This post may contain affiliate links. As an amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See my full Disclosure Policy for details.

This Classic Green Bean Casserole recipe is an easy holiday side dish that can also be enjoyed throughout the year. Great make-ahead dish.

closeup of green bean casserole

Pin this now to find it later

Pin It

Thanksgiving Side Dishes

When it comes to holiday dishes, is there one more notable than the classic Green Bean Casserole? It’s hard for me to even imagine Thanksgiving dinner without it on the table alongside some of our other mandatory side dishes like Waldorf Salad, Sweet Potato Casserole, and Easy Corn Casserole.

Let’s not even mention how controversial this side dish is!! While some people really love it and think it HAS to be included on holiday menus, others despise it completely. Which camp do you fall in? 🤔

Green Bean Casserole

Personally, I enjoy Green Bean Casserole on occasion – and not just for the holiday season! Sometimes, we enjoy it as part of a weeknight meal. And why not? I mean, this casserole is so easy to put together and it’s tasty!

I love that it can be prepped ahead and popped in the oven just before it’s time to eat. Plus, depending on why we’re having with it, or what I have on hand, it’s relatively easy to switch it up.

For this recipe, green beans are combined with a savory mushroom sauce full of crispy fried onions and cheese (yes, cheese!!) and it is topped with even more crispy fried onions! If you want to go all out, you can totally make your own condensed soup for the sauce and crispy fried onions from scratch … and if you need a quicker version, store-bought products speed up the process!

green bean casserole on fork

How to make Green Bean Casserole

Ingredients

  • condensed cream of mushroom soup
  • milk – any neutral flavor (no flavors or sweetened varieties) works fine (whole, 2%, 1%, non-fat, soy, almond, oat, etc.)
  • soy sauce – tamari, liquid aminos, or Worcestershire sauce can also be used
  • ground black pepper – fresh cracked is best, but already ground also works okay
  • green beans – canned, fresh, or frozen
  • crispy fried onions – store-bought or homemade
  • Cheddar cheese – optional, but it’s a nice addition

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. 
  2. In a 1-1/2 to 2-quart casserole dish, combine the soup, milk, soy sauce, pepper, green beans, 1-cup of onions, and cheese until thoroughly combined.
  3. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes or until hot.
  4. Remove the dish from the oven and stir to combine the ingredients. Top with the remaining onions and return the dish to the oven for an additional 5-10 minutes or until golden.

Would you like to save this?

We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

how to make green bean casserole

Green Bean Casserole FAQs

➡️ Do I have to use canned green beans?

Nope. In place of the 2 cans of green beans, you can also use about 1-1/2 pounds fresh green beans, cooked until tender-crisp, or about 16-20 oz. frozen green beans, thawed, for this recipe.

➡️ Can you prep Green Bean Casserole the night before?

Yes! Just leave the onions off of the top and cover the dish with aluminum foil and refrigerate it. While you’re preheating your oven (or about 10-15 minutes before you want to bake it) remove the dish from the refrigerator and allow it to sit at room temperature. Remove the foil and bake as directed in the recipe in steps 3-4.

➡️ Can you freeze Green Bean Casserole?

Personally, I don’t recommend it. The sauce tends to separate and it becomes a watery mess. No bueno. No one wants to eat that.

➡️ What goes with Green Bean Casserole?

Any kind of beef, pork, chicken, turkey, or other protein.

➡️ How long is Green Bean Casserole good for?

– BEFORE BAKING – this recipe can be prepped up to two days before baking.
– AFTER BAKING – It’s best to use any leftovers within 3-5 days.

➡️ How do you reheat Green Bean Casserole?

OVEN – Best for larger portions. Bake your leftover casserole in an oven-safe casserole dish covered with aluminum foil at 350°F for 20-25 minutes. Remove the foil and continue to bake for an additional 10 minutes or until heated through.
MICROWAVE – Best for smaller portions. In a microwave-safe container with a vented lid or covering, microwave individual portions on half power for about 90 seconds or until heated through.

➡️ Is Green Bean Casserole keto?

Unfortunately, this recipe is not keto-friendly.

Recipe Tips

  • Try this casserole with a different flavor of soup! Cream of Asparagus, Cream of Celery, Cream of Chicken, Broccoli Cheese, and Golden Mushroom are all great alternatives!
  • Not a fan of cream of whatever soups? Try making your own with my Homemade Condensed Cream Soup Substitute!
  • You can also make your own Crispy Fried Onions from scratch too!
  • This casserole is awesome made with broccoli in place of the green beans, too!
  • For a festive touch, stir in ¼ cup chopped red bell pepper or diced pimientos with the soup mixture.
green bean casserole on plate with mashed potatoes and pot roast

Other recipes you may enjoy

looking down into a pan of green bean casserole
green bean casserole in pan
5 from 1 vote
Servings: 8 servings

Classic Green Bean Casserole

By Jamie Sherman
This Classic Green Bean Casserole recipe is an easy holiday side dish that can also be enjoyed throughout the year. Great make-ahead dish.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 40 minutes

Would you like to save this?

We’ll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

Ingredients 

  • 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup, 10.5 oz.
  • ½ cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 cans green beans, 14.5 oz. each
  • 1 ½ cups crispy fried onions, divided
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. 
  • In a 1-1/2 to 2-quart casserole dish, combine the soup, milk, soy sauce, pepper, green beans, 1-cup of onions, and cheese until thoroughly combined.
  • Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes or until hot.
  • Remove the dish from the oven and stir to combine the ingredients. Top with the remaining onions and return the dish to the oven for an additional 5-10 minutes or until golden.

Notes

  • Try this casserole with a different flavor of soup! Cream of Asparagus, Cream of Celery, Cream of Chicken, Broccoli Cheese, and Golden Mushroom are all great alternatives!
  • Not a fan of cream of whatever soups? Try making your own with my Homemade Condensed Cream Soup Substitute!
  • You can also make your own Crispy Fried Onions from scratch too!
  • This casserole is awesome made with broccoli in place of the green beans, too!
  • For a festive touch, stir in ¼ cup chopped red bell pepper or diced pimientos with the soup mixture.

Nutrition

Calories: 177kcal, Carbohydrates: 12g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 18mg, Sodium: 502mg, Potassium: 223mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 619IU, Vitamin C: 8mg, Calcium: 145mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Like this? Leave a comment below!

Jamie

Jamie Sherman founded Love Bakes Good Cakes in February 2012. She is a self-taught home cook passionate about sharing easy, delicious, and family-friendly recipes. From comforting classics to irresistible desserts, I believe homemade food brings people together. Join me on my journey of creating and sharing meals that bring joy to every table!

You May Also Like

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

2 Comments

  1. Helen Knight says:

    “While some people really love this side dish and think it has to be included on holiday menus, others despise it completely. Which camp do you fall in? ”
    In fact, I am among some people who really love this side dish!!
    But would you please tell me whether I can use any other ingredient in lieu of mushroom soup to this recipe?

    1. Jamie says:

      In the “Recipe Tips” section, I have noted:

      Try this casserole with a different flavor of soup! Cream of Asparagus, Cream of Celery, Cream of Chicken, Broccoli Cheese, and Golden Mushroom are all great alternatives! Not a fan of cream of whatever soups? Try making your own with my Homemade Condensed Cream Soup Substitute!