Classic Green Bean Casserole Recipe

If you've always thought green bean casserole was just another boring side dish, you're in for a surprise. This classic recipe transforms simple ingredients into a crowd-pleasing sensation that'll have everyone asking for seconds. With just a few pantry staples and twenty minutes of prep time, you'll create a creamy, crunchy masterpiece that bridges generations of holiday traditions. Want to know how to make this legendary dish that's both nostalgic and delicious?

Recipe Highlights

• Classic green bean casserole requires cream of mushroom soup, green beans, milk, black pepper, and French-fried onions as primary ingredients.
• Mix cream of mushroom soup with milk and pepper, then fold in drained green beans to create the base mixture.
• Bake the casserole at 350°F for 25 minutes, ensuring the sauce is heated through and the top becomes golden and crispy.
• Top the casserole with French-fried onions before baking to provide a signature crunchy texture and attractive golden-brown appearance.
• This iconic dish originated in 1955 by Campbell's Soup Company and has become a quintessential American holiday side dish.

History

Though few might realize it, the green bean casserole has a surprisingly modern origin story. You'll discover it wasn't a generations-old family recipe, but a mid-20th century marketing innovation by Campbell's Soup Company. In 1955, the company's test kitchen developed this dish to showcase cream of mushroom soup, creating a convenient, budget-friendly side dish that quickly became an American holiday staple.

• Invented by Dorcas Reilly, a Campbell's home economist
• Initially published in newspaper food sections
• Designed to be simple and affordable
• Represented post-war convenience cooking trends

The recipe spread rapidly through:

1. Magazine advertisements
2. Product packaging
3. Word-of-mouth sharing among home cooks

Its popularity reflected changing American food culture: quick, reliable, and crowd-pleasing.

Recipe

Green Bean Casserole is a cherished American holiday side dish that brings comfort and nostalgia to the dinner table. Since its creation by Campbell's Soup Company in 1955, this classic recipe has become a staple at family gatherings and festive meals across the country.

This simple yet delicious casserole combines tender green beans, creamy mushroom sauce, and crispy fried onions into a mouthwatering side dish that appeals to all ages. With just a few basic ingredients and minimal preparation, home cooks can easily recreate this beloved comfort food.

• 2 cans (10.5 oz each) cream of mushroom soup
• 4 cans (14.5 oz each) cut green beans, drained
• 2 cups French-fried onions
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a large casserole dish. In the dish, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, milk, and black pepper until smooth and well combined. Add the drained green beans and stir gently to ensure they're evenly coated with the soup mixture.

Sprinkle the French-fried onions evenly across the top of the casserole. Bake for 25 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbling. For an extra-crispy topping, broil the casserole for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.

When preparing green bean casserole, avoid overcooking the beans to maintain their texture. Always add the fried onions just before baking to keep them crisp, and if reheating leftovers, consider adding a fresh layer of onions to restore the crunch.

Store any remaining casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Cooking Steps

You'll want to start by combining the cream of mushroom soup, milk, and black pepper in a large mixing bowl, whisking until the mixture is smooth and well-integrated.

Next, fold in your drained green beans, ensuring they're evenly coated with the creamy sauce.

Finally, transfer the mixture to a casserole dish, top generously with French-fried onions, and bake in a preheated 350°F oven until bubbly and golden brown.

Step 1. Combine Wet Ingredients

Because creating the perfect sauce foundation is crucial, grab a large mixing bowl and begin combining your wet ingredients.

You'll want to whisk the cream of mushroom soup and milk together, ensuring a smooth, lump-free consistency. Add the black pepper, stirring gently to distribute the seasoning evenly throughout the mixture. The key is achieving a creamy, well-blended base that'll coat your green beans seamlessly.

• Use a wire whisk for best results
• Aim for a uniform, silky texture
• Incorporate pepper gradually
• Mix until ingredients are fully integrated

Your wet ingredient combination should look glossy and have a consistent light tan color, with no unmixed soup patches.

This foundation sets the stage for a deliciously creamy green bean casserole that'll have everyone asking for seconds.

Step 2. Add Green Beans

A perfectly drained can of green beans is your next key ingredient in crafting this classic casserole. Open each 14.5-oz can carefully, ensuring thorough draining to prevent excess liquid from diluting your creamy mushroom sauce.

Use a colander to strain the beans, gently shaking to remove any residual moisture. Your green beans should look plump and vibrant, ready to be folded into the soup mixture.

• Drain four total cans of cut green beans
• Pat beans dry with paper towels if extra moisture remains
• Gently fold beans into the soup and milk mixture
• Ensure even distribution for consistent flavor
• Use a large spoon or spatula to mix thoroughly

The beans will absorb the rich, creamy sauce, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.

Step 3. Top With Onions

After folding the green beans into the creamy mushroom sauce, spreading the French-fried onions becomes the final transformative step in creating your green bean casserole.

You'll want to distribute the crispy onions evenly across the surface, ensuring complete coverage for maximum crunch and visual appeal. Use about 2 cups of French-fried onions, gently sprinkling them in a uniform layer that will provide delightful texture when baked.

Press the onions lightly into the casserole, but don't submerge them completely—they need exposure to heat for that perfect golden-brown crispness.

Pro tip: Position the onions closest to the oven's top heating element to encourage even browning, which creates an irresistible golden crust that'll have everyone reaching for seconds.

Step 4. Bake in Preheated Oven

One foolproof method for achieving a perfectly golden green bean casserole involves carefully positioning your prepared dish in a preheated 350°F oven, ensuring even heat distribution.

Center the casserole on the middle rack, where temperature remains most consistent. Bake uncovered for approximately 25 minutes, watching for subtle signs of bubbling around the edges, which indicates the sauce is heating through. Your goal is a uniformly warm interior without scorching the delicate fried onion topping.

If you're craving extra crispiness, switch to broil for the final 2-3 minutes—but stay vigilant, as those onions can quickly transition from beautifully bronzed to burnt. Use visual cues like golden-brown edges and a gently bubbling surface to determine doneness.

Step 5. Let Cool Before Serving

Once your golden-brown green bean casserole emerges from the oven, resist the urge to serve it immediately.

Let the dish rest for 10-15 minutes, allowing the creamy sauce to set and stabilize. During this cooling period, the casserole's components will:

• Reach a safe eating temperature
• Allow sauce to thicken slightly
• Prevent burning your guests' mouths
• Enable easier, more precise serving

Use this time to:

1. Set out serving utensils
2. Prepare side dishes
3. Welcome dinner guests
4. Pour beverages

The resting phase helps the casserole maintain its structural integrity, ensuring each serving looks as delicious as it tastes.

When you're ready to plate, the cooled casserole will hold its shape better, making for more attractive portions that showcase those crispy fried onions and creamy green beans.

Final Thoughts

When you're looking to impress your family or guests with a timeless holiday side dish, this classic green bean casserole never disappoints.

You'll find its simplicity is its greatest strength, transforming basic ingredients into a crowd-pleasing masterpiece that connects generations of home cooks.

The recipe's genius lies in its balance: tender green beans, creamy mushroom sauce, and those irresistibly crispy fried onions create a harmonious dish that feels both nostalgic and comforting.

Whether you're preparing it for Thanksgiving, a potluck, or a weeknight dinner, this casserole adapts beautifully to any occasion.