There are some dishes that just feel like a warm hug on a plate. You know the ones. They show up at family gatherings, holidays, and potlucks, and everyone’s face lights up. For me, that dish has always been a classic green bean casserole. It’s a staple for a reason.
This isn’t just any recipe. This is what I truly believe is the best green bean casserole you will ever make. It strikes the perfect balance of creamy, savory, and crunchy. Forget the bland, watery versions. This one is rich, full of flavor, and so simple to prepare. It’s a recipe you’ll come back to again and again.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
So, what makes this the best green bean casserole? It’s all about the details. First off, it’s incredibly easy. We’re talking mix, bake, and serve. There are no complicated steps here, making it wonderful for beginner cooks or busy holiday chefs.
The flavor is just outstanding. The combination of cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and Swiss cheese creates a sauce that is luxuriously creamy with a lovely tangy note. It coats every single green bean perfectly.
And let’s not forget the texture. You get the tenderness of the green beans, the creaminess of the sauce, and that all important crunch from the French fried onions on top. It’s a truly satisfying dish to eat.
This is a fantastic Make Ahead Green Bean Casserole. You can assemble it ahead of time, which is a lifesaver during busy holiday preparations. It’s the ideal side for any big meal, especially a Thanksgiving Green Bean Casserole.
Ingredients
The ingredient list is simple and uses pantry staples you might already have on hand. Nothing fancy, just pure comfort food components coming together to create something special.
- 1 (16 ounce) package frozen cut green beans, thawed
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup milk, or more to taste
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese
- 1 (2.8 ounce) package French fried onions, divided
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- Ground black pepper to taste
Step By Step Instructions
Following these steps will give you a flawless casserole every single time. It’s practically foolproof, I promise. Let’s get started on making this delicious dish.
Step 1: Preheat And Combine
First things first, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F or 175 degrees C. Getting the oven ready ensures your casserole cooks evenly right from the start. Grab a large casserole dish, about a 9×13 inch size works well.
Now for the fun part. In your casserole dish, combine the thawed green beans, condensed soup, milk, sour cream, and Swiss cheese. Add the garlic salt, soy sauce, and a few cracks of black pepper.
Finally, add half of the French fried onions. Yes, you mix them right into the casserole. This adds flavor and texture throughout the entire dish, not just on top. Give everything a good stir until it’s all combined. It should look creamy and delicious already.
Step 2: The First Bake
Cover the casserole dish. You can use a lid if it has one, or aluminum foil works just as well. Pop it into your preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. This initial baking time is crucial for the flavors to meld together.
About halfway through, at the 15 minute mark, you can give it a quick check. If you prefer a thinner, creamier consistency, now is the time to stir in a little more milk. This is totally optional and depends on your preference.
Step 3: Add The Topping And Finish
After 30 minutes, carefully remove the casserole from the oven. Uncover it and sprinkle the remaining French fried onions evenly over the top. Try to cover as much of the surface as you can for maximum crunch.
Place the dish back into the oven, uncovered this time. Bake for about 15 more minutes. You’re looking for the casserole to be bubbly around the edges and the onions on top to be golden brown. The aroma in your kitchen will be amazing.
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers of the best green bean casserole, storing them is simple. Let the casserole cool down to room temperature first. This is important for food safety and quality.
Once cooled, you can cover the casserole dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil. You can also transfer the leftovers to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 or 4 days.
To reheat, you can pop it in the oven at 350 degrees F until it’s warmed through. The microwave works too for individual portions, but the oven will help crisp up the onions again. A few minutes in an air fryer can also do wonders for the topping.
Tips
Want to customize this Traditional Green Bean Casserole? Here are a few ideas. You can swap the Swiss cheese for sharp cheddar or Gruyère for a different flavor profile. Both are delicious options.
If you love mushrooms, feel free to add some freshly sautéed mushrooms to the mix. It will add an extra layer of earthy flavor that complements the soup beautifully. A little bit of cooked, crumbled bacon is also a fantastic addition for a smoky taste.
