Behold, the ULTIMATE Green Bean Casserole recipe! Featured in magazines across the web and consistently rated THE best green bean casserole recipe EVER, this will convert even the most determined green bean haters! Tender green beans, bacon, cheese, cream, mushrooms and more, this deluxe green bean casserole is made from scratch and is guaranteed to become your go-to from now on!
Green Bean Casserole: The quintessential American side dish for family gatherings, holidays, church socials, potlucks…the recipe clipping that virtually every American woman has had lying somewhere at some point throughout the past gazillion decades. Only this one is different. This one’s the best.  Ever. And it’s made from scratch.
If up until now you’ve just been kind of “meh” towards green bean casserole, prepare to experience a major paradigm shift in attitude. Â This isn’t your Aunt Betsy’s green bean casserole recipe.
I developed this recipe years ago when I had about two pounds of fresh organic green beans and some fresh mushrooms that I needed to use up. As I browsed through my fridge I also noticed some thawed bacon, a block of white cheddar, and some half-and-half cream. The wheels started turning as the blueprint for the ultimate green bean casserole recipe unfolded in my mind. And the rest is history.
This ultimate, from scratch green bean casserole has since become one our most popular recipes every Thanksgiving and Christmas. Multiple websites have praised it and online magazines have linked to it. But most importantly of all, year after year our readers have fallen in love with it. Just read all the rave comments below. Without exaggeration this green bean casserole has literally become world famous. Yes, it’s THAT good!
Even passionate green bean and green bean casserole haters have consistently been converted through this recipe. My brother included. My brother has hated green beans ever since he was old enough to say the word. And he has never once relented. But…he ate this.  He ate THIS!  He ate it…and he liked it!  And as far as I’m concerned that seals the deal. Verdict drawn. Yes. The ULTIMATE Green Bean Casserole.
This recipe take a little longer than the 2 minutes and 38 seconds required to open a can of condensed mushroom soup, mix it with water, toss it with green beans, dump the mixture into a casserole dish, sprinkle with French fried onions, and put it in the oven to bake (ie, the classic recipe first introduced by Campbell’s in 1955). Â But this Ultimate Green Bean Casserole is still quick to make and to say that there is no comparison between the two is the understatement of the century. Â This isn’t called “ultimate” for no reason and we’re confident you’re going to love it as much as we and thousands of others do!
How to Make Gluten Free Green Bean Casserole
You can substitute gluten free flour for thickening the sauce. Alternatively you can dissolve 1 1/2 tablespoons of cornstarch in the chicken stock and then proceed with melting the butter, then adding the half and half and chicken stock/cornstarch, and whisking continually as it simmers until it’s thickened. For the onions you can use gluten free French fried onions.
Can You Freeze This?
We do not recommend it. Creamy sauces have a tendency to break and separate when they’re frozen and thawed and the last thing you want is a watery mess at your dinner table.
Can Green Bean Casserole Be Made Ahead of Time?
Yes! Prep everything and place it in the casserole dish, except for the French fried onions, cover and refrigerate for up to a day before you’re ready to serve it. When you’re ready to bake it, take it out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Then sprinkle on the French fried onions and proceed with baking.
This also makes it convenient to bring the assembled casserole (minus the French fried onions) to another location where you’ll be having dinner and then simply add the onions and bake the casserole once you arrive.
Green Bean Casserole Recipe
This recipe begins by frying up bacon along with onions, mushrooms, and garlic. Next we make a roux with butter and flour which will not only serve as a thickener for the cream sauce but will add wonderful depth of flavor. Next we pour in the cream followed by that glorious white cheddar and watch it melt into a rich, luxuriously delicious sauce. Fresh green beans are then folded in the sauce, the mixture is poured into a casserole dish and topped with crispy, crunchy, utterly irresistible French fried onions. It’s baked until bubbly and oozing and then served at the table where it will completely disappear, every last drop of it, within minutes.
Let’s get started!
Fry the bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until crispy.
Add the onions and cook for 4-5 minutes until soft and translucent.
Add the mushrooms and garlic and cook for 4-5 minutes until the mushrooms are soft. Â Transfer the bacon/mushroom mixture to a bowl and set aside.
Melt the butter in the same skillet, add the flour, and whisk until combined.
Continue whisking for another minute until the mixture has slightly deepened in color. This will add flavor and cook off the “flour” flavor.
Whisk in the half-and-half and chicken stock and continue to whisk, letting the mixture simmer, until it has slightly thickened.
Whisk in the white cheddar cheese until combined. Add the bacon/mushroom mixture and stir to combine.
Add the salt and pepper. Let the sauce simmer for a couple of minutes, stirring frequently.
Add the blanched green beans and stir to thoroughly combine.
Pour the bean mixture into a 9×13 inch casserole dish.
Sprinkle all of the French fried onions evenly over the casserole.
NOTE:Â Since everything but the French fried onions that go on top is made from scratch, choose some quality ones and avoid using those nasty hydrogenated-oil-packed French fried onions (of course you also have the option of making them yourself!). There are better options out there. Â I had two in my pantry to choose from. Â I went with Lars’ Crispy Onions this time (the 3-pack is the best deal).
Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes in an oven preheated to 350 degrees F.
Let the casserole sit for about 5 minutes before serving.
ENJOY!
For more delicious side dishes be sure to try our:
- BEST Au Gratin Potatoes
- Ultimate Corn Pudding
- Zucchini Au Gratin
- Creamed Spinach
- Yorkshire Pudding
- Roasted Spiralized Beets
- Mashed Potatoes and Parsnips with Horseradish
- Brunede Kartofler (Danish Caramelized Potatoes)
- Baked Endives with Ham and Bechamel
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cranberries, Bacon and Balsamic Reduction
ULTIMATE Green Bean Casserole
Ingredients
- 3 slices thick-cut bacon , diced
- 1/2 cup finely chopped yellow onion
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 12 ounces fresh button or cremini mushrooms , chopped
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup half-and-half
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup shredded white cheddar cheese
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 pound fresh green beans , trimmed, halved, and blanched (boil 5 minutes, place beans in ice water for a couple of minutes, drain)
- 1 can quality French fried onions
- or gluten free French fried onions
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Fry the bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until crispy. Add the onions and cook until soft and translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Add the mushrooms and garlic and cook for another 4-5 minutes until the mushrooms are soft. Transfer the mixture to a bowl.
- Melt the butter in the same skillet and whisk in the flour. Once combined, continue whisking for another 2 minutes until the mixture has slightly deepened in color. Add the half-and-half and chicken broth while constantly whisking to prevent lumps. Once slightly thickened, add the cheese and whisk until melted and combined.
- Next add the mushroom/bacon mixture along with the salt and pepper. Let the sauce simmer for a couple of minutes, then add the green beans. Stir to combine.
- Pour the bean mixture into a 9x13 casserole dish and sprinkle the French fried onions all over the top. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes until bubbling and the onions are golden and crispy. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published on The Daring Gourmet Dec 7, 2013
Rosie says
I made this dish last Thanksgiving and boy did my family love it! And this year they’re telling me to make it again…..but I’m like oh shoot I didn’t save the receipe…….thank goodness I found it! And I’m definitely saving it this time!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks so much, Rosie, I really appreciate the feedback and I’m happy you found the recipe again! :)
Ana says
I’ve made this recipe for the past 2 years & everyone loves it. I tweeked it. Instead of using white cheese, I use harvarte, grueyere & gouda cheese. I make my onion rings from scratch. Oh my goodness….. it’s so heavenly! This year I’ll do the same but add pancetta to the mix. Thanks for this fantastic recipe!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
That sounds heavenly, Ana, thanks for sharing and I’m so glad this dish has become a tradition in your home!
Jackie says
Hi Kimberly
Where did you purchase your Lars onions from. That link you have on your blog want $44.00 and I’m not paying that out rageous price for them.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Jackie, I don’t blame you, yikes! I just checked the link in the body of my blog post and it’s $11.79 for a 3-pack. I just updated the link in my recipe box as well which somehow was a different one. $3.93 per jar is a much better than $44.00 ;)
Anonymous says
I made this last Thanksgiving. I’m making it for Easter now. So delicious! Definitely much Better than the canned soup recipe. Thank you for the recipe! Keeper. 😋
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thank you so much! :)
Chris says
I have always thought green bean casserole was a disgusting forbidden dish. I was looking for a hearty side recipe to use green beans and found this. No cream of … soup… bacon, mushrooms..what’s not to love? This was AMAZING! I can’t wait to make this for my family for the holidays. It’s homey but full of flavor and fresh! Love it!
