This easy Green Bean Casserole is a classic Thanksgiving side dish made with tender green beans, creamy mushroom sauce, and crispy fried onions. It uses simple, budget-friendly ingredients and takes just a few minutes to put together.
Green bean casserole is one of those side dishes you either love or hate, but it’s a staple on the Thanksgiving table. I personally love it, and most of my family does too!
This recipe is easy to change up! Sometimes we add bacon, which is always a huge hit because everything tastes better with bacon. Other times, we stick with the classic version.
Either way, it’s easy to make, doesn’t cost much, and takes no time at all to whip up!
If you’re looking for more Thanksgiving side dishes, my Potatoes Au Gratin and Honey Glazed Carrots are always a hit!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- A holiday classic: It’s one of those traditional side dishes people expect to see on the Thanksgiving table.
- Make ahead: You can prepare the casserole ahead of time and store in the refrigerator so you have less to do on Thanksgiving Day.
- Great for any occasion: You don’t have to wait until Thanksgiving to make it. It’s an easy side dish for Sunday dinners or other holidays too.
Green Bean Casserole Ingredients
- Green beans: I like to use canned cut green beans but you can also use French style.
- Cream of mushroom soup: Make the casserole creamy without having to make a sauce from scratch.
- Milk: Whole milk works best to make it creamier but you can also use 2% milk.
- Worcestershire sauce: Adds a little extra savory flavor without overpowering the dish.
- Crispy fried onions: This is the best part and add that delicious crunch on top that everyone loves.
- Seasonings: Garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper
How to Make Green Bean Casserole
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350℉.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, add the green beans, cream of mushroom soup, milk, worsetershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper and ½ cup crispy fried onions.
Step 3: Stir together until combined.
Step 4: Add the mixture evenly to a small baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
Step 5: Remove from the oven, sprinkle the remaining crispy fried onions over top and bake for another 5-10 minutes, until golden brown.
Step 6: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving.
Recipe Variations
- Bacon Green Bean Casserole: Add cooked, crumbled bacon to the mixture before baking or sprinkle on top.
- Cheesy Green Bean Casserole: Stir in shredded cheddar cheese for a cheesy version.
- Fresh Green Beans: Swap the canned beans for fresh. Just blanch them first so they’re tender after baking.
- Extra Mushrooms: Add sautéed mushrooms if you want a more earthly flavor.
- A Little Heat: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the mix.
Helpful Tips
- Drain the green beans well. Too much liquid can make the casserole watery.
- Don’t add all the fried onions at once. Save some for the top so you get that crispy, golden finish.
- Watch the topping. Crispy onions can brown quickly, so keep an eye on them during the last few minutes.
- Double the recipe for a crowd. If you’re hosting a large Thanksgiving dinner make an extra batch so everyone gets some.
How to Store Leftovers
- Refrigerator: Allow the casserole to cool, then transfer the leftover to an airtight container or cover the baking dish tightly. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: You can freeze leftover green bean casserole for up to 2 months, although the sauce will change texture and the onions will lose their crunch. Thaw overnight in fridge before reheating.
- Reheating: Warm leftovers in the oven at 350℉ or microwave until heated through. Add a few fresh crispy onions on top to bring back the crunch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can! Thaw them first and drain off the excess moisture before adding them to the casserole.
No, you do not! All you need to do is drain the cans and mix in with the other ingredients.
Yes, you can! You can swap for cream of chicken or cream of celery instead
Yes, you can! Combine the green beans, soup, milk, seasonings and some of the crispy fried onions in your slow cooker. Cook on low for about 2-3 hours, until heated through. Add the crispy fried onions for the last 10-15 minutes.
Recipe
Green Bean Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 (14.5oz.) cans green beans, drained
- 1 (10.5oz.) can cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1 tsp worcestershire sauce
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 ½ cups crispy fried onions
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350℉.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the green beans, cream of mushroom soup, milk, worsetershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper and ½ cup fried crispy onions.
- Stir together until combined.
- Add the mixture evenly to a small baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven, sprinkle the remaining crispy fried onions over top and bake for another 5-10 minutes, until golden brown.
- Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
How to Store Leftovers
- Refrigerator: Allow the casserole to cool, then transfer the leftover to an airtight container or cover the baking dish tightly. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: You can freeze leftover green bean casserole for up to 2 months, although the sauce will change texture and the onions will lose their crunch. Thaw overnight in fridge before reheating.
- Reheating: Warm leftovers in the oven at 350℉ or microwave until heated through. Add a few fresh crispy onions on top to bring back the crunch.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclosure
Nutritional facts are estimates and are provided as a courtesy to the reader. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. Nutritional values are calculated via a third party. Changing ingredients, amounts or cooking technique will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.
Leave a Reply