If you make the classic green bean casserole recipe, you’ll love our updated version of this Thanksgiving recipe staple! I also make this easy recipe as a Christmas recipe or anytime I need a cookout potluck recipe side dish.
We took a green bean recipe the oldest daughter updated and then elevated it even more to make a crunchy and creamy casserole with more flavor.
And, dare I say?
(OK, I will.)
This is the best green bean casserole I’ve ever had! This is now our go-to for best dinner sides!
How To Make The Best Green Bean Casserole EVER!
Take this classic dish up a notch into a creamy cheesy vegetable casserole and you’ll never go back to the original green bean casserole!
And bonus? This casserole recipe has way more flavor than the original recipe.
What all goes in a green bean casserole?
Ingredients for Green Bean Casserole:
- Green beans
- Cream of mushroom soup
- Milk
- Velveeta cheese
- Vidalia onion
- Worcestershire Sauce
- French fried onions
- Salt
- Pepper
You’ll also need:
- 8×8 glass cooking or casserole dish
- Cooking spray
RECIPE NOTE: Get the free printable recipe card below.
YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN THESE RECIPES: Easy Side Dishes To Serve With Turkey
(Not serving turkey? Try: Easy Sides For Ham Dinner)
Green Bean Casserole Recipe Tips
Is green bean casserole better with canned or fresh green beans?
You can make green bean casserole with fresh green beans, frozen green beans, or canned green beans (which is what I use).
If you use fresh green beans, you need to blanch them before following the rest of the recipe (below).
What kind of green beans do you use for green bean casserole?
I’ve used regular cut canned green beans and also French canned green beans and they both work well.
You can also use trimmed and cut fresh green beans. Blanch them first for 3-5 minutes before adding them to the casserole.
Do you drain green beans for green bean casserole?
Yes, drain your canned green beans before adding them to your green bean casserole ingredients.
If you don’t drain the beans, your green bean casserole will be watery or soupy.
Can you make green bean casserole ahead of time?
Yes! You can make green bean casserole the day before.
Just be sure to cook it without the fried onions toppings. (If you cook it with the French fried onions on top ahead of time they will get soggy in the refrigerator.)
The day you need the casserole, add the French fried onions toppings and bake until warmed through, bubbly, taking care that the onions are crispy, but not burned.
RECIPE TIP: This is also a great leftovers recipe if you have leftover green beans from Thanksgiving dinner! Repurpose them into a casserole dish the next day!
Free Printable Recipe Card for Updated Creamy Green Bean Casserole Step-by-Step Instructions
aka: Ain’t your mama’s green bean casserole
RECIPE INGREDIENTS TIP: I use these Velveeta pouches for our recipe, but you can also use the block Velveeta cheese. Just make sure it all melts down before adding to the green beans.
ALSO TRY THESE POPULAR SIDES:
Creamy Green Bean Casserole
Ingredients
- 3 14.5 ounce cans cut green beans drained
- 1 10.5 condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 4 ounce packet Velveeta original cheese sauce pouch
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 Tablespoon Vidalia onion finely chopped
- 2 cups French's Crispy Fried Onions (almost all of a 6 ounce container*)
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 °F. Spray cooking spray on an 8x8 baking or casserole dish. Set aside.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, stir in the cream of mushroom soup, milk, Velveeta, and Worcestershire Sauce. Stir until combined. Heat until cheese is melted and combined in and slightly thickened. Remove from heat.
- Drain green beans and add to prepared casserole dish. Stir in chopped Vidalia onions.
- Pour mushroom soup mixture over green beans. Lightly salt and pepper, to taste. (NOTE: the Worcestershire Sauce is already salty.) Top with crispy onions.
- Bake at 20-30 minutes, until bubbly on sides.
- Store in airtight container in refrigerator for 3-4 days. NOTE: Onion topping will be soggy after refrigerating. You can add new crispy onions before reheating.
Notes
Nutrition Note
Nutrition calculations are approximate. If you're following a special diet, please calculate your own nutrition values.
I hope you enjoy our updated green bean casserole recipe!