For those who prefer fresh green beans, you can absolutely use them. You will want to blanch them first. Just boil them for about 5 minutes, then plunge them into ice water to stop the cooking process before adding them to the recipe.
To turn this into a Make Ahead Green Bean Casserole, prepare the mixture in the casserole dish as directed, but do not add the final onion topping. Cover and refrigerate for up to two days. When you’re ready, let it sit out for 30 minutes, then bake as directed, adding the onion topping for the last 15 minutes. You may need to add 5 to 10 minutes to the initial covered baking time.
Conclusion
There you have it. A simple, delicious, and completely satisfying recipe for the best green bean casserole. It’s a classic for a reason. This dish is more than just a side; it’s a part of so many happy memories around the dinner table.
Whether you’re making a Thanksgiving Green Bean Casserole or just want a comforting side for a weeknight dinner, this recipe is a keeper. It’s a warm, creamy, and flavorful dish that brings people together. I hope you and your family love it as much as I do.
FAQ
Can I Make This Gluten Free?
Yes, you can. You would need to use a gluten free cream of mushroom soup and gluten free French fried onions. These are available in most larger grocery stores. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten free.
Can I Use A Different Canned Soup?
Absolutely. While this is a Traditional Green Bean Casserole with cream of mushroom, you can easily substitute it. Cream of chicken or cream of celery soup would also work well and create a delicious variation on the classic flavor.
How Do I Make This A Make Ahead Green Bean Casserole?
It’s very easy to prepare this dish ahead of time. Just assemble the entire casserole except for the final onion topping. Cover the dish tightly and store it in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours. When you are ready to bake, add the topping and bake as directed, possibly adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Can I Double This Recipe For A Crowd?
Of course. This recipe doubles beautifully. Just use a larger baking dish, like a 3 quart or a very large 9×13 inch dish, and double all of the ingredients. The baking time should remain roughly the same, but keep an eye on it to ensure it’s hot and bubbly all the way through.
Classic Green Bean Casserole
This classic green bean casserole is a comforting side dish for any occasion. It offers a creamy, savory, and delightfully crunchy texture, with rich flavor and a simple preparation process perfect for any home cook.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- In a large Rectangular 9×13 Baking Pan, combine the thawed green beans, condensed cream of mushroom soup, milk, sour cream, shredded Swiss cheese, garlic salt, soy sauce, and ground black pepper.
- Stir in half of the French fried onions until well combined.
- Cover the casserole dish tightly with a lid or Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil.
- Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven. (Optional: After 15 minutes, stir in more milk if a thinner consistency is desired.)
- Remove the casserole from the oven, uncover it, and sprinkle the remaining French fried onions evenly over the top.
- Return the uncovered dish to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes, until bubbly and the onions are golden brown.
- Serve warm and enjoy your green bean casserole.
Notes
Let leftovers cool to room temperature. Cover tightly or transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in oven at 350°F until warm, or microwave individual portions. An air fryer can re-crisp onions.
Swap Swiss cheese for sharp cheddar or Gruyère. Add freshly sautéed mushrooms for earthy flavor. Include cooked, crumbled bacon for smoky taste. Use fresh green beans (blanch first for 5 minutes, then ice bath).
To make ahead: Assemble as directed, but don’t add final onion topping. Cover and refrigerate for up to two days. When ready to bake, let sit out 30 minutes, then bake as directed, adding onions for the last 15 minutes. May need 5-10 extra minutes for initial covered baking.
You can make this gluten-free by using gluten-free cream of mushroom soup and gluten-free French fried onions. Cream of chicken or cream of celery soup are also good substitutes.
This recipe doubles beautifully. Just use a larger baking dish, like a 3 quart or a very large 9×13 inch dish, and double all of the ingredients. The baking time should remain roughly the same, but keep an eye on it to ensure it’s hot and bubbly all the way through.
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