This Green Bean Casserole is a true crowd-pleaser, with creamy mushroom sauce and crispy fried onions on top. The flavors blend beautifully to create a comforting and savory dish that pairs perfectly with any main course. Ideal for family dinners or holiday meals, it’s not only simple to prepare but also a guaranteed favorite at the table. You can easily prepare it ahead of time, making it perfect for Thanksgiving or any special gathering where you want to impress guests without spending hours in the kitchen.
Full recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 oz sliced mushrooms
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup French fried onions, for topping
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the green beans and blanch for 3-4 minutes until tender-crisp. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened.
- Add the mushrooms to the skillet and cook for another 5 minutes, until they release their moisture and soften.
- Stir in the cream of mushroom soup, vegetable broth, milk, and soy sauce. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the cooked green beans to the skillet, mixing them well with the mushroom mixture.
- Transfer the green bean mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with French fried onions.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly and the onions are golden and crispy.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 35 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes
Kcal: 250 kcal | Servings: 6 servings
The Ultimate Green Bean Casserole Recipe: Comfort in a Dish
Green Bean Casserole is a classic American comfort food that has become a staple at holiday gatherings, especially during Thanksgiving. With its creamy texture, savory flavors, and crunchy topping of fried onions, it’s the dish that everyone eagerly looks forward to at family dinners. Originally created in the 1950s as a quick and easy way to incorporate canned green beans into meals, this casserole has stood the test of time and evolved into a beloved tradition. While there are many variations of this dish, the basic recipe remains a favorite, offering a perfect balance of flavors and textures.
A Brief History of Green Bean Casserole
Green Bean Casserole was invented in 1955 by Dorcas Reilly, a home economist working for the Campbell Soup Company. Reilly was tasked with developing recipes that could promote Campbell’s products, particularly their cream of mushroom soup. The dish was an immediate success and quickly became a holiday favorite due to its simplicity and the fact that it used readily available ingredients like canned green beans, mushroom soup, and French-fried onions.
Over time, this casserole has become a staple at Thanksgiving dinners across the United States and is often considered the quintessential side dish for festive meals. Although the original recipe was straightforward, modern variations have introduced fresh ingredients and twists, offering something for every palate. However, the original version—rich, creamy, and topped with crispy onions—remains as popular as ever.
Why This Green Bean Casserole Recipe is the Best
There are many reasons why this Green Bean Casserole recipe has stood the test of time and continues to be a crowd favorite. Let’s dive into what makes it so special:
- Simple Yet Flavorful
This recipe features a handful of simple ingredients: fresh green beans, mushrooms, butter, garlic, and a creamy sauce made with mushroom soup and vegetable broth. The mushrooms add an earthy depth of flavor, while the garlic brings out the natural sweetness of the green beans. The creamy soup base helps bind the ingredients together and provides that velvety texture that makes the casserole so irresistible. The crispy fried onions on top create the perfect crunchy contrast to the creamy base, making each bite more enjoyable than the last. - Made with Fresh Ingredients
While many Green Bean Casserole recipes rely on canned green beans, this version uses fresh green beans, giving it a much more vibrant, crisp texture. The fresh beans also enhance the overall flavor and nutritional value of the dish. Using fresh ingredients means you are getting a healthier option, with more vitamins and nutrients, while still maintaining the comforting flavors everyone loves. - Perfect for Special Occasions
Green Bean Casserole has earned its spot on the table for holiday meals and family gatherings. Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter, this dish effortlessly elevates the meal. Its versatility makes it a great accompaniment to any main course, from roasted turkey to glazed ham or even grilled chicken. It complements a wide range of flavors, making it a true crowd-pleaser at every festive gathering. - A Crowd-Pleaser
When you bring a Green Bean Casserole to the table, you can be sure that it will be a hit. The combination of creamy sauce, tender green beans, and crispy onion topping appeals to a variety of tastes. Whether you’re serving it to kids, adults, or picky eaters, this dish offers something for everyone. It’s also a great option for vegetarians, making it an inclusive dish for all your guests. - Easy to Make and Make-Ahead Friendly
Despite its rich, indulgent flavor, Green Bean Casserole is surprisingly easy to make. The recipe requires just a few basic steps: blanch the green beans, sauté the onions and garlic, mix everything together, and bake. It can be prepared ahead of time and baked just before serving, making it perfect for busy holiday preparations. You can assemble the casserole in advance and store it in the fridge until it’s ready to go in the oven, saving you time when you have other dishes to prepare. - Customizable to Your Taste
One of the best aspects of Green Bean Casserole is that it’s highly customizable. While this recipe uses classic ingredients, you can always modify it to suit your preferences. For instance, you can use a homemade mushroom sauce in place of canned cream of mushroom soup for a fresher, more gourmet version. You could also experiment with different types of cheese or top it with a blend of breadcrumbs and parmesan for a different texture. For those who prefer a bit more crunch, adding toasted nuts, like almonds or pecans, can elevate the dish even further. - Rich in Nutrients
Despite its indulgent nature, Green Bean Casserole is packed with nutrients. Green beans are a great source of dietary fiber, which supports healthy digestion, as well as vitamins A, C, and K, which help maintain a healthy immune system, good skin, and bone health. Mushrooms provide additional antioxidants and are a great source of vitamin D, which supports immune health and bone strength. The use of fresh vegetables and low-fat dairy in this recipe makes it a relatively healthy choice compared to other heavy casseroles. - Comforting and Satisfying
Green Bean Casserole evokes feelings of nostalgia and warmth, making it the ultimate comfort food. Whether you’re enjoying it with family or bringing it to a holiday party, there’s something inherently satisfying about the combination of creamy, savory, and crispy elements. The richness of the sauce pairs perfectly with the freshness of the green beans, and the crunchy fried onions bring the dish to life. It’s the kind of meal that fills you up and leaves you craving seconds.
How to Make Green Bean Casserole for Maximum Flavor
To get the most out of your Green Bean Casserole, there are a few tips you can follow:
- Blanch the Green Beans: Blanching green beans before baking helps to retain their vibrant color and keeps them crisp-tender, as opposed to overcooking them in the casserole.
- Use Fresh Mushrooms: For the best flavor, opt for fresh mushrooms instead of canned. They add a deeper, more earthy taste to the casserole.
- Homemade Onion Topping: If you want to take your casserole up a notch, try making your own crispy onion topping. Slice onions thinly, toss them in flour and breadcrumbs, and fry until golden brown. This will add a fresh, crispy texture that beats store-bought fried onions.
- Add Fresh Herbs: Fresh thyme or rosemary can complement the flavors in this dish beautifully. Sprinkle some chopped herbs over the casserole before baking for an added burst of flavor.
- Make It Ahead: As mentioned, you can prepare this casserole a day or two in advance and bake it when you’re ready to serve. This helps to develop the flavors even more and gives you one less thing to worry about during the busy holiday rush.
Conclusion
Green Bean Casserole is the dish that brings comfort, flavor, and nostalgia all at once. Its creamy, savory filling topped with crunchy fried onions is the perfect side dish for any occasion. Whether you’re preparing it for a holiday feast, a family dinner, or a potluck, this recipe never fails to impress. With its rich history, ease of preparation, and versatility, Green Bean Casserole is not just a recipe—it’s a tradition that will continue to grace tables for generations to come.
