Worlds Best Green Bean Casserole Recipe

The World’s Best Green Bean Casserole Recipe: Irresistibly Creamy

Green bean casserole represents the ultimate comfort food that converts humble vegetables into a culinary masterpiece.

Traditional recipes often miss the mark with bland ingredients and uninspired techniques.

My innovative approach elevates this classic dish beyond ordinary expectations.

Creamy textures blend seamlessly with crispy toppings, creating a harmonious balance of flavors and sensations.

Home cooks seeking a memorable side dish will appreciate the thoughtful combination of fresh produce and rich, luxurious elements.

Every forkful promises a delightful journey through carefully selected ingredients that complement each other perfectly.

The secret lies in understanding how simple components can merge into something extraordinary.

Ultimate Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Onions

  • Effortless Culinary Magic: Whip up this green bean casserole with minimal cooking skills, transforming simple ingredients into a crowd-pleasing masterpiece that feels like restaurant-quality comfort food.
  • Texture Explosion: Experience a delightful contrast between tender green beans, creamy mushroom sauce, and crispy onion strings that create a symphony of mouthwatering textures in every single bite.
  • Quick Family Feast: Prepare this delicious dish in just 40 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners or last-minute holiday gatherings that bring everyone together with minimal stress.
  • Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Equally impressive as a side dish for thanksgiving, potlucks, or casual family meals, this casserole appeals to both kids and adults with its familiar, comforting flavors and irresistible crispy topping.

Ingredients for the World’s Best Green Bean Casserole

Main Ingredients:

Green Bean and Mushroom Base:
  • Fresh Green Beans: Crisp vegetable that provides the core texture and freshness of the casserole.
  • Button Mushrooms: Adds earthy flavor and meaty texture to the dish.
  • Low-Sodium Chicken Broth: Helps cook green beans and provides subtle background flavor.
  • Low-Sodium Cream of Mushroom Soup: Creates creamy base with rich mushroom essence.
Flavor Enhancers:
  • Butter: Brings rich, smooth undertone to the overall dish.
  • Garlic, Onion: Aromatic ingredients that provide depth and complementary flavors.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Adds nutty, salty dimension to the casserole.
  • Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings for balanced taste.
Topping:
  • Crispy Onion Strings: Provides delightful crunch and golden brown texture on top of casserole.

Layering and Baking the Perfect Green Bean Casserole

Step 1: Prepare Oven Temperature

Preheat the oven to 350 Fahrenheit (175 Celsius) to create the perfect baking environment.

Step 2: Sauté Vegetable Base

In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter and cook:
  • Onions
  • Mushrooms
  • Garlic

Sauté until vegetables become tender and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat.

Step 3: Cook Green Beans

In a medium saucepan, combine:
  • Green beans
  • Chicken broth

Bring to a boil and cook for 8 minutes until beans are crisp-tender. Drain completely.

Step 4: Mix Casserole Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine:
  • Cream of mushroom soup
  • Sautéed vegetable mixture
  • Cooked green beans
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Stir until all ingredients are well incorporated.

Step 5: Prepare Baking Dish

Spray a 2-quart baking dish with cooking spray. Transfer the mixed ingredients to the dish.

Step 6: Add Crispy Topping

Sprinkle crispy onion strings evenly across the top of the casserole.

Step 7: Bake Casserole

Place in preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes. Look for bubbling edges and heated through center.

Step 8: Serve And Enjoy

Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your delicious green bean casserole!

Chef Secrets for Creamy, Flavorful Casserole

  • Optimize Mushroom Flavor: Sauté mushrooms until they release their moisture and develop a deep, rich brown color for maximum taste intensity.
  • Prevent Soggy Texture: Drain green beans thoroughly after boiling to ensure the casserole remains creamy without becoming watery.
  • Enhance Crunch Factor: Layer extra crispy onion strings on top during the last 5 minutes of baking for a golden, extra-crispy topping.
  • Cheese Selection Matters: Use freshly grated Parmesan for a more robust and authentic flavor compared to pre-packaged cheese.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the casserole up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate, then bake just before serving to save time on busy cooking days.

Storage and Reheat Instructions for Green Bean Casserole

  • Refrigerate: Transfer cooled casserole to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
  • Reheat Oven: Warm at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes, covering with foil to prevent crispy onions from burning. Remove foil during the last 5 minutes to restore crunchiness.
  • Microwave Option: Heat individual portions in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming. Top with fresh crispy onions to revive the texture.

