Green Bean Casserole is a staple in the South and a must-have on holidays and at Sunday suppers. My version has all the nostalgic flavors you love, but with a few tweaks to make it even more irresistible. With a creamy base, perfectly seasoned green beans, and that signature crunchy topping, it’s the casserole you’ll find yourself making year after year.
Green Bean Casserole has always been a Southern staple—a dish that’s just as at home on holidays as it is at Sunday supper. It’s simple, comforting, and guaranteed to bring back memories. Growing up, it was always a favorite, with its creamy green beans and crispy fried onion topping that everyone fought over.
I’ve stuck to what makes this dish so special but added a few small tweaks to make it even better. A touch of sharp cheddar cheese and just the right seasonings. It’s the kind of recipe that’s perfect for holidays, potlucks, or whenever you need a little extra comfort food on your plate.
why you’ll love this cheesy green bean casserole recipe
Classic Southern Comfort Food: This casserole has all the nostalgic flavors you grew up loving, with a creamy base, perfectly seasoned green beans, and that golden, crunchy onion topping.
Simple Ingredients: Made with pantry staples and a few key seasonings, this recipe is easy to throw together but tastes like it took hours.
Quick and Easy: With just a few steps, this casserole goes from the oven to the table in no time, making it great for both busy weeknights and special occasions.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Prep it ahead of time to save stress on the big day—it reheats great!
ingredients
- Cream of Mushroom Soup – The base for the filling. You can swap it for cream of chicken or a homemade version if preferred.
- Milk – Adds richness and helps thin the soup to the perfect consistency.
- Frozen Cut Green Beans – Thawed and cooked for the best texture. You can use fresh green beans if you prefer.
- Seasoned Salt – Feel free to adjust to your taste. I use Lawry’s most often.
- Ground Black Pepper – I grab freshly ground, but any ground black pepper works.
- Garlic Powder – Be sure it isn’t expired for the best taste.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese – The secret ingredient that adds richness and makes this version extra special.
- French Fried Onions – The classic crunchy topping that everyone loves.
how to make cheddar green bean casserole
Start by preheating your oven to 350ºF, giving it plenty of time to warm up while you prepare the casserole. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup, milk, thawed and cooked green beans, seasoned salt, black pepper, garlic powder, sharp cheddar cheese, and ½ cup of french fried onions. Stir everything together until the green beans are well-coated and the mixture looks creamy and delicious.
If you’re using fresh green beans instead of frozen, be sure to steam or blanch them first so they’ll be tender when baked.
Once your filling is ready, pour it into a casserole dish and spread it out evenly. Place the dish in the oven and bake for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, take the casserole out and give it a quick stir—this step ensures all the ingredients are evenly mixed and nothing dries out.
Sprinkle the remaining french fried onions evenly over the top of the casserole. This is what gives it that signature crispy crunch everyone loves, so don’t skimp! Return the dish to the oven and bake for another 3 to 5 minutes. Keep a close eye on it during this step—fried onions can go from golden to burnt pretty quickly.
Once the onions are golden and crisp, take the casserole out of the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
tips and tricks
Thaw the Green Beans: Make sure to thaw them before mixing. This prevents excess water from making your casserole runny. If you prefer fresh green beans, blanch them in boiling water for 3–4 minutes and then transfer them to an ice bath.
Go for Sharp Cheddar: It can be tempting to grab mild cheddar, but sharp cheddar gives it that extra flavor that can stand out. It won’t get lost in the casserole.
Don’t Skip the Stir: Stirring the casserole halfway through baking ensures the green beans stay coated in the creamy mixture and that everything cooks evenly.
Keep an Eye on the Topping: French fried onions can burn quickly if left in the oven too long. Bake the casserole first and only add the topping in the last few minutes.
Make It Ahead: This casserole is great for prepping in advance. Assemble everything except the fried onion topping, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to a day. When you’re ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for 20–30 minutes, then bake as directed.
Customize It: Mix in a handful of crumbled bacon or top it with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. You can also add cooked crumbled sausage in it.
What to serve with green bean casserole
For the holidays, this casserole goes great alongside roasted turkey breast or a brown sugar glazed ham, with classics like mashed potatoes, corn casserole, and cranberry sauce rounding out the meal.
