Green bean casserole is a must around the holidays. It’s a staple at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and beyond.
And you don’t have to love (or even remotely like) green beans to go a little nuts over this casserole.
It’s full of cream of mushroom soup, cheese, and crispy onions, which takes it over the top. It’s a well-loved dish that people have made for generations.
Plus, it’s a great way to add vegetables to your dinner table that actually get eaten.
Go grab your casserole dish, and let’s whip up this classic green bean casserole!
Green Bean Casserole
Green bean casserole originated from Campbell’s kitchen in the mid-1950s. The goal was to create a tasty recipe with green beans and Campbell’s cream of mushroom soup. And the rest of is history.
This popular casserole is a staple at Thanksgiving and Christmas and for a very good reason. The pairing of cream of mushroom soup and canned green beans creates ultra-savory flavors with a crisp texture.
Add in a little shredded cheese, and it takes the creaminess factor to new heights. But we’re not done yet.
The real reason this recipe is so amazing is the crispy fried onions on top. They’re hard to resist. Using a topping of crispy fried onions adds an irresistible texture and a boost of flavor to this savory dish.
Green beans may take top billing in this recipe, but the crispy onions are the star of the show!
Ingredients
Four simple (and affordable!) ingredients are all you need for this tasty veggie-packed side dish.
Green beans. While fresh is always best, canned green beans work just as well in this recipe. Before adding canned green beans, drain as much water as possible.
Condensed cream of mushroom soup. There are a few brands of cream of mushroom soup out there, but Campbell’s delivers the best flavor. And if you don’t like mushrooms, you can substitute it with cream of chicken or bacon.
Cheese. Reach for your favorite type of shredded cheese for this recipe. However, cheddar cheese works best in balancing the flavors of the soup and green beans.
French-fried onions. Never skip the French-fried onions! It’s everyone’s favorite part of this recipe. If you can’t track down French-fried onions, you can swap them in with panko breadcrumbs or salty potato chips.
How to Make Green Bean Casserole
If you can dump ingredients into a casserole dish, you have all the skills needed for this recipe.
Here’s a quick rundown on how to whip up this dish in a jiffy.
1. Prepare. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Heat the beans and soup. Place the drained green beans and cream of mushroom soup in a microwave-safe dish. Microwave it for 3 to 5 minutes until it’s warmed through.
3. Gey cheesy. Stir half of the shredded cheese into the bean mixture, and heat it again in the microwave for 2 to 3 minutes.
4. Add it to the casserole dish. Pour the cheesy green bean mixture into a casserole dish and smooth it until it’s even. Sprinkle the top with French-fried onions and the remaining cheese.
5. Bake. Place the casserole in the oven and bake it for 10 minutes, or until the cheese on top melts and the onions are golden brown.
6. Cool. Place it on a wire rack to cool, and dig in!
Tips for the Best Casserole
Here are a few tips to ensure your beans are holiday-ready and picture-perfect.
Avoid a watery casserole. If the green beans are watery, your casserole will be watery. Be sure to drain as much water from the canned green beans as possible. You can toss them in a light flour coating to avoid a watery casserole.
Use fresh green beans. If you have them on hand, fresh green beans add extra flavor and crunch. Be sure to drain them very well after blanching them to avoid a watery soup.
Don’t overcook the beans. You want your beans cooked, but still crunchy. When warming them in the microwave, always check in on them to ensure they aren’t mushy.
Variations
There are a few easy ways to jazz up this classic.
Swap out the cream of mushroom soup. Don’t care for mushrooms? No worries! Any condensed soup works great in this recipe. Opt for flavorful options like cream of chicken, potato, or bacon.
Tasty add-ins. Take the flavors over the top by stirring some tasty ingredients into the green beans. Ingredients like fresh garlic, bacon bits, or more cheese all work well.
Make it spicy. Want to add a little heat to this dish? Adding a sprinkle of red pepper flakes is a great way to bring on the heat. Or, you can place some diced jalapeño peppers on top with your French-fried onions.
Go crazy with cheese. Cheddar is a great place to start, but you don’t have to end there! To make this side dish exceptionally cheesy, add different types of cheese like feta, goat cheese, or smoked Gouda. When it comes to cheese, there are no wrong answers.
How to Prep Ahead of Time
If you want to get ahead of the game, you can make the casserole up to 48 hours in advance.
Follow the recipe up until the point of adding the crispy fried onions. Cover the casserole dish with a lid or place wrap, and place it in the fridge for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to serve it, sprinkle it with fried onions and cheese, and bake it until golden.
Storing & Reheating Leftovers
This recipe makes a big casserole dish, so there will be leftovers. Store them in an air-tight container. Or cover them with plastic wrap and place them in the fridge. They will stay fresh for up to 3 days.
When you’re ready to reheat the casserole, place it in the microwave or the oven. To keep those onions nice and crispy, place it under the broiler for a few minutes.
Green Bean Casserole (Best Recipe)
6
servings10
minutes15
minutes322
kcalThis is the only recipe you’ll ever need for green bean casserole! Made with the classic cream of mushroom soup, it’s just to die for.
Ingredients
2 (14.5-ounce) cans of green beans, drained
1 (10.5-ounce) can of condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 (6-ounce) can of French-fried onions
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place the drained green beans and cream of mushroom soup in a large microwave-safe bowl. Heat it on high for 3-5 minutes.
- Remove it from the microwave, and stir 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese into the bowl. Place it back in the microwave, and heat it for another 2-3 minutes or until the cheese melts.
- Spread the green bean mixture into a casserole dish and smooth it until it’s even. Sprinkle French-fried onions and remaining cheese on top.
- Bake it for 10 minutes in the oven, or until the cheese melts and the onions are golden brown.
- Cool it on a wire rack, and enjoy!
