The Best Classic Green Bean Casserole Recipe Everyone Loves

Crafting the perfect classic green bean casserole brings back memories of cozy family dinners and festive gatherings.

Tender green beans nestled between creamy sauce and crispy onion toppings create a timeless comfort dish.

Generations have passed down this beloved recipe, making it a staple at holiday tables across America.

Each bite promises a delightful blend of textures and nostalgic flavors that warm the heart.

Simple ingredients come together effortlessly, turning an ordinary side dish into something extraordinary.

Crisp green beans, rich mushroom cream, and golden-brown onion crunch await you in this irresistible culinary classic.

Let’s dive into a recipe that promises to delight and satisfy every palate.

Classic Green Bean Casserole Recipe That’s Always Welcome

• Quick Comfort Classic: Whip up this nostalgic side dish in under 45 minutes with minimal ingredients and maximum flavor.
• Family-Friendly Feast: Perfect for holiday gatherings, potlucks, and weeknight dinners that please everyone from kids to grandparents.
• Budget-Friendly Brilliance: Transforms affordable ingredients into a crowd-pleasing dish that stretches your grocery budget without sacrificing taste.

Traditional Green Bean Casserole Setup

• Green Beans: Fresh green beans provide a crisp texture and natural flavor, frozen works well, canned is a convenient alternative.

• Cream of Mushroom Soup: Adds rich, creamy base with earthy mushroom undertones.
• Milk: Helps thin the soup and create smooth consistency.
• Soy Sauce: Enhances umami flavor and adds depth to the sauce.
• Black Pepper: Provides subtle spicy warmth and complements the creamy elements.

• Crispy Fried Onions: Adds crunchy texture and golden brown topping with classic onion flavor, can be store-bought or homemade.

Classic Green Bean Casserole Method

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to a cozy 350°F, getting ready for a delicious green bean casserole adventure.

Step 2: Prepare Green Beans

If you’re using fresh green beans, snip off the tough ends and give them a quick bath in boiling water for 5 minutes.

Drain them thoroughly and set aside.

Step 3: Create Creamy Sauce

• Cream of mushroom soup
• Milk
• Soy sauce
• Black pepper

Blend until the mixture is smooth and silky.

Step 4: Combine Green Beans and Sauce

Toss the green beans into the creamy sauce, making sure every single bean gets a delicious coating.

Step 5: Transfer to Baking Dish

Spread the saucy green bean mixture into a greased 9×9-inch casserole dish, creating a beautiful base for your casserole.

Step 6: Add Crispy Topping

Sprinkle a generous layer of crispy fried onions across the top, ensuring maximum crunch and flavor.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes.

You’ll know it’s ready when the edges are bubbling and the onions turn a gorgeous golden brown.

Step 8: Serve and Savor

Pull out your masterpiece and serve immediately while it’s hot and irresistible.

Get ready for compliments!

Timeless Tricks That Elevate Classic Green Bean Casserole

• Quickly plunge beans into ice water after boiling to stop cooking and maintain their bright green color and crisp texture.
• Swap cream of mushroom soup with homemade mushroom sauce for a fresher, more intense flavor profile and lower sodium content.
• Add fried onions during the last 10 minutes of baking to prevent burning and ensure maximum crispiness on top.
• Replace whole milk with low-fat milk or unsweetened almond milk to reduce calories without sacrificing creamy consistency.
• Sprinkle some grated parmesan cheese or add slivered almonds between the green beans and crispy onions for extra depth and texture.

Classic Green Bean Casserole Storage Guide

• Store leftover green bean casserole in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap the casserole tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Avoid freezing if using crispy fried onions as topping.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes, covering with foil to prevent burning. Add fresh crispy onions after reheating for extra crunch.
• Heat individual portions in microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even warming. Top with fresh crispy onions just before serving.

