Green Bean Casserole

A recipe that’s synonymous with Thanksgiving – the Classic Green Bean Casserole. This dish, with its creamy mushroom sauce, tender green beans, and crispy fried onions, has graced our holiday tables for generations. It’s so delicious no wonder why Americans have fallen in love with it.

I did make a few tweaks to the original green beans casserole recipe. I think you’ll love them. I used frozen not canned French cut green beans. My family prefers the French cut green bean but regular green beans are great in this recipe too. Made all the difference in the world in taste and color. I added a tad bit more milk and a little more French’s onions rings. Hey, you can never get enough of those crispy crunchy dried onions! Yum! Also instead of regular soy sauce, I used the sweet soy sauce. Made all the difference in the world!

Y’all, let’s talk about a dish that has stood the test of time, graced countless holiday tables, and kept us coming back for seconds (and thirds): the green bean casserole. Whether you call it a side dish or a centerpiece, this creamy, crunchy concoction has earned its rightful place in the American Thanksgiving tradition. But where did it come from? Who had the bright idea to toss green beans, soup, and fried onions into a baking dish? And why does it taste like pure nostalgia?

The History of the Green Bean Casserole

It all started in 1955, when a brilliant home economist named Dorcas Reilly at the Campbell Soup Company was tasked with creating a quick and simple recipe using everyday pantry staples. Her mission? To whip up something that was delicious, easy to make, and (of course) used Campbell’s cream of mushroom soup.

Dorcas took canned green beans, added Campbell’s iconic soup, a splash of soy sauce, and topped it all off with those irresistible French’s Fried Onions. The result? A dish that was equal parts creamy, crunchy, and downright comforting. Little did she know, her creation would become a Thanksgiving legend.

Campbell Soup Company promoted the recipe far and wide, printing it on the back of soup cans, and the rest is history. Today, it’s estimated that 20 million green bean casseroles are served every Thanksgiving, making it one of America’s most beloved side dishes.

What you will need to make Green Bean Casserole (Be sure to see the full printable recipe below this post.)

Frozen French cut green beans or Regular Blue Lake green beans

Salt

Pepper

Cream of mushroom soup

Whole milk or half and half

Sweet soy sauce

French’s Fried Onion Rings

How to make Green Bean Casserole

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2. In a medium size pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add 1 ½ teaspoons of salt to the water. Add frozen green beans to the boiling water. Blanch for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and pour green beans into a colander and dress all the water off. After all the water has drained off, measure the 4 cups of green beans. Only use 4 cups.

3. Place the 4 cups of green beans in a medium sized mixing bowl.  Mix the green beans, remaining ¼ teaspoon of salt, cream of mushroom soup, milk, soy sauce, black pepper, and ¾ cup of the fried onions.

3. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbling.

4. Stir the casserole and then sprinkle the remaining ¾ cup of fried onions on top.

5. Bake for another 5 minutes, or until the onions are golden brown.

And there you have it, a Classic Green Bean Casserole that’s sure to be a hit at your Thanksgiving dinner!

Helpful Tips:

• You can use can green bean the regular such as Blue Lake Green Beans. My family prefers the French cut green beans and I mostly definitely prefer the frozen French cut over the canned. They taste better plus they look pretty and  green.

For Variations

• If you want to add a bit of crunch, toss in some slivered almonds or water chestnuts.
• Sautéed mushrooms can be added to the casserole as well.

– You can prepare this dish a day ahead and refrigerate it. Just leave off the final layer of fried onions until you’re ready to bake it.

Entertaining Suggestions:

– This casserole pairs beautifully with a traditional roast turkey and cranberry sauce.

Until next time, keep savoring the good life!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

Aletia

Other recipes that you will love.

Perfect Mashed Potatoes

The Original Watergate Salad

Sweet Potato Soufflé with Marshmallows

Sweet Potato Crunch Casserole

Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole

Parmesan Squash Casserole

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