This simple and easy green bean casserole uses cream soup, cheddar cheese, and french fried onions to make the ultimate comfort food for holiday meals or any time of year! It is so quick to put together and can be made ahead to simplify the holiday preparation.
Green bean casserole is my favorite holiday food. It's creamy and rich and our recipe includes garlic for a little zip.
Green bean casserole is one of those recipes that is synonymous with holiday meals for me. We used to have it only for Thanksgiving dinner, and then when we started hosting Christmas, we naturally added it to that menu, too.
If we have green bean casserole for dinner at another time of year, I instantly think about all of the wonderful sights and smells of the holiday season. It's comfort and happiness with a gooey, cheesy crust on top.
What you'll need to make traditional green bean casserole
Equipment
You will need standard kitchen equipment for this recipe, including a casserole dish, mixing bowl, and garlic press.
Ingredients
- 4 cups green beans, drained and cut into bite-sized pieces - You can use thawed frozen beans, canned beans, or steamed fresh beans. I prefer to use two 14-oz commercial cans because the beans are already cut into bite-sized pieces, and there is no additional work required. I normally won't touch canned vegetables with a ten foot pole, but they work in this recipe.
- 1 10.75-ounce can condensed cream of mushroom soup -I buy low sodium fat free soup, but you buy whatever you want. If you are gluten-free, you can make your own cream of mushroom soup using this recipe from Once a Month Mom. I've used it for years.
- Lots of shredded cheddar cheese - It's not green bean casserole without loads of cheddar cheese
- Fresh garlic - There is no flavor on earth like fresh garlic. Refrigerated garlic and garlic powder can't touch it. Go for the fresh cloves if there's any possible way. It makes a difference.
- Onion powder - If you don't mind the extra work, you could sauté a diced onion in butter until the onion bits are starting to brown. That would make this casserole even better than it already is.
- 10 oz cheddar-flavor French Fried onions - Please don't skip these as they make the whole casserole. You can't have green bean casserole without a crunchy fried onion crust on top.
How to make classic green bean casserole
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine green beans, soup, 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, pressed garlic, and onion powder. Mix well. I usually do this the night before so that I don't have to bother on the morning of Thanksgiving.
- Transfer the green bean mixture to a 9x13 casserole dish. Top with remaining shredded cheese.
- Bake at 350ºF, until bubbly and heated through, about 30 minutes. Add the French Fried onions and bake until onions are browned, usually 5 to 10 minutes.
The Rest of our Thanksgiving Menu
We don't get creative with our Thanksgiving menu. We like routines. We like the comfort of the same old food.
- Roast Turkey
- Creamy Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
- Candied Sweet Potatoes
- Roasted Vegetable & Cornbread Stuffing
- Old-Fashioned Chestnut Stuffing Recipe
- Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole
- Traditional Green Bean Casserole
- Fluffy Cranberry Fruit Salad with Pineapple
- Homemade Orange Cranberry Sauce
- Praline Pumpkin Pecan Pie
- The Worlds' Best Pecan Pie
- Couldn't Be Easier Cherry Pie
- No Church Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream
And for the leftovers, try one of these delights:
You can read more about my easy and traditional Thanksgiving menu.
Recipe
Traditional Green Bean Casserole Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 cups green beans drained and cut into bite-sized pieces (You can use thawed frozen beans, canned beans, or steamed fresh beans. Two 14-oz commercial cans will work if you want to go that route.)
- 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup (I buy low sodium fat free soup, but you buy whatever you want.), 10.75-oz
- 2-3 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
- 2 cloves garlic pressed or minced
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 10 ounces cheddar-flavor French Fried onions
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine green beans, soup, 1 cup of cheese, garlic, and onion powder. Mix well. I usually do this the night before so that I don't have to bother on the morning of Thanksgiving.
- Transfer green bean mixture to a casserole dish. Top with remaining shredded cheese.
- Bake at 350, until bubbly and heated through, about 30 minutes. Add the French Fried onions and bake until onions are browned, usually 5 to 10 minutes.
- Serve hot.
Robyn's Online World says
This is hubby's favorite. We only discovered a cheese version a couple of year's ago from my cousin's wife. She makes it really tasty! I will try your version of it this year for Hubby.
pamelascott says
I have never put garlic in mine I will have to try it out, I love green bean casserole and its always a great item for any get together
[email protected] says
This is my son's favorite veggie recipe. What would Thanksgiving be without it. But... wait a minute.... I see an additional ingredient in your recipe... Cheese? I didn't think of that and it sounds extra wonderful. I will use this recipe for Thanksgiving. Thank you for giving me a new twist on an old family favorite.
Yvonne
susieshomemade says
An oldie but a goodie! Yummy tackle:-)
[email protected] says
Like the idea of the cheese. What a different way to make a family favorite.
Geri
Ann Marie @ Household6Diva says
I love the idea of adding cheese!! 🙂
This is an all season favorite in our house!!
-I sometimes put some of those gortons fried fish fillets on top so it's dinner in a pan!
-also this is an easy food to make when my children are transitioning to solid food - very easy for mommy to mash with a fork and share without buying extra baby food!
mommyimhome says
I love green bean casserole, but never make it. However, I am hosting an early Thanksgiving celebration at my house this weekend and I've assigned my mother-in-law the task of bringing some.
FeelsLikeHomeBlog says
I never thought of feeding this to a new babe. That's a great idea!
Stacie says
I love Green Bean Casserole. I too make this for Thanksgiving minus the cheese. I have picky eaters. I would love this with cheese.
AllTheLittleStuff says
Green bean casserole just screams THANKSGIVING to me. I can't wait. Great recipe!
GortonsCrew says
Ann Marie - Gorton's fish fillets on top of Green Bean Casserole -nom nom nom! I personally know a certain Fisherman dressed in a yellow slicker who will send some coupons your way for sharing your awesome idea:)
GortonsCrew says
Ann Marie - Gorton's fish fillets on top of Green Bean Casserole -nom nom nom! I personally know a certain Fisherman dressed in a yellow slicker who will send some coupons your way for sharing your awesome idea:)