Thanksgiving isn’t Thanksgiving without a bubbling dish of green bean casserole on the table. I remember my first holiday hosting, nervously juggling turkey, pies, and sides. When I pulled this casserole from the oven, golden and fragrant, it stole the show. It’s creamy, savory, and topped with that iconic crunch everyone fights over. While my nonna’s Sicilian dishes shaped my love for food, this American classic has become part of my family’s own tradition; a recipe I make sure to pass down just like she once did.
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Why You Will Love This Green Bean Casserole
This dish has everything you want in a holiday side: rich flavor, simple prep, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It balances tender green beans with a creamy sauce, then crowns it with a crispy onion topping that keeps people coming back for seconds. Best of all, you can assemble it ahead and bake it fresh on Thanksgiving day, freeing your hands for turkey carving. If you want a perfect partner for this casserole, pair it with cranberry orange glazed turkey breast; the sweet citrus glaze complements the creamy casserole beautifully.
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Green Bean Casserole
A creamy, crispy, and comforting green bean casserole recipe that’s perfect for Thanksgiving dinner. Made with fresh green beans, mushroom sauce, and crunchy fried onions.
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Ingredients
1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed and blanched
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp soy sauce
Fresh ground black pepper
1 1/2 cups crispy fried onions
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Blanch green beans in boiling water until crisp-tender, then drain.
3. Mix cream of mushroom soup, milk, soy sauce, and pepper in a bowl.
4. Combine beans, sauce, and half of the fried onions.
5. Transfer mixture to casserole dish, cover with foil, and bake for 25 minutes.
6. Remove foil, top with remaining onions, and bake uncovered for 10 minutes until golden.
Notes
Assemble ahead: Refrigerate overnight before baking.
Add cheddar cheese for extra richness.
For vegetarian: Use vegetarian mushroom soup and plant-based onions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
Ingredients
To make the best green bean casserole, you’ll need:
- 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed and blanched
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- Fresh ground black pepper
- 1 ½ cups crispy fried onions
For a slightly indulgent twist, try adding shredded cheese or swapping in homemade mushroom sauce. Since Thanksgiving is all about variety, this casserole sits well alongside classic stuffing for the ultimate comfort spread.
How to Make It
Making green bean casserole is straightforward and stress-free:
- Blanch the beans: Cook beans briefly until bright and crisp-tender, then drain.
- Mix the sauce: Stir soup, milk, soy sauce, and pepper until smooth.
- Assemble: Combine beans with sauce and half the onions.
- Bake: Spread into a casserole dish, cover, and bake until hot.
- Finish: Sprinkle remaining onions on top, bake uncovered until golden.
From start to finish, you’ll have it ready in under 40 minutes. For a creative addition to your holiday spread, serve this next to a colorful Thanksgiving charcuterie board for variety and balance.
Tips and Variations
The beauty of green bean casserole is its flexibility:
- Cheesy comfort: Stir in sharp cheddar for extra richness.
- From scratch: Make a homemade mushroom cream sauce.
- Crunch swap: Use panko breadcrumbs for a lighter topping.
- Kick of spice: Add cayenne or smoked paprika.
Since Thanksgiving is about variety, try offering both classic and modern sides. A slice of pumpkin pie cheesecake alongside this casserole makes the perfect sweet finish to the meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make green bean casserole ahead of time?
Yes, assemble it a day before, refrigerate, then bake fresh with onions added last.
Can I use frozen beans?
Definitely. Just thaw and drain well before mixing.
How do I keep fried onions crisp?
Save most of the topping for the last 10 minutes of baking.
Is there a vegetarian option?
Yes, choose vegetarian mushroom soup and plant-based fried onions.
Final Thoughts
Green bean casserole isn’t just a recipe, it’s a tradition. With its creamy mushroom base, tender beans, and crunchy topping, it’s the one side dish guaranteed to vanish quickly. Whether you stick to the classic or try a new twist, this casserole is Thanksgiving comfort in a dish. Pair it with turkey, stuffing, and dessert, and your holiday menu will feel complete. After the feast, don’t forget to treat everyone to a cozy slice of apple crumble cheesecake to round out the celebration.
Loved this recipe? Follow me on Pinterest for more comforting dishes and easy weeknight favorites you’ll want to save.
