The green bean casserole is a Thanksgiving classic that with a few simple tweaks and twists, you can turn it into a savory showstopper that your guests won’t be able to resist.

Breathe new life into your Thanksgiving (or any day) menu and transform this humble side dish into the star of your dinner table without the condensed soup!

Green Bean Casserole Ingredients

Green Bean Casserole: A Thanksgiving Classic Worth Celebrating - Green Bean Casserole pin 1 — Image Credit: Davin Eberhardt

To make a creamy and flavorful green bean casserole, you’ll need the following ingredients:

8 ounce mushrooms
2 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon olive oil
¾ teaspoon salt, divided
¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper, divided
4 tablespoon salted butter
¼ cup all-purpose flour
1 cup vegetable broth
1 cup whole milk
⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
4 ounce cream cheese
24 ounce frozen French-cut green beans
1 cup crispy fried onions, divided

How to Make Green Bean Casserole

Set your oven to 350ºF. Roughly chop the mushrooms into bite-sized pieces and finely mince the garlic.
Warm the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the mushrooms and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Sauté until softened, then stir in the minced garlic and continue cooking until the liquid in the skillet has evaporated.
Incorporate the butter and flour into the skillet. Stir until the butter melts and forms a paste coating the bottom of the skillet. Keep stirring and cook for one to two minutes, or until the flour begins to turn golden brown.
Pour in the vegetable broth, milk, and garlic powder. Whisk everything together, making sure to dissolve any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Allow the mixture to simmer gently, which will cause it to thicken.
Add the cream cheese and whisk over medium heat until it completely melts into the sauce.
Gently fold in the frozen green beans, ensuring they are well-coated in the sauce. Continue heating over medium, stirring occasionally, until the green beans are warmed through and the sauce returns to a gentle simmer. Let the green beans simmer for a few minutes, then taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper (I used about ½ tsp salt and an additional ⅛ tsp pepper).
Stir in ¼ cup of crispy fried onions, then transfer the green bean mixture to a 2-quart casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining ¾ cup of crispy fried onions over the top.
Bake the casserole for 20-25 minutes, or until the fried onions achieve a deep golden brown color and the sauce bubbles around the edges.

What Else Can Be Added to Green Bean Casserole

Here are some additional ingredients that can be added for extra flavor and texture:

Bacon: Crumble cooked bacon and sprinkle it over the top for a smoky, salty flavor.
Water Chestnuts: Add sliced water chestnuts for a satisfying crunch.
Carrots: Diced carrots add sweetness and color to the dish.
Celery: Chopped celery adds a subtle earthy flavor and freshness.
Onions: Sauteed onions add depth and sweetness to the sauce.
Different Cheeses: Experiment with different cheeses like cheddar, parmesan, or Gruyère for a unique flavor profile.
Spices: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a hint of heat, or a sprinkle of thyme for an earthy aroma.

You can also try these additions for a unique twist:

Panko Breadcrumbs: Replace the fried onions with panko breadcrumbs for a lighter, crispier topping.
Almonds: Add slivered almonds for a nutty flavor and crunch.

Remember, these are just suggestions. Feel free to experiment and find your own favorite combination of ingredients!

How to Store Green Bean Casserole

Green Bean Casserole: A Thanksgiving Classic Worth Celebrating - Green Bean Casserole ingredients 1 — Image Credit: Davin Eberhardt

Green bean casserole can be stored both in the refrigerator and freezer, making it a convenient make-ahead dish.

Refrigerator

Allow the casserole to cool completely to room temperature.
Cover the casserole dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or transfer the casserole to an airtight container.
Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Freezer

Prepare the casserole as directed, but do not add the fried onions.
Allow the casserole to cool completely.
Cover the casserole dish tightly with plastic wrap, then with aluminum foil. Label and date the casserole.
Freeze for up to 2-3 months.

To Reheat

Refrigerated Casserole: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the plastic wrap and bake the casserole for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. If desired, sprinkle with additional fried onions during the last 5 minutes of baking.
Frozen Casserole: Thaw the casserole overnight in the refrigerator. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the plastic wrap and bake, covered with foil, for 30-40 minutes, or until heated through. Uncover, sprinkle with fried onions, and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the onions are golden brown.

Additional Tips

If you plan to freeze the casserole, it’s best to use a freezer-safe casserole dish.
To prevent freezer burn, make sure the casserole is well-wrapped and sealed.
You can also freeze individual portions of green bean casserole in airtight containers.

Don’t let your green bean casserole sit on the sidelines. This recipe will reimagine this classic comfort food without the canned soup!

Green Bean Casserole

This green bean casserole is a flavorful and creamy side dish made with fresh green beans, mushrooms, a homemade garlic cream sauce, and topped with crispy fried onions, all without condensed soup.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 45

Total Time 55

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings

Calories 211 kcal

Equipment

1 Oven
1 2-quart casserole dish
1 Large skillet
1 Cutting board
1 Knife
1 Whisk
Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients

8 oz mushrooms
2 cloves garlic
1 tbsp olive oil
¾ tsp salt (divided)
¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper (divided)
4 tbsp salted butter
¼ cup all-purpose flour
1 cup vegetable broth
1 cup whole milk
⅛ tsp garlic powder
4 oz cream cheese
24 oz frozen French-cut green beans
1 cup crispy fried onions (divided)

Instructions

Set your oven to 350ºF. Chop the mushrooms into bite-sized pieces and finely mince the garlic.
Warm the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the mushrooms and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Sauté until softened, then stir in the minced garlic and continue cooking until the liquid in the skillet has evaporated.
Incorporate the butter and flour into the skillet. Stir until the butter melts and forms a paste coating the bottom of the skillet. Keep stirring and cook for one to two minutes, or until the flour begins to turn golden brown.
Pour in the vegetable broth, milk, and garlic powder. Whisk everything together, making sure to dissolve any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Allow the mixture to simmer gently, which will cause it to thicken.
Add the cream cheese and whisk over medium heat until it completely melts into the sauce.
Gently fold in the frozen green beans, ensuring they are well-coated in the sauce. Continue heating over medium, stirring occasionally, until the green beans are warmed through and the sauce returns to a gentle simmer. Let the green beans simmer for a few minutes, then taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper (I used about ½ tsp salt and an additional ⅛ tsp pepper).
Stir in ¼ cup of crispy fried onions, then transfer the green bean mixture to a 2-quart casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining ¾ cup of crispy fried onions over the top.
Bake the casserole for 20-25 minutes, or until the fried onions achieve a deep golden brown color and the sauce bubbles around the edges.

Notes

If you plan to freeze the casserole, it’s best to use a freezer-safe casserole dish.
To prevent freezer burn, make sure the casserole is well-wrapped and sealed.
You can also freeze individual portions of green bean casserole in airtight containers.

Nutrition

Calories: 211kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 5gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 337mgPotassium: 228mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 637IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 75mgIron: 1mg

Keyword casserole recipe, green bean casserole

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Disclaimer: Some images in this content were created/edited with the help of AI.