
Mirliton casserole dish is a beloved Southern classic that's perfect for any occasion. Mirliton is a type of squash that's native to the Caribbean and Central America.
To make a delicious mirliton casserole dish, start by selecting the right mirliton squash. Choose one that's heavy for its size and has a hard, smooth skin.
The key to a great mirliton casserole is using the right amount of sugar. The article recommends using about 1/4 cup of granulated sugar for every 2 cups of mirliton squash. This will help balance out the natural sweetness of the squash.
Now that you've got your mirliton squash and sugar, it's time to think about the other ingredients. A classic mirliton casserole typically includes ground beef or sausage, onions, and breadcrumbs.
Ingredients
Here are the essential items to get started:
- 8 cups of water
- 2 tablespoons plus 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- 2 (10-ounce) mirlitons (chayote squash)
- 1 cup unsalted butter (8 ounces)
- 8 ounces smoked andouille sausage
- 1 medium-size yellow onion
- 1 medium-size green bell pepper
- 2 medium celery stalks
- 2 tablespoons lower-sodium Creole seasoning
- 4 small garlic cloves
- 2 dried bay leaves
- 1 (12-ounce) fresh French bread loaf
- 1 pound peeled and deveined raw small Gulf shrimp
- 1 bunch scallions
- ½ cup unsalted chicken stock
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 ounces Parmesan cheese
Some ingredients, like butter and chicken stock, come in specific quantities that you'll need to have on hand.
Here's What You Need

When cooking with certain ingredients, it's essential to have the right amounts on hand. For this dish, you'll need a pound of small shrimp.
A key ingredient in this recipe is butter, and you'll need half a cup of it. The recipe also calls for 2 ounces of unsalted butter, but you can use the same amount of regular butter if you don't have unsalted on hand.
Mirlitons, also known as chayote squash, are a crucial component of this dish. You'll need 2 of them, which is equivalent to about 15 chopped mirlitons.
Yellow onions are also a necessary ingredient, and you'll need about 1 cup of chopped onion. Seasoned breadcrumbs are another important item, and you'll need ½ cup of them.
To give your dish some extra flavor, you'll need to add some kosher salt and black pepper to taste.
Expand your knowledge: What Is a 2 Quart Casserole Dish
Prepare the Ingredients
To prepare the ingredients for a delicious dish, start by peeling, deveining, and rinsing the shrimp under cold water. If using frozen shrimp, defrost them first. You can save the shells for making stock later.

Save the shrimp shells in the freezer until you have enough to make a batch of stock. This is a great way to reduce food waste and add extra flavor to your dishes.
Peel and de-seed the mirlitons, then chop them into ¼ to ½ inch cubes. This will help them cook evenly and prevent any tough or fibrous parts.
The amount of mirlitons needed is about 15 chopped, which is roughly equivalent to 6 quarts. This will give you a good amount of mirliton to work with.
Chop the yellow onions, but not too finely – a rough chop is perfect. This will help them cook quickly and add a nice texture to the dish.
You'll also need to measure out the remaining ingredients, including butter, seasoned breadcrumbs, and Seafood Magic or your favorite Creole or Cajun seasoning. Here's a quick rundown of the ingredients you'll need:
Remember to pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel or kitchen towel after rinsing to remove excess moisture. This will help them cook more evenly.
Preparation
To prepare for a delicious mirliton casserole dish, start by peeling, deveining, and rinsing the shrimp under cold water. This will help remove any impurities and make them ready for seasoning.
Save the shrimp shells for making stock, and store them in the freezer until you have enough. You can also use frozen shrimp, which you'll need to defrost before rinsing and seasoning.
Give the yellow onions a rough chop, and measure the remaining ingredients into individual prep bowls. This will make it easier to assemble the casserole later.
To prepare the mirlitons, peel and de-seed them, then chop them into ¼ to ½ inch cubes and set aside. You can also mix about ¼ cup of seasoned bread crumbs with the mirlitons for added flavor.
Here's a quick rundown of the prep steps:
- Peel, devein, and rinse the shrimp.
- Peel and de-seed the mirlitons, then chop them into ¼ to ½ inch cubes.
- Chop the yellow onions and measure the remaining ingredients.
Recipe
To make a delicious mirliton casserole, you'll need a 9 x 13 baking pan or large casserole dish. Butter it thoroughly with about 2 sticks plus 2 tablespoons of salted butter.
Curious to learn more? Check out: Measurements of a 2 Quart Casserole Dish
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit for a golden brown top and bubbly edges. Alternatively, you can use 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 30 minutes, but keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking.
For the best results, boil your mirlitons whole with crab boil and salt until tender, about 45 minutes to 1 hour. This will make them easy to peel and chop into small pieces.
Grammie's Shrimp Casserole
Grammie's Shrimp Casserole is a beloved family recipe that's perfect for a weeknight dinner. This casserole is a crowd-pleaser, especially among kids.
It's made with succulent shrimp, which are a great source of protein. You can use fresh or frozen shrimp, whichever is more convenient for you.
The recipe calls for 1 pound of shrimp, which is about 16-20 medium-sized shrimp. You'll need to peel and de-vein them before adding them to the casserole.
The casserole is baked in a 9x13 inch dish, which is the perfect size for a family of four. You can adjust the recipe to make a larger or smaller batch, depending on your needs.
This casserole is a great way to get your daily dose of omega-3 fatty acids, thanks to the shrimp.
Seafood Casserole
Seafood Casserole is a dish that can be made with a variety of seafood ingredients, as seen in the Mirliton Seafood Casserole recipe, which features mirlitons, shrimp, crawfish, and crab meat.
Mirlitons are a type of squash that have a celery or cucumber flavor, according to WillTravelForFoodClub Member. They can be used in place of other ingredients in traditional seafood casseroles.
To make a seafood casserole, you'll need to start by boiling the mirlitons with crab boil and salt until tender, about 45 minutes to 1 hour. The mirlitons should then be peeled, seeded, and chopped into small pieces.
Here are some key ingredients to include in your seafood casserole:
- Mirlitons
- Seafood ingredients such as shrimp, crawfish, and crab meat
- Italian bread crumbs
- Creole seasoning
- Worcestershire sauce
The Mirliton and Gulf Shrimp Casserole recipe from Foodandwine.com also features a Cajun heat that comes from the bread and celery, making it a spicy dish. This casserole can be made with fresh gulf shrimp, as mentioned by jfmorrisClub Member.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you bake mirliton in the oven?
Yes, you can bake mirliton in the oven. Preheat to 350 degrees and bake for about 45 minutes, or until tender and easily peeled.
Do mirlitons need to be peeled?
Mirlitons can be eaten with or without peeling, but peeling is recommended for stuffed preparations. Peeling is optional, but it's a good idea to remove the skin for a more tender and flavorful dish.
Is mirliton the same as chayote?
Yes, mirliton is another name for chayote, a versatile and lesser-known vegetable. Chayote is also known by many other names, including custard marrow and christophine.
Featured Images: pexels.com

