Description
Comfort meets innovation in this loaded green bean casserole, where classic comfort blends with gourmet flair. Crispy bacon, caramelized onions, and creamy cheese elevate traditional holiday fare, creating a side dish you’ll crave beyond seasonal gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) green beans (fresh or frozen), steamed
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup crumbled bacon
Topping Ingredients:
- 1 cup French fried onions
Garnish:
- Additional shredded cheddar cheese (for topping)
- Additional crumbled bacon (for topping)
- Additional French fried onions (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C), ensuring a consistent cooking temperature for the casserole.
- Create a creamy base by thoroughly whisking mushroom soup, sour cream, mayonnaise, cream cheese, salt, and garlic powder until completely smooth and well-integrated.
- Gently fold steamed green beans into the creamy mixture, ensuring even coating and distribution.
- Incorporate half of the French fried onions, shredded cheddar cheese, and crumbled bacon into the green bean mixture, blending ingredients carefully.
- Grease a baking dish and transfer the prepared green bean mixture, spreading evenly to create a uniform layer.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese across the top of the casserole for additional flavor and texture.
- Bake for 25 minutes until the casserole becomes bubbly and the cheese melts completely.
- During the final 5 minutes of baking, add the remaining fried onions and bacon pieces to create a crispy, golden topping.
- Remove from oven and let rest for a few minutes to allow the casserole to set before serving hot.
Notes
- Enhance the green bean’s tenderness by slightly undercooking them before mixing, preventing mushiness during baking.
- Swap full-fat ingredients with low-fat alternatives like Greek yogurt and reduced-sodium cream cheese for a lighter version.
- Customize the casserole by adding diced jalapeños or crispy pancetta for extra flavor complexity and heat.
- Create a gluten-free option by using gluten-free cream of mushroom soup and replacing traditional fried onions with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed nuts.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 310 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg