Welcome to the ultimate guide for crafting the **Best Green Bean Casserole** you’ll ever taste! Forget those familiar cans of condensed soup this holiday season; we’re embarking on a culinary journey to create a homemade masterpiece that’s rich in flavor, incredibly fresh, and guaranteed to become your new family tradition. This version boasts a creamy, made-from-scratch fresh mushroom soup base, tender French-style green beans, a generous layer of savory cheddar cheese, and a crispy, golden topping of French fried onions. Once you experience the unparalleled taste of this meticulously prepared dish, you’ll undoubtedly agree that there’s no going back to the canned alternatives.
For those looking to optimize oven space during busy holiday cooking, consider our equally delicious Slow Cooker White Cheddar Green Bean Casserole recipe. It offers another fantastic way to enjoy this beloved side dish with minimal fuss.
Embracing the Holiday Spirit: A Journey of Flavors
As the crisp autumn air settles in and the leaves turn vibrant shades, it’s beginning to look a lot like Thanksgiving. This cherished time of year is more than just a date on the calendar; it’s a celebration of gratitude, family, and, of course, incredible food. For me, Thanksgiving is a profound opportunity to express my thankfulness for the people in my life through the warmth and love poured into every dish I prepare. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing a treasure trove of Thanksgiving-day recipes, so you might want to hold off on finalizing your menu plans just yet!
Planning the perfect holiday menu, however, often proves to be a delightful challenge. Both my husband and I grew up in households steeped in traditional recipes, where certain dishes were annual fixtures. Yet, as I delved deeper into the culinary world about a decade ago, I found myself drawn to exploring bolder, more nuanced flavors. The days of bland, unseasoned mashed potatoes were swiftly replaced with creations brimming with aromatic garlic. The dilemma lies in striking a balance: while my family and I adore a robust garlic flavor, not everyone shares that same intense passion. Hence, the constant quest to craft a menu that delights every palate at the table, ensuring everyone feels cherished and satisfied.
Despite the occasional culinary compromise, the true essence of the meal lies in the shared experience. I am profoundly grateful for a family who, at the end of every feast, wholeheartedly appreciates the effort and love I put into their food, garlic breath and all. It’s a beautiful testament to acceptance and connection that transcends individual taste preferences.
The Green Bean Casserole Comeback: From Failure to Festive Favorite
My Thanksgiving Staples and a Notable Absence
Every year, a few tried-and-true recipes make their triumphant return to my holiday table. The Pioneer Woman’s Soul Sweet Taters, for instance, are an absolute revelation. If you’ve never made them, I urge you to do so without delay. They are, quite simply, heaven on a plate. Since I first discovered them a few years ago, they’ve graced every Friendsgiving, Thanksgiving, and holiday dinner, winning over even my girlfriend who previously declared a strong dislike for sweet potatoes. Beyond the sweet potatoes, I always serve a classic stuffing (though I confess, I’m not its biggest fan – a culinary secret!), incredibly creamy garlic mashed potatoes (a recipe I promise to share very soon!), and a vibrant cranberry relish that only my father-in-law and I seem to devour. You might notice one iconic Thanksgiving side conspicuously absent from this list for the past few years: green bean casserole.
A History of Casserole Catastrophes
For many years, the green bean casserole remained my culinary nemesis. Despite repeated attempts, it consistently failed to meet expectations. One memorable year, I used frozen green beans without properly thawing them, resulting in a watery, unappetizing mess straight from the oven. Another time, canned green beans yielded a mushy, unappealing texture. When you’re orchestrating a grand holiday meal, even one dish falling short can feel like a catastrophic failure, casting a shadow over the entire spread. The disappointment was particularly acute because, on paper, green bean casserole is often perceived as a simple “dump and bake” dish, making my repeated failures all the more vexing.
The Breakthrough: Reimagining a Classic, From Scratch
This year, however, I approached my Thanksgiving menu planning with a renewed sense of purpose and unwavering determination. I was resolved to bring green bean casserole back to its rightful place on our holiday table, and dear readers, I am thrilled to report that I nailed it! I don’t mean to toot my own horn, but this recipe is truly exceptional. It was so incredibly delicious that I’m honestly surprised I managed to save enough for photographs before it all disappeared. The most remarkable aspect of this **Best Green Bean Casserole**? It completely bypasses the need for any canned soup. Just as I’ve learned to avoid shortening in recipes like my Puppy Chow Truffles, I also make a conscious effort to eliminate canned soups from my casseroles and similar dishes whenever possible. (Of course, for a quick meal, I do enjoy Dole’s roasted Garlic tomato basil soup, but that comes in a carton, so I digress.)
The moment I tasted a bite of this newly perfected casserole, I knew I had struck gold. I immediately called my husband at work, eager to share my triumphant news. Our conversation unfolded something like this:
“Honey, I did it, I really did it!”
“You did what?” he replied, his voice laced with curiosity and perhaps a hint of skepticism.
“I finally nailed this green bean casserole!”
“Are you sure?” he questioned playfully. “Because the last time you said that, it really wasn’t that good…”
{I could almost hear his playful eyeroll through the phone.} “Yes, I promise, it’s so, SO good!”
A Family Favorite Reborn: Everyone Loves This Casserole!
And folks, he absolutely LOVED it! How could anyone resist that incredibly buttery, crunchy, cheesy, oniony topping? It practically begs you to take a generous spoonful! Even our daughter eagerly gobbled up a boatload of it. I am beyond excited to serve this triumphant casserole on Thanksgiving day and then again for our Christmas dinner. I cannot wait to share this renewed classic with my family, who for so long wondered where in the world the green bean casserole had gone from our holiday celebrations.
Interestingly, my husband has a strong aversion to mushrooms (I know, how did I get so unlucky? Just kidding, love you honey!). Yet, this casserole contains mushrooms. Surprise, babe, bet you didn’t know that… until now. Whoops! While you can certainly omit them if you truly despise mushrooms, I wholeheartedly recommend leaving them in. They cook down beautifully, imparting a depth of umami flavor that perfectly complements the rich, cheesy, green bean goodness, practically melting into the sauce. This dish truly transforms a once-challenging side into a beloved holiday staple.
So, without further ado, I proudly present to you what I genuinely believe is **The BEST Green Bean Casserole** you will ever make.
The BEST Green Bean Casserole
Prep
Cook
Total
Author Strawberry Blondie Kitchen
Yield 10 servings
Skip the can of soup this year and make The Best Green Bean Casserole, from scratch. This version is packed with flavor from the made from scratch fresh mushroom soup, french style green beans, cheddar cheese and french fried onions. You’ll never go back to the can of soup again!
Ingredients
- 2 lbs (32 ounces) frozen french style green beans, cooked to package directions and drained
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1/2 cup mushrooms, diced
- 1/4 cup onion, diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup sour cream, I used light
- 1/2 Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup milk, I used nonfat
- salt and pepper
- 1 cup cheese
- For the topping
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 cup buttery rounds crackers
- 3/4 cup french fried onions, crumbled
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- In a small bowl, mix together the crumbled crackers and french fried onions. Add in the melted butter and set aside.
- Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in large skillet and add in your garlic. Cook for 1 minute and then add in the mushrooms and onion. Once sauteed, season with salt and pepper, remove from pan and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add in 2 tablespoons of butter and when melted, whisk in flour. Cook for 1 minute and then stir in sour cream, Greek yogurt, salt.
- Mixture will be lumpy, so slowly start to add in your milk, whisking to combine. You may need or desire a little more milk to make it a thick liquid but I stopped at 1/4 cup.
- Add back in your mushroom and onion mixture and your green beans.
- Stir to combine and then add in 1/2 cup cheese.
- Pour into 2 1/2 quart casserole dish and sprinkle with remaining cheese and top with fried onion/cracker mixture.
- Bake for 30 minutes until top is nice and golden brown.
Notes
Adapted from Grandma’s Green Bean Casserole
Courses Casserole
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 10 servings
Amount Per Serving | ||
|---|---|---|
Calories 203 | ||
% Daily Value | ||
Total Fat 14 g | 22% | |
Saturated Fat 8 g | 40% | |
Cholesterol 31 mg | 10% | |
Sodium 434 mg | 18% | |
Total Carbohydrates 12 g | 4% | |
Dietary Fiber 1 g | 4% | |
Sugars 3 g | ||
Protein 7 g | 14% | |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Why This Homemade Casserole Is a Must-Make
If you decide to make only one new dish this year, whether for your own family celebration or to contribute to a potluck, please let it be this incredible Green Bean Casserole. It stands apart not only for its superior flavor but also for its “better-for-you” ingredients. We use lighter sour cream, Greek yogurt, and nonfat milk, crafting a rich and creamy sauce without relying on calorie-dense, heavily processed canned soups. The result is a dish that is undeniably delicious, wonderfully cheesy, perfectly buttery, and just plain satisfying. After all the green bean casserole failures I’ve experienced in the past, I’ve certainly earned the right to sing its praises!
This casserole isn’t just a recipe; it’s a testament to how transforming a few key ingredients and dedicating a little extra care can elevate a classic dish from ordinary to extraordinary. It demonstrates that homemade truly tastes better, especially when it comes to beloved holiday staples. The vibrant green beans retain their fresh flavor, the mushrooms add an earthy depth, and the crispy onion-cracker topping provides that irresistible crunch that defines the best casseroles.
What cherished dishes do you find yourself serving year after year for your Thanksgiving feast? Are you hosting the big meal this year, or contributing to another’s table? Share your holiday culinary traditions with us in the comments below!