Creamy Yellow Squash Casserole with Bacon and Ritz Crackers

The first time I had this was in the late 90's. Our family has always liked yellow squash (if prepared correctly and not mushy), but this dish takes it to a whole new level!! We love the creaminess of the cream cheese and the salty, buttery crunch of the crispy cracker topping. It's really that good! Here is what you'll need for an 8 x 8 or 9 x 9 dish:

Photo bypintrest

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons butter or bacon fat, divided
• 5-6 strips of bacon
• 4 small yellow squash, sliced into 1/2" slices, (about 2 lbs. or 6 cups)
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4-1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 cup grated Colby Jack cheese blend
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup cream cheese
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 cup crushed butter crackers

First, cook the bacon strips until done, saving the bacon grease if you plan to use it for the next step.
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly coat an 8-inch or 9-inch square baking dish with cooking spray and set it aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter or bacon fat. Add the diced onions and peppers and cook until the onions turn translucent. Then, add the squash slices and sauté until just tender, being careful not to overcook.
Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, Colby Jack cheese, sour cream, cream cheese, sugar, garlic powder, and thyme.
Combine the egg mixture with the sautéed vegetables, then pour it into the prepared baking dish. Top with parmesan cheese and any additional Colby Jack cheese if desired.
In another bowl, mix crushed crackers with the remaining tablespoon of melted butter or bacon grease. Sprinkle over the top of the casserole and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the casserole is set and the topping turns golden brown. Remove and allow to cool for 5-10 minutes, then enjoy!

*Notes:

Someone mentioned to me that they added some french fried onions to the top with the crackers. I've not done that one yet, but I definitely will try it on the next round!