Dixie Cafe Squash Casserole
For years, my little hometown in Arkansas had a restaurant called Dixie Cafe. Do you know it? It was a small chain of restaurants in Arkansas, Tennessee, and Oklahoma that served classic southern food. Chicken fried steak, hamburger steaks, fried catfish — anything your little southern heart could wish for.
The Dixie Cafe also had lots of great sides like green beans, black eyed peas, skin-on mashed potatoes with gravy, and their famous baked squash. I loved their squash so much that I often ordered it for both of my sides. It’s hard to describe, but if I had to, I’d say the squash was a little creamy, a little crispy, and a little sweet.
The chain closed all of their stores in the last year, so if you ever want to try their baked squash, you’ll have to make it yourself. Thankfully, though, years ago, my mom clipped the recipe that Dixie Cafe supposedly used from the newspaper, so you can.
If you’re looking for a southern-style squash casserole, this one is a great choice!
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How to Make Baked Squash Casserole
Cover the squash with water and boil over medium-high heat until tender. This should take around 20 minutes or so.
Drain the squash and then mash it with a potato masher. (You may want to drain it one more time after you’ve mashed it to get the extra water out.)
Mix together the mashed squash, eggs, onion, butter, sugar, salt, pepper, and 1 cup of the breadcrumbs. Spread the mixture into a greased 3-quart casserole dish or 9×13 baking dish and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup breadcrumbs on top.
Bake at 350 for 45 minutes. Scoop up and enjoy!
Notes About Baked Squash Casserole
- Some of the quantities in this baked squash are variable: feel free to use more or less onions, butter, sugar, or even squash. It’s a pretty forgiving dish. I’ve lowered the amount of butter from the original recipe.
- Although you may be tempted to, I wouldn’t suggest leaving out the sugar entirely. I’ve tried it, and it’s the sugar that makes the casserole, even though it sounds weird to put sugar in a vegetable dish. Somehow, it brings out the flavor of the squash.
- This baked squash is a great side dish for Thanksgiving. Even though it contains bread crumbs, it’s less starch-y than most Thanksgiving sides.
- It also goes well with any southern meat dish like ham, rotisserie chicken, roast, fried chicken, etc.
I hope you enjoy this Baked Squash Casserole recipe as much as I do. It’s easy, delicious, and sure to be a hit with your guests.
What is your favorite southern side? Tell me in the comments!
Check out other amazing go-to recipes from some of the best food bloggers on the web in 30 Food Bloggers Share Their Best Dinner Party Ideas!!
Baked Squash Casserole
Creamy mashed squash combines with breadcrumbs, egg, butter, and a touch of sugar to make this delicious Baked Squash Casserole. Try it for Thanksgiving or with any southern meal!
Ingredients
- 5 lbs yellow squash
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 2-4 Tbsp onion, finely chopped
- 1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs
- 6 Tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1.5 tsp salt (to taste)
- 1/4 tsp pepper
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 F.
Cut up squash and cover with water. Cook over medium-high heat until tender (about 20 minutes).
Drain squash and mash it with a potato masher.
Combine all ingredients (reserving 1/2 cup breadcrumbs) and spread into a greased 3-quart casserole dish or 9x13 baking dish.
Sprinkle reserved 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs over the top of the casserole.
Bake in oven for 45 minutes.
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