If you’re serving it as part of a cozy Sunday dinner, pair it with something hearty like roast chicken or pork chops. Add a simple side salad or a fresh loaf of bread.
How to freeze green bean casserole
Freezing Green Bean Casserole is a great way to save time during busy holidays or to enjoy leftovers later.
Before Baking:
- Assemble the casserole but hold off on adding the fried onion topping. The topping doesn’t freeze well and can lose its crispiness.
- Transfer the casserole mixture to a freezer-safe dish. If using a glass dish, make sure it’s labeled as freezer-safe to prevent cracking.
- Wrap the dish tightly with plastic wrap, then cover it with aluminum foil. This double layer helps prevent freezer burn.
- Label with the date and freeze for up to 3 months.
After Baking:
- If you’re freezing leftovers, allow the casserole to cool completely. Portion it into airtight containers or freezer bags for easy reheating later.
How to store leftover green bean casserole
Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container or cover the casserole dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
How to reheat green bean casserole
In the Oven (Best Method):
- Preheat your oven to 350ºF.
- Transfer the casserole to an oven-safe dish if it’s not already in one. Cover it loosely with foil to prevent the top from over-browning or drying out.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until warmed through. If the topping needs a little extra crunch, uncover the dish for the last 5 minutes of baking.
In the Microwave (Quick Method):
- Place a portion of the casserole in a microwave-safe dish.
- Cover it lightly with a microwave-safe lid or damp paper towel to keep the moisture in.
- Heat in 1-minute increments, stirring gently between each, until heated through.
From Frozen (Unbaked): Let the casserole thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, bake as directed, adding the fried onions during the last few minutes of baking.
From Frozen (Baked): Thaw in the refrigerator, then reheat in a 350ºF oven, covered with foil, for 20–25 minutes. Add fresh fried onions on top during the last 5 minutes for that crispy finish.
Tip: If you’re in a rush, you can bake the casserole directly from frozen. Add about 20–30 minutes to the baking time, then top with fried onions and bake until golden.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Green Bean Casserole is a great make-ahead dish. Simply assemble the casserole, but leave off the fried onion topping. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap or foil and store it in the refrigerator overnight. When you’re ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for 20–30 minutes, then bake as directed, adding the fried onions during the last few minutes.
Stored properly in an airtight container, Green Bean Casserole will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3–4 days. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze it for up to 3 months, though the topping may lose some of its crispiness. To restore that crunch, add fresh fried onions when reheating.
No, you don’t need to cover Green Bean Casserole during baking. Leaving it uncovered allows the top to cook evenly and helps the flavors meld together. However, if you notice the fried onions are browning too quickly during the final baking step, you can cover it loosely with foil to prevent burning.
Yes, fresh green beans work wonderfully in this recipe. Just blanch them in boiling water for 3–4 minutes, then transfer them to an ice bath to preserve their color and texture before mixing them into the casserole.
To maintain their crispiness, add the fried onions to the casserole during the final few minutes of baking. If reheating leftovers, sprinkle fresh fried onions on top after warming for the best crunch.
More green bean recipes you might like
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Southern Green Bean Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 4 cups frozen cut green beans cooked – thawed
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 1/2 cups french fried onions
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cream of mushroom soup, milk, green beans, seasoned salt, black pepper, garlic powder, shredded cheddar cheese, and ½ cup of the fried onions. Stir until evenly combined.
- Transfer the mixture to a casserole dish and spread it evenly.
- Bake for 15 minutes.
- Remove from the oven, stir the casserole, and top with the remaining fried onions.
- Return to the oven and bake for an additional 3–5 minutes, or until the fried onions are golden and crispy.
- Serve warm.
Video
Notes
- Green Beans: Use thawed and cooked frozen green beans for convenience, or blanch fresh green beans for a fresher texture. Avoid canned green beans, as they may become too soft.
- Make-Ahead Option: Assemble the casserole up to a day in advance, but leave off the fried onion topping. Store covered in the refrigerator, and add the topping just before baking.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
- Freezing: Freeze the casserole without the fried onion topping for up to 3 months. Add fresh onions when reheating for the best texture.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
