Paula Deen Squash Casserole Recipe

Name: Paula Deen Squash Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 6 Cups of Raw Squash; 1 Cup Water or 3 Tablespoons Butter; 1 teaspoon Paula Deen’s House Seasoning; ½ Cup Sour Cream; 1 Cup Crushed Buttery Crackers; 4 Tablespoons Butter; 1 Large Chopped Onion; 1 Cup Grated Cheddar Cheese

Squash is known to be one of the healthiest vegetables. But as a mother of two, feeding my children this healthy vegetable requires a lot of effort. So, I tried Paula Deen’s squash casserole recipe and found a delicious way to incorporate this veggie into my daily weekly rotation menu.

This dish is creamy, buttery, and cheesy—everything that can lure your child to consume this vegetable without throwing tantrums. It is a traditional Thanksgiving staple, but the ease of preparation and delectable taste have made it an all-time favorite at my home.

Apart from its taste, this dish pairs beautifully with many other food items, such as roasted chicken, sauteed vegetables, salads, etc. Therefore, I always include this dish on most of my party menus.

Well, organizing parties can get hectic. That’s why Paula Deen’s squash casserole also comes to the rescue, as it can be prepared beforehand. Moreover, you can customize the recipe to suit various diets. So, without further ado, let me take you through the full recipe.

What's In The Post

Equipment Required

A Deep Pot: You will need a deep pot or a sauce pot to cook the squash.
A Sharp Knife: I use a sharp knife to slice the vegetables evenly.
Chopping board: I prefer using a wooden chopping board to chop the vegetables. However, you can also use a plastic, steel, or glass chopping board.
Colander: I use a colander to drain water, but you can also use a strainer or a sieve.
Cheese Cloth: Cheese cloth will be used to mash the squash to drain the excess water. You can also use any clean rag or a muslin cloth.
A Large Bowl: You will need a large bowl to place the cheesecloth in and then collect all the ingredients for the mix.
Small-Sized Bowl: I prefer assembling all the ingredients in the bowl separately before cooking to avoid any mishaps. I recommend you also have the ingredients ready in such bowls.
Spoon: A spoon will be needed to mix all the ingredients.
Glass Baking Dish: As the name suggests, this dish requires a baking dish or casserole. I use a glass baking dish, but you can use any oven-safe dish.

Paula Deen Squash Casserole Ingredients and Substitutions

Note: The ingredients used in the recipe will help you make 10 servings. However, you can adjust the quantities of the ingredients as required.

6 Cups of Raw Squash: While this dish calls for squash, you can also use zucchini as a substitute in this recipe. You can also substitute frozen squash if the fresh ones aren’t available.
1 Cup Water or 3 Tablespoons Butter
1 teaspoon Paula Deen’s House Seasoning: It is a blend of salt, black pepper, garlic, and onion powder, which can also be used separately.
½ Cup Sour Cream: You can also use Greek Yogurt as a substitute in this recipe.
1 Cup Crushed Buttery Crackers: While I use Ritz crackers in this recipe, you can also substitute panko breadcrumbs.
4 Tablespoons Butter: You can also go for unsalted butter or margarine.
1 Large Chopped Onion
1 Cup Grated Cheddar Cheese: Parmesan, Gouda, or Swiss cheese will work well in this recipe.

Preparation And Cooking Time

Preparation Time	Cooking Time	Total Time
Minutes	Minutes	Minutes

How To Make Paula Deen Squash Casserole At Home

Step 2

Further, season the chicken wings with salt and black pepper.

Expert Tips That I Recommend

I always gently fold the squash into the mixture. This ensures that the squash doesn’t break or get mushy in the casserole.
When sautéing, I stir the squash often to release steam and prevent browning.
Since squash will be cooked in the oven again, I usually leave it undercooked to prevent a mushy squash.
When I select a squash, especially for this recipe, I always look for its stem. The stem should be tan, dry, and have a fibrous look. Squash with fresh green stems usually has a leaking sap.
The best thing about this squash casserole is that it can be made beforehand. I complete step 11, leaving the cracker crumbs off the top. I then refrigerate for up to 12 hours or overnight, adding the cracker crumbs before baking. I also extend the bake time slightly to account for the cold casserole.
I also experiment with cheeses, like Parmesan or Gouda, as they give my squash casserole a unique flavor profile.

FAQs About Paula Deen Squash Casserole

Why has this squash casserole become watery?

If the squash is not completely drained before making the mixture, your squash casserole may become watery. That’s because it contains a good amount of water. So, make sure to remove the excess moisture.

Why is this Paula Deen squash casserole soggy?

Your squash casserole can turn soggy if the squash used is not dried correctly. Therefore, sprinkle salt over the squash slices and let it sit for 30 minutes. The salt will help release the excess moisture. Also, make sure not to overcook the casserole, as it makes it mushy and soggy.

Why does your Paula Deen squash casserole taste bland?

If the seasoning is not done appropriately, your casserole may taste bland. Squash has a lot of water and no taste of its own, so it’s important to season your casserole properly.

Should you cook the casserole covered or uncovered?

Casseroles made of cooked ingredients are generally baked uncovered to achieve a crispy top layer.

How to check if your casserole is done?

To check the doneness of your casserole, insert a fork or a toothpick. If it comes out clean, then your casserole is done.

Nutritional Information Per Serving

Don’t add the table; values must be recalculated.

As I mentioned earlier, yellow squash is a very healthy vegetable. It is a nutritional powerhouse rich in manganese. However, having it in a casserole loaded with butter, cream, and cheese can be high in carbs.

So, I recommend you to have it in moderation. I have added the nutritional value of this recipe in the table below for your reference.

Calories	115 kcal
Fat	11 g
Saturated Fat	6 g
Trans Fat	0.2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat	0.4 g
Monounsaturated Fat	3 g
Cholesterol	30 mg
Sodium	114 mg
Potassium	47 mg
Carbohydrates	2 g
Fiber	0.4 g
Sugar	1 g
Protein	3 g
Vitamin A	333 IU
Vitamin C	1 mg
Calcium	103 mg
Iron	0.2 mg

This recipe is naturally suitable for people following a vegetarian diet.

Recipe Variations For Different Diets

Vegan Diet: I once converted this recipe to make it vegan-friendly for one of my cousins, and she absolutely loved it. I substituted butter for olive oil and soy milk for sour cream.
Dairy-Free Diet: Like vegans, lactose intolerants can substitute butter for olive oil and soy milk for sour cream to make it suitable for their diet.
Keto-Friendly Diet: One ingredient used in this recipe that comes in the way of a keto diet is Ritz crackers. They can easily be replaced with any keto-friendly cracker, like Whisp Crackers.
Gluten-Free Diet: Ritz crackers are the only ingredient in this recipe that contains gluten. You can easily replace them with gluten-free crackers available in any supermarket.

Storing And Reheating This Recipe

Storing

Refrigerator: I usually cover the casserole leftovers with foil paper in the same baking dish and refrigerate them. This way, the casserole stays fresh for 3-4 days.
Freezer: When I know the leftovers won’t be consumed within a few days, I freeze them. To do that, I seal the dish completely with foil paper, freeze it, and thaw it before reheating it. In the freezer, this dish can last for up to 6 months. I also label the container to be on the safer side.

Reheating

Microwave: You can also reheat squash casserole in a microwave by placing the desired amount in a microwave-safe bowl and heating it for 1-2 minutes. However, I rarely use this option because the crust turns soggy in a microwave.
Oven: I prefer reheating the casserole in an oven. First, I bring it to room temperature, then reheat the leftovers at 400°-425° F for 10-15 minutes, covered with foil. This reheating method ensures that the crust remains crisp.

What To Serve With This Recipe

Everyone at my home enjoys this ultimate family-friendly dish. I like serving it with Cornbread, French Toast, and Grilled Chicken.

You can pair it with Grilled Hamburgers, pork BBQ, Fried Chicken, or A Thanksgiving Turkey, as you like.

Printable Version

More Paula Deen Recipes That You Can Try

Paula Deen Style Scalloped Potatoes — Paula Deen Scalloped Potatoes Recipe

Paula-Deen-Chili — Paula Deen Scalloped Potatoes Recipe

Conclusion

Paula Deen’s squash casserole recipe is perfect for family gatherings. It is filled with rich flavors and seasoning that leave you craving more. This recipe has come to the rescue of a mother who wants to feed her child with love and nutrition.

I am sure this recipe will become your family’s favorite, too. All you need to do is follow the steps. Also, with the above tips and tricks, you will nail this recipe like a pro. When you are done relishing the dish, do not forget to leave your experience in the comment section below. Happy Baking!

Paula Deen Squash Casserole Recipe

Equipment Required

Paula Deen Squash Casserole Ingredients and Substitutions

Preparation And Cooking Time