Are you looking for a delicious and easy-to-make casserole? Look no further than the Brenda Gantt Squash Casserole Recipe!
This classic comfort food is a great option for family dinners or potluck gatherings. It’s packed with flavor, and it’s easy to prepare. Plus, it’s a great way to get your daily servings of vegetables.
This recipe is named after Brenda Gantt, who created it in the early 1960s. Since then, it has become one of the most popular casserole recipes in the United States. It’s a great option for busy weeknights, and it’s sure to be a hit with everyone in your family.
What is Brenda Gantt Squash Casserole?
Brenda Gantt is a popular YouTuber known for sharing Southern cooking recipes. She gained popularity for her down-to-earth approach to cooking and her charming personality. One of her famous dishes is The Brenda Gantt Squash Casserole.
It is a classic comfort food dish. It’s made with squash, cheese, and a savory sauce. The squash is cooked until it’s tender, and then it’s combined with the cheese and the sauce. The dish is then topped with breadcrumbs and baked until golden brown.
The result is a cheesy, flavorful casserole that’s sure to be a hit with your family. It’s a great way to get your daily servings of vegetables, and it’s also a great option for potluck gatherings or family dinners.
Why You’ll Love this Brenda Gantt Squash Casserole Recipe?
There are so many reasons why you’ll love this Brenda Gantt Squash Casserole Recipe. For starters, it’s incredibly easy to make.
All you need to do is cook the squash, combine it with the cheese and sauce, top it with breadcrumbs, and bake it until golden brown. It’s a great way to get your daily servings of vegetables, and it’s also a great option for potluck gatherings or family dinners.
In addition, this casserole is incredibly flavorful. The squash is cooked until it’s tender, and then it’s combined with the cheese and the sauce.
The dish is then topped with breadcrumbs and baked until golden brown. The result is a cheesy, flavorful casserole that’s sure to be a hit with your family.
Finally, this dish is incredibly versatile. You can easily customize it to your tastes by using different kinds of cheese or adding different vegetables. You can also make it ahead of time and freeze it, so it’s ready whenever you need it.
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How Does It Taste Like?
The Brenda Gantt Squash Casserole Recipe is incredibly flavorful. The squash is cooked until it’s tender, and then it’s combined with the cheese and the sauce. The dish is then topped with breadcrumbs and baked until golden brown. The result is a cheesy, flavorful casserole that’s sure to be a hit with your family.
The squash and cheese create a creamy, savory base, while the breadcrumbs give the dish a crispy texture. The dish is also incredibly versatile, so you can customize it to your tastes by adding different vegetables or using different kinds of cheese.
Ingridients:
Crushed Ritz Crackers:The crushed Ritz crackers provide a distinct advantage by introducing a buttery and crunchy texture to the casserole. This adds a delightful contrast to the other ingredients, enhancing the overall mouthfeel and creating a satisfying, crispy layer.
Sliced Yellow Squash:The advantage of using six cups of sliced yellow squash lies in its nutritional value. Yellow squash brings a fresh and mild flavor to the dish, contributing to its wholesome nature. Additionally, the squash adds a vibrant color and texture, making the casserole visually appealing.
Cheddar Cheese (Shredded): Shredded cheddar cheese provides a rich and creamy advantage to the casserole. The cheese not only adds a savory and indulgent taste but also contributes to the overall texture, creating a luscious and gooey consistency when melted.
Eggs (Thoroughly Beaten):The advantage of using four thoroughly beaten eggs is their role in providing structure to the casserole. Eggs act as a binding agent, ensuring a cohesive and satisfying texture that holds the other ingredients together.
Finely Chopped Onion: The finely chopped onion introduces an aromatic advantage, imparting a savory and nuanced flavor profile to the casserole. Onions add depth and complexity, enhancing the overall taste experience.
Milk: The advantage of using 1.5 cups of milk lies in its ability to provide moisture to the casserole. This ensures a tender and creamy consistency, preventing the dish from being overly dry and contributing to a delightful mouthfeel.
Melted Butter: Half a cup of melted butter brings a richness advantage to the casserole. The butter contributes to a velvety and smooth finish, adding to the overall indulgence and decadence of the dish.
Salt and Pepper: The advantage of including salt and pepper is the customizability it offers. Adding these seasonings according to personal taste preferences allows individuals to tailor the flavor to their liking, ensuring a personalized and enjoyable culinary experience.
Step by Step Directions
Follow these easy steps to make the Brenda Gantt Squash Casserole Recipe:
Step 1 – Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that it’s ready for baking when your casserole is prepared.
Step 2 – Prepare the Squash:
Place the sliced yellow squash in a pot of boiling water. Cook for a few minutes until the squash is just tender. Drain any excess water.
Step 3 – Crush Ritz Crackers:
Crush the Ritz crackers until you achieve a fine crumb-like texture. You can use a food processor or place the crackers in a sealed plastic bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
Step 4 – Combine Ingredients:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the crushed Ritz crackers, cooked yellow squash, shredded cheddar cheese, thoroughly beaten eggs, finely chopped onion, milk, and melted butter.
Step 5 – Season with Salt and Pepper:
Add salt and pepper to the mixture according to your taste preference. Mix well to ensure even distribution of seasoning.
Step 6 – Transfer to Casserole Dish:
Grease a casserole dish and transfer the mixed ingredients into it, spreading them evenly.
Step 7 – Bake:
Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 30-40 minutes or until the top is golden brown, and the casserole is set.
