Let’s talk about Thanksgiving side dishes. They are the true stars of the holiday table, right? While the turkey gets a lot of attention, it’s the casseroles, potatoes, and stuffing that everyone gets excited about. And right at the top of that list is the classic green bean casserole.
But we are not talking about the old version made with canned soup. Today, we are making the Best Green Bean Casserole Thanksgiving has ever seen, completely from scratch. It is creamy, cheesy, and topped with crispy bacon and fried onions. It is a true crowd pleaser.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There are so many reasons to adore this recipe. First, it uses fresh French green beans. This gives the dish a wonderful, crisp texture that you just cannot get from canned beans. The flavor is so much brighter and more vibrant.
Next is the sauce. We make a rich and velvety cheese sauce from scratch. No condensed soups here. It is a simple combination of butter, shallots, garlic, flour, and broth, finished with heavy cream and lots of cheddar cheese. It is what makes this a truly Cheesy Green Bean Casserole.
And let’s not forget the toppings. We are going all out with crispy fried onions, grated Parmesan cheese, and savory beef bacon crumbles. This makes it the Best Green Bean Casserole With Bacon, adding a salty, smoky crunch to every single bite. It’s a wonderful take on the Traditional Green Bean Casserole.
Ingredients
Here is everything you will need to gather to create this amazing holiday side dish. Using fresh ingredients is key, especially the green beans and freshly shredded cheese for the best melt.
- 1 pound raw beef bacon, diced
- 2 pounds fresh (haricot verts) French green beans, trimmed
- 4 tablespoons butter, divided
- 1 small shallot, finely chopped (about 1/4 cup)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups (freshly shredded) medium cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 8 ounces cremini mushrooms (baby bella mushrooms), sliced
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 1/2 cups French fried onions, or more if desired
Step By Step Instructions
Making this casserole is easier than you might think. Just follow these simple steps, and you will have a delicious side dish ready for the oven. Let’s get cooking!
Step 1: Prep And Cook The Bacon
First things first, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grab a large baking dish and grease it lightly with butter or a nonstick cooking spray. This will prevent the casserole from sticking.
Now, take out a large skillet. Add the diced beef bacon and cook it over medium heat. You want it to get nice and crispy. Once it’s browned, remove it from the skillet and let it drain on some paper towels.
Step 2: Sauté The Green Beans
In that same skillet with the bacon renderings, add your fresh green beans. Sauté them for just 2 to 3 minutes. The goal is to get them slightly tender but still crisp. You do not want them to be mushy. After sautéing, take them out of the skillet and set them aside on a plate.
Step 3: Build The Creamy Sauce
Time to make the magic sauce. In the same skillet, add the butter, chopped shallot, minced garlic, and fresh thyme. Cook for a minute or two until everything smells amazing and the shallots are soft.
Sprinkle the all purpose flour over the mixture and whisk it together. This forms a roux, which is what will thicken our sauce. Keep stirring and cook the roux for about one minute. This step is important for a smooth sauce.
Next, slowly pour in the chicken broth while whisking. Be sure to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Those little bits are packed with flavor.
Step 4: Make It Cheesy
Continue whisking as you slowly add the rest of the chicken broth and the heavy cream. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for about 5 minutes, or until it has thickened up a bit.
Now for the best part. Slowly add the shredded cheddar cheese, whisking constantly until it is completely melted and the sauce is smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Give it a taste and adjust if needed.
Gently add the cooked green beans back into the skillet with the sauce. Stir everything together until the beans are fully coated in that delicious, cheesy goodness. You’re creating the heart of the Best Green Bean Casserole Thanksgiving dish.
Step 5: Add The Mushrooms (Optional)
If you are a mushroom lover, this step is for you. In a separate skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the sliced cremini mushrooms and sauté until they are tender, which usually takes 5 to 7 minutes.
Add a splash of soy sauce to the mushrooms and stir to coat them. This adds a lovely savory depth. Then, add the cooked mushrooms to the green bean mixture and stir to combine.
Step 6: Assemble And Bake
Carefully transfer the green bean mixture into your prepared baking dish. Spread it out into an even layer. Now for the toppings. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese, the French fried onions, and the crispy beef bacon crumbles all over the top.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. You will know it is ready when the casserole is hot and bubbly and the topping is a beautiful golden brown. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your amazing homemade casserole!
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers, storing them is easy. Allow the casserole to cool completely to room temperature first. Then, cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or transfer the leftovers to an airtight container.
You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. To reheat, you can either warm individual portions in the microwave or place the entire baking dish back in a 350 degree oven until heated through. The topping might not be as crispy, but it will still be delicious.
Tips
Want to make this Cheesy Green Bean Casserole even better? Here are a few tips. For the best flavor and texture, always use fresh green beans. The thin French variety, or haricot verts, works beautifully.
When it comes to the cheese, shredding your own from a block is the way to go. Pre shredded cheeses often have anti caking agents that can make your sauce gritty. A medium or sharp cheddar is a great choice.
To save some time on Thanksgiving day, you can prepare the green bean and sauce mixture a day ahead. Store it in the baking dish, covered, in the refrigerator. When you are ready to bake, just add the toppings and pop it in the oven. You may need to add 5 to 10 minutes to the baking time.
Conclusion
There you have it. A fresh, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying green bean casserole that will surely be a hit at any holiday gathering. Moving away from canned ingredients makes such a huge difference in taste and texture.
This recipe for the Best Green Bean Casserole Thanksgiving side dish is a wonderful way to honor a classic while giving it a simple, modern update. It is a dish that shows how a little extra care can create something truly special for your family and friends to enjoy.
FAQ
Can I Make This Ahead Of Time?
Yes, absolutely. You can assemble the casserole without the toppings up to one day in advance. Cover it and keep it in the fridge. When you are ready to bake, add the Parmesan, fried onions, and bacon, then bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to heat it through.
Can I Use Frozen Green Beans Instead Of Fresh?
Fresh is recommended for the best texture, but you can use frozen green beans in a pinch. Make sure to thaw them completely and pat them very dry before sautéing. This prevents the casserole from becoming watery. You may not need to sauté them for as long.
What Kind Of Cheese Works Best?
A good melting cheese is ideal for this Cheesy Green Bean Casserole. Medium or sharp cheddar is fantastic. You could also try Gruyere, Monterey Jack, or a blend of your favorites. Just be sure to shred it yourself for the creamiest sauce.
Is This Recipe Gluten Free?
As written, this recipe is not gluten free because it uses all purpose flour to thicken the sauce and contains French fried onions. To adapt it, you could use a gluten free all purpose flour blend for the roux and find certified gluten free fried onions or make your own.
Classic Green Bean Casserole
A creamy, cheesy homemade green bean casserole featuring fresh French green beans, a rich cheddar sauce, crispy beef bacon, and French fried onions.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a large baking dish with butter or nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large skillet, cook diced beef bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels.
- In the same skillet with bacon renderings, sauté fresh green beans for 2 to 3 minutes until slightly tender-crisp. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add 2 tablespoons butter, chopped shallot, minced garlic, and fresh thyme. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Sprinkle all purpose flour over the mixture and whisk for 1 minute to form a roux.
- Slowly pour in 1/2 cup chicken broth, whisking constantly and scraping up any browned bits.
- Continue whisking, slowly add the remaining 1 cup chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for about 5 minutes until thickened.
- Slowly add shredded cheddar cheese, whisking until melted and smooth. Season with kosher salt and cracked black pepper to taste.
- Gently add the cooked green beans back into the skillet with the sauce. Stir until fully coated.
- (Optional) In a separate skillet, melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Sauté sliced cremini mushrooms for 5 to 7 minutes until tender. Add soy sauce and stir. Add cooked mushrooms to the green bean mixture and combine.
- Transfer the green bean mixture to the prepared baking dish. Spread evenly.
- Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese, French fried onions, and crispy beef bacon crumbles over the top.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown. Let cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
For the best flavor and texture, always use fresh green beans. The thin French variety, or haricot verts, works beautifully.
When it comes to the cheese, shredding your own from a block is the way to go. Pre shredded cheeses often have anti caking agents that can make your sauce gritty. A medium or sharp cheddar is a great choice.
To save some time on Thanksgiving day, you can prepare the green bean and sauce mixture a day ahead. Store it in the baking dish, covered, in the refrigerator. When you are ready to bake, just add the toppings and pop it in the oven. You may need to add 5 to 10 minutes to the baking time.
Nutrition
Calories
Sugar
Fat
Carbs
