Green bean casserole is a timeless side dish that graces holiday tables and weeknight dinners alike. While it’s wonderfully simple to prepare, its creamy, savory flavors and satisfyingly crunchy topping make it a standout. This recipe, inspired by generations of family cooking, ensures tender green beans are enveloped in a rich mushroom sauce and crowned with perfectly crisp fried onions. Get ready to discover just how easy it is to bring this beloved classic to your own table.
Why This Green Bean Casserole Recipe is a Must-Try
There are countless reasons why green bean casserole remains a beloved dish, and this recipe highlights all of them:
- Unforgettable Flavor: The combination of tender green beans, a deeply savory and creamy mushroom sauce, and those irresistible crispy fried onions is simply magic. It’s a symphony of textures and tastes that keeps everyone coming back for more.
- Effortless to Make: With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep time (around 10 minutes!), this recipe is incredibly beginner-friendly. The oven does most of the work, delivering a delicious side dish in just about 30 minutes.
- Nostalgia in Every Bite: Green bean casserole often evokes warm, comforting memories of family gatherings and holidays. This recipe captures that nostalgic essence, bringing a touch of home-cooked goodness to any meal. It might just remind you of your own cherished family traditions!
“This is hands down the best green bean casserole recipe. Every time I serve it, people can’t stop raving about how delicious it is. Simply amazing!”
— Kristen
Simple Ingredients for a Satisfying Casserole
This recipe embraces the classic simplicity of green bean casserole, likely inspired by the original recipe found on the back of Campbell’s cream of mushroom soup cans. It’s a testament to how a few quality ingredients can create something truly special. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Cream of Mushroom Soup: While some might overlook canned soup, it’s the cornerstone of that authentic green bean casserole flavor. It provides the creamy base and savory mushroom notes essential to the dish. Look for condensed cream of mushroom soup.
- Green Beans: Canned cut green beans are traditionally used for their tender texture that complements the crispy onions beautifully. Be sure to drain and rinse them before incorporating them into the casserole. For a slightly different texture, you could explore using frozen green beans as well.
- Milk: A touch of milk helps to achieve the perfect creamy consistency for the sauce, bringing all the ingredients together harmoniously. You can use your preferred type of milk.
- Crispy Fried Onions: These are the star of the show! French’s Crispy Fried Onions (or similar) add both flavor and that signature crunchy topping. We’ll use them both mixed into the casserole and generously sprinkled on top.
Green Bean Casserole Variations to Explore
While the classic recipe is perfect as is, feel free to get creative and customize your green bean casserole to suit your taste. Here are a few delicious variations:
- Bacon Bliss: Cook 4-8 ounces of bacon until crisp, crumble it, and stir it into the mushroom soup mixture along with the green beans. The smoky bacon adds a wonderful layer of flavor.
- Cheesy Delight: For cheese lovers, sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top before baking, or mix about 6 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack, or your favorite cheese into the green bean mixture. You can even do both for extra cheesiness!
- Breadcrumb Crunch: For a different textural twist, combine about 1 cup of panko breadcrumbs with the crispy fried onions for the topping. This adds another layer of satisfying crunch.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Green Bean Casserole
Making green bean casserole is incredibly easy. Follow these simple steps to create a perfect side dish:
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Get Started: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish or casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray and set it aside.
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Combine the Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup, drained and rinsed green beans, milk, and half of the crispy fried onions (one 6-ounce container). Stir everything together until well combined.
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Assemble the Casserole: Pour the green bean mixture into your prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the remaining crispy fried onions (the other 6-ounce container) generously over the top of the casserole.
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Bake to Golden Perfection: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the sides are bubbly and the crispy fried onions are golden brown and crunchy.
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Rest and Serve: Let the casserole rest for about 10 minutes before serving. This allows it to set slightly and cool down a bit. Enjoy the creamy, crunchy goodness!
Recipe Tip for Perfect Flavor
Remember to taste the green bean mixture before adding any extra salt. Cream of mushroom soup and crispy fried onions both contain sodium, so you likely won’t need to add much, if any, additional salt.
Expert Tips for Green Bean Casserole Success
While this recipe is wonderfully simple, here are a few extra tips to ensure your green bean casserole is absolutely perfect every time:
- Crispy Onion Customization: Feel free to adjust the amount of crispy fried onions to your liking. If you’re a big fan, use the whole amount suggested! For an extra homemade touch, you can even make your own crispy onion strings from scratch.
