Homemade Green Bean Casserole
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This easy green bean casserole recipe is a classic! Made with a flavorful mushroom cream sauce and crisp fried onions, this green bean casserole is perfect for holiday feasts or weeknight dinners.
Green bean casserole is a traditional side dish that has graced family tables for decades, especially during holiday gatherings. This iconic comfort food combines green beans with a creamy, savory mushroom sauce, topped off with crispy onions for an irresistible crunch.
But green bean casserole isn’t just a Thanksgiving side dish ; it’s versatile enough for Sunday dinners, potlucks, or anytime you want to bring a little comfort food magic to your table.
Looking for more amazing Thanksgiving recipes? Make sure to try our Best Southern Thanksgiving Menu and Thanksgiving Dinner for 4-6 People.
What is Green Bean Casserole
Green bean casserole is a relatively recent recipe compared to other classic American dishes. It was invented in 1955 by Campbell’s Soup Company as part of a recipe campaign designed to promote their cream of mushroom soup. This easy-to-make dish became an instant hit due to its simplicity, affordability, and flavor, making it a holiday staple!
Ingredients for the Classic Green Bean Casserole
- Green beans – You can use fresh, frozen, or canned green beans.
- Cream of mushroom soup – This creamy soup concentrate makes a delicious sauce. If you want to take the recipe up a notch make your own Cream of Mushroom Soup . We use it in our Keto Green Bean Casserole
- Milk – Just a little milk helps to thin out the sauce. If you don’t have any milk available, you can substitute with chicken broth or vegetable broth.
- Worcestershire sauce – This adds a savory depth of flavor to the sauce.
- French fried onions – These crunchy onion straws are mixed into the sauce and baked on top to make the iconic crispy topping.
Optional Ingredients for Enhanced Flavor
If you want to take this casserole to the next level try these simple additions.
- Sautéed mushrooms – saute button mushrooms or cremini mushrooms in some butter until softened and stir them into the mushroom cream sauce.
- Fresh garlic or garlic powder – Add 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder or saute 1-2 finely minced cloves of garlic in a pan with unsalted butter. Add to the mushroom cream sauce.
- Cheddar cheese – Sprinkle 1/4 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole before baking the casserole the first time.
If you love green beans, try our bacon-wrapped green bean bundles or Italian green beans.
Step-by-Step Recipe for Traditional Green Bean Casserole
- Preheat oven. Set your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare the green beans. Heat the frozen green beans according to the package instructions. Once they are heated through, drain any excess water and pat dry. If you are using canned beans, drain all liquid and pat dry. If you choose to use fresh green beans clean and trim the beans then steam until slightly softened.
- Prepare sauce. In a large bowl combine cream of mushroom soup, milk, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir together.
- Combine beans. Fold the heated green beans and creamy mushroom sauce together until well combined. Add ⅔ cup of French fried onions and mix in.
- Bake. Spoon the green bean mixture into a 1 1/2-quart oven safe baking dish. Bake for 25 minutes or until casserole is hot and bubbling.
- Top and bake again. Top with remaining ⅓ cup French fried onions and continue to bake for 5 minutes.
- Serve. Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Choosing Fresh vs. Canned Green Beans
The choice between fresh, frozen, and canned green beans depends on the flavor and texture you’re aiming for. Here’s a quick comparison:
- Fresh Green Beans: Offer a crisp texture and vibrant flavor but require blanching before baking to ensure they cook evenly. If you choose fresh green beans, you’ll want to blanch them by dropping them into a large pot of boiling salted water for 2-3 minutes. Then, carefully drain the hot water and plunge the green beans into an ice water bath to stop the cooking process and keep their bright green color.
- Frozen Green Beans: Combine the convenience of canned beans with the crisp texture and bright color of fresh beans.
- Canned Green Beans: Provide convenience and are already softened, making them an easy option for quick preparations. They also absorb the sauce flavors well.
How to Store and Reheat
Follow these steps tp make your green bean casserole ahead of time or keep your green bean casserole as creamy and flavorful as possible, even as leftovers!
How to Store Green Bean Casserole
- Refrigerator:
- Cool Completely: Let the casserole cool to room temperature before storing to prevent condensation (which can make it soggy). Transfer leftovers into an airtight container or cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil.
- Refrigerate: Store in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
- Freezing:
- Before Baking: Assemble the casserole without the fried onion topping. Wrap it tightly in foil and plastic wrap, then freeze for up to 2 months.
- After Baking: If already baked, let it cool, portion it into individual servings, and place it in freezer-safe containers for easy reheating.
How to Reheat Green Bean Casserole
- In the Oven:
- Preheat the Oven to 350°F (175°C): This temperature keeps the casserole from drying out while heating evenly.
- Bake for 15-20 Minutes: To avoid drying out the casserole cover it with foil, especially if it was frozen. If refrigerated, heat for 15-20 minutes until hot. For frozen casserole, you may need 30–40 minutes.
- Add Fresh Topping: For maximum crunch, add fresh fried onions on top during the last 5-10 minutes of baking.
- In the Microwave:
- Use Microwave-Safe Containers: Place a portion in a microwave-safe dish and cover loosely with a microwave-safe lid or wrap. Reheat on medium power in 1-2 minute intervals, stirring between to ensure even heating.
- Add Fresh Toppings After: Microwave can make fried onions soggy, so consider adding fresh onions after reheating.
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Homemade Green Bean Casserole
Ingredients
- 4 cups Frozen green beans
- 10.5 ounces Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup
- 1/2 cup Milk
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire
- 1 1/3 cups French Fried Onions
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Heat the frozen green beans according to the package instructions.
- In a large bowl combine cream of mushroom soup, milk, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir together.
- Fold the heated green beans and soup mixture together until well combined. Add ⅔ cup of French fried onions and mix in.
- Spoon the mixture into a 1 1/2-quart oven safe casserole dish.
- Bake for 25 minutes or until casserole is hot and bubbling.
- Top with remaining ⅓ cup French friend onions and continue to bake for 5 minutes.
- Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