Thank you!!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Yahoooo! I’m so happy to hear that, Chris, thank you!
Liz says
With the exception of the fried onions, can you prepare everything and put it in a backing dish and then thaw in advance of backing/serving?
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Yes exactly, Liz. I wouldn’t recommend freezing the casserole though (a texture thing), but keep it refrigerated and then let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking and wait until the very last minute to add the onions before putting it in the oven.
Justin in Austin says
I followed your recipe and made this for Thanksgiving and it was amazingly good! I ended up using milk instead of cream because that’s what I had, but it was still plenty decadent. I want to try the pumpkin sausage gravy + biscuits next! I like the format of your recipes too, the large photos help a lot. Thanks!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Awesome, Justin! Thanks so much for the feedback and I’m glad that the format is helpful. Enjoy the pumpkin sausage gravy & biscuits – happy cooking! :)
Janet Norman says
I made this last week for Thanksgiving at our farm in Sequim,(after I saw Jeanie’s recommendation) and everyone absolutely LOVED it!! I will never go back to using canned soup and canned green beans – this is so very much better. Thank you Kimberly!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Janet, so nice of you to drop by! :) I’m so happy to hear this was a hit. Thanks so much for the feedback and give our love to the family!
Kristin says
DELISH!! You’re are so right! Never making this again with the “traditional” cans of crm. mushroom or canned green beans again! Made this for Thanksgiving 2 days ago and making it again tonight! Can’t get enough…
Thanks again! I’ll be scanning your site for more great recipes!!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Awesome, Kristin! I look forward to seeing you around :)
Katrina robbins says
This dish is amazing, made it for a thanksgiving get together and even 3 of the guests who do not like green bean casserole loved it! So fresh and delicious! I used french style green beans and it was perfect! So much better than the canned over salted version!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Fantastic! This casserole has managed to win over quite a few otherwise green bean-hating people, my brother included. So happy to hear it won over your guests! Thanks so much for the feedback, Katrina!
Selena says
This is so much better than the traditional open a can of soup version! It takes a little prep time but if you make it a day ahead it works! I will never make any other way from now on!!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks, Selena, I’m glad to hear that! :) I just made mine this evening and tomorrow I’ll sprinkle on the onions and pop it in the oven! Happy Thanksgiving!
James says
My wife and followed this recipe, but after mixing everything together, we realized we accidentally bought MAPLE bacon. We’re not cooking the casserole until tomorrow right before thanksgiving dinner, so we don’t know how it will turn out or if we need to start over. Do you think it will still taste ok with maple bacon?
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi James, I think it will be perfectly fine! All the maple bacon I’ve had has been very subtle in flavor and even if a bit of maple comes through I don’t think it will hurt the dish any. Happy Thanksgiving!
Jen says
BY far the absolute best recipe I have ever used. I made this in advance and could NOT stop eating it! I can’t wait for my family to try this tomorrow at dinner!!! The only modification I would make is don’t add the additional salt! I added it and it’s a bit too salty but still delicious!!!! Thank you!!!!!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Awesome!!! So glad to hear that, Jen, thank you! I just bought all the ingredients for it today myself and will be making it for tomorrow! :) Happy Thanksgiving!
Mary-Ella says
OMG!!!! As a born and bred southerner, I love green bean casserole but now that I’m an adult and in charge of Thanksgiving I wanted to trade the canned version to a fresh version (can’t serve canned GB casserole with Barefoot Contessa sides!). I normally wouldn’t try a new recipe the day before Thanksgiving but I am soooooo glad I did!!!! This recipe is OUT OF THIS WORLD!!!!!! Thanks so much!!!! It is now a new staple on my holiday menu. It’s literally the best recipe ever and will go GREAT with my Cajun fried turkey!
So glad I found your site!!!!!
Mary-Ella
Chicago, IL
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
You’ve made my day, Mary-Ella, thank YOU!! We love this casserole and I’m so happy you do, too! Thanks so much for your input, hope you’ll email subscribe and return often, and have a Happy Thanksgiving! Best, Kimberly
Krista Jensen says
Holy cow, this is THE BEST green bean casserole EVER!!! I will be making this again for Thanksgiving and for every Thanksgiving every year from now on. Seriously, THANK YOU!!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
That’s awesome, Krista, I’m so glad you enjoy it as much as we do and I really appreciate the feedback, thank you!