Creamy green beans topped with crispy fried onions
Classic Green Bean Casserole
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
35 min
Total Time
45 min
Servings
8
1 casserole dish
Difficulty
Easy
Cost
Budget
$
Recipe at a Glance
The iconic Thanksgiving side dish—tender green beans in a creamy mushroom sauce topped with crunchy fried onions. Simple, nostalgic, and always the first dish to disappear.
Cuisine: American
Category: Side Dish
Difficulty: Easy
Cost: $
Quick Summary
45 min total time|8 servings|Easy difficulty
The iconic Thanksgiving side dish—tender green beans in a creamy mushroom sauce topped with crunchy fried onions. Simple, nostalgic, and always the first dish to disappear.
American
Sarah Chen
(Updated )
This green bean casserole has graced holiday tables for decades and remains an absolute crowd favorite. The combination of creamy sauce and crispy fried onions is pure comfort food genius.
This is the kind of recipe that defines American home cooking at its best — straightforward, satisfying, and built on flavors that everyone loves.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs fresh green beans, trimmed and halved
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 1.5 cups crispy fried onions (such as French's)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- 1
Blanch green beans in boiling salted water for 4 minutes, then plunge into ice water. Drain well.
- 2
Mix cream of mushroom soup, milk, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and 3/4 cup fried onions in a large bowl.
- 3
Add blanched green beans and toss to coat. Pour into a greased 9x13 baking dish.
- 4
Bake uncovered at 350°F for 25 minutes until bubbly around the edges.
- 5
Top with remaining fried onions and bake 5 more minutes until the onions are golden and crisp.
Serving Suggestions
Ways to Serve This Dish
Serve with classic coleslaw and cornbread on the side
Pair with fresh-cut fries or roasted potato wedges
Substitutions
Cream of mushroom soupCream of chicken soup
Adds a slightly different but equally delicious flavor
Fried onionsPanko breadcrumbs tossed with melted butter
Toast at 375°F for a few extra minutes
Tips & Storage
Pro Tips
Use fresh green beans for the best texture—frozen work but can be waterlogged.
Add the onion topping only in the last 5 minutes so they stay crispy and don't burn.
Let the protein rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute for maximum tenderness.
Season each component individually rather than seasoning at the end — this builds deeper, more complex flavor throughout.
Storage
Refrigerate covered for up to 3 days. Not ideal for freezing due to onion topping.
Reheating
Reheat at 350°F for 15 minutes, adding fresh fried onions on top for crunch.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (10mg) · 8 servings
Calories145
LowModerateHigh
A light, low-calorie option · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Protein3g
Carbohydrates8g
Fat15g
Fiber480mg
Sugar3g
Sodium4g
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make it from scratch?
- Yes—make a mushroom cream sauce from sauteed mushrooms, butter, flour, and cream instead of canned soup.
- Can I prep it the night before?
- Assemble without the onion topping, refrigerate, then add onions and bake the next day.
You May Also Search For
About Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
View all recipes →