Crockpot Green Bean Casserole Recipe

Homemade Crockpot Green Bean Casserole Recipe: Cozy Comfort Magic

Green bean casserole with a crockpot twist offers a game-changing approach to a classic comfort dish.

Slow cooking transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal that surprises and delights.

Fresh green beans mingle with creamy textures and crispy elements for a mouthwatering experience.

Weeknight dinners suddenly become more exciting with this simple yet impressive recipe.

Minimal preparation means maximum flavor without spending hours in the kitchen.

Seasonal gatherings call for dishes that spark conversation and create lasting memories.

Crockpot Green Bean Casserole Simplifies Holidays With Creamy Goodness

  • Slow-Cooker Simplicity: Effortlessly prepare this classic side dish with minimal prep work, throwing ingredients into the crockpot and letting it do all the cooking magic without constant monitoring.
  • Time-Saving Comfort: Enjoy a hands-off cooking method that frees up your oven and stovetop, perfect for busy holiday meals or weeknight dinners when you want delicious food with minimal effort.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Versatility: Adaptable recipe that works for family gatherings, potlucks, and holiday celebrations, appealing to both kids and adults with its creamy texture and crispy onion topping.
  • Customization Friendly: Easily modify the recipe by adding cheese, adjusting seasonings, or using fresh or frozen green beans to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs.

What Goes Into Green Bean Crockpot Casserole

Green Beans:
  • Fresh Green Beans, Frozen Green Beans: A classic vegetable base with crisp texture, fresh beans provide better flavor, frozen works well for convenience.
Creamy Base:
  • Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup, Milk, Soy Sauce: Soup creates rich sauce, milk helps thin consistency, soy sauce adds depth of umami flavor.
Topping and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Black Pepper, Fried Onions, Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Pepper provides subtle heat, fried onions offer crunch and traditional casserole texture, cheese adds optional richness and tangy notes.

Green Bean Casserole In Crockpot Method

Step 1: Whip Up the Creamy Base

In a large mixing bowl, blend cream of mushroom soup with milk, creating a smooth and rich sauce.

Add a splash of soy sauce and a sprinkle of black pepper to enhance the flavor profile.

Stir everything together until well combined.

Step 2: Prepare the Green Bean Mixture

  • Green beans
  • Crispy fried onions

Fold the green beans into the creamy sauce, ensuring every bean is generously coated.

Mix in a portion of the fried onions, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture.

Step 3: Start Slow Cooking

Transfer the entire green bean mixture to the crockpot.

Set the temperature to low and let it cook for 4-5 hours, or choose the high setting for 2-3 hours.

The goal is to achieve tender, flavorful green beans that melt in your mouth.

Step 4: Add Cheesy Goodness

About half an hour before serving, stir in shredded cheddar cheese.

This will create a luxurious, melty layer that adds depth and richness to the casserole.

Step 5: Final Touchdown

Sprinkle the remaining crispy fried onions on top of the casserole.

This will provide a delightful crunch and golden-brown finish.

Serve piping hot and watch your guests dive in with excitement.

Crockpot Green Bean Casserole Tips From The Pros

  • Use fresh or frozen green beans for best texture, avoiding canned varieties that can become mushy during slow cooking.
  • Drain green beans thoroughly before mixing to prevent watery consistency in the casserole.
  • Experiment with different cheese varieties like gruyère or monterey jack for unique flavor profiles.
  • Toast additional fried onions separately before adding as topping to boost crunchiness and prevent sogginess.
  • Replace cream of mushroom soup with a dairy-free alternative and use gluten-free fried onions for vegan and gluten-sensitive diets.

Crockpot Green Bean Casserole Storing Essentials

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
  • Place portions in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure even warming.
  • Spread casserole in a baking dish, cover with foil, and reheat at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, adding extra fried onions on top for crispness.
  • Freeze in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months, thawing overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Holiday Plates for Green Bean Casserole

  • Pair with Roasted Turkey Delight: Complement the creamy green bean casserole with a perfectly roasted turkey, enhancing the dish's savory flavors and creating a classic holiday meal combination.
  • Serve with Crisp Sauvignon Blanc: Choose a chilled Sauvignon Blanc to balance the rich, creamy texture of the casserole, cutting through its heaviness with bright, refreshing citrus notes.
  • Match with Honey-Glazed Ham: Combine the green bean casserole with a sweet and smoky honey-glazed ham, creating a delightful contrast of flavors that will wow your dinner guests.
  • Add Crusty Artisan Bread: Include a side of warm, crusty artisan bread to soak up the creamy sauce and provide a delightful textural contrast to the tender green beans.

