HARVEST YELLOW & ZUCCHINI SQUASH & BEEF CASSEROLE

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Harvest Yellow & Zucchini Squash & Beef Casserole image

This is a yummy, warming casserole that is meant to be a side dish, but since it has meat in it, can also be served as a main dish. This is the version I came up with after significantly reducing some of the heavier ingredients, that were in the original version I saw on Lucy Classic Cajun & Cuisine, a PBS cooking program. But don't let that scare you - this is not a spicy dish at all. I make this often in the end of summer to use up fresh squash. If you don't have both types of squash, just use 2 of whichever type you do have.

Provided by HeatherFeather

Categories     White Rice

Time 40m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 small summer squash, unpeeled, sliced into thick rounds (crookneck)
1 small green zucchini, unpeeled, sliced into thick rounds
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup butter (or less, to taste*) or 1/4 cup margarine (or less, to taste*)
1/2 lb lean ground beef
1 cup sweet onion, chopped (such Vidalia, Walla Walla, or Maui)
2 large eggs
1/2 cup Miracle Whip (light is OK) or 1/2 cup mayonnaise (light is OK)
1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
2 cups cooked hot white rice (I use Jasmine or long grain)
1/2 cup Ritz cracker crumbs (or less to taste)
salt and pepper

Steps:

  • Cook sliced squashes in a small pot with the water until tender but not mushy; drain and return squash to the pot.
  • Add butter and allow it to melt in the pot and sauté all together for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, over medium to medium-low heat.
  • Meanwhile, spray a large deep skillet with nonstick spray and cook the beef and onions.
  • Drain any fat, then season meat mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Add the squash to the beef using a slotted spoon, and reduce heat to low.
  • Beat together eggs, then whisk in mayo- add this mixture to the skillet.
  • Stir in the cheese and the cooked rice.
  • Pour into a large oval casserole and sprinkle with enough cracker crumbs to cover.
  • Bake in a preheated oven at 350 F for about 15-20 minutes.
  • Note: The original version of this recipe called for a whopping 1 whole stick of butter!
  • I have always used at most the 1/2 stick and as little as 2 tablespoons.
  • -it is based on your preferences.
  • I also always use real, unsalted butter.

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