Nadine's Eggplant Ritz Casserole (Mirliton or Squash can be used)

8 servings Prep: 20 m Cook: 45 m Total: 1 h 5 m Beginner
5.0/5 (1)
This dish is so versatile as you can use either eggplant, squash or mirlitons (chayote vegetable pear squash) with savory ground beef, the holy trinity, cream of mushroom soup, and buttery Ritz crackers. I am tempted to try all three together.

Ingredients

8 servings
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 1 small bell pepper
  • 2 ribs celery chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves crushed or 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 box 8 ounce Ritz Crackers (keep one cup for topping)
  • 3 medium eggplants
  • 1/2 cup parsley
  • salt, black or red pepper to taste
  • butter for topping
  • paprika for garnishment

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Peel and dice the eggplant (or mirlitons or squash if using). Brown the ground beef then sauté the onions, bell pepper and celery with the ground beef.
  2. Add the garlic, eggplant and a small amount of water (about 1/4 cup).
  3. Simmer until eggplant is very tender, about 15-20 minutes. Add the cream of mushroom soup, crushed Ritz crackers (reserve 1 cup for topping) and parsley. Add your favorite seasoning to taste.
  4. Place in a casserole dish and top with the remaining 1 cup of crackers.
  5. Dot with butter and sprinkle with paprika. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees until golden and bubbly.

Common Problems and Solutions

Q: Why is my casserole watery?

A: Make sure to simmer the eggplant until very tender and most of the liquid has evaporated before adding the soup. Eggplant releases a lot of water as it cooks, so don't skip this step.

Q: Can I really use mirlitons or squash instead of eggplant?

A: Absolutely! Mirlitons and yellow squash work wonderfully. Cooking times may vary slightly—mirlitons can take a bit longer to get tender, while squash may cook faster than eggplant.

Tips and Techniques

Crush the Ritz crackers while still in the box (just use a rolling pin on the outside) to save cleanup. If using mirlitons, they can be quite firm, so make sure to dice them smaller for even cooking.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • eggplant: mirlitons (chayote) or yellow squash
  • ground beef: ground turkey or ground pork
  • cream of mushroom soup: cream of chicken or cream of celery soup
  • Ritz crackers: crushed butter crackers or seasoned breadcrumbs

Equipment Needed

  • large skillet or pot
  • casserole dish (9x13 recommended)
  • vegetable peeler

Historical Context

Mirlitons (also called chayote or vegetable pears) are a beloved fall vegetable in South Louisiana, often growing abundantly on backyard vines. This recipe’s flexibility reflects how Cajun cooks traditionally work with what’s in season.