Crockpot Green Bean Casserole Ideas

  • Dairy-Free Delight: Replace milk with unsweetened almond milk and use dairy-free cream of mushroom soup. Omit cheddar cheese or substitute with nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Choose gluten-free cream of mushroom soup and ensure fried onions are gluten-free. Use tamari instead of soy sauce to maintain the recipe's savory profile.
  • Vegetable Boost: Add diced mushrooms, chopped bell peppers, or sliced onions to increase nutritional value and complexity of flavors. This variation provides extra texture and depth to the classic casserole.
  • Low-Sodium Alternative: Select low-sodium cream of mushroom soup, reduce or eliminate soy sauce, and use herbs like thyme or rosemary to enhance seasoning without adding extra salt.

FAQs

  • Can I use frozen green beans instead of canned?

Yes, you can! Simply thaw the frozen green beans completely and drain any excess water before adding them to the mixture. Fresh green beans also work well in this recipe.

  • Is this recipe gluten-free?

To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free cream of mushroom soup and ensure the fried onions are gluten-free. Some brands offer gluten-free options that will work perfectly in this dish.

  • Can I prepare this casserole ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can mix all ingredients except the final topping of fried onions up to 24 hours in advance. Store the prepared mixture in the refrigerator and add to the crockpot when ready to cook.

  • How can I make this dish healthier?

Try using low-fat cream of mushroom soup, reduced-fat cheese, and consider using homemade crispy onions with less oil. You can also add more vegetables like sliced mushrooms or diced onions for extra nutrition.

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Crockpot Green Bean Casserole Recipe

Crockpot Green Bean Casserole Recipe


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4.5 from 40 reviews

  • Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Creamy crockpot green bean casserole brings Southern comfort straight to dinner tables with minimal effort. Crispy fried onions and tender green beans combine in a rich, cheesy sauce that makes home cooking feel like a warm family celebration.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 4 cups fresh or frozen green beans, trimmed
  • 2 cans (10.5 ounces each) condensed cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Dairy and Liquid Ingredients:

  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce

Seasoning and Topping:

  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 1/2 cups fried onions, divided

Instructions

  1. Whisk cream of mushroom soup with milk, soy sauce, and black pepper in a spacious mixing vessel until smooth and well-integrated.
  2. Gently fold green beans and fried onions into the creamy liquid, ensuring each bean is evenly coated with the savory mixture.
  3. Carefully transfer the entire concoction to the crockpot, spreading it evenly across the bottom of the slow cooker.
  4. Set the crockpot to low temperature and allow the casserole to simmer and meld flavors for approximately 4-5 hours, or alternatively use high temperature for 2-3 hours until green beans reach desired tenderness.
  5. During the final half-hour of cooking, incorporate cheddar cheese to enhance the dish’s richness and depth of flavor.
  6. In the last few minutes of preparation, scatter remaining crispy fried onions across the surface to create a golden, crunchy topping.
  7. Remove from crockpot, let rest momentarily, then serve piping hot, allowing the layers of flavor and texture to shine through.

Notes

  • Reduce sodium by using low-sodium cream of mushroom soup and low-salt soy sauce for a heart-healthy version.
  • Make it gluten-free by selecting gluten-free cream of mushroom soup and checking fried onion ingredients for wheat-free options.
  • Boost nutrition by adding sliced mushrooms or diced bell peppers to increase vegetable content and flavor complexity.
  • Create a vegetarian alternative by using plant-based cream of mushroom soup and replacing cheese with nutritional yeast for a similar cheesy taste.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 hours (on low)
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 180
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 18 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Cholesterol: 20 mg
Emily Harper

Emily Harper

Nutrition Consultant & Recipe Analyst

Expertise

Healthy Recipe Modification, Nutritional Analysis & Meal Planning, Global Cuisine & Dietary Adaptations​

Education

School: French Pastry School, Chicago, IL

Program: L’Art de la Pâtisserie

Focus: Intensive training in traditional French pastry techniques, baking theory, and confectionery arts. ​


Emily’s journey started in a pastry kitchen but took a detour into the world of health and flavor science.
Graduating from the French Pastry School and studying nutrition opened her eyes to a new mission: making healthy food taste like something you’d actually crave.
At Dining At Home, Emily’s the go-to for smart, feel-good recipes that don’t trade flavor for nutrition.
She’s all about adding a fresh spin on old favorites and finding small ways to make everyday meals a little brighter.
Outside of the kitchen, Emily is most at home walking forest trails, testing plant-based recipes, or sharing a picnic under a wide-open sky.

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