- Soup Swaps: While cream of mushroom is classic, you can experiment with other condensed cream soups like cream of celery or cream of asparagus for a slightly different flavor profile. For a truly homemade touch, consider using homemade cream of mushroom soup.
- Make-Ahead Magic: Green bean casserole is a great dish to prepare in advance. You can assemble it 24-48 hours ahead of time, cover it, and store it in the refrigerator. Just remember to add the crispy fried onion topping right before baking.
- Halving the Recipe: Need a smaller portion? This recipe can easily be halved and baked in a 2-quart or 8-inch square baking dish.
Frequently Asked Questions About Green Bean Casserole
Canned vs. Frozen Green Beans: Which is Better?
Traditionally, canned cut green beans are used for green bean casserole due to their tender texture. However, you can definitely use frozen cut or French-cut green beans as well. If using frozen, there’s no need to thaw them first; you can cook them directly from frozen.
Why is Green Bean Casserole a Thanksgiving Staple?
Green bean casserole’s origin story is quite interesting! According to the Campbell Soup Company, it was created in 1955 by Dorcas Reilly, an employee at Campbell’s headquarters in Camden, New Jersey. She was tasked with creating a simple and appealing recipe using ingredients readily available in most kitchens. Originally called “Green Bean Bake,” the recipe called for canned or fresh green beans, Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom soup, soy sauce, black pepper, milk, and French-fried onions. You can even view the original recipe card here. Its ease of preparation and delicious taste quickly made it a holiday favorite.
How to Prevent a Soupy Green Bean Casserole?
This recipe is designed to avoid a soupy casserole. The condensed cream of mushroom soup acts as a natural thickener, and the crispy fried onions also help absorb excess moisture. Following the recipe as written should result in a perfectly creamy, not soupy, casserole. There’s no need for additional thickeners like flour or cornstarch.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Storing Leftovers: Store any leftover green bean casserole covered in the baking dish or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheating: For individual portions, microwave for 45 seconds to 1 minute, or until heated through. To reheat the entire baking dish, warm it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes until heated through.
Freezing: While best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze unbaked green bean casserole. Assemble the casserole (without the crispy fried onion topping), wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight, add the crispy fried onion topping just before baking, and bake as directed, adding an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time. Freezing baked casserole is not recommended as the crispy onions will become soggy upon thawing.
More Holiday-Worthy Side Dish Recipes
Looking for more delicious side dish inspiration for your holiday meals or weeknight dinners? Explore these other fantastic recipes:
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If you try this green bean casserole recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment below and give it a star rating if you and your family love it as much as mine does! You can also tag @kimscravings on Instagram with a photo of your creation. And don’t forget to subscribe to our mailing list to get more easy and delicious recipes delivered straight to your inbox!
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Grandma’s Easy Green Bean Casserole Recipe
Yield: 12 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Description: Grandma’s Easy Green Bean Casserole is a simple yet beloved side dish, perfect for holidays or weeknight meals. Tender green beans, creamy mushroom sauce, and crispy fried onions create a comforting and flavorful classic.
Author: Kim
Ingredients
- 3 (10.5 oz) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 3 (15.5 oz) cans cut green beans, drained and rinsed
- ½ cup milk (any type)
- 2 (6 oz) containers crispy fried onions, divided
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- In a large bowl, combine cream of mushroom soup, drained green beans, milk, and one container of crispy fried onions. Stir well.
- Pour mixture into baking dish. Top with remaining crispy fried onions.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, until bubbly and onions are golden brown.
- Let rest for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
- Fried Onions: Adjust quantity to your preference.
- Halving: Halve ingredients and use an 8-inch square dish.
- Make Ahead: Assemble 24-48 hours prior; add topping before baking.
- Storing Leftovers: Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 4 days.
- Reheating: Microwave individual portions or reheat in oven.
- Freezing: Freeze unbaked casserole (without topping) for up to 3 months. Thaw before baking and add fresh topping.
Photos by Jess at jess gaertner creative
Author: Kim
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Serving: 1 serving, Calories: 558kcal, Carbohydrates: 44g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 39g, Saturated Fat: 17g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 5mg, Sodium: 1168mg, Potassium: 341mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 774IU, Vitamin C: 13mg, Calcium: 56mg, Iron: 2mg
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