If there’s one side dish that absolutely belongs at every holiday table, it’s Classic Green Bean Casserole. Creamy, savory, and topped with irresistibly crispy fried onions, this beloved American favorite is comfort food at its finest—easy enough for a weeknight, but festive enough for any celebration.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crowd-Pleaser: This Classic Green Bean Casserole can easily feed a crowd, making it a go-to for potlucks and family gatherings.
- Pure Nostalgia: One bite brings back cozy childhood memories, thanks to its familiar creamy flavor and crispy onion topping.
- Quick & Simple: Everything comes together in minutes with pantry staples—no fancy techniques or hard-to-find ingredients required!
- Customizable: The base recipe is delicious as is, but it’s super easy to adapt for all kinds of tastes, diets, and seasonal flavors.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Classic Green Bean Casserole lies in its simplicity. Each ingredient plays an important role—bringing creaminess, crunch, or savory depth to every forkful. Here’s what you need, and a couple quick tips for best results:
- Cut green beans (3 cans): Canned green beans are wonderfully tender and capture that vintage casserole flavor, but if you prefer, you can swap in fresh or frozen (see Variations below!).
- Condensed cream of mushroom soup (2 cans): The secret to that silky-smooth, umami-rich sauce everyone loves—it’s the all-important casserole comfort note.
- Whole milk (1 cup): Adds just the right amount of creaminess to the sauce without making it too thick.
- French fried onions (2 cans): The crunchy, golden crown that makes this dish totally irresistible—use one can inside for flavor, and one on top for major crunch.
- Onion powder (1 teaspoon): Boosts the savory oniony goodness at the heart of every bite.
- Salt and pepper (to taste): Essential for brightening up all those rich, creamy flavors—don’t skip the final sprinkle.
Variations
This Classic Green Bean Casserole is friendly to all kinds of twists, whether you want to make it gluten-free, add a gourmet spin, or use up what’s already on hand. Here are a few ideas to get you started—don’t hesitate to put your own stamp on this favorite!
- Fresh or Frozen Green Beans: Swap in blanched fresh or thawed frozen green beans for more bite and bright green color.
- Homemade Mushroom Sauce: Make it extra special by stirring in your own creamy mushroom sauce instead of condensed soup.
- Cheesy Upgrade: Toss in a handful of shredded cheddar, Gruyère, or parmesan for a cheesy twist that’s always a hit.
- Vegan & Dairy-Free: Use unsweetened plant milk, a vegan condensed mushroom soup, and crispy fried shallots (or vegan onions) to keep everyone happy.
- Spice It Up: A pinch of cayenne, a little garlic powder, or a handful of sautéed fresh mushrooms give the casserole bold new flavors.
How to Make Classic Green Bean Casserole
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Dish
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lightly greasing a 9×13-inch baking dish. This makes sure the casserole won’t stick and guarantees a beautiful, golden bottom. A quick spray of nonstick spray or a thin swipe of butter is all you need!
Step 2: Mix Up the Classic Green Bean Casserole Base
Grab a big bowl and combine the drained green beans, condensed cream of mushroom soup, whole milk, one can of fried onions, onion powder, plus a good pinch of salt and pepper. Stir everything together until the beans are evenly coated in that luscious, creamy mixture—it should look hearty and delicious even before it bakes.
Step 3: Bake Until Bubbly
Spoon the green bean mixture into your prepared baking dish, smoothing the top a little so it bakes evenly. Slide it into the oven for 30 minutes. As it bakes, the kitchen will fill with that classic, cozy aroma—pure holiday magic!
Step 4: Top and Finish
Carefully remove the hot casserole from the oven and scatter the remaining can of French fried onions evenly across the top. Return the dish to the oven for an extra 5–10 minutes, just until the onions are golden and crisp and the filling is bubbling all around the edges. Serve hot and get ready for the requests for seconds to roll in!
Pro Tips for Making Classic Green Bean Casserole
- Crispy Onion Magic: Always add the last layer of fried onions at the very end—this keeps them ultra-crunchy and prevents sogginess.
- Green Bean Texture: For a little more bite, blanch fresh green beans for just 3–4 minutes before mixing into the casserole.
- Sauce Consistency: If you like your casserole extra creamy, add a splash more milk, or, for a thicker base, reduce the milk by a few tablespoons.
- Make Ahead Friendly: Assemble the whole casserole (minus the final onion topping) up to one day ahead—just store covered in the fridge and bake when you’re ready!
How to Serve Classic Green Bean Casserole
Garnishes
While those French fried onions are show-stoppers on their own, you can add a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or a few chives on top for a pop of color. If you want to get festive, try a little sprinkle of flaky sea salt or freshly cracked pepper just before serving.
Side Dishes
Classic Green Bean Casserole pairs beautifully with just about everything—roast turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing, or even a simple roast chicken. It’s just as happy alongside mac & cheese or a hearty grain salad at Friendsgiving or a winter potluck.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, portion the casserole into individual ramekins for dinner parties—everyone gets their own crispy-topped serving! You can also layer the filling in a deep pie plate for a rustic look, or serve in a vintage casserole dish for classic retro vibes.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Classic Green Bean Casserole will keep in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. Simply cover tightly with foil or transfer to an airtight container. Give it a quick stir before reheating to reincorporate any separated sauce!
Freezing
You can freeze assembled but unbaked casserole (without the final onion topping) for up to 2 months. Wrap it very well to prevent freezer burn, then thaw in the fridge overnight before baking and adding the onions at the end for max crunch.
Reheating
Reheat leftover casserole in a 350°F oven, loosely covered, until hot and bubbling (about 20–25 minutes). For the crispiest onions, add a fresh sprinkle of fried onions during the last few minutes of reheating.
FAQs
-
Can I use fresh green beans instead of canned?
Absolutely! Just trim and cut the fresh beans, then blanch them in boiling water for 3–4 minutes until they’re bright and tender-crisp before mixing them into your Classic Green Bean Casserole. It’ll add a slight crunch and a vibrant color to the dish.
-
Can I make Classic Green Bean Casserole ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble everything except the final onion topping and refrigerate, covered, for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready, bake as directed, then add the fried onions for a crispy finish in the last 5–10 minutes.
-
How do I keep the fried onions on top super crispy?
The best trick for ultra-crispy fried onions is to sprinkle them on in the final 5–10 minutes of baking. If you add them at the start, they’ll soften and lose their crunch by the time the casserole is hot and bubbly.
-
Can I make Classic Green Bean Casserole gluten-free?
Definitely! Look for gluten-free fried onions and a gluten-free condensed mushroom soup—these are both available in most major grocery stores. Everything else in the recipe is naturally gluten-free.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’ve been making Classic Green Bean Casserole for years or you’re trying it for the very first time, this dish has a way of turning any meal into a celebration. I truly hope you make it your own, share it with loved ones, and come back to this recipe every year. Dig in and enjoy every creamy, crunchy, nostalgic bite!
Print
Classic Green Bean Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: Serves 12 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Classic Green Bean Casserole is a timeless favorite that combines tender green beans with creamy mushroom soup, topped with crispy fried onions. It’s the perfect side dish for any gathering or holiday meal.
Ingredients
For the Casserole:
- 3 (15 oz) cans cut green beans, drained
- 2 (10.5 oz) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Topping:
- 2 (2.8 oz) cans French fried onions
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine green beans, cream of mushroom soup, milk, 1 can of fried onions, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Bake: Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and bake for 30 minutes.
- Add Topping: Remove the dish from the oven, top with the remaining fried onions, and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes.
- Serve: Serve hot and enjoy!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 670mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
