Green Bean Casserole

This green bean casserole is the best, made with only four budget-friendly ingredients. You’ll keep coming back to this recipe year after year.

A classic green bean casserole that's both simple and satisfying, this recipe showcases the beauty of minimalism in the kitchen. With just four budget-friendly ingredients, it captures the essence of a timeless dish that families treasure year after year. The combination of tender green beans, creamy mushroom soup, melted Cheddar cheese, and crispy French-fried onions creates a harmonious symphony of textures and flavors.

Vadim Rachok

Chef

Green Bean Casserole Origin

Green Bean Casserole is a classic American dish that originated in the 1950’s. The original recipe consisted of canned green beans, cream of mushroom soup, milk, soy sauce, and fried onions. It quickly became a favorite dish in American homes because of the simplicity of the recipe and its hearty, comforting flavor. Over the years, it has become one of the staples on Thanksgiving and other holiday tables across the country.

Green Bean Casserole Ingredients

It only takes four ingredients to make the classic green bean casserole.

• Green beans: Green beans provide a crisp texture and vibrant color to the casserole, offering a nutritious vegetable base.
• Mushrooms: They add a rich, earthy flavor and meaty texture to the casserole, adding depth of flavor.
• Onion: It provides a delicious contrast to the other ingredients with a sweet and savory flavor when caramelized.
• Garlic: Garlic adds aromatic notes and savory undertones to the dish, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
• Cheddar Cheese: It adds a creamy richness that complements the other ingredients in the casserole, as well as a sharp, tangy flavor.
• White wine: White wine provides acidity and depth of flavor to enhance the savory notes of the dish.
• Milk: It adds creaminess and richness to the casserole and creates a rich sauce that coats the green beans and mushrooms.
• Butter: Butter adds richness and flavor and helps create a smooth, velvety texture in the sauce.
• Flour: It acts as a sauce thickener, helping to bind ingredients together and create a cohesive dish.
• Nutmeg: It adds warmth and a depth of flavor that complements the savory elements of the casserole with its subtle hint of spice.
• Thyme and Rosemary: Herbs that add aromatic notes and earthy flavors to the dish.
• Crispy Onion: Provides a crunchy texture and savory flavor to the casserole, adding a delightful contrast to the creamy sauce and tender green beans.

How to Make Green Bean Casserole

Here’s a step-by-step guide to the best green bean casserole:

1. First, dice the onion and slice the mushrooms.
2. Then, grate the cheese. 
3. Heat a frying pan, add vegetable oil, sauté onion until golden brown, and add mushrooms. Cook for 3-4 minutes. Add the green beans and cook for 5-6 minutes. Add the rosemary and crushed garlic. Simmer until the water has evaporated.
4. Then, add white wine and stir in thyme, garlic, and rosemary. Set aside.
5. To make the béchamel sauce: Heat a saucepan and toast the flour for 1.5 minutes. Gradually add the butter and milk, stirring constantly. Add the nutmeg, salt and pepper. Then, add one-third of the cheddar cheese to the sauce.
6. Add the sauce to the skillet with the green beans and vegetables. Simmer for 1-2 minutes and transfer to a baking dish. Cover with remaining cheddar.
7. Bake in a preheated oven at 320 degrees F (160 degrees C) for 15-20 minutes. 
8. Remove from oven and sprinkle with crispy onion.

Chef Recipe Tips:

• Try to squeeze the remaining water out of the green beans so that they do not release too much moisture and the vegetables do not start to cook.

How Long to Cook Green Bean Casserole

In an oven preheated to 320 degrees F (160 degrees C), this canned green bean casserole should be perfectly cooked in about 15-10 minutes. The whole time of preparation will take about 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Can You Make Green Bean Casserole Ahead of Time?

Yes! You can bake this green bean casserole up to three days in advance. Cook it according to the recipe, but leave off the French-fried onions. Allow it to cool, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate until you’re ready to eat.

How to Reheat the Casserole?

To reheat: Remove the casserole from the fridge and let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes. Top with French-fried onions and reheat in an oven preheated to 350 degrees F until the onions are golden brown and the casserole is heated through.

How to Store Green Bean Casserole?

Allow the casserole to cool to room temperature, then cover it tightly with a storage wrap or transfer it to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to four days. Reheat in the oven or in the microwave.