This Southern Squash Casserole, affectionately known as “Frances Recipe,” is a beloved vintage dish that perfectly captures homestyle comfort cooking. Tender yellow squash is steamed and combined with sautéed onions and bell peppers, bound with creamy Hellmann’s mayonnaise, cheese, and crushed crackers for a rich and savory base. Topped with crisp breadcrumbs and baked to golden perfection, it’s the kind of side dish you’d find at Sunday suppers, church potlucks, and family reunions across the South. Adding shrimp or crab elevates it to a special-occasion dish while preserving its comforting roots.
Ingredients
- 1 lb yellow squash (cubed)
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 1 bell pepper (chopped)
- ½ stick butter (4 tbsp)
- 1 tsp sugar
- ½ cup cheese (grated, cheddar or similar)
- ½ cup Hellmann’s mayonnaise
- 1 egg (beaten)
- 6 to 8 saltine crackers (crushed)
- bread crumbs ( for topping)
- salt (to taste)
- pepper (to taste)
Optional:
- ½ cup cooked shrimp (or crab meat)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Squash
- Wash, cube, and steam squash until tender. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.
Step 2: Sauté Vegetables
- In a skillet, melt ½ stick butter. Sauté chopped onion and bell pepper until softened.
Step 3: Combine Ingredients
- In a large bowl, mix cooked squash with sautéed vegetables. Stir in sugar, salt, and pepper.
Step 4: Add Creamy Base
- Once mixture is slightly cooled, add grated cheese, Hellmann’s mayonnaise, beaten egg, and crushed crackers. Mix thoroughly.
Step 5: Assemble Casserole
- Pour mixture into a buttered baking dish. Top evenly with bread crumbs.
Step 6: Bake
- Bake at 380°F (190°C) for 30–45 minutes, or until golden and bubbly.
Step 7: Optional Add-Ins
- For a richer variation, fold in shrimp or crab meat before baking.
Tips
- Drain or lightly press steamed squash to remove excess moisture so the casserole isn’t watery.
- Use yellow summer squash or a mix of yellow squash and zucchini for color and texture.
- Substitute different cheeses (Cheddar, Colby-Jack, or Swiss) to change flavor.
- Add the suggested shrimp or crab for a seafood variation, folding in gently before baking.
- Replace crackers with buttered breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes for a different topping.
- For a bit of heat, increase red pepper or add a pinch of cayenne.
- Make ahead: assemble, refrigerate, then bake just before serving (add a few extra minutes baking time).
- Lighten it up by reducing mayonnaise slightly and increasing vegetables.
- Add herbs such as parsley, thyme, or chives for freshness.
Nutrition
Calories: 265kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 7gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 290mgPotassium: 280mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 720IUVitamin C: 40mgCalcium: 110mgIron: 1mg
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