Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email below & we'll send it to your inbox. Plus get great new recipes from us every week!
Happy Cinco de Mayo! I know, I know! Where's my Mexican dish? Well, I focused on Mexican in a few of my posts the last couple weeks so you could prepare and plan your menu ahead of time! If you missed the recipes, you can still check them out at the end of the post.
So although my dish today is quite American, it does include "mayo" as one of the ingredients. Does that count for Cindo de MAYO? Horrible joke, I know. This California Blend Vegetable Casserole is so yummy when you just don't know what to make for a side, and for me, that's pretty often. I always have a couple bags of California Blend veggies in the freezer, so this is a cinch to whip together.
It's a true medley of veggies and cheesy goodness topped off with a cracker crumb topping. It's SO good, in fact, you may ignore your main course altogether and go back for seconds on the vegetables. So, this evening, go ahead and party it up Mexican style. When you're ready to get back to the American comfort food, try this casserole as a side dish. It may soon become a family favorite!
California Blend Vegetable Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 1 lb bags california-blend frozen vegetables, thawed
- ½ cup chopped onions
- ¼ cup butter (melted)
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 cup Ritz crackers (crushed)
- 1 ½ - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Grease a 13x9" baking pan with nonstick spray.
- In a large bowl mix the onions, butter, mayo, sour cream, salt and garlic pepper.
- Add the vegetables and mix until well coated.
- Fold in the Ritz crackers and cheese and transfer the mixture to the baking pan.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes or until vegetables are tender and cheese is melted.
Notes
- Customize with Seasonings: Enhance the flavor of the casserole by experimenting with different seasonings or herbs. Consider adding smoked paprika, dried thyme, or crushed red pepper flakes for a flavor boost. Adjust the seasonings according to your taste preferences.
- Crunchy Topping Variation: For an extra crunchy topping, mix the crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter before sprinkling them over the vegetable mixture. This creates a golden and crispy topping that adds texture contrast to the soft vegetables.
- Add Protein: Boost the nutritional value of the casserole by incorporating protein-rich ingredients. Add cooked diced chicken, ham, or bacon to make it a heartier main dish. Alternatively, mix in cooked quinoa or white beans for a vegetarian-friendly option that adds protein and fiber.
Nutrition
If you're looking for some fun recipes to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, check these out!
Carol
Mayo should be 1 1/2 cups. I made this according to recipe. Not enough sauce
Susan
I don't know of too many ways to serve vegetables. Especially frozen. I came across this recipe and it was just what I was looking for. I had everything except for the cheese so I made a couple of changes on mine. I used a mixture of monterrey jack and parmesan topped with a little bit of cheddar that I had. My goodness!! My family loved it and asked me to make it again for Easter. Very good flavor! Thank you for sharing this recipe! 🙂
Sara
I'm so glad you and your family enjoyed the recipe, Susan! I love the substitutions you made!
Suehana
I'm trying "my" version of this right now, it's in the oven. I say my version because I didn't have everything it called for.. Haha it's time to do some grocery shopping! I had to use miracle whip as substitute of mayo. I used veggie straws instead ritz. hope it turns out as well as yours looks!!
HAPPY COOKING!
Sara
Ooh, veggie straws! I would have never thought to use those. Let me know how it turned out!
Mr. Food Test Kitchen
Wow, what a beautiful and easy dinner recipe! We'll be sharing on our blog! 🙂
Sara
Thank you for the share!
Cathy@LemonTreeDwelling
Delicious, Sara! This looks like the perfect weeknight dinner....something everyone would eat without complaining - lol!! 🙂
Sara
Thanks so much, Cathy! And we have some little picky eaters in our house too!
Marti
Yum this looks so delicious and I love that it has Ritz crackers in it! Pinning! Thank you for sharing it with us. 🙂
Alecia
Thank you for linking up to Tasty Tuesdays last week. As one of the co-hosts, I will be featuring your recipe on Tasty Tuesdays tomorrow on my site, Detours in Life. Congrats! Please stop by and grab a feature button when you get a chance.
Sara
That's wonderful news, Alecia! Thank you for letting me know. I'll definitely be stopping by to party again this week. Thanks in advance for the feature!
Glenna @ My Paper Craze
I'm always looking for some different side dishes. This looks just perfect for my bunch. If it has cheese on it, they are sure to love it. Thanks for linking up to Creative Spark.
Glenna @ My Paper Craze
Sara
Cheese is definitely a necessity in our house as well! Have a great weekend, Glenna!
Melinda @Home.Made.Interest
This looks delicious! I'm going to try and sub out the crackers for pork rinds to make it low carb.
Sara
Interesting idea, Melinda! I don't think I would have ever thought of pork rinds!
Linda Warren
This looks so yummy! And I love that it is quick and easy too for those busy work nights. Thanks for sharing on Lovely Ladies Linky.
Sara
You are so welcome, Linda! Thanks for hosting such a great party!
Carole @ From My Carolina Home
Found you on What's Cookin' Wednesday - sounds like a yummy meal!
Sara
It's a great side to any meal, Carole. Thanks for visiting!
Erlene
Yum this looks wonderful. It's loaded with all the things my family love to eat. Visiting from Pint Sized Baker linky party.
Sara
Thanks so much for stopping by, Erlene! Have a great day!
Lori Hart
This looks amazing!! Found your recipe at Sweet Sharing Mondays. I am one of the hostesses of Tasty Tuesdays and would love you to stop by and link up this recipe if you have not yet already. Here is the link http://bit.ly/1g5mVQa
Lori
Sara
Lori, thanks so much for the invite. I will definitely stop by and add Tasty Tuesdays to my list of parties!
Carla
Where's the amount of cheese required? Also, garlic "pepper"?
Sara
Hi Carla, for cheese, add 1.5-2 cups shredded cheddar and garlic pepper can be bought in your grocery store's spice aisle. The brand I use is McCormick. Good luck!
Stephanie Woods | Stephanie.Fitness
Wow! This sounds amazing! Thank you for the yummy recipe! I'm so pinning this =)
Sara
My pleasure, Stephanie! Thanks for stopping by!
Rita Colburn
Can you make the California Blend Vegetable Casserole a day ahead if so should I bake it the day ahead or wait and bake the next day?
Sara
I would wait and bake the next day!