Classic Green Bean Casserole Matches

• Elevate Protein Pairing: Serve alongside roasted turkey or glazed ham to complement the casserole's creamy texture and savory mushroom notes.
• Wine Harmony: Select a crisp Chardonnay or light Pinot Noir that balances the dish's richness without overpowering its delicate green bean flavor.
• Robust Side Companion: Add roasted garlic mashed potatoes to create a hearty plate that enhances the casserole's creamy and crunchy elements.
• Texture Contrast Plate: Include a fresh, tangy mixed green salad with vinaigrette to cut through the casserole's creamy consistency and provide a refreshing counterpoint.

Classic Green Bean Casserole with New Flair

• Dairy-Free Delight: Replace milk with unsweetened almond milk and use dairy-free cream of mushroom soup to create a lactose-free version.
• Veggie Power Boost: Add diced mushrooms, sautéed bell peppers, or sliced water chestnuts to increase nutritional value and add extra crunch.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free cream of mushroom soup and substitute fried onions with gluten-free crispy onion topping or sliced almonds for crunch.
• Low-Sodium Solution: Select low-sodium cream of mushroom soup and reduce or eliminate soy sauce, then season with herbs like thyme or rosemary for enhanced flavor.

FAQs

• Can I use frozen green beans instead of fresh ones?

Yes, you can use frozen green beans. Just thaw and drain them thoroughly before mixing with the soup sauce to prevent excess moisture.

• Is there a way to make this dish healthier?

You can use low-fat cream of mushroom soup, reduce the amount of fried onions, or substitute some with toasted almonds for a nutritious crunch.

• What can I do if I don't have cream of mushroom soup?

Create a substitute by mixing sautéed mushrooms with cream, milk, and seasonings, or use cream of celery soup as an alternative base.

• How do I keep the green beans crisp and not mushy?

Avoid overcooking the green beans during blanching, use fresh or properly thawed beans, and don’t overmix them in the sauce to maintain their texture.

Classic Green Bean Casserole Recipe

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4.6 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Comfort meets nostalgia in this classic green bean casserole, blending crispy fried onions with tender green beans and creamy mushroom sauce. Midwestern kitchens have perfected this crowd-pleasing side dish that makes you crave seconds at every family gathering.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 lb (454 grams) fresh or frozen green beans
• 1 can (10.5 ounces/298 grams) cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup crispy fried onions

Liquid and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce

Spice Ingredients:

• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

1. Prepare an inviting culinary landscape by heating the oven to a cozy 350°F, creating the perfect environment for this comfort dish.
2. Transform fresh green beans into tender morsels by snipping their edges and immersing them in boiling water for a quick 5-minute blanching, then swiftly draining to preserve their vibrant essence.
3. Craft a velvety sauce by whisking cream of mushroom soup with milk, introducing a splash of soy sauce and a whisper of black pepper, blending until the mixture achieves a harmonious, silky consistency.
4. Gently enrobe the blanched green beans in the creamy sauce, ensuring each verdant strand is thoroughly coated with the rich, savory mixture.
5. Lavish a greased 9×9-inch baking vessel with the sauced green beans, spreading them evenly to create a uniform canvas.
6. Crown the casserole with a generous layer of crispy fried onions, their golden peaks promising a delightful crunch.
7. Slide the casserole into the preheated oven, allowing it to transform for 25-30 minutes until the edges bubble with excitement and the onion topping turns a gorgeous amber hue.
8. Retrieve the bubbling masterpiece, letting it rest momentarily before presenting a steaming, irresistible side dish that beckons hungry diners.

Notes

• Keep green beans crisp by blanching them quickly in boiling water and immediately transferring to ice water to stop the cooking process.
• Enhance flavor by using homemade cream of mushroom soup instead of canned for a richer, more authentic taste.
• Make the dish gluten-free by substituting regular fried onions with gluten-free onion rings and using gluten-free cream of mushroom soup.
• For a lighter version, replace whole milk with low-fat milk or unsweetened almond milk to reduce calories without sacrificing creamy texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 480 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 5 mg