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    Home » Recipes » Sides

    Squash Casserole

    Published: Nov 4, 2018 · Updated: Dec 12, 2023 · Post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Southern Squash Casserole is a creamy, classic casserole that tastes great when served on your holiday table or as a side dish for chicken. Made with fresh or frozen yellow squash, this easy casserole can be made year-round and requires minimal prep work without any weird ingredients.

    plate of squash casserole, mashed potatoes, green beans, and chicken
    • About Healthy Squash Casserole
      • Ingredients
    • How to Make Southern Squash Casserole
    • Recipe Tips
      • Make Ahead Ideas
      • Variations
        • Alternatives
        • Substitutions
        • Storage Tips
      • What to Serve with Squash Casserole

    About Healthy Squash Casserole

    While yellow squash has never topped my "favorite veggies" list, this squash casserole is a must-have on my Thanksgiving and Christmas table.

    The cooked squash and onions with the creamy sauce covered in buttery breadcrumbs make for a satisfying and tasty holiday side. Also, I love serving squash casserole with fried or roasted chicken.

    ingredients to make squash casserole: squash, flour, butter, salt, pepper, milk, bread, onion, cheese

    What's nice about this recipe is that it is not mushy, it's creamy but not overly cheesy, and it has just enough spice without overpowering the squash.

    The squash is cooked but not overcooked, the sauce is thick but not too rich, and it's nice and comforting.

    Ingredients

    Onions: Most onions will work well in this recipe. White, red, yellow, or sweet onions are all good options. You can also use frozen diced onion to reduce prep time.

    Squash: Same as the onion, both frozen and fresh squash will work in this recipe.

    Flour: Any type of flour will work. I've successfully used white whole wheat flour, whole wheat pastry flour, and unbleached all-purpose.

    How to Make Southern Squash Casserole

    Making squash casserole is pretty simple. You have to boil the squash and onion before you assemble the casserole to help cook the squash & onions a little plus allow the squash to release some of their juices.

    While letting the squash drain, you will make the sauce by cooking some flour in butter. Whisk in the milk, add the cheese and season.

    When your squash is as drained as possible -- this is very important... you want to dry your squash as much as possible, so your casserole isn't soupy -- you'll fold it into the sauce.

    Transfer to a casserole dish and top with breadcrumbs (or butter crackers) and butter. Bake and enjoy!

    sliced squash and diced onion about to go in boiling water

    Recipe Tips

    I said it before, but it's worth repeating: make sure your squash is very well drained.

    I like to gently press it and then use a towel to blot dry.

    If you don't make sure to dry the squash then you run the risk of having a soupy squash casserole, and that sounds terrible!

    butter and flour being cooked in a saucepan

    Make Ahead Ideas

    You can prepare the casserole ahead of time, but you don't want to add the topping until just before baking.

    And make sure to take the casserole out of the oven before you start to preheat the oven, so your casserole dish isn't very cold when you add it to the oven. Adding a cold baking dish to a hot oven could cause it to break.

    I have tried in the past to prepare the cheese sauce in advance and assemble later, but I found that it didn't hold up as well.

    cream sauce and squash for squash casserole

    Variations

    Alternatives

    You can easily use frozen squash and onions in the casserole, and I generally do because the squash is already sliced for you at the same time.

    Any type of flour will work. I've successfully used white whole wheat flour, whole wheat pastry flour, and unbleached all-purpose.

    squash casserole being stirred together

    Substitutions

    To make this gluten-free, you can use cornstarch instead of flour. Use 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and whisk it into ½ cup cold milk. To make the sauce, you'll melt the butter and then whisk in the cornstarch-milk mixture. Add remaining milk and cook until thick. Follow directions as normal.

    Also, you will want to use gluten-free bread or gluten-free crackers in place of the regular bread/cracker topping.

    sprinkling bread crumbs over squash casserole

    Storage Tips

    Refrigerate leftovers and transfer to an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or the freezer for one month.

    What to Serve with Squash Casserole

    I'm partial to enjoying this squash casserole on Thanksgiving or Christmas, but it's also great with fried chicken as I previously mentioned. Some of my favorite holiday sides are below.

    Final thoughts:

    Looking for an easy Southern squash casserole? This creamy, classic casserole tastes great served on your holiday table or as a side dish for fried chicken.

