Homemade Classic Green Bean Casserole Recipe: Cozy Comfort Food

Whipping up a classic green bean casserole brings back warm memories of cozy family dinners.

Crisp vegetables mingle with creamy sauce in this timeless comfort dish.

Generations have cherished these simple ingredients that create something truly magical.

Nostalgic flavors dance across your plate, promising a delightful culinary experience.

Every bite connects you to traditional American home cooking.

Tender green beans nestled beneath a golden, crunchy topping make this recipe irresistible.

Dig into this comfort classic and savor every delicious moment.

FAQs

• Are green beans the best vegetable for this casserole?

Green beans are perfect because they maintain a crisp texture, absorb flavors well, and provide essential nutrients like vitamin C and fiber.

• Can I use fresh or frozen green beans?

Fresh green beans offer the best flavor and texture, but frozen green beans work well too. Just ensure they’re thawed and drained before using.

• Why do I need to blanch green beans first?

Blanching helps preserve the green beans’ bright color, removes excess water, and partially cooks them to ensure they’re tender but not mushy in the final dish.

• Is there a way to make this dish healthier?

Replace cream of mushroom soup with a homemade mushroom sauce, use low-fat milk, and reduce the amount of crispy onions to lower calories and increase nutritional value.

The Charm of Classic Green Bean Casserole

• Quicken Comfort: Whip up this classic green bean casserole with minimal prep, using simple ingredients that come together effortlessly for a satisfying side dish.
• Crowd-Pleasing Delight: Packed with creamy textures, crispy onion topping, and cheesy goodness, this recipe appeals to both kids and adults at family gatherings and potlucks.
• Versatile Veggie Boost: Transform ordinary green beans into a mouthwatering casserole that makes vegetables irresistible, encouraging picky eaters to enjoy their greens with a delicious twist.
• Simple Cooking Magic: Requires basic kitchen skills and minimal cooking techniques, making it perfect for home cooks of all experience levels who want to create a memorable side dish.

What You Need for Classic Green Bean Casserole

• Green Beans: Fresh and crisp green beans that provide the base of the casserole and add nutritional value.

• Milk: Helps create a smooth and creamy texture in the casserole.
• Cream of Mushroom Soup: Provides a rich, savory base that binds the ingredients together.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Adds a sharp and tangy flavor that complements the other ingredients.

• Black Pepper: Adds a mild spicy kick to enhance the overall flavor.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Brings a complex, umami depth to the dish.
• Crispy Fried Onions: Delivers a crunchy texture and golden brown topping that adds a delightful contrast to the creamy casserole.

Instructions to Make Classic Green Bean Casserole

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350 degrees Fahrenheit, getting it ready for the delicious casserole adventure ahead.

Step 2: Prep the Green Beans

Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil and quickly dunk the green beans for 3-4 minutes.

This quick bath will make them bright and tender.

Immediately drain and set them aside, ready for their casserole transformation.

Step 3: Create the Creamy Sauce

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

Blend these ingredients until they’re smooth and well-combined, creating a rich and flavorful base.

Step 4: Combine the Casserole Ingredients

• Blanched green beans
• Crispy fried onions
• Shredded cheddar cheese

Stir everything together so each green bean gets coated in the delicious mixture.

Step 5: Bake the First Round

Pour the green bean mixture into a baking dish and slide it into the preheated oven.

Let it bake for 25 minutes, allowing the flavors to mingle and the cheese to get melty.

Step 6: Add the Crispy Topping

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

Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes until the onions turn golden brown and extra crunchy.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Pull the bubbling, fragrant casserole from the oven and serve immediately while it’s hot and irresistible.

Expert Tips for Classic Green Bean Casserole

• Boil green beans exactly 3-4 minutes to maintain crisp texture and vibrant green color without overcooking.
• Add extra sharp cheddar for deeper flavor complexity and a richer, more indulgent casserole experience.
• Substitute dairy milk with almond or oat milk and use dairy-free cheese to make the recipe suitable for lactose-intolerant guests.
• Toast additional onions separately for extra crunchiness before sprinkling on top for maximum textural contrast.
• Experiment with fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary to enhance the overall savory profile of the dish.

