Green Bean Casserole Recipe That’s Simply Delicious

Green bean casserole takes a simple vegetable and turns it into a dish that feels special enough for any occasion.

Tender green beans are coated in a creamy sauce and topped with a crisp, golden layer for added texture.

This dish delivers a balance of comfort and flavor, making it more than just a holiday side.

It also uses straightforward steps, yet the end result looks and tastes impressive.

Breadcrumbs or fried onions provide the perfect crunch that contrasts with the soft vegetables underneath.

It’s a dish that fits seamlessly into family meals, celebrations, or potluck gatherings.

Why Ultimate Green Bean Casserole Is So Loved

• Savor Hearty Comfort: Green beans transform into a mouthwatering dish that feels like a warm hug from grandma's kitchen.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients like switching bacon for ham or using different cheese types to match your family's taste preferences.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for potlucks, holiday gatherings, and weekend family dinners where everyone craves something deliciously satisfying.
• One-Pan: Minimal cleanup required since most preparation happens in a single skillet, making cooking and washing up a breeze.

What’s Inside Ultimate Green Bean Casserole

• Bacon: A crispy and flavorful meat that adds a smoky depth to the casserole.

• Green Beans: The star vegetable of the dish that provides a fresh and tender base.
• Onions: Adds a sweet and savory foundation to the casserole.
• Mushrooms: Brings an earthy and rich flavor to the overall dish.
• Garlic: Provides a sharp and aromatic flavor enhancement.

• Cream of Mushroom Soup: Creates a creamy and binding sauce for the casserole.
• Milk: Helps to thin and blend the sauce for a smooth consistency.
• Monterey Jack Cheese: Adds a mild and melty cheese component to the dish.

• French Fried Onions: Provides a crispy and crunchy texture to the casserole's surface.

• Salt, Pepper: Enhances and balances the overall flavor of the dish.

How To Bake Ultimate Green Bean Casserole

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350°F and give a 9×13-inch baking dish a quick non-stick spray.

Step 2: Crisp Up the Bacon

Sizzle bacon in a large skillet over medium-low heat until it’s perfectly crispy.

Transfer to paper towels and crumble into delicious bits.

Step 3: Sauté Onion

Keep just a whisper of bacon grease in the skillet.

Toss in onions and dance them around until they turn soft and see-through.

Step 4: Mushroom Transformation

Introduce mushrooms to the skillet and let them get golden and gorgeous, stirring occasionally.

Step 5: Garlic and Flavor Explosion

Sprinkle in minced garlic and let it sing for a minute. Pour in cream of mushroom soup and reunite with those crispy bacon crumbles.

Step 6: Creamy Cheese Fusion

• Milk
• Monterey Jack cheese

Stir until the cheese melts into creamy perfection. Season with salt and pepper to make your taste buds dance.

Step 7: Green Bean Embrace

Gently fold green beans into the luscious mixture, ensuring every bean gets coated. Transfer the entire masterpiece to the prepared baking dish.

Step 8: Crispy Onion Crown

Sprinkle French fried onions on top like a golden, crunchy crown. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes until it’s bubbling with deliciousness.

Tips For Cooking Ultimate Green Bean Casserole

• Opt for thick-cut bacon to enhance the casserole's rich, smoky flavor and provide extra crunch.
• Use fresh green beans instead of canned for a more texture and brighter taste profile.
• Swap Monterey Jack with sharp cheddar for a more intense cheese experience if desired.
• Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes after baking to allow flavors to settle and make serving easier.
• Consider adding sliced almonds on top for an extra layer of nutty crispness alongside the fried onions.

Creative Twists For Ultimate Green Bean Casserole

• Spicy Southwestern Splash: Replace Monterey Jack with pepper jack cheese, add diced green chiles, and sprinkle chili powder.
• Mediterranean Herb Garden: Swap bacon for prosciutto, incorporate fresh rosemary and thyme, use feta cheese instead of Monterey Jack, and top with toasted pine nuts.
• Creamy Chicken Upgrade: Mix in shredded rotisserie chicken, use cream of chicken soup, and add a layer of crispy panko breadcrumbs for extra crunch.
• Vegan Green Comfort: Substitute bacon with coconut bacon bits, use cashew cream instead of milk, replace cream of mushroom soup with homemade mushroom sauce, and top with nutritional yeast and almond-based crispy onions.

