The Ultimate Green Bean Casserole Recipe Everyone Will Love

Grandma’s secret green bean casserole recipe always creates magic at our dinner table.

Crispy onions dance atop tender vegetables in this classic comfort dish.

Memories flood back with each creamy, delectable bite.

Nostalgic flavors blend perfectly through careful seasoning and simple ingredients.

Family gatherings become special when this casserole arrives steaming hot.

Comfort and warmth emerge from every delicious spoonful.

You will want to savor each incredible mouthful of this timeless favorite.

Green Bean Casserole Comforts With Classic, Crowd-Pleasing Taste

• Quick Family Comfort: Delivers a classic side dish that brings warmth and nostalgia to any family dinner, perfect for connecting generations through a beloved recipe.
• Crowd-Pleasing Versatility: Complements multiple main courses like roasted turkey, chicken, or ham, making it a go-to side dish for holiday gatherings, potlucks, and weeknight meals that everyone will enjoy.
• Time-Saving Magic: Prepares in under 40 minutes from start to finish, offering a convenient solution for those seeking a tasty side dish without spending hours in the kitchen.

Green Bean Casserole Core Elements

• Green Beans: Fresh or frozen beans are the star of this classic casserole, providing a crisp and tender base.

• Cream of Mushroom Soup, Milk: Create a creamy, rich sauce that binds the casserole together; look for low-sodium options if watching salt intake.
• Soy Sauce: Adds depth and umami flavor to the sauce; choose low-sodium for a lighter touch.

• Black Pepper: Provides a subtle spicy kick to enhance overall flavor.
• Fried Onions: Crispy topping that adds crunch and golden-brown texture; can use store-bought or homemade versions.

Classic Green Bean Casserole Steps

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Turn your oven to a toasty 350°F.

This warm temperature will help create a perfectly golden and bubbling casserole that’ll make everyone at the table smile.

Step 2: Create Flavor Magic

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

Blend everything until smooth and well combined, creating a creamy base that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Step 3: Combine Green Bean Goodness

Fold in the green beans and a generous handful of crispy fried onions.

Mix gently to ensure every green bean gets coated with the delicious creamy sauce.

Step 4: Bake the First Round

Pour the entire mixture into a casserole dish.

Slide it into the preheated oven and let it bake for 25 minutes.

This initial bake helps meld all the wonderful flavors together.

Step 5: Add Crispy Topping

Pull the casserole out of the oven and give it a quick stir.

Sprinkle the remaining fried onions across the top, creating a crunchy golden crown.

Step 6: Final Crisp and Finish

Return the dish to the oven for a final 5-10 minutes.

Watch for the onions to turn a gorgeous golden brown and become irresistibly crispy.

Serve piping hot and enjoy the delightful combination of creamy and crunchy textures.

The Pro’s Take On Green Bean Casserole

• Add minced garlic or finely chopped fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary to the soup mixture for an enhanced taste profile.
• Swap cream of mushroom soup with a dairy-free or low-sodium alternative to accommodate vegetarian or health-conscious diners.
• Keep fried onions crispy by adding them in the last 5-10 minutes of baking to maintain their crunch and golden color.
• Mix in sliced almonds or chopped bacon for extra protein and a delightful textural contrast in the casserole.
• Prepare the casserole up to one day in advance and refrigerate, then bake just before serving to save time during meal preparation.

Green Bean Casserole Keep It Fresh For Later

• Store leftover green bean casserole in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled casserole to a freezer-safe container, where it can be stored for up to 2 months without losing its delicious flavor.
• Warm refrigerated casserole at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, covering with foil to prevent the top from burning and maintain moisture.
• For quick reheating, place individual portions in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat in 30-second intervals until thoroughly warmed.

What Works With Classic Green Beans

• Pair with Crisp Chardonnay: Select a medium-bodied white wine with subtle oak notes that complement the creamy casserole and cut through its richness.
• Match with Roasted Turkey: Serve alongside traditional roasted turkey for a classic holiday meal combination that enhances the green bean casserole's savory profile.
• Complement with Herb-Roasted Chicken: Create a harmonious main dish that echoes the casserole's earthy mushroom and crispy onion flavors, providing a balanced dinner experience.
• Add Crusty Sourdough Bread: Include a slice of warm sourdough to soak up the creamy sauce and provide a delightful textural contrast to the tender green beans and crunchy onions.

Classic Green Bean Casserole Twists

• Vegan Veggie Delight: Replace cream of mushroom soup with cashew cream sauce, use plant-based milk, and swap fried onions for crispy panko breadcrumbs.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Swap: Substitute green beans with cauliflower florets, use almond milk, and top with crushed pork rinds for extra crunch.
• Gluten-Free Comfort: Use gluten-free cream of mushroom soup, replace traditional fried onions with gluten-free crispy onions, and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Add fresh rosemary, thyme, and minced garlic to the base recipe, sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese before the final bake, and use olive oil instead of milk for a Mediterranean twist.

FAQs

• Can I use fresh green beans instead of canned?

Yes, you can! Blanch fresh green beans for 3-4 minutes in boiling water, then immediately cool in ice water before using in the recipe.

• Is there a way to make this dish healthier?

Try using low-fat cream of mushroom soup, reduced-sodium soy sauce, and bake your own crispy onion topping with less oil for a lighter version.

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

You can use cream of celery soup or make a homemade cream sauce with sautéed mushrooms, milk, and a bit of flour to thicken.

• Can I prepare this green bean casserole in advance?

Absolutely! Assemble the casserole without the final onion topping, cover, and refrigerate. Add the crispy onions and bake just before serving to maintain their crunch.

Green Bean Casserole Recipe

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4.9 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Hearty green bean casserole delivers classic comfort with creamy mushroom sauce and crispy onion topping. Homemade goodness brings warmth to your table, inviting family and friends to savor this timeless side dish.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 cups green beans, fresh or frozen, trimmed
• 2 cans (10.5 ounces / 298 grams each) cream of mushroom soup
• 1 12 cups fried onions, divided

Dairy and Liquid Ingredients:

• 1 cup milk

Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• 12 teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

1. Combine cream of mushroom soup, milk, soy sauce, and black pepper in a spacious mixing vessel, whisking until the mixture reaches a smooth, uniform consistency.
2. Gently fold fresh green beans into the creamy liquid, ensuring each bean is thoroughly coated with the savory sauce.
3. Incorporate half of the crispy fried onions into the bean mixture, distributing them evenly throughout the casserole.
4. Transfer the verdant bean preparation to a ceramic baking dish, spreading it out to create an even layer.
5. Place the casserole in a preheated oven calibrated to 350°F, allowing it to bake for approximately 25 minutes until the edges begin to bubble and the mixture becomes slightly heated through.
6. Carefully remove the casserole from the oven and give it a gentle stir to redistribute the ingredients and promote even cooking.
7. Sprinkle the remaining crispy fried onions across the top of the casserole, creating a golden, crunchy crown.
8. Return the dish to the oven for a final 5-10 minutes, watching closely to ensure the onion topping transforms into a delectable, bronzed layer without burning.
9. Extract the casserole from the oven and let it rest for a few moments before serving, allowing the flavors to meld and the temperature to settle.

Notes

• Customize the soup base by using homemade cream of mushroom soup for a fresher, more authentic flavor profile.
• Replace traditional fried onions with gluten-free or homemade crispy onions to accommodate dietary restrictions.
• Control sodium levels by selecting low-sodium cream of mushroom soup and reducing added soy sauce.
• Fresh green beans work best when blanched briefly before mixing to maintain crisp texture and vibrant color.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 750 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg