You ready for the Best Green Bean Casserole Recipe?! My homemade green bean casserole with fresh green beans and cheese sauce makes the perfect side for your Thanksgiving Dinner table!
For more Thanksgiving recipes, try my One Hour Buttermilk Rolls too!
Best Green Bean Casserole
If you are like us, Thanksgiving side dishes are some of the best parts of Thanksgiving Dinner! I put together a homemade green bean casserole recipe that is hands down the best I’ve ever had. The homemade cheese sauce takes this casserole to a whole new level. Can’t wait for you to try it!
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Main Ingredients In Green Bean Casserole
Here are some of the main ingredients you’ll need to make green bean casserole. See the recipe card located at the bottom of the post for full details.
- Green Beans- You can use canned green beans, but I recommend fresh like I’ve used today.
- Homemade Cheese Sauce – This is taking place of the traditional Cream of Mushroom Soup that is found in many recipes. You have to make my cheese sauce recipe, so simple and so delicious!!
- Crispy Fried Onions – You add these delicious fried onions in the casserole and on top before baking. One of my favorite parts!
How To Make Green Bean Casserole
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place butter into a 10 inch cast iron skillet over medium heat to melt.
I like serving this Thanksgiving side dish in a cast iron skillet, but you can also use a 9×13-inch baking dish as well.
Mushrooms and Seasonings. Add mushrooms, salt, pepper and garlic, stirring and cooking for 5 minutes until softened. Sprinkle flour over top and stir for 1 minute.
Chicken Broth. Slowly stir in chicken broth, let bubble and cook for 3 minutes to thicken.
Whipping Cream. Stir in heavy whipping cream and let cook for another 3 minutes until bubbly and thickened.
Add Cheese. Stir in cheese, stir until melted.
Green Beans. Add steamed green beans, stir to combine.
How To Cook Fresh Green Beans
Make sure to wash your green beans in a colander under water. Snapping off each (tail) end of each bean. For your reference, variety and size of the green beans will impact cooking time.
Blanch
Bring a pot of salted water to boil and fill a large bowl with ice cubes and water. Add the green beans to the boiling water and cook for 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon or tongs, strain and transfer beans to the ice water. After 1 minute, drain into a colander and serve.
Steam
Fill a pot with enough water to reach the bottom of a steamer basket and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Add the prepared green beans and cover. Cook for 5-10 minutes depending on how firm or fork tender you like your green beans.
Boil
Bring a pot of salted water to boil. Add the green beans and cook for about 6 minutes, until lightly firm yet fork tender. Drain into a large colander and serve.
Sauté
Sautéing green beans gives the beans really great flavor. First, blanch the green beans. Heat a couple teaspoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the blanched green beans and seasonings of your choice. Cook for 3-4 minutes and serve.
Crispy Onions. Add 1 cup of the onions, stir to combine.
Bake. Top with remaining 1 cup fried onions. Bake for 15 minutes, until hot and bubbly. Remove and serve warm.
How Long Does It Take To Cook Green Bean Casserole?
This recipe can be made up to 24 hours ahead of time. Prepare recipe directions to the point before adding the crispy fried onions on the top of the dish. Cover tightly with foil and Rremove the dish from the refrigerator 1-2 hours before baking and add the fried onions before it goes into the oven. If pan is not at room temperature before cooking, cook time might take longer than recipe states.
Casserole will be bubbly and golden brown on top.
How To Serve
Serve green bean casserole as a perfect side for your Thanksgiving dinner. Serve warm.
Leftovers
Store any leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating Instructions
Place leftover green beans in a heat proof bowl, loosely covered. Microwave for 60-90 seconds or until hot.
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Best Cheesy Green Bean Casserole
Equipment
- Oven
- Stove
- cast iron skillet
- cutting board
- chef knife
- measuring spoons
- measuring cups
- mixing spoon
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh green beans timmed, steamed and cut into thirds
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 1/2 cups chopped white mushrooms
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1 cup reduced sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups French’s Fried Onions
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place butter into a 10 inch cast iron skillet over medium heat to melt. Add mushrooms, salt, pepper and garlic, stirring and cooking for 5 minutes until softened. Sprinkle flour over top and stir for 1 minute. Slowly stir in chicken broth, let bubble and cook for 3 minutes to thicken.
- Stir in heavy whipping cream and let cook for another 3 minutes until bubbly and thickened. Stir in cheese, steamed green beans, and 1 cup of the onions. Stir to combine and top with remaining 1 cup fried onions. Bake for 15 minutes, until hot and bubbly. Remove and serve warm.
Nutrition
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I would give this ten stars if I could. This recipe is absolutely amazing. I made it five times so far. I have so many picky eaters in my family and extended family. Most all of them say they hate mushrooms. However, when they try this cheesy green bean casserole they come back for a second and third servings. The only thing I change about the recipe is how small I dice the mushrooms because it tricks the mushroom haters to think there aren’t any. Other than that I have mixed in 1/4 cup crispy bacon I had left from another recipe and it was a big hit. Thank you so much Jenny for posting your recipe. This is now my favorite #1 holiday recipe.
So glad to hear it Ari, thanks for sharing.