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Green Bean Casserole with Cream of Mushroom Soup

Green bean casserole with cream of mushroom soup is a classic, easy-to-make holiday side dish that everyone loves. Tender green beans are tossed with canned soup and topped with crispy fried onions. This easy Thanksgiving side is ready in about 30 minutes and can be made ahead of time.

For more tasty side dishes, try creamy mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, cheesy scalloped potatoes, and cranberry sauce.

close-sup of green bean casserole recipe in a baking dish.

Easy Thanksgiving green bean casserole recipe

It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without a classic green bean casserole with cream of mushroom soup.

Homemade green bean casserole is one of my favorite holiday side dishes. And for good reason!

Tender green beans and sautéed mushrooms are coated in a creamy sauce and topped with crispy fried onions.

 It’s a tasty crowd-pleaser and will disappear fast from your holiday table.

And it’s so easy to whip up! Seriously, the dish is ready in half an hour, and you can prep it in advance to save time (and stress) on the day off.

green bean casserole ingredients.

Ingredients

Check the recipe card below for the exact ingredient amounts in this green bean casserole with cream of mushroom soup.

  • Butter is needed to sauté the mushrooms.
  • Onion + garlic powder are the aromatics that build up the flavor profile of the holiday casserole. You can either use fresh onion and garlic (be sure to mince them finely) or onion powder and garlic powder.
  • Fresh green beans: Cut off the hardy ends of your green beans. Frozen green bans will work in a pinch if you don’t have fresh. I’ve also included instructions for canned green beans below.
  • Broth: I like to cook the green beans in chicken broth or veggies broth for extra flavor rather than plain water.
  • Canned soup: Cream of mushroom is the classic option for green bean casserole. I have included more options in the variations section. It’s a great shortcut to save time during the holidays!
  • Button mushrooms pair so well with green beans and intensify the mushroom aroma.
  • Cheddar cheese: We love a cheesy green bean casserole and always add a little freshly shredded cheddar cheese.
  • Salt + black pepper round out the other ingredients in this easy holiday side dish.
  • French fried onions give the casserole the perfect crunchy finish.

How to make green bean casserole with cream of mushroom soup

Fresh green bean casserole comes together in a few simple steps and is ready in under 30 minutes. The perfect side dish for busy holidays!

step 1 blanch green beans.

1. Blanch green beans

  • Place the green beans and broth into a medium pot and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
  • Cook for about 8 minutes, until the beans are tender, then drain well.
step 2 sauté mushrooms.

2. Sauté mushrooms

  • While the green beans are cooking, melt butter in a large, non-stick pan or skillet over medium heat.
  • Add the mushrooms and onion.
  • Saute, occasionally stirring, until just tender, 4 to 5 minutes.
  • Take off the heat and set aside.
step 3 assemble casserole.

3. Assemble casserole

  • In a large mixing bowl, toss the drained green beans, sautéed mushrooms, cream of mushroom soup, cheddar cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until everything is combined.
  • Pour the mixture into a greased baking dish and spread into an even layer.
  • Top with the fried onion strings.
step 4 bake green bean casserole.

4. Bake

  • Bake the casserole at 350°F until heated through and bubbly.
  • Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes to set up before serving. Enjoy!

Cook’s tips

  • Shock green beans: For perfectly crisp-tender green beans, blanch them for a few minutes and then immediately place them into a bowl of ice water. The ice water will stop the cooking process and will keep the green beans looking and tasting their best. This article from Epicurious explains the benefits of ice baths in more detail.
  • Oven temperature: This green bean casserole recipe is flexible. I like to cook my casserole slightly longer at 350°F, but you can also bake the casserole at 400°F, and it will be done in about 10 to 12 minutes.
  • Don’t skip the fried onion: They are essential to green bean casserole and add a delightful crunch to the dish.
  • More servings: This easy green bean casserole serves about 6 people and will disappear fast. You can easily double or triple the recipe if you need more servings for your holiday gathering.

