Perfect Green Bean Casserole with Bacon Recipe

If you’ve been hunting for a crowd-pleaser that’s cozy, comforting, and full of flavor, you have got to try my Perfect Green Bean Casserole with Bacon Recipe. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill green bean casserole — the crispy bacon and sautéed mushrooms make all the difference, turning a classic side dish into something downright irresistible. Trust me, you’ll want to keep this recipe in your back pocket for holidays, potlucks, or anytime you want an easy, satisfying dish everyone raves about.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Perfect Green Bean Casserole with Bacon Recipe has a job — from the bacon’s smoky punch to the creamy, cheesy sauce that brings it all together. Here’s what I usually grab and why they work so well together.

• Bacon: I use thick-cut bacon for the best crisp texture and smoky flavor that really stands out.
• Yellow onion: Finely diced to cook down and sweeten, balancing the richness.
• Button mushrooms: Fresh and chopped, they add an earthy, meaty depth to the dish.
• Garlic: Minced for a gentle aromatic boost — don’t skip it!
• Cream of mushroom soup: The classic creamy base that keeps everything moist and tasty.
• Milk: Adds just the right amount of liquid to make the sauce silky.
• Monterey Jack cheese: I love the mild, melty cheese because it doesn’t overpower the other flavors.
• Salt and pepper: To taste — seasoning is key to bringing out all the flavors.
• Canned cut green beans: Look for good-quality cans without too much liquid; drained well for best texture.
• French fried onions: The crunchy topping everyone loves that makes this casserole complete.

Variations

I love making this Perfect Green Bean Casserole with Bacon Recipe my own by swapping a few ingredients here and there. Feel free to customize it to your liking — you really can’t go wrong!

• Vegetarian version: Omit the bacon and substitute with smoked paprika and sautéed smoked mushrooms or tempeh to keep that smoky depth.
• Cheese swap: Try sharp cheddar or Gruyère for a more intense, nutty flavor.
• Fresh green beans: Blanch fresh beans instead of canned if you want a fresher bite — just shorten the bake time slightly.
• Gluten-free: Use gluten-free fried onions or homemade crispy shallots to keep it safe for gluten-sensitive friends.

How to Make Perfect Green Bean Casserole with Bacon Recipe

Step 1: Cook the Bacon and Sauté the Veggies

Start by cooking your bacon over medium-low heat until it’s nice and crisp. I like to drain it on paper towels so it’s not greasy but still packed with flavor. Leave about two tablespoons of that flavorful bacon grease in the pan — that’s your secret weapon! Then, add the diced onion and cook until translucent, around 5 minutes. Toss in your button mushrooms and cook until they turn golden and all their moisture is gone, about another 5 minutes. Finish the veggie sauté with a minute of minced garlic for that subtle kick.

Step 2: Stir in the Creamy Sauce and Bacon

Next, mix in the undiluted cans of cream of mushroom soup, then add back in your crumbled bacon. Pour in the milk and sprinkle in the Monterey Jack cheese, stirring gently until the cheese melts completely and everything combines into a luscious sauce. Season it with salt and pepper to make sure it’s just right. This step is where the magic happens, and if you taste it now, you’ll see why I’m hooked.

Step 3: Fold in the Green Beans and Bake

Finally, fold in those drained green beans, making sure they’re well coated with the sauce. Pour the entire mixture into a lightly sprayed 9×13-inch baking dish, then top generously with French fried onions. Pop it in a 350°F oven and bake uncovered for 30 minutes, until the casserole is bubbly, hot, and the topping is beautifully crisped.

How to Serve Perfect Green Bean Casserole with Bacon Recipe

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle a few extra French fried onions right before serving for that fresh crunch. Sometimes, I add a little fresh chopped parsley or chives for color and a touch of brightness — it really wakes up the flavors.

Side Dishes

This casserole pairs beautifully with roasted turkey, baked ham, or grilled chicken. When I make it for family dinners, I usually serve it alongside mashed potatoes and a crisp green salad to keep things balanced.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday dinners, I love serving this casserole in individual ramekins — it feels special and makes portion control easy. I’ve also layered it in glass casserole dishes so the creamy, green, and crispy layers show through for a pretty presentation that always gets compliments.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I like to cover it closely with plastic wrap or foil to keep the topping from getting soggy. Then, just reheat it gently on the stove or microwave — just enough to warm through without drying out.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this casserole successfully by assembling it but leaving off the fried onions topping— add those fresh after reheating to preserve crunch. Wrap tightly with foil and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake until hot and bubbly.

Reheating

To reheat, I cover the casserole loosely with foil and pop it in a 325°F oven until warmed through, about 20 minutes. Then, I add the fried onions topping and bake uncovered for another 5 minutes to crisp them back up. It’s almost as good as fresh!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Perfect Green Bean Casserole with Bacon Recipe manages to feel both nostalgic and fresh at the same time. It’s one of those dishes that brings everyone to the table and makes you feel right at home. When I first tried adding bacon and fresh mushrooms, I was hooked, and my family goes crazy for it now. Give it a go — I promise this will become one of your go-to comfort food classics!

Perfect Green Bean Casserole with Bacon Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 79 reviews

• Author: Bertha
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 10 servings
• Category: Side Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

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Description

A classic comfort food favorite, the Ultimate Green Bean Casserole features tender green beans enveloped in a creamy mushroom sauce, accented with crispy bacon and topped with crunchy French fried onions. Perfect for holiday gatherings or a satisfying weeknight side dish, this casserole combines savory flavors and textures in every bite.

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Ingredients

Meat and Aromatics

• 6 strips bacon
• 1/2 yellow onion (finely diced)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)

Vegetables

• 1 1/2 cups chopped button mushrooms
• 4 (14.5-ounce) cans cut green beans (drained)

Dairy and Sauces

• 2 (10.5-ounce) cans cream of mushroom soup
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Other

• Salt and pepper (to taste)
• 1 1/2 cups French fried onions

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2. Cook the bacon: In a large skillet over medium-low heat, cook the bacon strips until crisp. Once cooked, transfer the bacon to paper towels to drain excess grease, then crumble it into small pieces.
3. Sauté onions: Drain most of the bacon grease from the skillet, leaving about 2 tablespoons. Return the pan to medium heat and add the finely diced onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes or until the onions turn translucent and soft.
4. Cook mushrooms and garlic: Add the chopped mushrooms to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes until they are golden brown. Then add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Combine sauce ingredients: Stir in the undiluted cream of mushroom soup and add the crumbled bacon back into the skillet. Mix well, then stir in the milk and shredded Monterey Jack cheese until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Mix with green beans: Fold the drained green beans into the creamy mushroom and bacon mixture until everything is well combined.
7. Assemble and bake: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and evenly top with the French fried onions. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly with a golden topping.

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Notes

• For a fresher taste, you can substitute fresh green beans blanched for about 5 minutes instead of canned ones.
• Make sure to use undiluted cream of mushroom soup for the best creamy texture.
• Feel free to swap Monterey Jack cheese with sharp cheddar for a stronger flavor.
• Cook the bacon carefully to not over-crisp it, as it will continue to cook slightly in the oven.
• This casserole can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated before baking; just add 5-10 minutes to the baking time if baking cold.

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Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/10 of casserole)
• Calories: 280 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 620 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 16 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 9 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg