Easy Green Bean Casserole Recipe | A Classic Holiday Side Dish Recipe! (2024)

Easy Green Bean Casserole Recipe | A Classic Holiday Side Dish Recipe! (1) Jessica

5 from 9 votes

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

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This easy green bean casseroleis the retro, holiday side dish you likely remember from childhood! This classic green bean casserole recipe features a creamy mushroom sauce made easy with canned soup, tender green beans and crispy fried onions on top.

Easy Green Bean Casserole Recipe | A Classic Holiday Side Dish Recipe! (2)

Table of Contents

  • Why You’ll Love This Easy Green Bean Casserole Recipe
  • Ingredients Needed for Campbell’s Green Bean Casserole
  • How to Make Green Bean Casserole With Canned Green Beans
  • How to Store and Reheat Leftover Easy Green Bean Casserole
  • More Classic Holiday Side Dish Recipes
  • Get the Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Easy Green Bean Casserole Recipe

Are you a fan of this classic green bean casserole? Even if you never eat condensed soup or canned green beans, many people simply can’t resist during the holidays and here’s why:

  • Quick and Easy:This classic green bean casserole has just 5 ingredients and can grace your dinner table in just 25 minutes from start to finish.
  • Simple and Savory:Made with wholesome green beans, creamy sauce, and crunchy onions, this dish deserves to be served all year long. Make any weeknight dinner festive!
  • Crowd Favorite:Though a single recipe of green bean casserole feeds 6 people generously, you could easily double or triple this recipe for your holiday gathering and watch it disappear.
  • Prep Friendly:Make and refrigerate up to 3 days in advance without the fried onions on top. To prepare, leave on the counter for about 45 minutes, top with fried onions and then bake as directed.

If you prefer from scratch, try my best green bean casserole recipe made with fresh green beans and a homemade cream of mushroom soup. I also have great recipes for crockpot green bean casserole or cheesy green bean casserole!

Easy Green Bean Casserole Recipe | A Classic Holiday Side Dish Recipe! (3)

Ingredients Needed for Campbell’s Green Bean Casserole

This easy green bean casserole recipe comes together with just five simple ingredients! Check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact amounts.

  • Green Beans:Canned, well-drained green beans are the base of the dish.
  • Soup:Canned cream of mushroom soup is the classic choice, but I included non-mushroom options below in the tips section.
  • Milk:Use your favorite milk to thin the sauce slightly.
  • Pepper:Freshly ground black pepper adds depth to the sauce.
  • French Fried Onions:These usually come in a plastic canister and are often stocked near the canned veggies or with the salad toppings.
Easy Green Bean Casserole Recipe | A Classic Holiday Side Dish Recipe! (4)

How to Make Green Bean Casserole With Canned Green Beans

At a time when lots of us are wrangling a whole Thanksgiving turkey, easy sides ready in under 30 minutes are a gift!

Easy Green Bean Casserole Recipe | A Classic Holiday Side Dish Recipe! (5)
Easy Green Bean Casserole Recipe | A Classic Holiday Side Dish Recipe! (6)
Easy Green Bean Casserole Recipe | A Classic Holiday Side Dish Recipe! (7)
Easy Green Bean Casserole Recipe | A Classic Holiday Side Dish Recipe! (8)
  • Prep: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray a 3-quart casserole with nonstick spray, and set it aside.
  • Mix: Whisk to combine the cream of mushroom soup, milk, and pepper. Stir in well-drained green beans, plus half a cup of the crispy fried onions.
  • Top:Pour the green bean mixture into your casserole dish, spread it out evenly and top with the remaining crispy fried onions.
  • Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes. The sauce should be good and bubbly and the onions golden brown.
  • Rest and Serve:Let the green bean casserole rest for 5 minutes, to cool and set up, before serving.
Easy Green Bean Casserole Recipe | A Classic Holiday Side Dish Recipe! (9)
Easy Green Bean Casserole Recipe | A Classic Holiday Side Dish Recipe! (10)

Tips & Variations For Classic Green Bean Casserole

In case you want to put a spin on this classic holiday casserole, here are a few suggestions:

