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Rich & Creamy Vegetable Casserole

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Looking for the ultimate comfort food? Look no further than our delectable Vegetable Casserole recipe. Packed with a medley of mixed vegetables, sour cream, and a buttery Ritz cracker topping, this easy veggie bake will leave your taste buds craving more.

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Spoiler Alert!  This is a vegetable recipe, but it’s not a healthy recipe.  This is comfort food, pure and simple, with a rich, creamy filling and a crunchy, buttery topping.  I got this recipe from my cousin, Patsy, one year during a family reunion. 

The casserole is not only easy to put together, but it’s super versatile.  You can use any combination of vegetables, either frozen or canned.  Patsy used French-cut green beans and corn, but I like to add some carrots as well for color and texture. Some broccoli or peas would be great as well.  Toss in a little protein and you’ve got a hearty main dish!

With the long bake time for the casserole, the cheese melts into the cracker crumbs and creates a chewy, crispy crust on top.  When it comes out of the oven, there may be some butter pooling around the edges, but the cooling time allows the crackers to re-absorb the fat into the crispy topping.  I promise you it won’t taste greasy!

Leftovers are great heated at half power in the microwave.  The topping will lose some of its crispiness, but the flavors are still fantastic the next day.

a casserole dish with creamy veggie casserole topped with ritz crackers and melted cheese.

Ingredients

Olive Oil. The olive oil is used to sauté the chopped onions and coat the vegetables, adding a rich flavor and preventing them from sticking to the casserole dish.

Chopped Onion. Onions provide a savory and aromatic base for the casserole, enhancing the overall flavor.

Mixed Vegetables. The mixed vegetables are the star of the casserole, providing a variety of colors, flavors, and nutrients. They add texture and a range of tastes to the dish.

Sour Cream. Sour cream contributes a creamy and tangy element to the casserole, binding the ingredients together and adding richness.

Salt and Pepper. These seasonings enhance the flavors of the casserole and help balance the taste.

Ritz Crackers. Crushed Ritz crackers are often used as a crunchy topping for the casserole, adding a contrast in texture and flavor.

Butter. The melted butter is mixed with the crushed Ritz crackers to create a buttery, crispy crust on top of the casserole.

Cheddar cheese: Grated cheddar cheese is sprinkled over the casserole, providing a deliciously cheesy layer that melts and creates a gooey texture as the casserole bakes.

How to Make This Recipe

  1. Preheat the oven to 350℉. Grease a 9 x 13 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside. Saute onion in olive oil until softened, about 5 minutes. In a mixing bowl, stir together onion, mixed vegetables and sour cream. Spread evenly in the baking dish.
  2. Place the Ritz crackers in a ziploc bag and use your hands to gently crush into coarse crumbs. In a small bowl, combine cracker crumbs and grated cheese. Add melted butter and toss until butter coats all of the cracker crumbs.
  3. Sprinkle cracker mixture evenly over the vegetable mixture in the baking pan. Bake at 350℉ for 45 minutes until golden brown and bubbly. Cool for 5 minutes before serving.
freshly baked cheesy creamy veggie casserole topped with crackers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add some protein?

Absolutely! Adding cooked chicken or tofu to the vegetable casserole is a great idea to make it a heartier and more filling meal. Simply chop the cooked protein into bite-sized pieces and mix it in with the vegetables and other ingredients before baking the casserole. This customization allows you to cater to your dietary preferences and create a well-balanced dish.

Can I add additional seasonings or herbs to enhance the flavor?

Yes, you can definitely add extra seasonings or herbs to elevate the flavor of the vegetable casserole. Common herbs that go well with this casserole include thyme, rosemary, basil, or parsley. You may also consider adding garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or a pinch of red pepper flakes for some extra kick.

What’s the best way to store any unused Ritz crackers for future use?

To store any unused Ritz crackers, make sure to keep them in an airtight container to maintain their freshness and crispness. If you have leftover crushed Ritz crackers after making the casserole, you can store them in a sealed container at room temperature for a few days. If you have whole Ritz crackers that haven’t been used, you can keep them in their original packaging or transfer them to a resealable plastic bag or container with an airtight seal. Properly stored, they should remain fresh for several weeks.

More Recipes to Try

Rich & Creamy Vegetable Casserole

Recipe by Pennie Saadallah
Servings

8

Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking time

45

minutes
Calories

289

kcal
Total time

55

minutes

Looking for the ultimate comfort food? Look no further than our delectable Vegetable Casserole recipe. Packed with a medley of mixed vegetables, sour cream, and a buttery Ritz cracker topping, this easy veggie bake will leave your taste buds craving more.

Cook Mode

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Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp 1 olive oil

  • 1/2 cup 1/2 chopped onioin

  • 3 cups 3 mixed vegetables frozen or drained can

  • 8 ounces 8 sour cream

  • salt and pepper to taste

  • 30 30 Ritz crackers

  • 1/2 cup 1/2 butter melted

  • 1 cup 1 cheddar cheese grated

Directions

  • Preheat the oven to 350℉. Grease a 9 x 13 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside. Saute onion in olive oil until softened, about 5 minutes. In a mixing bowl, stir together onion, mixed vegetables and sour cream. Spread evenly in the baking dish.
  • Place the Ritz crackers in a ziploc bag and use your hands to gently crush into coarse crumbs. In a small bowl, combine cracker crumbs and grated cheese. Add melted butter and toss until butter coats all of the cracker crumbs.
  • Sprinkle cracker mixture evenly over the vegetable mixture in the baking pan. Bake at 350℉ for 45 minutes until golden brown and bubbly. Cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Use any frozen or canned vegetables in this dish.  I like corn, green beans and carrots.

Nutrition Facts

  • Calories: 289kcal

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