Best Things To Serve With Ultimate Green Bean Casserole

• Pair Crisp White Wine: Sauvignon Blanc's bright acidity and herbal notes perfectly complement the rich, creamy green bean casserole, cutting through the heavy bacon and cheese flavors.
• Serve Rustic Sourdough Bread: Crusty, sour sourdough slices provide a delightful textural contrast to the soft casserole, helping to soak up the delicious creamy sauce.
• Match Roasted Herb Chicken: Tender, herb-seasoned roasted chicken creates a classic comfort food combination, with the green bean casserole acting as a fantastic side dish that enhances the overall meal experience.
• Enhance with Sparkling Prosecco: Light, bubbly prosecco offers a refreshing palate cleanser that balances the casserole's richness and adds a festive touch to the dining experience.

How To Keep Ultimate Green Bean Casserole Fresh

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the container is clean and dry before storing.
• Transfer casserole to a freezer-safe dish with a tight lid. Wrap securely with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Label with the date and contents.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Preheat oven to 350°F. Cover with foil to prevent burning. Warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Add fresh fried onions on top for extra crunch.
• Place single serving in a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture.

FAQs For Ultimate Green Bean Casserole

• Can I use fresh green beans instead of canned?

Yes, absolutely! Blanch fresh green beans for 3-4 minutes in boiling water, then shock in ice water before using in the recipe.

• Is it possible to make this casserole vegetarian?

Replace bacon with smoked paprika or liquid smoke for similar depth of flavor, and use vegetable broth instead of bacon grease.

• How can I make this dish healthier?

Use low-fat cream of mushroom soup, reduced-fat cheese, and bake your own crispy onion topping with less oil to cut down on calories.

• What type of cheese works best if I don't have Monterey Jack?

Gruyère, mild cheddar, or provolone are excellent substitutes and will provide similar creamy texture and flavor.

Ultimate Green Bean Casserole Recipe

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4.6 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Green bean casserole is a classic for a reason. The creamy sauce, tender beans, and crispy onion topping make it a dish that brings comfort year after year.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 14.5-ounce cans cut green beans
• 2 10.5-ounce cans cream of mushroom condensed soup
• 1 1/2 cups French fried onions
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Protein and Flavor Enhancers:

• 6 strips bacon
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 onion, finely diced
• 1 1/2 cups chopped button mushrooms

Liquid and Seasoning:

• 1/4 cup milk
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven to 350°F and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
2. Render bacon in a large skillet over medium-low heat until crisp, then transfer to paper towels and crumble into small pieces.
3. Reserve 2 tablespoons of bacon drippings in the skillet, then sauté onions until translucent and softened, approximately 5 minutes.
4. Introduce mushrooms to the skillet, cooking for 5 minutes and stirring periodically until they develop a golden-brown color.
5. Incorporate minced garlic and cook briefly to release aromatic flavors.
6. Pour cream of mushroom soup into the skillet, blending with crumbled bacon to create a rich base.
7. Integrate milk and Monterey Jack cheese, stirring continuously until the cheese melts completely.
8. Season the mixture with salt and pepper, adjusting to personal taste preferences.
9. Gently fold drained green beans into the sauce, ensuring even coating throughout the mixture.
10. Transfer the prepared casserole to the greased baking dish, spreading evenly.
11. Sprinkle French fried onions across the top of the casserole for a crispy texture.
12. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes at 350°F until the casserole is heated through and bubbling around the edges.

Notes

• Swap bacon for pancetta or turkey bacon to adjust the fat content and provide different flavor profiles for health-conscious eaters.
• Replace bacon with smoked paprika or liquid smoke for depth, and use vegetable broth instead of bacon grease to maintain rich umami flavors.
• Select low-sodium cream of mushroom soup and reduce added salt to control overall sodium intake without compromising taste.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Side Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 25g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 9g
• Cholesterol: 30mg