balance out the richness of the casserole.

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Ingredients

3 medium yellow squash, grated
1 medium onion, grated
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
½ cup sour cream
½ cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 ½ cups crushed Cheez-It crackers
¼ cup unsalted butter, melted

Method

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Place grated squash in cheesecloth, and wring out any excess liquid.
In a large bowl, combine the sliced squash and onion with the cheddar cheese, parmesan cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Pour the mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish.
In a separate bowl, mix together the crushed Cheez-It crackers and melted butter. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the top of the squash mixture.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the squash is tender.
Let the casserole cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.