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Home » Green Bean Casserole

Green Bean Casserole

November 4, 2019 by Debi 205 Comments

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The Classic Green Bean Casserole, but with no canned soup and fresh green beans, that everyone is expecting at the holidays, but I updated the classic casserole.

I decided to make it with fresh green beans and homemade cream of mushroom soup rather than the canned soup. And, oh my gosh, let me tell you, it’s the best Green Bean Casserole I’ve ever tasted!

Green bean casserole in a white casserole dish with a wooden serving spoon and a serving on a white plate

We appreciate your support

Please let me know if you have any questions about this recipe. I read all the comments myself and I try to help as soon as I can. I have readers from all levels of comfort and experience in the kitchen on my site, and I’ve tried to answer some of your questions already in the post. But if I’ve missed anything, please feel free to leave a comment and ask.

Green bean casserole served from a wooden spoon with the casserole in the background

Recipe Notes

Green Bean Casserole is such a winner at the holidays, but it’s also great any time of year.

It’s at home on the Thanksgiving or Christmas table, and on the Sunday family night table.

And, it’s a side dish that everyone can agree on, even the kids.

The classic family casserole side dish is smooth and creamy with an unmatched flavor.

My version of the classic Green Bean Casserole recipe is made from scratch (well, except the canned friend onions, which are so tasty!).

I do admit that when I open a can of those fried onions I have to stop myself from eating too many straight out of the can.

Green bean casserole in the casserole dish being served with a wooden spoon

Can I use canned green beans?

Yes, absolutely you can (no pun intended).

Canned green beans are so easy and so quick.

Just grab two cans (14.5 ounces each) of green beans and drain them.

Canned green beans have a bit of a different texture than fresh cooked ones.

I find fresh cooked ones to be a little firmer and crispier, with a bit of a fresher flavor.

Can I use frozen green beans?

This recipe will also work with frozen beans.

You’ll need about 16-20 ounces of frozen green beans, just thaw them before tossing them in the casserole.

A serving of Green Bean Casserole on a white plate with a fork

Can I add cheese?

Many family recipes for the green bean casserole add cheese. And, if your family loves cheese in it, by all means, cheese it up.

Want to add cheese? Use about ½ cup for this recipe. I suggest Cheddar, Parmesan, Monterey jack, or Gruyere would all be lovely.

My family did not add cheese to the casserole, so that’s how I’ve left my recipe. Sans-cheese.

Green bean casserole covered with fried onions in a casserole dish

Can I make this ahead?

Absolutely! This is a great make-ahead casserole.

If you’d like to prep it ahead of time, just follow the recipe until you get to the part where you’ll bake it. 

Instead of placing the casserole in the oven, cover the dish tightly with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Once you’re ready to bake the casserole, uncover, and bake according to the recipe.

A serving of casserole in front of the casserole dish

I have leftovers, how do I keep them?

In case you have leftovers after the casserole has already been baked, just cover, and refrigerate for up to 5 days.

Then, to reheat the cooked casserole, just pop it back in the oven at 350° F until heated through, about 15-20 minutes. 

Keep an eye on it as it reheats, and if the top starts to get too browned, just lay a piece of aluminum foil lightly over the top of the casserole.

You can also reheat it in the microwave for a minute, though it will lose some of the crispiness.

Square cropped image of casserole on a white plate with a fork

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Other great classic holiday side dishes you’ll love

Looking for more great vegetable side dished for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any day? Be sure to try my Mashed Potato Casserole, Creamed Spinach Gratin Casserole, and Corn Casserole.

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Recipe

A serving of Green Bean Casserole on a white plate with a fork

Green Bean Casserole

Debi
The Classic Green Bean Casserole that everyone is expecting at the holidays, but I updated the classic casserole. I decided to make it with fresh green beans and homemade cream of mushroom soup rather than the canned soup.
4.94 from 15 votes
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Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 1 hour hr
Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 309 kcal

Ingredients
  

Cream of mushroom soup:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil divided use
  • ½ large onion finely chopped
  • 1 shallot finely chopped
  • ½ cup finely chopped mushrooms
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ cup flour
  • 1 cup milk
  • ¾ cup vegetable broth

Casserole:

  • 4 cups fresh green beans about 1.5 pounds
  • ½ cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • 1 dash black pepper
  • 6 ounces canned Fried Onions

Instructions
 

Make mushroom soup:

  • Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and shallot and cook until onion has released its water and begins to brown, about 10 minutes.
  • Add chopped mushrooms, and cook until mushrooms release their juices and the pan looks dry again, about 5-7 minutes. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil, garlic powder, and flour to pan. Cook for about 2 minutes. Slowly add milk, stirring as you add so that there are no lumps. Add broth.
  • Reduce heat, and cook for 5 minutes to thicken the soup. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Make casserole:

  • Preheat the oven to 350° F.
  • Cut the green beans into 1 to 2-inch pieces. Bring a shallow pan of well-salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the beans, and cook for 5 – 7 minutes to blanch. Drain the cooked beans in a colander, and run cold tap water over the beans.
  • Stir the homemade cream of mushroom soup, milk, soy sauce, black pepper, cooked green beans, and half of the can of fried onions in a casserole dish.
  • Bake for 25 minutes or until the green bean mixture is hot and bubbling. Sprinkle the remaining onions over the top, and return the casserole to the oven for an additional 5 minutes, or until the onions are golden brown.

Nutrition

Calories: 309kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 4gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 442mgPotassium: 288mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 667IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 98mgIron: 1mg

Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations, and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.

Keyword casserole, green bean
Tried this recipe?Mention @LifeCurrents or tag #LifeCurrents!
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Filed Under: Budget, Side Dishes Tagged With: Cooking, Food, green beans, Meatless Monday, onions, recipe, side dish, vegetarian

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about debi

ABOUT DEBI

Hello! I’m Debi, the girl behind Life Currents where I write about mainly healthy vegetarian dishes. My husband eats meat, so occasionally I share some of his dishes as well. And, I’ll share tasty treats and projects that we do. Read more...

Previous Post: « October Is Tailgating Snacks Month 2019
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cassandra D

    November 16, 2019 at 10:19 pm

    5 stars
    My favorite dish on the holiday dinner table: Mashed potatoes and gravy with peach lemonade.
    Holiday memories.

  2. James jenkins

    November 16, 2019 at 10:46 pm

    I like dishes that have green beans, cranberries, and slivered almonds.

  3. Louis A Davila

    November 16, 2019 at 10:55 pm

    I love green bean casserole! Can’t wait to try your recipe!

  4. Megan Wilson

    November 16, 2019 at 11:18 pm

    My favorite is pumpkin pie! My Mom also makes it for my November 9th birthday since I love it so much!

  5. Tosha H

    November 17, 2019 at 12:29 am

    Chocolate pie FTW, it’s been my favorite food, not just holiday dish since birth! I go hog-wild around it, no one else’s portions are safe around me lol!

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Hi! I’m Debi, the girl behind Life Currents, where I write about mainly healthy vegetarian dishes with some great desserts and other goodies mixed in! Read More >>>

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