Step 8 – Serve:
Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes before serving. Cut into squares or scoops and serve warm.
Tips
Here are a few tips to ensure that your Brenda Gantt Squash Casserole turns out perfect every time:
– Choose the right squash. Make sure you choose a squash that’s ripe and not too hard.
– Make sure the squash is cooked.The squash should be cooked until it’s tender before adding it to the casserole.
– Make the casserole ahead of time. If you’re making this for a potluck or family dinner, you can make the casserole ahead of time and freeze it. Just thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before baking.
– Add extra veggies. You can add extra veggies to the casserole if you’d like. Try adding chopped onions, bell peppers, or mushrooms.
– Adjust the seasoning. Feel free to adjust the seasoning according to your tastes.
Nutrition Information
One serving of the Brenda Gantt Squash Casserole Recipe contains approximately 270 calories, 11 grams of fat, 10 grams of protein, and 29 grams of carbohydrates.
How to store Brenda Gantt Squash Casserole Recipe?
The Brenda Gantt Squash Casserole Recipe is best eaten the same day it’s made. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
What other substitute can I use in Brenda Gantt Squash Casserole Recipe?
If you don’t have all of the ingredients for this recipe, there are a few substitutions you can make. Here are some ideas:
– Cheese: You can use any kind of cheese, such as cheddar, Monterey Jack, or mozzarella.
– Mayonnaise: You can use plain Greek yogurt or sour cream as a substitute for the mayonnaise.
– Breadcrumbs: You can use crushed crackers, crushed cereal, or panko as a substitute for the breadcrumbs.
– Vegetables: You can add any veggies you have on hand, such as chopped onions, bell peppers, or mushrooms.
– Seasonings:Feel free to adjust the seasonings according to your tastes.
Equipment
- Oven
- Large pot
- Mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 2 packets of crushed Ritz crackers
- 6 generous cups of sliced yellow squash
- 2 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 4 thoroughly beaten large eggs
- 1 full cup of finely chopped onion
- 1 and a half cups of creamy milk
- 1/2 cup of perfectly melted butter
- Salt and pepper tailored to your taste preferences
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to the specified temperature as per the recipe. Grease or prepare a baking dish suitable for the casserole.
- Boil the six generous cups of sliced yellow squash in water until tender, then drain thoroughly.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked squash, crushed Ritz crackers from two packets, shredded sharp cheddar cheese (two cups), thoroughly beaten large eggs (four), finely chopped onion (one full cup), creamy milk (one and a half cups), perfectly melted butter (half a cup), and salt and pepper tailored to your taste preferences. Mix these ingredients until well combined.
- Transfer the combined mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Place the casserole dish into the preheated oven and bake for the specified time provided in the recipe or until the casserole sets and the top turns golden brown.
- Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. Serve this delightful Brenda Gantt Squash Casserole as a comforting and flavorful dish for any meal!
Notes
- Choose the right squash. Make sure you choose a squash that’s ripe and not too hard.
- Make sure the squash is cooked.The squash should be cooked until it’s tender before adding it to the casserole.
- Make the casserole ahead of time. If you’re making this for a potluck or family dinner, you can make the casserole ahead of time and freeze it. Just thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before baking.
- Add extra veggies. You can add extra veggies to the casserole if you’d like. Try adding chopped onions, bell peppers, or mushrooms.
- Adjust the seasoning. Feel free to adjust the seasoning according to your tastes.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
1.Can I freeze Brenda Gantt Squash Casserole?
Yes, you can freeze the Brenda Gantt Squash Casserole. Allow it to cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container or bag. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat it, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and then bake it until it’s heated through.
2.What kind of squash should I use for the Brenda Gantt Squash Casserole?
You can use any kind of squash for the Brenda Gantt Squash Casserole, such as zucchini, yellow squash, or acorn squash. Just make sure to choose a squash that’s ripe and not too hard.
3.Can I use low-fat ingredients in the Brenda Gantt Squash Casserole?
Yes, you can use low-fat ingredients in the Brenda Gantt Squash Casserole. For example, you can use low-fat cheese, low-fat sour cream, and low-fat mayonnaise.
4.Is the Brenda Gantt Squash Casserole gluten-free?
Yes, the Brenda Gantt Squash Casserole is naturally gluten-free. Just make sure to use gluten-free breadcrumbs or gluten-free crackers if you need to keep it gluten-free.
5.Can I make the Brenda Gantt Squash Casserole vegan?
Yes, you can make the Brenda Gantt Squash Casserole vegan. Just use vegan cheese and vegan mayonnaise in place of the regular cheese and mayonnaise.
6.Can I make the Brenda Gantt Squash Casserole ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the Brenda Gantt Squash Casserole ahead
Conclusion
Brenda Gantt’s Squash Casserole recipe embodies the essence of Southern comfort food, bringing together simple yet flavorful ingredients to create a dish that is both hearty and satisfying.
The combination of the rich, melted cheddar cheese, the subtle sweetness of yellow squash, and the comforting crunch of crushed Ritz crackers results in a delightful casserole that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Embrace the flavors, share the joy, and savor the delicious memories created with each comforting bite.
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Lori Walker is a passionate dietitian and food lover. She offers simple and nutritious recipes that don't take long to cook. In addition to sharing delicious dishes, she also shares useful advice on saving time and money in the kitchen. She believes that with a bit of creativity, anyone can make healthy meals that won't break the bank. Read more