  • Soup Substitutions:If you aren’t a fan of mushrooms, you can use another condensed cream soup such as cream of celery or cream of onion.
  • Onion Topping:I like to mix some of the crispy fried onions into the casserole to help add flavor. This is optional, but definitely recommended. If you aren’t a fan of crispy fried onions, you can use lightly crushed ritz crackers instead.
  • Fresh Green Beans:You can use fresh, cooked green beans if you prefer. You will need about 5 heaping cups.
  • Add Cheese:Like a cheesy casserole? Add 1 to 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese to the green bean mixture, or layer it on top of the green beans before you add the fried onions.
  • Oven Temp:This classic recipe is flexible, and can also be baked at 350°F for a slightly longer time. When the sauce is thick and bubbly around the edges, the casserole is done.
Easy Green Bean Casserole Recipe | A Classic Holiday Side Dish Recipe! (11)

How to Store and Reheat Leftover Easy Green Bean Casserole

If you happen to have leftovers of this easy green bean casserole, they will store great for another time:

  • Fridge: Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container, or in the casserole dish wrapped tightly, for up to 4 days.
  • Reheat: Place the desired portion in a microwave-safe bowl and lightly cover with a paper towel. Reheat until it’s hot all the way through, stirring occasionally. You can also reheat in the oven, at 350°F, until heated through.
  • Freeze: Store it in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months, and thaw in the fridge before reheating. Keep in mind, if you freeze the leftover baked casserole with the topping, the fried onions will lose their crunch. For best results, freeze the unbaked, un-topped casserole instead. Then you can add the onions and bake it the day you want to serve it, for a fresh, crispy finish!
Easy Green Bean Casserole Recipe | A Classic Holiday Side Dish Recipe! (12)

More Classic Holiday Side Dish Recipes

Creamy Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes

Candied Carrots Recipe

Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows

Easy Jiffy Corn Casserole Recipe

  • Cranberry Relish
  • Crockpot Spiral Ham
  • Cracker Barrel Fried Apples
  • Baked Mac and Cheese

Easy Green Bean Casserole Recipe | A Classic Holiday Side Dish Recipe! (17)

5 from 9 votes

Print Pin Recipe

Yield: 6 Servings

Easy Green Bean Casserole

This easy green bean casserole is the retro recipe you likely remember from childhood. Classic green bean casserole features a creamy mushroom sauce, tender green beans and crispy fried onions on top.

Prep Time5 minutes minutes

Cook Time20 minutes minutes

Total Time25 minutes minutes

Ingredients

  • 4 (14.5 oz) cans green beans, drained
  • 2 (10.5 oz) cans cream of mushroom soup
  • ½ cup whole milk
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 cups French fried onions, divided

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray a 3-quart casserole dish with nonstick spray, and set aside.

  • In a large bowl, mix together the cream of mushroom soup, milk, and pepper. Then stir in the drained green beans and ½ cup of the crispy fried onions.

  • Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish, and spread it out to an even layer. Top the casserole with the remaining fried onions.

  • Bake the casserole for 20 minutes, or until bubbly and the onions are a dark golden color.

  • Let casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Video

Notes

Storage:Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container, or in the casserole dish wrapped tightly, for up to 4 days.

Reheat:Place the desired portion in a microwave-safe bowl and lightly cover with a paper towel. Reheat until it’s hot all the way through, stirring occasionally. You can also reheat in the oven, at 350°F, until heated through.

Prep Ahead: Make and refrigerate up to 3 days in advance without the fried onions on top. To prepare, leave on the counter for about 45 minutes, top with fried onions and then bake as directed.

Soup Substitutions:If you aren’t a fan of mushrooms, you can use another condensed cream soup such as cream of celery or cream of onion.

Onion Topping:I like to mix some of the crispy fried onions into the casserole to help add flavor. This is optional, but definitely recommended. If you aren’t a fan of crispy fried onions, you can use lightly crushed ritz crackers instead.

Fresh Green Beans:You can use fresh, cooked green beans if you prefer. You will need about 5 heaping cups.

Add Cheese:Like a cheesy casserole? Add 1 to 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese to the green bean mixture, or layer it on top of the green beans before you add the fried onions.

Oven Temp:This classic recipe is flexible, and can also be baked at 350°F for a slightly longer time. When the sauce is thick and bubbly around the edges, the casserole is done.

Nutrition

Serving: 1, Calories: 268kcal, Carbohydrates: 29g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 14g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g, Cholesterol: 6mg, Sodium: 733mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 7g

© Jessica – The Novice Chef

Cuisine: American

Category: Vegetable Sides

Categories:

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  • Christmas
  • Diet
  • Fall
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Easy Green Bean Casserole Recipe | A Classic Holiday Side Dish Recipe! (2024)

FAQs

Which is better in green bean casserole canned or frozen? ›

When I make green bean casserole, I skip canned beans all together. Frozen green beans are the best green beans to use for green bean casserole.

