Green Bean Casserole Recipe: The Secret to Crispy, Creamy Deliciousness

This Easy Green Bean Casserole is everything you want in a comforting side dish—simple, delicious, and crowd-pleasing! With just a handful of ingredients and a quick bake time, you’ll have this classic dish ready for your holiday table (or any dinner) in no time.

Let’s walk through the steps to make this creamy, crispy casserole perfect for family meals, potlucks, or festive gatherings.

Table of Contents

Ingredients:

2 cans (14.5 oz each) of green beans—You can use canned green beans or substitute frozen green beans (about 18 oz, thawed).
1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup adds the rich, creamy texture you’re looking for.
½ cup milk – Any milk will work here, whether skim, 2%, or whole.
1 can (6 oz) French’s crispy fried onions are stirred into the casserole for flavor and sprinkled on top for that irresistible crispy crunch.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that the casserole cooks evenly and reaches that golden, bubbling perfection.
Drain the Green Beans
Open the two cans of green beans and drain them well in a colander. If you’re using frozen green beans, be sure to thaw them and then drain off any excess moisture.
Prepare the Mushroom Soup Mixture
In a small saucepan, combine the cream of mushroom soup and milk. Heat over medium heat for about 2 minutes, whisking frequently until smooth and well combined. The goal is to warm up the soup and milk, making it easier to mix with the green beans later.
Combine the Green Beans and Fried Onions
Combine the drained green beans with ¾ cup of crispy fried onions in a large mixing bowl. Toss gently to coat the beans with the onions. The crispy fried onions add a great depth of flavor to the casserole and a little bit of crunch to every bite.
Mix in the Mushroom Soup
Pour the warmed mushroom soup mixture over the green bean and fried onion. Stir gently to combine, ensuring every bean is coated with the creamy soup.
Transfer to a Baking Dish
Lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter. Transfer the green bean mixture to the dish, spreading it out evenly. This is where the magic starts, as everything melds together while it bakes.
Bake the Casserole
Place the casserole dish in your preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes. During this time, the green bean mixture will heat through and begin to bubble. Keep an eye on it to make sure it’s not overcooking.
Top with More Fried Onions
After 20 minutes, remove the casserole from the oven. For the pièce de résistance, sprinkle the remaining fried onions over the top. You can use as much or as little as you like, but don’t skimp on the crispy goodness! Add the casserole to the oven and bake for another 5 to 8 minutes until the fried onions are golden and crispy.
Serve and Enjoy
Remove the casserole from the oven and rest for a minute or two. Then serve it warm and watch it disappear from the table! The crispy, golden onions on top make for a stunning presentation, and the creamy, tender beans underneath are sure to satisfy.

Tips & Variations:

Make Ahead: Want to save time on the day you’re serving this? You can assemble the casserole up to step 4, cover it with plastic wrap, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, just pop it in the oven and follow the instructions.
Frozen Green Beans: If you prefer frozen green beans, be sure to thaw them before using them in the recipe, as this helps avoid extra moisture in the casserole.
Soup Substitutions: If you prefer a slightly different flavor, you can swap the cream of mushroom soup for the cream of celery soup. Both will work wonderfully in this dish.
Reheating: Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the casserole in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes. Cover it with foil after the first 5-10 minutes to keep the fried onions from burning.