Green Bean Casserole

This easy green bean casserole is a must make for Thanksgiving. It's creamy, cheesy and topped with crispy fried onion rings. It's a classic side dish that can be made with either fresh or frozen green beans.

Looking for more Thanksgiving recipes? Try my au gratin potatoes, four cheese mac and cheese, herb stuffing or pumpkin pie bars.

This recipe was first published November 12, 2023.

There are a few side dishes that you just can't skip at Thanksgiving. Green bean casserole is such a classic item to be on the Thanksgiving table. The other classics are mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole and rolls.

What I like about this recipe is that you can use fresh or frozen green beans, it turns out the same. However, no matter what I would use the french style green beans for best results and taste.

Green bean casserole is a pretty basic, straight forward recipe. It requires just a handful of ingredients like green beans, onion, cream of mushroom soup, half and half and cheddar cheese.

And no green bean casserole would be complete with those delicious french friend onion rings. I like to put them in the casserole and on top.

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• How To Make Green Bean Casserole
• Green Bean Casserole

Ingredients

• Green Beans: You will want to get french style green beans, they are skinnier and longer than a regular green bean. French green beans have a better taste and texture.
• Butter: The base of the sauce, first used to saute the onion in.
• Onion: Adds flavor to the green bean casserole.
• Salt, Pepper: To enhance flavors.
• Cream of Mushroom Soup: Makes up the base of the creamy sauce that the green beans are coated in.
• Half and Half: Adds creaminess to the sauce, thins it out a bit.
• Medium Cheddar Cheese: Gives the casserole a nice cheesy flavor.
• French Fried Onion Rings: These crispy onion rings are added to the casserole inside, and on top.

How To Make Green Bean Casserole

Preheat oven to 350.

Boil the green beans in water until they are somewhere between al dente and soft (a personal preference, cook to your desired texture). Drain the water and set aside for now.

In a sauté pan over medium/low heat melt the butter and cook the onion. Sprinkle in salt, pepper and season salt.  Mix in cream of mushroom soup and half and half. Bring to a very low boil. Turn heat down to low.

Mix in the grated cheese (a small handful). If it’s too thick you can add a few more splashes of half and half. Add the green beans and friend onions (⅔ of the container).  Mix together.

Spray a 9x13 casserole dish and pour everything in. Top with the rest of the grated cheese (two handfuls) and the rest of the crispy fried onions.

Bake for 30 minutes uncovered.