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

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
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Post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

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

FAQs

How do you make green bean casserole not soggy? ›

If you sense it's a little watery, "add a thickener like roux or starch to absorb the additional liquid or cook a little longer," she says. That'll give it that rich, dense consistency you're looking for.

Should green bean casserole be soupy before cooking? ›

Mistake No.

Green bean casserole should have a nice thick sauce that coats the green beans—it should not resemble soup. One common cause of a watery casserole is not adding enough thickener, such as flour or cornstarch, to your sauce.

Is it better to use frozen green beans or canned green beans for green bean casserole? ›

My mother always made green bean casserole with store-bought canned green beans because that's what her mother did. 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.

What foodborne illness can you get from green bean casserole? ›

Green bean casserole

These are all potential signs of Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium that produces the dangerous botulism toxin.

How do I thicken my green bean casserole? ›

The Casserole Is Too Soupy

Don't worry, there's a relatively easy and quick fix that will help soak up the excess liquid: Make a slurry of flour or cornstarch in liquid (broth or water) to help thicken it up and then cook it for a bit longer.

Are canned or fresh green beans better for casserole? ›

"Canned green beans are very soft and delicate," Malarkey says. "They tend to mush up while mixing, and I like a little crunch to my green bean casserole." The other two pros we spoke with agreed. When presented with the choice of fresh or frozen green beans for green bean casserole, frozen came out on top.

How many cans of green beans are 4 cups? ›

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

How long can green bean casserole sit out before baking? ›

How Long Can Green Bean Casserole Sit Out? The casserole can sit out at room temperature for about an hour, then it should be reheated or stored in the fridge.

Should you drain canned green beans before cooking? ›

If you don't want to rinse, consider at least draining them first. Draining alone will “reduce the sodium by a third,” says Reinagel. Bottom line: If you're watching your sodium intake for your health, it won't hurt to drain and rinse your can of beans before using them.

Why is green bean casserole so good? ›

Fans love the dish in part because of how simple it is to throw together. It calls for ingredients that could be found in a typical home kitchen pantry: canned or fresh green beans, mushroom soup, milk, soy sauce and black pepper.

Why do people eat green bean casserole? ›

Green bean casserole was considered a perfect dish for holiday entertaining because it was simple, inexpensive, and could easily be made ahead of time. It became known as a "jiffy casserole" because it went from one bowl to one pan.

Is it safe to eat green bean casserole left out overnight? ›

According to the USDA, food that has been left out of the fridge for more than two hours should be thrown away. That's because between 40° F and 140° F (what the USDA calls the "Danger Zone"), bacteria grows incredibly fast and can make you sick.

Why do I feel sick after eating beans? ›

Lectin is a protein which can be found in many types of beans, but it's most highly concentrated in kidney beans. Ingesting high doses of lectin can cause diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Lectin in kidney beans is so concentrated that some individuals can become sick after consuming just four or five beans.

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.

What causes green beans to be mushy? ›

Undercooked green beans are rubbery; overcooked are mushy. If you are boiling beans, simply begin tasting them after a few minutes. At first you will have a hard time biting through them. As the texture softens, the green beans are closer to being perfectly cooked.

How do you keep casserole topping from getting soggy? ›

Nuts. Naturally crunchy and unlikely to get soggy like the other foods on this list, nuts make a delicious choice for casserole topping. Good, neutral options include chopped walnuts or almond slivers. For bolder flavor and color, opt for pistachios, or make it an extra rich dish with a sprinkling of toasted cashews.

How do you keep green beans crisp? ›

How to Store Green Beans. Green beans should be stored unwashed in the crisper drawer of your fridge. If they came in a bag, keep them in the bag when storing. If they came in a small berry box from the market, transfer them to a reusable storage or plastic bag before storing them in the fridge.

How do you make a casserole less watery? ›

10 Tips To Fix Or Prevent Watery Casseroles
  1. Prep Vegetables Ahead Of Time. Vegetables boiling on a stove - Solstock/Getty Images. ...
  2. Add A Starch. ...
  3. Experiment With Pasta Or Grains. ...
  4. Take The Lid Off. ...
  5. Drain Fat From Meat. ...
  6. Choose A Dry Or Low-Fat Cheese. ...
  7. Sprinkle Seeds Into Your Bake. ...
  8. Remove Excess Liquid.
Oct 29, 2023

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