Southwestern Summer Squash Casserole

A Southwestern turn on the basic baked squash casserole. Our pattypan squash came in like great guns this season, and I have deemed it the "Forrest Gump" of the squash community, due to its versatility--steamed, broiled, grilled, sauteed, stir-fried, baked, eaten raw ... well, you get the idea.

• Preparation Time: 35 mins
• Cooking Time: 1 hr 15 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 50 mins
• Calories: 474 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 eggs, beaten
• ⅓ cup evaporated milk
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 1 pinch salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 1 large onion, cut into chunks
• 1 serving cooking spray (such as Pam®)
• 1 jalapeno pepper, minced, or more to taste
• 1 ear corn
• 2 ½ teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 2 pounds pattypan squash
• 1 ½ cups Southwestern-style frozen mixed vegetables, thawed
• 2 teaspoons salt-free Southwest chipotle seasoning blend (such as Mrs. Dash®)
• 1 (9 ounce) package chorizo sausage
• 1 (16 ounce) package yellow corn tortilla chips, or as needed
• 2 ½ cups shredded Mexican cheese blend, divided

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Bring a pot of water to a boil over medium heat. Add corn, cover, and return to a boil. Cook until tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain, remove kernels with a sharp knife, and discard cob.

Step 2

While corn is cooking, remove stems from squash, cut into chunks, and remove and discard seeds.

Step 3

Place corn, squash, mixed vegetables, onion, and jalapeno pepper into a gallon-sized resealable plastic bag. Add olive oil and seasoning blend, close the bag, and toss until vegetables are well coated.

Step 4

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.

Step 5

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir chorizo in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain on a paper-towel lined plate.

Step 6

Meanwhile, arrange a single layer of chips in the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Crush remaining chips until you have 3 1/2 cups; set aside.

Step 7

Combine 1 1/2 cups Mexican cheese, mayonnaise, evaporated milk, eggs, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl; beat with an electric mixer until well combined. Stir in vegetables and toss well. Add 2 cups crushed chips and toss again until well mixed. Stir in cooked chorizo until blended, and pour into the pan on top of the chips.

Step 8

Combine remaining 1 1/2 cups of chips with remaining 1 cup Mexican cheese in a small bowl. Sprinkle across top of casserole. Cover with aluminum foil and place pan on a rimmed baking sheet to catch drippings.

Step 9

Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes. Remove foil and bake until top is browning and bubbling, about 15 minutes more. Remove from the oven and let sit for at least 10 minutes before serving.