Green Bean Casserole

Can you really call it Thanksgiving dinner before the green bean casserole makes an appearance? Even though some years I try out new sides with the turkey, I know there’s no way I can skip this favorite. The simple green bean casserole recipe features creamy, savory green beans topped with crisp french-fried onions. While it will forever be known as a holiday dish, this delicious casserole deserves to show up on the dinner table more often.

Wondering how to make green bean casserole? We’ll show you how, along with ideas for tasty variations and ways to serve it (hint: not just with roast turkey!).

Green Bean Casserole Ingredients

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• Green beans: As with many green bean recipes, we love using fresh beans over canned or frozen. Gather them from your garden, the produce aisle or a local farmers market, and choose healthy-looking beans that are green, firm and plump.
• Cream of mushroom soup: Pick up two cans condensed cream of mushroom soup (Campbell’s brand is our preference). This soup is a staple ingredient of traditional green bean casserole and many other creamy casserole recipes. Use any variety, including regular, reduced salt, fat-free or gluten-free.
• Milk: Our recipe uses 2% milk, but you can also use whole milk, cream or a combination of the two. Unsweetened, plant-based milks can also be used.
• French-fried onions: The best green bean casserole has a generous topping of french-fried onions (we like French’s brand). They add lots of savory flavor and crunch, and if you have leftovers, there are plenty of ways to use french-fried onions.
• Soy sauce: Just a couple of teaspoons of soy sauce add savory, umami flavor to this veggie dish. If you don’t have any soy sauce on hand, Worcestershire sauce can also be used.
• Pepper: Just a pinch of pepper is all you need. You can also taste the dish after baking to see if it needs a pinch of salt.

Directions

Step 1: Parcook the beans

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Bring 8 cups water to a boil in a large saucepan; add the trimmed green beans to the water. Cook the beans, uncovered, for three to four minutes until they are bright green and crisp-tender. Drain the green beans and set them aside.

Step 2: Make the sauce

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In a large bowl, stir together the cream of mushroom soups, milk, soy sauce and pepper until everything is well combined.

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Stir the parcooked green beans into the sauce.

Step 3: Assemble the casserole

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Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spoon half the green bean mixture into a 13×9-inch baking dish and spread it into an even layer. Then, layer half the french-fried onions over the bean layer.

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Spoon in the rest of the green bean mixture, and finish with the rest of the french-fried onions over the top.

Step 4: Bake the casserole

Slide the casserole into the oven and bake at 350°, uncovered, for 30 to 35 minutes, until it’s hot all the way through and the onion topping is browned and crispy. Serve warm.

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Recipe Variations

• Try other condensed soups: Flavored varieties of cream of mushroom like roasted garlic and beef would be delicious in this casserole. If you’re not a fan of mushrooms, try using a condensed soup like cream of celery or cream of chicken.
• Add sauteed veggies: Give this recipe for green bean casserole extra flavor and a little more color by sauteing diced red onion or diced red pepper until soft, then folding it into the green bean mixture.
• Make it bacony: Fold diced cooked bacon into the green bean mixture before assembling the casserole. Bacon gives the dish a salty, smoky flavor that pairs very well with green beans. (As our green beans with bacon proves!)
• Turn it into a cheesy green bean casserole: This can be done in a few ways. Fold shredded cheddar cheese into the green bean mixture, simply sprinkle cheese over the top before adding the french-fried onions and baking, or swap in condensed cheddar cheese soup for the mushroom soup.

How to Store Green Bean Casserole

Once your traditional green bean casserole recipe has cooled, cover the pan tightly and store leftovers in the fridge for three to four days. The covered casserole can be gently reheated in a low oven.

Or, instead of refrigerating the whole baking dish, transfer leftover green bean casserole into individual, microwave-safe meal-prep containers. Reheating smaller dishes in the microwave will be much faster and it’ll aready be portioned for you!

Can you make green bean casserole ahead of time?

Yes, and this is a great way to save time on the day you want to serve it. Just follow all the steps to cook the green beans and assemble the casserole. You can hold off on adding the french-fried onions if you want to prevent them from getting soggy. Cover the pan tightly and store the easy green bean casserole in the fridge until you’re ready to bake it—up to three days in advance.

When you’re ready to bake it, let the casserole sit out at room temperature for 30 minutes before popping it in the oven. Add this one to the list of favorite make-ahead casseroles!

Green Bean Casserole Tips

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Can you use canned or frozen green beans in green bean casserole?

Yes, you can use canned or frozen green beans in this recipe for green bean casserole. Because canned beans are already tender and frozen green beans soften once they thaw, skip the parcooking step when using these varieties—just fold them right into the milk and condensed soup sauce.

How long should you bake green bean casserole?

Bake traditional green bean casserole for 30 to 35 minutes until completely heated through. This timing also helps finish cooking the green beans, thicken the sauce and crisp up the french-fried onion topping.

What else can you serve with green bean casserole?

You’re probably used to seeing this recipe on Thanksgiving menus, but this creamy, quick and easy side dish is worth pairing with meals throughout the year. Try the best green bean casserole as a side dish with roast beef, roast chicken, meatloaf or pork tenderloin. The veggie side can also be served with grilled chicken recipes or burgers.

Make tomato soup or French onion soup a more filling meal with portions of this simple green bean casserole recipe on the side. And if you find you have leftover green bean casserole, do something really creative: Fold spoonfuls into patty melts, turkey sandwiches (like Ross’s “Moist Maker” from Friends) or grilled cheese sandwiches!