Best Green Bean Casserole Recipe: Creamy, Crispy & Classic
This Best Green Bean Casserole is the ultimate holiday side dish—creamy, comforting, and topped with crispy fried onions. It’s the perfect blend of tender green beans, rich mushroom sauce, and golden crunch, making it a must-have for Thanksgiving, potlucks, and Sunday dinners. Made with simple ingredients and minimal prep, this timeless classic never fails to impress.

What Makes This Dish Special?
Green Bean Casserole is a comfort food icon for a reason. It’s simple yet deeply satisfying, with a creamy mushroom base, crisp-tender green beans, and a buttery onion topping that adds the perfect crunch. Whether you use fresh, frozen, or canned green beans, this dish comes together with pantry staples and always delivers nostalgic flavor.
Cooking Time
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tsp soy sauce (optional, for umami)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 4 cups cooked green beans (fresh, canned, or frozen)
- 1 ½ cups crispy fried onions, divided
- Optional: ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese for a cheesy version
Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×9 or 8×8-inch baking dish.
2. Make the Sauce
In a large bowl, mix together the cream of mushroom soup, milk, soy sauce (if using), and black pepper until smooth.
3. Combine the Ingredients
Add the cooked green beans and ⅔ cup of the crispy fried onions to the sauce mixture. Stir until everything is well coated.
4. Assemble and Bake
Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 25 minutes, until hot and bubbling.
5. Add the Topping
Carefully remove the dish from the oven and top with the remaining crispy fried onions (and cheese if using). Return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes, or until the topping is golden.
6. Serve Warm
Let cool slightly and serve hot alongside your favorite main dishes.

Variations
- Fresh Twist: Use blanched fresh green beans for more texture.
- Cheesy Upgrade: Mix in shredded cheddar or parmesan for extra richness.
- Garlic Mushroom Version: Sauté fresh mushrooms with garlic and stir them into the base.
- Bacon Lovers: Add cooked, crumbled bacon for smoky flavor.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Mixing bowl
- 9×9 or 8×8-inch baking dish
- Spoon or spatula
- Oven
Nutritional Information (Approx. Per Serving)
- Calories: 180
- Protein: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fat: 11g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 3g
Storage Tips
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Warm in the oven or microwave until heated through.
- Freezing: Best served fresh, but you can freeze before baking. Add onions after thawing and bake as directed.
My Cooking Experience
This casserole is a go-to in my kitchen every holiday season. I’ve tried it with fresh green beans, homemade mushroom sauce, and even added a layer of cheese—and it always disappears from the table. It’s a nostalgic recipe that brings warmth to any gathering and is just as great on a weeknight as it is on a special occasion.
Conclusion
The Best Green Bean Casserole is creamy, savory, and topped with irresistible crunch. Whether it’s part of a holiday feast or a cozy weeknight dinner, it brings big flavor with minimal effort. Simple, satisfying, and endlessly customizable, this dish is sure to become a regular in your recipe rotation.

best green bean casserole
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×9 or 8×8-inch baking dish.
- In a large bowl, mix together the cream of mushroom soup, milk, soy sauce (if using), and black pepper until smooth.
- Add the cooked green beans and ⅔ cup of the crispy fried onions to the sauce mixture. Stir until everything is well coated.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 25 minutes, until hot and bubbling.
- Carefully remove the dish from the oven and top with the remaining crispy fried onions (and cheese if using). Return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes, or until the topping is golden.
- Let cool slightly and serve hot alongside your favorite main dishes.
Notes
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Warm in the oven or microwave until heated through.