Jalapeño Popper Zucchini Casserole
Jalapeño Popper Zucchini Casserole is a flavorful and delicious side dish to add to any meal. A super simple recipe with layers of fresh sliced zucchini with creamy jalapeño, cheese and bacon filling that is all topped off with Ritz crackers and more bacon!
Jalapeño poppers are one of the most popular appetizers you can make and this casserole puts a new spin on the favorite by adding in sliced zucchini. This isn’t your typical squash casserole and my favorite part is that it isn’t mushy!
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How to Make Jalapeño Popper Zucchini Casserole
- Slice zucchini into about 1/4 inch slices. Chop jalapeño, garlic and green onions.
- In a bowl, combine softened cream cheese with ranch dressing mix and sour cream.
- Stir in jalapeño, garlic, green onions, shredded cheese and bacon until well combined.
- In a bowl, crush a sleeve of Ritz crackers and stir in melted butter and remaining bacon.
- Spray a 9 x 9 inch pan with non stick cooking spray.
- Cover the bottom of the casserole dish with zucchini slices.
- Spread cream cheese mixture over zucchini in an even layer.
- Top with remaining zucchini slices, overlapping is fine.
- Sprinkle cracker mixture evenly over zucchini.
- Bake for about 30 minutes or until center is bubbly and cracker topping is golden brown.
- Serve immediately.
Serve Jalapeño Popper Zucchini Casserole with grilled burgers, fried chicken strips, smoked chicken or just about anything else on the menu.
If your garden, or your neighbor’s garden is overflowing with zucchini, this is going to be your new go-to recipe! It’s so delicious and our entire family loved it. Everyone wanted to make sure that I would be making it again soon.
Recipe Tips
- Use medium to small zucchini cut into about 1/4 inch slices for the best texture.
- Cook bacon in the oven! It really cuts down on the mess and it’s so easy.
- I added 1 chopped jalapeño, use more to your own taste if you like it extra spicy. Substitute chopped sweet pepper for the jalapeño if you aren’t a fan of spicy foods.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat for about 5 minutes, flipping half-way through, or covered with foil in a 350° oven for about 15 minutes.
Can you Make it Ahead?
To speed things up, the bacon can be made ahead and the zucchini sliced. I don’t recommend assembling until you are ready to bake the casserole.
You might also like this Grilled Zucchini Lasagna that is perfect for summer meal and we are also loving this Cheesy Squash Casserole that can be made with squash or zucchini.
Delicious summer side dishes to make for cookouts, potlucks and family meal time. One of the easiest things that I've ever made! You just can't believe how delicious this simple recipe is. The southern fried favorite! My kids can't get enough of this crispy and delicious summer squash. Battered and deep fried for a southern classic. Great as a side dish or dip it in ranch dressing for a crispy snack. A quick and easy side dish with tons of flavor! Onions and celery add a delicious crunch to the beans and the tangy dressing brings it all together. This is one of those recipes that I make all summer long. The cool crisp cucumbers and onions with the sweet and tangy dressing makes a refreshing side dish for any meal. A super simple side dish to make on the grill all summer long! It comes together with just a few ingredients and very little prep! You are going to love it!Delicious Summer Side Dishes
My family is totally fine with meat and potatoes, they could take or leave the vegetables most of the time. Everyone that tasted this casserole said they could make a meal out of it. When my side dish steals the show, I know I’m on to something good! I hope you’ll give it a try soon!
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Jalapeño Popper Zucchini Casserole
Ingredients
- 3 medium zucchini
- 1 jalapeño seeds and membranes removed, diced
- 1/2 cup diced green onion
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 1/2 tablespoons ranch dressing mix dry
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 4 oz cheddar cheese shredded
- 6 slices bacon cooked and crumbled - divided use
- 1 sleeve Ritz Crackers 35 crackers
- 3 tablespoons butter melted
- non stick cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°.
- Wash and dry zucchini and remove ends. Slice into 1/4- inch slices. Set aside.
- Combine cream cheese, sour cream, Ranch Dressing Mix and kosher salt.
- Stir in jalapeño, green onions and garlic.
- Mix in shredded cheese and half of the bacon.
- In another bowl, crush crackers into crumbs, use the bottom of a heavy glass or just crush with your fingers. Add melted butter and remaining bacon and mix to combine.
- Spray a 9 X 9 inch baking dish with non stick cooking spray.
- Layer half of zucchini covering the bottom of the dish.
- Spread cream cheese mixture over zucchini in an even layer. Top with remaining zucchini, overlapping to cover all of the cream cheese mixture.
- Top with cracker and bacon mixture.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until cream cheese mixture is bubbly and cracker topping is golden brown.
I use pork rind, and not Ritz crackers, love the recipe.
Hi Gisela,
That’s genius! I will be trying that, thanks for stopping by an leaving your tips.
~ Milisa
Super delicious. Used one 4oz can of chili pepper instead of Jalapeño, just prefer the milder poblano pepper taste.
Hi Bonnie,
Great substitution, I’ll have to try that too. Thanks for stopping by.
~ Milisa
So good!! I diced up some pan seared boneless chicken breast so it felt more like a main meal and it was excellent!
Hi Nichole,
That sounds amazing! I am adding that to my list to try.
~ Milisa
Loved the recipe, however I have to watch the salt in everything & the potassium. I made a few changes. I use panko style bread crumbs. Don’t use bacon. But I do love pepper jack cheese, along with the rest of your recipe. It was delicious.
Hi Patti,
So glad you found a way to make it fit your diet restrictions and still enjoy it. Thanks for stopping by with your ideas!
~ Milisa
I haven’t tried it yet but I’m not sure how prep time could possibly be 10 minutes!
This recipe is amazing! Making it in a couple days to bring to friends. I used pepper jack cheese and instead of ritz crackers used cool ranch Doritos. My husband asked me not to lose this recipe!
Hi Janet,
I am so glad y’all enjoyed it and your substitutions sound amazing. I can’t wait to try it with pepper jack and Doritos!
~ Milisa