How do you make green bean casserole not soggy? ›

If you are finding that your green bean casserole is soupy, be sure to drain the green beans really well after blanching so you aren't getting extra water in the casserole that way. Then make sure to thicken the sauce properly by letting the chicken broth and half-and-half simmer long enough to thicken.

What to serve with green bean casserole? ›

Stuffing, cornbread, and rice are also great options that will add some variety to your meal. If you're looking for something a little lighter, a shaved Brussels sprouts salad or roasted sweet potatoes might be just what you need. Another great option is to serve a protein alongside your green bean casserole.

Why is green bean casserole traditional at Thanksgiving? ›

It was originally marketed as an everyday side dish but became popular for Thanksgiving dinners in the 1960s after Campbell's placed the recipe on the can's label. The recipe popularized the combination of the soup with green beans.

How do you thicken green bean casserole? ›

Add a thickener

While your green bean casserole is on the stove, incorporate a thickener into the vegetables, such as cornstarch or flour. According to The Kitchn, you can combine cornstarch and a small amount of water or broth in a cup and stir until the lumps are gone, and it becomes a thick yet drizzly consistency.

How many cans of green beans equals 4 cups? ›

✿ 4 cups of green beans is about 1½ pounds fresh or 16 ounces frozen or 2 cans (15 ounces each) drained.

Do you have to cover green bean casserole when baking? ›

Spread half of soup mixture over beans in dish. Top with remaining half of beans and soup mixture. BAKE uncovered 30 minutes.

Are canned or fresh green beans better for casserole? ›

Green beans from a can have already been cooked to death right in the can and harbor plenty of sodium that could make your casserole too salty. Frozen French-cut green beans are a better option. They hold their texture better than canned, and you can cook them straight from their frozen state.

Why is my green bean casserole so soupy? ›

Mistake #5: A Runny Casserole

Who wants that? Be sure that frozen green beans are completely defrosted and drained before adding them to the casserole, Chef Patel says. If you don't, the excess water from the beans can leak out into the casserole and make it thin and runny.

How to fancy up green beans? ›

15 Tips To Add Flavor To Green Beans
  1. Roast green beans. ...
  2. Blanch green beans and add butter. ...
  3. Grill green beans and serve with yogurt. ...
  4. Simmer green beans in chicken broth. ...
  5. Air fry green beans and add garlic powder. ...
  6. Roast in bacon fat and combine with bacon. ...
  7. Jazz them up with cream. ...
  8. Mix green beans into mac and cheese.
Feb 12, 2023

How many days can you eat green bean casserole? ›

Green Bean Casserole Leftovers

Your creamy green bean casserole will last about four days in the fridge. The crunchy topping will get softer as time goes by; pop it into the oven to reheat to crisp it up a bit. While casseroles have a reputation for being freezer-friendly, green bean casseroles don't freeze so well.

How long can green bean casserole sit out after cooking? ›

The casserole can sit out at room temperature for about an hour, then it should be reheated or stored in the fridge.

Do people eat green bean casserole on Christmas? ›

It's the one dish guaranteed to be on most tables every Thanksgiving and Christmas: the infamous Green Bean Casserole.

Which president refused to celebrate Thanksgiving? ›

Which president refused to recognize Thanksgiving? Thomas Jefferson was famously the only Founding Father and early president who refused to declare days of thanksgiving and fasting in the United States.

Which is better frozen or canned green beans? ›

Green Beans: Depends

Sure, frozen green beans may be higher in nutrients than canned, but we feel the optimal choice depends on how you're going to utilize them. If you're serving them solo, frozen green beans are the way to go. If they're being added to a cooked dish or casserole, canned green beans are just as handy.

What tastes better canned or frozen green beans? ›

As EatingWell explains, frozen green beans hold their shape far better than canned ones do. They don't have any added sodium, and they're also cooked a lot less. As a result, they come out of the oven with the perfect balance of flavor and texture.

Is green bean casserole better with fresh or canned beans? ›

Canned green beans have already been cooked to an inch of their life. Expecting them to not be mushy after you've cooked them into a casserole is a fantasy. Start with fresh green beans, cook them until they are just tender and turn them into a casserole. If green beans aren't in season, use frozen.

Is canned or frozen better? ›

Aside from certain fruits like tomatoes and pumpkins, canned goods are likely to have less nutritional value than frozen. If you take the canned vegetable route, make sure that you avoid varieties with added sugars or sodium. Also, many of the nutrients from canned vegetables stay in the the liquid.

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