That One Side Dish Everyone Ends Up Asking the Recipe For…
Now, I don’t like to stir the pot (unless it’s full of something creamy), but we need to talk about the underrated glory of celery. Yes, celery! When it’s tucked into a casserole like this—with crunchy water chestnuts, a rich cream of chicken base, and a golden Ritz cracker crust—it turns into something magical.
This dish comes from Melanie Allbright Llontop, and if your family hasn’t been introduced to it yet, they’re in for a treat. It’s easy, comforting, and oh-so-retro, in the best way. It also walks that beautiful line between a side dish and a main course, depending on what you stir into it.
So tell me: Would you serve this as a side, or toss in some cooked chicken and call it dinner?
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe keeps things simple and pantry-friendly. Here’s what you’ll need:
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2 cups sliced celery
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1 (8 oz.) can sliced water chestnuts, drained
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1 can cream of chicken soup
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1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crumbled
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6 tablespoons butter, melted
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Cooking spray, for the baking dish
Making it a main dish? Add 1½ to 2 cups of cooked chicken or turkey, and reduce the celery to 1½ cups.
How to Make Celery Water Chestnut Casserole
You won’t need much time or effort—just a microwave, a mixing bowl, and a cozy oven.
1. Prep the Veggies
Place the sliced celery in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover with water and microwave on high for 4 minutes to slightly soften. Then drain well.
2. Mix the Filling
In a medium bowl, stir together the microwaved celery, drained water chestnuts, and cream of chicken soup until fully combined.
3. Assemble the Casserole
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Spray an 8” or 9” casserole dish or Pyrex pie pan with nonstick spray.
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Pour the mixture into the dish and spread it evenly.
4. Add the Cracker Topping
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In a small bowl, toss the crumbled Ritz crackers with melted butter until everything’s coated and golden-looking.
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Sprinkle the buttery cracker crumbs evenly over the top of the casserole.
5. Bake
Pop it into a 350°F oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, until it’s hot, bubbly, and the top is golden brown.
🧈 Tip: For extra crisp topping, broil for the last 1–2 minutes—just watch it like a hawk so it doesn’t burn!
Variations & Serving Ideas
Here’s how to tweak it depending on what you’re serving:
🍗 Make It a Meal:
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Add shredded cooked chicken or leftover turkey (about 1½ to 2 cups).
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Decrease celery to 1½ cups to balance it out.
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Serve with a side of rice or roasted veggies for a full dinner.
🌿 Want to jazz it up?
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Add ½ teaspoon garlic powder or a dash of onion powder to the soup mixture.
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Stir in shredded cheese (like Swiss or cheddar) for a richer bite.
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Use cream of mushroom or celery soup instead of chicken for a vegetarian-friendly version.
❄️ Make-Ahead Tips:
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Assemble the casserole (minus topping) and refrigerate up to 24 hours ahead.
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Add cracker topping just before baking.
What’s Your Favorite “Sleeper Hit” Side Dish?
You know the one—the dish nobody expects to love, but it ends up getting scraped clean. This celery water chestnut casserole is that dish for us.
So I’d love to know—what’s your go-to surprise crowd-pleaser? And if you gave this casserole a spin, did you serve it as a side or a main?
