HAM AND CHEDDAR SNACK SQUARES

56 (about 2-inch) saltine crackers, divided
1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
1 cup sour cream
2 eggs
1/8 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
1 1/2 cups (8 ounces) coarsely chopped cooked deli ham
1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
2 tablespoons snipped fresh parsley

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

For crust, arrange 40 of the crackers evenly over bottom of 10x15 or 11x14-inch baking dish (5 rows of 8 crackers each). Place remaining crackers in resealable plastic food storage bag; crush into fine crumbs.

Combine cracker crumbs with 1 cup of the cheese and sprinkle evenly over cracker crust.

Combine sour cream, eggs, and black pepper; whisk until smooth.

Stir ham and bell pepper into sour cream mixture. Spread evenly over cheese mixture.

Bake 22 to 25 minutes or until golden brown and set; cool on rack.

Sprinkle parsley and remaining cheese over filling. Cut into squares and serve.

Servings: 20