Description
Creamy Southern shoepeg casserole blends sweet corn kernels with rich cheese and crispy cracker topping for a comforting side dish. Hearty and nostalgic, this classic recipe brings warmth to family dinners with its irresistible blend of textures and flavors you’ll crave.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables:
- 1 large stalk celery, diced
- 1/2 yellow onion, diced
- 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 (11 ounces / 311 grams) can shoepeg or white corn, drained
- 1 (14 ounces / 397 grams) can French cut green beans, drained
Dairy and Soup:
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 8 ounces (226 grams) sour cream
- 1 (10.75 ounces / 305 grams) can condensed cream of celery soup
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
Seasoning and Topping:
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed
Instructions
- Prepare a welcoming canvas for this hearty vegetable medley by heating the oven to 350°F and coating an 8×8-inch baking dish with a light layer of butter or non-stick spray.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, unite the crisp diced celery, fragrant onion, vibrant bell pepper, sharp cheddar cheese, tender shoepeg corn, green beans, creamy celery soup, and tangy sour cream into a harmonious blend.
- Gently fold the ingredients together, ensuring an even distribution of flavors, and enhance with a pinch of salt and pepper to elevate the taste profile.
- Carefully transfer the vegetable mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it into a smooth, inviting layer that promises delicious comfort.
- Transform Ritz crackers into a delicate, crunchy topping by crushing them into fine fragments and sprinkling them evenly across the casserole’s surface.
- Drizzle melted butter over the cracker topping, ensuring each crumb becomes a golden, crispy crown for the vegetable ensemble.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and allow it to bake for 40-45 minutes, watching as the top transforms into a beautiful golden-brown landscape and the interior bubbles with anticipation.
- Once removed from the oven, let the casserole rest for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to settle and the temperature to become perfectly inviting.
- Serve warm, revealing a comforting dish that blends textures and tastes in a delightful culinary experience.
Notes
- Swap frozen vegetables with fresh seasonal produce for enhanced flavor and nutrition, giving the casserole a vibrant and garden-fresh twist.
- Consider reducing cheese and using low-fat alternatives for a lighter, heart-friendly version that maintains delicious taste and creamy texture.
- Experiment with gluten-free crackers or breadcrumbs to make the dish celiac-friendly without compromising the crunchy topping’s satisfying crispness.
- For added protein, mix in shredded rotisserie chicken or diced ham to transform this side dish into a complete and hearty meal option.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg