Southern Squash Casserole
Step 4: Add the Crunchy Topping 🌾✨
- In a small bowl, mix the 1 cup of crushed Ritz crackers with the ¼ cup of melted butter and ½ cup of shredded cheese.
- Sprinkle the buttery cracker mixture evenly across the top of the squash layer, creating a full blanket of crunch.
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection! ⏰🛎️
- Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 30 minutes.
- You’ll know it’s ready when the edges are bubbling delightfully and the cracker topping has transformed into a beautiful, crispy golden-brown.
- Let it cool for 5 minutes before scooping and serving hot!
💡 Southern Cook’s Pro-Tips for Success
- Keep it Dry: Squash naturally holds a ton of water. Giving it a good drain in a colander after sautéing guarantees your creamy sauce stays thick and velvety rather than separating during the bake. 💧🙅♂️
- Cracker Crumb Texture: Don’t pulverize your crackers into dust! Leaving some larger, rustic chunks of Ritz crackers gives the dish a much better textural contrast against the soft, creamy squash underneath. 🫓🔨