    Made with fresh or frozen yellow squash, this easy casserole can be made year-round and requires minimal prep work without any weird ingredients.

    cooked squash casserole

    MORE HOLIDAY SIDE RECIPES YOU'LL LOVE:

    • Sweet Potato Casserole
    • Thanksgiving Roasted Vegetables
    • Butternut Squash Soup
    • Homemade Cranberry Sauce
    • Cheesy Brussels Sprouts Dip
    plate of squash casserole, mashed potatoes, green beans, and chicken

    Squash Casserole

    Southern Squash Casserole is a creamy, classic casserole that tastes great served on your holiday table or as a side dish for fried chicken.
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Rate
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour hour
    Servings: 12
    Author: Meme

    Ingredients

    • 4 pounds yellow squash sliced
    • 1 small onion finely diced
    • 2 tablespoons butter divided
    • 2 tablespoons flour any kind
    • 8 ounces milk whole or 2%
    • 4 ounces shredded cheddar cheese (about 1 cup)
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1 cup breadcrumbs or butter crackers

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350°F.
    • Bring a large pot of water to a boil, and add squash and onions. Boil for 5 minutes or 7 minutes if vegetables were frozen. Drain and set aside.
    • Melt butter in pot over medium heat. Add flour; cook, stirring constantly for 1 minute. Very gradually add milk while constantly whisking. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is thickened and bubbly.
    • Remove from heat; add cheese, salt, and pepper, stirring until cheese melts. Add in squash mixture, and stir well.
    • Spoon squash mixture into a 2-quart baking dish or keep in the pot. [If making-ahead, cover and refrigerate]. 
    • Meanwhile, mix together remaining tablespoon of butter and breadcrumbs. Sprinkle squash mixture evenly with breadcrumbs.
    • Bake at 350° for 20 to 25 minutes or until mixture is thoroughly heated and breadcrumbs are lightly browned. Enjoy!

    Notes

    *This casserole is easily halved.
    *2 slices bread makes about 1 cup breadcrumbs.
    *Can be made ahead up to 24 hours in advance. Cover and refrigerate without breadcrumbs. Bring to room temperature before covering with breadcrumbs and baking.
    Did you try this recipe?Be sure to leave a comment & recipe rating below. Bonus points for tagging @memeinge & #livingwellkitchen on Instagram! THANK YOU! xo

    Meme

    Squash Casserole Nutrition Facts

    Nutrition Facts
    Squash Casserole
    Serving Size
     
    0.5 cup
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    108
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    5
    g
    8
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    3
    g
    19
    %
    Cholesterol
     
    16
    mg
    5
    %
    Sodium
     
    293
    mg
    13
    %
    Potassium
     
    457
    mg
    13
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    10
    g
    3
    %
    Fiber
     
    2
    g
    8
    %
    Sugar
     
    4
    g
    4
    %
    Protein
     
    5
    g
    10
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    475
    IU
    10
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    26.2
    mg
    32
    %
    Calcium
     
    115
    mg
    12
    %
    Iron
     
    0.8
    mg
    4
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Natalie

      November 16, 2018 at 2:12 pm

      5 stars
      I love the idea of a squash casserole. Def going to try this for Thanksgiving!

      Reply
    2. Lindsey

      November 16, 2018 at 5:01 pm

      5 stars
      Love those buttered breadcrumbs on top!

      Reply
    3. Holly Pelton

      November 17, 2018 at 8:20 pm

      5 stars
      Squash is one of my favorite vegetables to cook with! This casserole was perfect for my meal prep this week and the breadcrumbs on top were my favorite part!

      Reply
    4. Liz Shaw

      November 17, 2018 at 11:50 pm

      5 stars
      I absolutely love all of the other recipes you can pair this with for a satisfying dinner- with plenty of leftovers. Thanks for this!

      Reply
    5. Lorie

      November 18, 2018 at 9:40 pm

      5 stars
      Good old comfort food at it's finest--this one is a keeper!

      Reply
    6. Tawnie Kroll

      November 19, 2018 at 10:12 am

      5 stars
      This was so easy and yummy, so excited to add this to my regular menu planning!

      Reply
    5 from 6 votes

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    Meme holding Watson at a restaurant in san diego.

    Hi, I'm Meme!

    A thirty-something registered dietitian nutritionist here to help you enjoy food, make eating easier, and live free of diets & shame.

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