Green bean casserole is a staple side dish for Thanksgiving dinners in the United States. It is a creamy, savory dish made with green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and a crispy fried onion topping. The casserole is easy to make and can be made ahead of time, making it a perfect dish for busy holiday cooks.
A Creamy Mushroom Sauce
The heart of green bean casserole is the creamy mushroom sauce. This sauce is made with condensed cream of mushroom soup, milk, and salt and pepper. The soup provides a rich, creamy base for the sauce, while the milk thins it out and adds a touch of sweetness. The salt and pepper season the sauce to taste.
Crunchy Onion Topping
The crunchy onion topping is what makes green bean casserole so irresistible. This topping is made with crispy fried onions, which add a layer of texture and flavor to the casserole. The onions also add a bit of sweetness and a touch of bitterness, which balances out the richness of the sauce.
Ingredients:
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cups cooked green beans, drained
- 2/3 cup crispy fried onions, divided
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- In a 1 1/2-quart casserole dish, combine soup, milk, and pepper.
- Stir in green beans and 2/3 cup of the crispy fried onions.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until bubbly.
- Sprinkle with remaining 1/3 cup crispy fried onions.
- Bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until onions are golden brown.
Tips:
- For a richer flavor, use whole milk instead of skim milk.
- If you don’t have crispy fried onions, you can substitute French’s® Original Crispy Fried Onions.
- For a more flavorful casserole, add 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese to the soup mixture.
- If you are short on time, you can use canned green beans instead of fresh or frozen green beans.
- To make ahead of time, assemble the casserole and bake for 25 minutes. Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Bake for an additional 5 minutes before serving.
Easy to Make
Green bean casserole is a very easy dish to make. The only real cooking skills required are the ability to open cans and stir ingredients together. The casserole can be made in one pot, which makes cleanup a breeze.
Make-Ahead
Green bean casserole can be made ahead of time, which makes it a great dish for busy holiday cooks. Simply assemble the casserole the day before Thanksgiving and bake it when you are ready to serve it.
Vegetarian
Green bean casserole is a vegetarian dish, as it does not contain any meat. The casserole can be made even more vegetarian by using vegetarian cream of mushroom soup.
Gluten-Free
Green bean casserole can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free cream of mushroom soup and gluten-free fried onions.
Dairy-Free
Green bean casserole can be made dairy-free by using dairy-free cream of mushroom soup and dairy-free fried onions.
Vegan
Green bean casserole can be made vegan by using vegan cream of mushroom soup and vegan fried onions.
No matter what your dietary restrictions are, there is a way to enjoy green bean casserole. This classic dish is a delicious and easy way to celebrate Thanksgiving.