Side Dishes That Complement Green Bean Casserole

  • Pair with Crisp White Wine: Complement the creamy, savory casserole with a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, cutting through the richness and enhancing the dish's delicate mushroom and green bean flavors.
  • Serve alongside Roasted Chicken: The casserole's creamy texture and cheesy depth perfectly match a simple roasted chicken, creating a balanced main course with protein and vegetable elements.
  • Add Crusty Bread on the Side: Grab a warm, crusty baguette or sourdough to soak up the delicious sauce and add a delightful textural contrast to the soft casserole.
  • Match with Light Red Wine: For red wine lovers, a light Pinot Noir provides a subtle fruitiness that won't overpower the casserole's delicate flavors, making for a harmonious dining experience.

Creative Twists on Classic Green Bean Casserole

  • Spicy Southwest Green Bean Fiesta: Kick up the flavor by adding diced jalapeños, chili powder, and sprinkle with pepper jack cheese. Swap crispy onion strings for crushed tortilla chips for extra crunch.
  • Mediterranean Herb Green Bean Fusion: Incorporate crumbled feta cheese, chopped fresh basil, and sun-dried tomatoes. Replace chicken broth with vegetable broth for a lighter touch.
  • Creamy Bacon Ranch Green Bean Delight: Mix in crispy chopped bacon bits and a tablespoon of ranch seasoning. Top with additional crumbled bacon before serving for an indulgent protein boost.
  • Vegan Cashew Cream Green Bean Bake: Substitute cream of mushroom soup with homemade cashew cream sauce. Use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan and add roasted almonds for texture.
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Worlds Best Green Bean Casserole Recipe

Worlds Best Green Bean Casserole Recipe


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4.6 from 33 reviews

  • Total Time: 38 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Green bean casserole delights with classic comfort and creamy sophistication. Crispy onions crown tender green beans nestled in rich mushroom sauce, promising a holiday side dish that family and friends will devour with pure joy.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 3 cups fresh green beans, ends removed and cut in half
  • 8 ounces (226 grams) button mushrooms, sliced
  • ½ cup onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Dairy and Soup Base:

  • ¼ cup parmesan cheese, grated
  • 10.75 ounces (305 grams) low-sodium cream of mushroom soup
  • 2 tablespoons butter

Liquid and Seasoning:

  • 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Topping:

  • Crispy onion strings

Instructions

  1. Fire up the oven to 350 degrees, creating the perfect environment for a mouthwatering dish.
  2. In a large skillet, transform butter into a golden pool of potential. Introduce onions and mushrooms, coaxing them to tenderness over medium heat. Sprinkle in garlic, allowing its aromatic essence to bloom for a brief moment before removing from the heat.
  3. Prepare the green beans by combining them with chicken broth in a saucepan. Bring to a vigorous boil, letting the beans dance in the liquid for approximately 8 minutes until they reach crisp-tender perfection. Drain thoroughly.
  4. Grab a 2-quart baking dish and give it a light coating of cooking spray. In a spacious mixing bowl, orchestrate a symphony of flavors by blending cream soup, the sautéed mushroom medley, green beans, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
  5. Transfer the harmonious mixture to the prepared baking dish, crowning it with a regal layer of crispy onion strings.
  6. Slide the casserole into the preheated oven, allowing it to bake for 20 minutes. Watch for the telltale signs of culinary success: heated through and bubbling enticingly around the edges.

Notes

  • Perfectly balanced between creamy, crunchy, and savory, this recipe guarantees a crowd-pleasing dish that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.
  • Prep work becomes a breeze with simple steps that bring restaurant-quality flavor right to your home kitchen, making dinner feel like a special occasion.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 28 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 220
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 350 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 28 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Cholesterol: 20 mg
Alex Reed

Alex Reed

Founder & Lead Content Writer

Expertise

Recipe Development and Testing​, Culinary Education​, Food Writing and Blogging​, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Global Cuisine Exploration

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and contemporary cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development. Emphasized hands-on experience in diverse culinary traditions.​

Le Cordon Bleu Paris

  • Program: Diplôme de Cuisine
  • Focus: Advanced instruction in French culinary techniques, including sauce preparation, pâtisserie, and haute cuisine.​

Alex Reed is an inventive chef and food creator with a passion for dishes that balance taste, health, and sustainability. 

Trained at Portland Community College and holding an Advanced Pastry Arts certificate from Oregon Culinary Institute, Alex brings more than 10 years of practical culinary experience to every recipe he develops. 

His background uniquely blends traditional cooking skills with modern, mindful eating principles. As the founder of Beard and Bonnet, Alex creates recipes that encourage readers to cook confidently.

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