Green Bean Casserole

Green Bean Casserole is one of my favorite Thanksgiving sides. It is creamy, crunchy, and delicious. I use a fresh mushroom cream sauce, tender green beans and bacon for the best texture and flavor.

Classic green bean casserole is a great way to get in your greens at the holiday table without sacrificing the deliciousness and the decadent flavors of Thanksgiving dinner. I have been making this dish for 10 years and have finally found the perfect recipe. Not only is the inside moist and creamy, but the outside has a beautiful crunch thanks to the addition of crispy onions and toasted breadcrumbs.

This is the perfect side dish to serve alongside a delicious Roasted Cajun Turkey, Honey Butter Cornbread, and Mac and Cheese. Add this dish to your Thanksgiving table and you won’t forget it!

Why Everyone Loves This Recipe:

• It’s Creamy and Crunchy: It’s the best of both worlds with a delicious homemade sauce and crispy fried onions. It’s the perfect combination!
• It’s Easy: This creamy green bean casserole is one of the easiest side dishes to make! It’s basically just a layer of green beans, a creamy mushroom sauce and delicious toppings.
• The Bacon: This adds a decadent rich flavor to the casserole that takes it to the next level. If you don’t eat pork, you can omit the bacon.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This is my favorite homemade green bean casserole recipe because it is made with fresh ingredients. This combination of ingredients yields delicious flavor and the perfect texture.

• Fresh Green Beans: If you can find them trimmed and cut, even better! No canned green beans here.
• Bacon: This is the secret to my famous recipe, bacon adds a ton of flavor.
• Milk: Use whole milk or 2% milk to serve as the base of the creamy sauce.
• Fresh Mushrooms: I like to use sliced button mushrooms. You can also use cremini mushrooms.
• Chicken Broth: Serves as the base of the sauce.
• Flour: To make the roux for the cream sauce. Use all-purpose flour.
• Fresh Herbs and seasonings: You will need fresh rosemary, parsley and thyme, in addition to granulated onion, granulated garlic, salt and freshly ground black pepper.
• Onions and Garlic: These aromatics create lots of depth to your casserole.
• Fried Onions: It wouldn’t be complete without fried onions as they add a delicious crisp topping.
• Panko Breadcrumbs: These add a little extra crisp and crunch on top of the casserole.
• Parmesan Cheese: Another secret ingredient in this hearty casserole. The cheese adds flavor and texture.

How to Make Green Bean Casserole

1. Preheat the oven: Set the oven temperature to 350°F.
2. Cook the green beans: In a large pot of boiling water, cook the green beans for 8 minutes, then immediately transfer to a bowl filled with ice to cool. Drain and set aside in a large bowl.
3. Cook the bacon: In a large skillet set over medium-high heat, saute the chopped bacon until fully cooked. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to the pan, keeping the remaining bacon fat in the pan.
4. Make the homemade cream sauce: Add the garlic and onion to the pan with the bacon fat and cook until soft and fragrant. Add the flour and whisk to make a roux. Pour in the milk and broth and simmer until thickened. Toss in the mushrooms and half of the cooked bacon. Cook on low heat until the mushrooms are soft. Stir in the seasonings, then remove from heat.
5. Assemble the casserole and bake: Mix together the blanched green beans with the cream sauce, until well combined. Then pour the green bean mixture in an even layer into a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish. Bake the casserole for 25 minutes.
6. While the casserole is baking, toast the breadcrumbs: In a large skillet set over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the breadcrumbs and stir until they are toasted and golden brown.
7. Finish with the toppings: Remove the casserole from the oven and top with a large of Parmesan cheese, the remaining bacon, the crispy panko breadcrumbs and the crispy onions. Bake for 10 minutes, then serve hot!

Leftovers and Storage Instructions

Cover and refrigerator leftovers (or transfer to an airtight container) for up to 3 days.

To freeze, store in a freezer safe dish. Wrap in plastic wrap, then tightly wrap with tin foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat in an oven at 350°F until warmed through.

Make Ahead Instructions

You can prepare this casserole the night before serving. Prepare the entire dish but do not add the fried onions until the day you plan to bake. If you add them before placing the casserole in the fridge, they will become soggy.

One the dish is prepped, wrap the entire dish in plastic wrap, making sure that it is tight so it doesn’t dry out. Add 5 to 10 minutes to the baking time since you are baking straight from the fridge.

Did you try this easy green bean casserole recipe? Leave a recipe rating and review below!