The Best Green Bean Casserole

The Best Green Bean Casserole recipe is this one right here. A classic casserole with a few swaps, fresh green beans served in a creamy sauce with bacon, cheese and crispy onions. Hot, bubbly, delicious and with a crunchy topping.

Classic Green Bean Casserole is paired with your favourite holiday recipes like Slow Cooker Pineapple Ham, Smoked Turkey, Oven Roasted Red Potatoes, Southern Cornbread Dressing and Honey Glazed Carrots.

This easy casserole side dish is the perfect addition to your thanksgiving dinner or holiday menu. It is a great recipe that has become a family favorite.

It’s easy enough to make any day of the week though! We like to make it at least a few times a year.

Yet this recipe is one fine example of why we all look forward to the holiday season, and it’s always included in our thanksgiving recipes.

French’s Green Bean Casserole is a popular side dish and for great reason.

It’s hard to resist tender green beans in a creamy mushroom soup sauce, with cheese and that golden brown topping that is crispy fried onions.

I love this casserole side dish with my Chicken Stuffing Bake. Or, made along with my Slow Cooker Stuffing and Slow Cooker Boneless Turkey Breast. YUM!

This recipe is a twist on the classic, it’s a Classic Green Bean Casserole with Bacon, because bacon always makes everything better don’t you think?

This casserole recipe is a popular classic holiday side dish. Yet it’s so delicious I made it many times throughout the year when I want a switch from our usual Roasted Parmesan Green Beans.

Ingredients to make Classic Green Bean Casserole

Green Bean Casserole starts with green beans, of course. For this recipe, I used canned which is surprising because I always use fresh beans, There’s nothing like it.

Yet, I didn’t like the freshness of ours in the produce section while shopping, so I opted for canned. Realistically, you can use fresh, canned or even frozen if you wish.

Yet note that if you use fresh or frozen, cook time may increase to get them nice and cooked.

I love bacon in this recipe, and the kids spotted this addition immediately. It provides that lovely flavour add-on that only bacon can do.

You could omit the bacon if you wish, but then to be honest – you might lose friends. Just a warning.

This canned soup ingredient is what makes this recipe so very easy, and gives that classic creamy sauce.

I give the mushroom taste a boost by adding some chopped fresh mushrooms as well, though you could omit that if you prefer.

Don’t skimp, add both cans of cream of mushroom soup, yet you could swap it for creamy chicken soup or your own homemade cream of mushroom soup if you’d like.

Some recipes call for chicken broth, but I have found them to be too runny for my liking.

This my friends is an important ingredient, and this recipe would not be the same without it. Mucho essential!

If you’ve ever had these fried onions {we put them on burgers all the time}, you’ll know how delicious they are. They are the key to the crispy topping on this casserole.

It could be an optional ingredient if you must, but personally I wouldn’t leave it out. It makes the sauce creamier, thicker and that gooey essence that we love casseroles for.

Keep in mind, the amount in this recipe has some wiggle room. So toss in a bit more or a bit less if you prefer.

I use a blend of mozza-cheddar cheese yet you can also use parmesan cheese and cheddar cheese.

How To Make Green Bean Casserole

Making green bean casserole requires one-pot cooking in a large skillet on the stove (on medium heat), followed by a short amount of time baking in the oven.

It’s very easy and a relatively quick process.

The first step is to cook the bacon, because then you cook the onions, mushrooms, and garlic in the bacon grease and that adds to the flavour.

Next you add the soup and cheese into the pan and bring to a boil.

Add in those green beans (along with salt and black pepper if you wish), and pour the green bean mixture into the prepared baking dish.

Top with those delicious french fried onions and bake for just 30 minutes. Broiling at the end if optional, yet I’ve found that the top crisps up nice due to the baking uncovered on it’s own.

Then you simply enjoy!

Can You Freeze Green Bean Casserole?

I can’t think of a reason why you couldn’t freeze this green bean bake and make later. Yet I’d leave out the fried onions until baking, and make sure it’s fully defrosted first.

When I Make this classic recipe, I make ahead of time and store in the fridge until it’s time.

It’s nice to pre-make one thing especially during those holiday meals when there’s so much to do. Easy recipes when cooking many things are such a blessing.

Also, I love this homemade green bean casserole for left-overs. When I re-heat I usually sneak more fried onions on top too. Shhhh.

What to Serve with Green Bean Casserole

Really, for an ordinary meal served with chicken, to a special holiday meal such as on your thanksgiving table, you just can’t go wrong with this this easy green bean casserole with cheese and bacon.

It’s a perfect side dish that your family members have loved for so many years. Topped with those fried onion bits, the taste will have you reaching for seconds.

Enjoy!