Classic Green Bean Casserole

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Updated on 11/15/22
Tested by
Kayla Hoang
Photo of Kayla Hoang
Tested by Kayla Hoang
Kayla Hoang is a freelance recipe developer, writer, and baker whose Bangladeshi and Vietnamese roots influence all she does. Her life revolves around food and she can almost always be found waiting by the oven for a fresh batch of cookies.
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Classic green bean casserole in baking pan and on plate

The Spruce

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 30 mins
Total: 40 mins
Servings: 6 servings

Green bean casserole is a must at any holiday dinner, especially Thanksgiving. It's a favorite side dish for good reason: the combination of creamy mushroom sauce, fresh green beans, and crunchy onions is easy to love.

You'll only need five ingredients to make this casserole, and it can be made with fresh, frozen, or even canned green beans. If using fresh or frozen, quickly cook the beans first. This can be done ahead of time if you like—then simply combine the ingredients and bake before serving.

While green bean casserole is a Thanksgiving classic, pairing perfectly with roast turkey and stuffing, it's quick and easy enough to serve anytime. Try serving with baked ham, pork chops, chicken breasts, and sides like mashed potatoes, baked sweet potatoes, and macaroni and cheese.

“This recipe is a reminder that Green Bean Casserole is too good to only have during the holidays. Fresh green beans make this extra special, but having the option to use frozen is a great alternative in case you can’t get your hands on fresh.” —Kayla Hoang

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Ingredients

  • 1 (10.5 or 10.75-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup

  • 1/2 cup milk

  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper

  • Butter, for the casserole dish

  • 4 cups cooked green beans

  • 1 1/3 cups French-fried onions

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350 F/177 C/Gas 4.

    Ingredients for green bean casserole
    The Spruce

  2. Mix the soup, milk, and pepper in a buttered 1 1/2 to 2-quart casserole dish.

    Soup, milk, and pepper mixed in casserole dish
    The Spruce

  3. Add the green beans and 2/3 cup of the French-fried onions.

    Green beans and French fried onions added to casserole dish
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  4. Stir the mixture together.

    All ingredients stirred together in casserole dish
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  5. Bake the casserole for about 25 minutes or until bubbly around the edges. 

    Baked casserole
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  6. Top with the remaining 2/3 cup of fried onions and bake about 5 more minutes or until the onions are lightly browned. Serve and enjoy!

    Casserole topped with French fried onions
    The Spruce

Tips

  • Fresh green beans make this casserole especially delicious. Wash, drain, and trim the beans before steaming them on the stovetop or in the microwave.
  • Frozen green beans also work nicely. They can be steamed from frozen—cook them for less time than fresh to maintain their texture.
  • If using canned green beans, rinse and drain them before using. No need to cook them first—simply add them to the casserole and bake.

Recipe Variations

  • Add up to a half a cup of shredded cheddar cheese to the casserole mixture.
  • Add cooked, chopped bacon for a meaty touch.
  • Go all out and make a homemade version of green bean casserole.

How to Store

  • The green beans can be cooked ahead of time and stored in the fridge. The casserole can also be assembled up to a day ahead, covered, and stored in the fridge.
  • Store leftover green bean casserole in a covered container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat in the microwave, on the stovetop in a skillet, or in the oven.

Why Is My Green Bean Casserole Runny?

First, be sure to use condensed canned soup. Since green bean casserole calls for cooked green beans, make sure they are completely drained before adding them to the mixture. Finally, make sure to cook the casserole until nice and bubbly so that it thickens up.

Are Frozen Green Beans Already Cooked?

Frozen green beans are typically blanched (very briefly steamed or boiled and cooled in ice water) before freezing.

How Long Can Green Bean Casserole Sit Out?

The casserole can sit out at room temperature for about an hour, then it should be reheated or stored in the fridge.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
193 Calories
9g Fat
23g Carbs
6g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 193
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 9g 12%
Saturated Fat 3g 13%
Cholesterol 8mg 3%
Sodium 545mg 24%
Total Carbohydrate 23g 8%
Dietary Fiber 4g 13%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 6g
Vitamin C 8mg 41%
Calcium 138mg 11%
Iron 1mg 5%
Potassium 291mg 6%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)