Variations

My simple green bean casserole with cream of mushroom soup is perfect as it is. Still, if you want to put your own spin on it and change things up, here are a few ideas to try:

  • Soup substitutions: Not a fan of mushrooms? Use another canned soup instead, such as cream of onion soup or cream of celery soup. You can also swap the mushrooms for another veggie, like celery or more green beans.
  • Canned green beans are a convenient substitute for fresh beans. You need three 14.5-oz cans. Make sure to drain them well and skip cooking them in the broth – canned green beans are already soft enough and would become mushy if you were to cook them.
  • Topping: Instead of fried onion, crumble Ritz crackers over the green bean casserole or top the dish with cornflakes for a crunchy topping.
  • More cheese: For a cheesy green bean casserole, add up to 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese. You can stir the cheese into the green beans or sprinkle it on top of the casserole before adding the onion.
  • Cheddar alternatives: Monterey Jack, Swiss cheese, parmesan cheese, and gruyere cheese are tasty substitutes for cheddar.
  • Bacon: Add chopped, crispy bacon to the green bean mixture or the topping for a tasty, salty twist.
  • Nutmeg: Add a pinch of nutmeg to give the sauce extra warmth and depth of flavor.
green bean casserole with cream of mushroom soup on a plate.

Serving suggestions

Homemade green bean casserole is a classic holiday side dish. The casserole shines as part of a holiday spread, and it goes great with any entrée, such as turkey, roast, ham, chicken, and meatloaf.

Make ahead

Make and refrigerate the green bean casserole up to 3 days in advance, but skip the fried onion topping. To serve, leave on the counter for about 45 minutes, top with fried onions, and then bake as directed.

Storage instructions

How to store green bean casserole with cream of mushroom soup

Tightly wrap the casserole dish with aluminum foil, or transfer cooled leftovers into an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator and eat within 3 to 4 days.

Reheat green bean casserole

  • Whole dish: Reheat the green bean casserole at 350°F / 180°C / gas mark 4 oven until heated through.
  • Singe servings: Put the desired portion in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 1-minute bursts until heated through.

Freeze green bean casserole with cream of mushroom soup

Place the casserole in a freezer container and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge before reheating.

Please note that the fried onion string will lose its crunch after freezing and thawing.

If you plan to make the casserole ahead of time, freeze the casserole unbaked and without the topping.

Then add the onion and bake the recipe on the day you want to eat it for a crispy finish.

top shot of a dish of green bean casserole with cream of mushroom soup.

More holiday side dishes

It’s not the holidays without these delicious side dishes. They are easy to make, and I know you’ll love them.

green beans casserole with cream of mushroom soup.

Green Bean Casserole Recipe with Cream of Mushroom Soup

Yield: 6 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Green bean casserole with cream of mushroom soup is a classic, easy-to-make holiday side dish that everyone loves. Tender green beans are tossed with canned soup and topped with crispy fried onions. This easy Thanksgiving side is ready in about 30 minutes and can be made ahead of time.

Ingredients

  • 1.5 lb / 700 g / 17.5 oz fresh green beans, ends removed
  • 3 cups / 700 ml / 24 fl oz broth (e.g., chicken broth or veggie broth)
  • 3 tbsp butter, divided
  • 8 oz / 225 g button mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 onion, chopped (yellow or white onion)
  • 1 can (10.5 oz / 300 g) cream of mushroom soup
  • 1/3 cup / 75 g / 1.5 oz freshly shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 cups / 100 g / 3.5 oz French fried onion rings

Instructions

  1. Prepare for baking. Preheat your oven to 350°F / 180°C / gas mark 4. Grease a 2-quart casserole dish with 1 tablespoon of butter or non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
  2. Blanch green beans. Place the green beans and broth into a medium pot and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook for about 8 minutes, until the beans are tender, then drain well. If you prefer softer beans, you can cook them for 10 to 12 minutes.
  3. Saute mushrooms. While the green beans are cooking, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in a large, non-stick pan or skillet over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and onion. Saute, occasionally stirring, until just tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Take off the heat and set aside.
  4. Assemble casserole. In a large mixing bowl, toss the drained green beans, sautéed mushrooms, cream of mushroom soup, cheddar cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until everything is combined. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer. Top with the fried onion strings.
  5. Bake. Bake the casserole for 15 to 20 minutes, until heated through and bubbly.
  6. Serve. Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes to set up before serving. Enjoy!

Notes

Tips

  • Shock green beans: For perfectly crisp-tender green beans, blanch them for a few minutes and then immediately place them into a bowl of ice water. The ice water will stop the cooking process and will keep the green beans looking and tasting their best.
  • Oven temperature: This green bean casserole recipe is flexible. I like to cook my casserole slightly longer at 350°F, but you can also bake the casserole at 400°F, and it will be done in about 10 to 12 minutes.
  • Don’t skip the fried onion: They are essential to green bean casserole and add a delightful crunch to the dish.
  • More servings: This easy green bean casserole serves about 6 people and will disappear fast. You can easily double or triple the recipe if you need more servings for your holiday gathering.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 297Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 953mgCarbohydrates: 27gFiber: 4gSugar: 10gProtein: 11g

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