Green bean casserole is one of those classic holiday side dishes that everyone loves. This southern green bean casserole recipe features tender-crisp beans, creamy cream of mushroom soup, crispy French fried onions, and melty cheddar cheese!
I love this casserole because it’s easy to make, and it tastes great! You can prepare it ahead of time and reheat it later.
Cream of Mushroom Soup
One of the most classic side dishes for Thanksgiving, green bean casserole is a creamy mixture of steamed green beans, condensed cream of mushroom soup, and French fried onions. The recipe was first invented by Dorcas Reilly of the Campbell Soup Company in 1955, and it’s still a popular option among families around the country.
The key to making a delicious green bean casserole is to saute the mushrooms and onions in plenty of butter so that they caramelize and turn sweet and savory. Then, a quick stir in flour and butter creates a roux that thickens the sauce while bringing out the flavors of the sauteed mushrooms and onions. A dash of wine is added to deglaze the pan and add flavor, and half-n-half and broth are then poured into the pan, which blends with the roux to make a creamy soup.
Once the mushrooms and onion are tender, we add garlic, which is a wonderful flavor enhancer and gives this green bean casserole extra punch of flavor. Finally, we combine the soup with milk and soy sauce before adding the green beans to the casserole dish.
To keep the casserole from getting soggy, make sure you prepare it well in advance and store it in the refrigerator wrapped tightly with saran wrap or foil until ready to bake. It’s also a good idea to let the casserole sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking to prevent thermal shock and help it bake quicker.
Another great option is to use vegan or dairy free cream of mushroom soup. This will allow you to cut back on the fat and calories, while retaining all the flavor of this delicious southern green bean casserole.
If you don’t have the time to cook the green beans, a quick steam-in-the-bag method is an excellent alternative. Just be sure to follow the directions on the package of green beans so that they are fork-tender before you drain and rinse them thoroughly.
To make the cheesy green bean casserole, you’ll need to combine the steamed green beans with the cream of mushroom soup and 1 cup shredded cheese. You’ll then need to sprinkle the remaining half of the shredded cheese over the top before topping it with French fried onions. This is a classic recipe that’s sure to become a hit at your next holiday party!
French Fried Onions
Green bean casserole is one of the most popular dishes to serve at the holidays. It’s a delicious side dish that can be prepared up to a day in advance and stored in the fridge until you’re ready to cook it on Thanksgiving or Christmas.
French Fried Onions are a key ingredient in this southern green bean casserole recipe. They add a crunchy texture and salty flavor to the creamy vegetable sauce.
The onions are sliced very thin and soaked in buttermilk for about 10 minutes before they’re dredged in flour. The onions are then fried in oil or baked in an air fryer until they’re golden brown and crispy on the outside, but not burnt on the inside.
You can make this dish using fresh, frozen, or canned green beans. However, you’ll want to boil the beans until they’re tender-crisp before adding them to the casserole. This will keep them from becoming mushy in the cream sauce.
This recipe makes a great meal for a crowd! It’s also a quick and easy meal to prepare.
To prepare this dish, you’ll need a large skillet and some staple pantry ingredients. You’ll need a teaspoon of butter, a small amount of garlic and onion, mushrooms, green beans and chicken broth.
Once the soup is added, you’ll need to mix everything together until all the ingredients are well combined. Season with salt and pepper, then spread it out in a baking dish and bake until hot and bubbling.
After the casserole is done baking, you can top it with the remaining French fried onions and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes until they’re a nice golden brown. You can reheat the leftovers in the oven or microwave.
This dish is perfect for holiday dinners, potlucks and family meals. It’s a classic side dish that goes with almost any other dish on the table, and it tastes great! It’s also a great dish to have in your freezer for those days when you’re short on time but need a quick and comforting meal.
Green Beans
Green Beans are an iconic southern dish that’s the perfect side for Thanksgiving and other holiday meals. They’re inexpensive, easy to make, and can feed a crowd. They’re also a great option for making ahead and reheating later.
They’re boiled and mixed with cream of mushroom soup, French fried onions, and cheddar cheese to create the ultimate comfort food. They’re a delicious and satisfying dish that everyone will love!
You can make this casserole with canned beans or fresh ones. Use a variety that’s firm, but not too soft or crunchy. To ensure the beans are cooked through, blanch them for a few minutes in boiling water, then submerge them in an ice bath to stop the cooking process.
If you prefer a more tender texture, boil the beans for 10 minutes or longer, depending on how soft or firm you like them. You can even use frozen green beans.
The secret to getting a crispy topping for the fried onions in this recipe is not using a deep frying pan but rather a small, mandoline slicer! It’s important to make sure the slices are thin and uniform so that they can be evenly browned in the oven.
Once they’re done, the onions should be golden and crisp on top. This is the perfect way to make your green bean casserole a little more special and stand out at the holiday table!
When you’re ready to serve, stir the mixture into a casserole dish and cover with aluminum foil. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 35 minutes, until hot and bubbly.
You can prepare this casserole up to a month in advance and store it in an airtight container. It’s a wonderful holiday side dish that goes well with many meaty main dishes, including Deep Fried Cajun Turkey, Sweet Potato Casserole with Toasted Marshmallow Topping, and Caramelized Onion and Bacon Mashed Potatoes.
This southern green bean casserole is the best one I’ve ever had! It’s a delicious, creamy dish with lots of cheddar cheese and a crispy topping. This classic dish will be a new holiday tradition in our home!
Cheddar Cheese
The classic southern green bean casserole is the perfect make-ahead side dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any other occasion. It’s quick to prepare and is sure to impress your family and friends.
This recipe uses a creamy mushroom soup as the base for the sauce and shredded Cheddar cheese to add flavor. It also has a crunchy French-fried onion topping that makes this casserole extra satisfying and delicious.
Start by boiling or steaming your green beans until they’re tender but still firm. This will prevent the casserole from being mushy and clumpy. Once they’re cooked, mix the cream of mushroom soup, milk, Worcestershire sauce and pepper in a bowl or directly in your casserole dish to avoid getting any extra dishes dirty.
Next, saute your mushrooms and onions in butter until the vegetables are softened and browned. Then, stir in flour to help thicken the sauce and gradually add milk. Once the sauce is slightly thickened, add your drained and cooked green beans and stir to combine.
Once your mixture is thoroughly combined, pour it into a 9×13 casserole dish and top with French fried onions. Cover the casserole and bake until the French fried onions are golden brown and crisp, about 30 minutes.
Preparing this recipe in advance is easy, but you’ll want to add the fried onions just before baking so they don’t get soggy and watery. You can also freeze this dish if you’re not planning to bake it right away.
The final step is to sprinkle the casserole with a mixture of buttered breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese. Once the casserole is topped with these ingredients, bake it in the oven until the crumbs are lightly browned and the casserole is bubbly.
This is one of my favorite southern green bean casserole recipes and I think you’ll love it as well! This is such a simple recipe that even your kids can make it, so be sure to try it out for yourself. You’ll be glad you did! You’ll definitely be making this again for your family and friends, as well as Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners!