Forget the can and embrace the incredible flavor of truly homemade. This easy Green Bean Casserole From Scratch, featuring a rich, velvety homemade cream of mushroom soup, is guaranteed to be the undisputed star side dish at your next gathering or holiday feast!

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The Secret to the Best Green Bean Casserole: Homemade Cream of Mushroom Soup

You might be thinking, “Oh, just another green bean casserole recipe to add to the millions already out there.” And you’d be right to feel that way. However, I’m here to tell you that this recipe is different. It’s not just another variation; it’s a complete revolution for your taste buds.

This isn’t just any green bean casserole. It’s the ultimate homemade green bean casserole – simple, incredibly easy to prepare, deliciously rich, and, most importantly, contains absolutely no canned soup. That’s right! You are about to discover how to make a luscious homemade cream of mushroom soup that will forever change your perception of this classic dish. Once you taste the difference, there’s truly no going back to the canned stuff.

Why Homemade Cream of Mushroom Soup Matters

The secret to a truly outstanding green bean casserole lies in its foundation: the cream of mushroom soup. Store-bought canned varieties, while convenient, often come with a list of unfamiliar ingredients, excessive sodium, and a flavor profile that can be bland or artificial. Our homemade version, on the other hand, allows you to control every ingredient, resulting in a fresh, vibrant, and deeply savory sauce that perfectly complements the green beans.

And here’s the best part: making your own cream of mushroom soup for this casserole takes less than 10 minutes. The speed and incredible depth of flavor are all thanks to a truly game-changing ingredient: Better Than Bouillon No Chicken Base.

Unlocking Flavor with Better Than Bouillon

Better Than Bouillon is a concentrated paste that delivers an unparalleled depth of flavor. Unlike traditional bouillon cubes or watery broths, this concentrate infuses your casserole with such rich, savory notes that your guests will be convinced you spent hours slaving over it. It’s a culinary shortcut that doesn’t compromise on taste, making it ideal for busy holidays or weeknight dinners.

Using Better Than Bouillon means you won’t need to add any extra liquid, ensuring your green bean casserole remains wonderfully creamy and flavorful, never thin or watery. This concentrated base is equivalent to a high-quality bouillon cube or a generous amount of broth, but with a richer, more nuanced taste that truly stands out.

I’ve been a devoted user of Better Than Bouillon products for years, a tradition passed down from my dad. It was always a staple in his fridge, and now it’s a permanent fixture in mine (both the fridge and the pantry!). I especially love Better Than Bouillon Roasted Garlic and Better Than Bouillon Roasted Chicken Base for everyday family meals, adding incredible richness to everything from soups and stews to gravies and marinades.

Better Than Bouillon offers a diverse range of bases, catering to every palate and dietary need. Whether you’re looking for a robust beef flavor, a delicate vegetable base, or the specific “No Chicken Base” used in this vegetarian-friendly recipe, they have an option to satisfy everyone at your table.

Essential Ingredients for Your Homemade Green Bean Casserole

Crafting the perfect green bean casserole from scratch requires a thoughtful selection of fresh, high-quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to create this incredibly flavorful dish:

Unsalted Butter
Fresh Garlic, minced
Yellow Onions, finely diced
Fresh Mushrooms (Baby Bella or cremini work beautifully), chopped
All-Purpose Flour (for the roux)
Sour Cream (for richness and tang)
Milk (whole milk for creaminess is recommended)
Better Than Bouillon No Chicken Base
Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper, to taste
Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded (or your preferred cheese)
Crispy French Fried Onions (the classic topping!)
Fresh, Frozen, or Canned Green Beans (see notes below for preparation)

How to Make This Easy Green Bean Casserole: Step-by-Step Guide

Creating this flavorful green bean casserole from scratch is simpler than you think. Follow these easy steps to achieve a dish that will impress everyone:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). This ensures your casserole bakes evenly and develops a golden-brown top.
In a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add your minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic. Then, add the diced onion and chopped mushrooms. Sauté these vegetables for approximately 5 minutes, or until they are softened and have released their moisture. Season generously with salt and pepper to build layers of flavor.

In the same skillet (no need to clean it!), add an additional 2 tablespoons of butter. Once melted, whisk in the all-purpose flour. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to create a roux that will thicken your soup. Next, gradually whisk in the milk, sour cream, and 1 teaspoon of Better Than Bouillon No Chicken Base. Continue to whisk for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is warm, bubbly, and has thickened into a luxurious, creamy soup.

Gently fold your prepared green beans into the homemade mushroom mixture, ensuring they are thoroughly coated in the creamy sauce. This step is crucial for distributing flavor evenly throughout the casserole.

Pour the green bean mixture into a 2 1/2-quart casserole dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese generously over the top, followed by a layer of crispy French fried onions.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly, heated through, and the topping is golden brown and deliciously crispy.

Can You Use Canned Green Beans?

Yes, absolutely! While fresh or frozen green beans often offer a slightly firmer texture, canned green beans are a perfectly acceptable and convenient option. If using canned beans, be sure to rinse them thoroughly under cold water and drain them completely before adding them to the pan. This step is essential to remove excess sodium and preserve the overall flavor balance of your casserole.

Can You Use Fresh Green Beans?

For those who prefer the crisp-tender bite of fresh green beans, this recipe works wonderfully. Follow these simple steps to prepare your fresh beans:

Add water to a medium stockpot and bring it to a rolling boil.
Once boiling, add a generous pinch of salt to the water, then carefully add your trimmed fresh green beans. Cook for 2-3 minutes. You want them to be bright green and still have some “snap” or bite to them (al dente), as they will continue to cook in the oven.
Immediately drain the beans and plunge them into a bowl full of ice water. This “shocks” the green beans, stopping the cooking process and preserving their vibrant color and texture.
Drain completely again, patting them dry if necessary, and then add them to the pan with your homemade cream of mushroom soup.

Can Green Bean Casserole Be Made Ahead of Time?

Absolutely! This is one of the many reasons green bean casserole is a holiday favorite. Prepping dishes in advance can significantly reduce stress on the day of your celebration. To make ahead, simply prepare the entire dish up to the point of baking (before adding the cheese and fried onions if you want them extra crispy). Cover the casserole dish tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.

When you’re ready to bake, remove the plastic wrap, add the cheese and fried onions, and bake as directed. You may need to add an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time since the casserole will be going into the oven cold.

Can You Freeze Green Bean Casserole?

Yes, green bean casserole freezes quite well, making it an excellent option for meal prep or enjoying leftovers later. I recommend freezing it *after* it has been baked for the best results:

Bake the casserole according to the recipe, but omit adding the cheddar cheese and crispy fried onions for this initial bake.
Remove the baked casserole from the oven and allow it to cool completely at room temperature.
Once cooled, wrap the casserole dish tightly with plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil. This double layer helps prevent freezer burn. Place it into the freezer.
To reheat, remove both the plastic wrap and foil. If desired, add fresh cheddar cheese and crispy fried onions to the top of the casserole. Bake from frozen at 350°F (175°C) for 45-60 minutes, or until heated through and the topping is golden brown. If thawing first, reduce baking time to about 20-30 minutes.

Delicious Variations on Green Bean Casserole

While this classic recipe is perfect as is, it’s also incredibly versatile! Feel free to customize it to your taste or dietary needs:

Vegetarian Flavor Boosts: This recipe is already vegetarian thanks to the Better Than Bouillon No Chicken Base. To add another layer of vegetarian flavor, you can substitute the No Chicken Base with Better Than Bouillon Roasted Garlic Base (absolutely delicious!), mushroom base, or a seasoned vegetable base. Each will impart a unique and wonderful depth.
Meat-Lover’s Twist: If you’re not concerned about keeping the dish vegetarian, you can easily swap the Better Than Bouillon No Chicken Base for Better Than Bouillon Turkey Base (perfect for Thanksgiving!), Roasted Chicken Base, or even a Beef Base for a richer, meatier flavor.
Spicy Kick: For those who love a bit of heat, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the mushroom mixture when you season it with salt and pepper.
Cheese Alternatives: Instead of sharp cheddar, experiment with other melting cheeses like white cheddar, Gruyere, Parmesan, or a blend of your favorite cheeses for a different flavor profile.
Crispy Topping Creativity: While French fried onions are iconic, feel free to try other crispy toppings. Consider French fried roasted red peppers for a smoky sweetness, or French fried jalapeños for an exciting kick. You can also use crushed butter crackers, panko breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter, or even crispy bacon bits for an extra indulgence. Of course, going without fried onions altogether is also an option if you prefer.

More Delicious Thanksgiving and Holiday Recipes to Love

Elevate your entire holiday spread with these other mouth-watering recipes that perfectly complement your homemade green bean casserole:

Creamy Horseradish Mashed Potatoes

Cheesy Bacon and Everything Stuffing

Festive Blood Orange Party Punch

Decadent Chocolate Coconut Cream Pie

Green Bean Casserole From Scratch

Yield:
8 servings

Prep Time:
5 minutes

Cook Time:
30 minutes

Total Time:
35 minutes

Ditch the can and make your own homemade cream of mushroom soup for this easy Green Bean Casserole From Scratch. It’ll be the star side dish of your table!

Ingredients

3 tablespoons butter, unsalted
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup yellow onion, diced
8 ounces Baby Bella Mushrooms, chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3 tablespoons all purpose flour
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon Better Than Bouillon No Chicken Base
24 ounces Frozen Cut Green Beans, cooked to package directions*
1 cup Cheddar cheese
3/4 cup French fried onions
*I used a bag of steamable green beans and cooked for 6 minutes in the microwave.

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in large skillet and add in your garlic. Cook for 1 minute and then add onion and mushrooms. Once sauteed, about 5 minutes, season with salt and pepper.
In the same skillet, add in 2 tablespoons of butter and when melted, whisk in flour. Cook for 1 minute and then whisk in milk, sour cream and 1 teaspoon Better Than Bouillon No Chicken Base. Whisk for 2-3 minutes until warm and bubbly.
Fold in green beans and thoroughly coat in mushroom mixture.
Pour green bean mixture into 2 1/2 quart casserole dish and sprinkle with cheese and top with fried onions.
Bake for 20-25 minutes until top is golden brown.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8
Serving Size: 1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 197Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 343mgCarbohydrates: 14gFiber: 3gSugar: 3gProtein: 7g

All information and tools presented and written within this site are intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information on strawberryblondiekitchen.com should only be used as a general guideline.

Better Than Bouillon products are an invaluable asset in the kitchen, designed to save you time and infuse incredible flavor into all your recipes. From upcoming holiday celebrations like Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, and Christmas, to everyday dinnertime and special gatherings with friends and family, Better Than Bouillon offers an effortless way to elevate your culinary creations.

Homemade Green Bean Casserole