Variations to Try with Classic Green Bean Casserole

• Vegan Green Bean Delight: Replace cream of mushroom soup with cashew cream, use dairy-free cheese, and substitute crispy fried onions with almond-based crispy topping.
• Gluten-Free Green Bean Comfort: Use gluten-free cream of mushroom soup, replace wheat-based crispy onions with gluten-free onion rings, and verify all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Low-Carb Green Bean Bake: Swap crispy fried onions with crushed pork rinds, use heavy cream instead of milk, and add extra cheese for richness.
• Mediterranean Green Bean Fusion: Add crumbled feta cheese, sprinkle with chopped kalamata olives, and mix in sun-dried tomatoes for a Mediterranean-inspired version.

How to Serve Classic Green Bean Casserole

• Festive Family Feast: Serve this classic green bean casserole as a star side dish during holiday meals like Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.
• Potluck Party Pleaser: Bring this crowd-pleasing casserole to community gatherings, church suppers, or neighborhood potluck events where comfort food is always welcome.
• Weeknight Comfort Companion: Pair this hearty dish with roasted chicken, grilled steak, or baked ham for a satisfying and quick family meal that everyone will love.
• Vegetable Variety Booster: Add extra nutrition by mixing in diced mushrooms, sliced almonds, or chopped bacon to create your own unique twist on this traditional recipe.

Best Ways to Store Classic Green Bean Casserole

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer casserole to a freezer-safe dish, cover tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freezes well for up to 2 months.
• Place individual portions on a microwave-safe plate. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until warmed through and reaches 165°F.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Cover casserole with foil to prevent burning. Warm for 15-20 minutes, removing foil during the last 5 minutes to restore crispy onion topping.

Classic Green Bean Casserole Recipe

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4.7 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Green bean casserole brings comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, marrying crispy onions with tender beans in a creamy mushroom sauce. Home cooks will adore this nostalgic side dish that delivers warm memories and satisfying flavors with each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 cups (960 milliliters) fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 10.5 ounces (298 grams) can cream of mushroom soup

Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) milk
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Topping Ingredients:

• 1 2/3 cups (400 milliliters) crispy fried onion strings, divided

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Instructions

1. Prepare the green beans by immersing them in rapidly boiling water for 3-4 minutes, creating a crisp-tender texture. Quickly drain and set aside to halt the cooking process.
2. Create a creamy base by whisking together cream of mushroom soup, milk, Worcestershire sauce, and freshly ground black pepper until smooth and well integrated.
3. Incorporate the blanched green beans into the creamy mixture, ensuring each bean is evenly coated with the savory sauce.
4. Fold in a portion of crispy fried onions and shredded cheddar cheese, distributing ingredients uniformly throughout the casserole.
5. Transfer the verdant vegetable mixture to a baking dish, spreading it evenly to promote consistent cooking.
6. Slide the casserole into a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven and bake for 25 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and ingredients to heat thoroughly.
7. Scatter the remaining crispy fried onions across the surface, returning the dish to the oven for an additional 5-10 minutes until the topping turns golden brown and delightfully crunchy.
8. Extract the bubbling casserole from the oven and let it rest momentarily before serving, allowing the dish to settle and intensify its rich flavors.

Notes

• Blanch green beans quickly to maintain their vibrant color and crisp texture, avoiding overcooking which can make them mushy.
• Customize the dish by adding crumbled bacon or sliced mushrooms for extra depth of flavor and protein boost.
• Use low-sodium cream of mushroom soup to control salt content, making the casserole healthier and more diet-friendly.
• For a gluten-free version, replace regular crispy fried onions with gluten-free onion topping and check soup ingredients carefully.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 172 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 530 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 22 mg