The Creamiest Cheesy Green Bean Casserole Recipe Ever

Comfort food takes a delightful turn with this creamy, cheesy green bean casserole that brings a classic side dish to new heights.

green beans bathed in a rich, velvety sauce capture the essence of home-cooked goodness.

Crispy golden breadcrumbs add a satisfying crunch to every single bite.

Tender green beans mingle with melted cheese, creating a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.

The secret lies in selecting fresh ingredients and layering them with care.

This recipe transforms an ordinary vegetable side into a crowd-pleasing sensation that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Prepare to be the culinary hero at your next gathering with this irresistible dish.

Tips for Gooey, Flavorful Green Bean Bake

• Cook bacon starting in a cold skillet to render fat slowly and ensure perfectly crisp texture without burning.
• Add flour and spices directly to vegetable mixture to develop deeper, richer flavor profiles and eliminate raw flour taste.
• Remove skillet from heat when adding cheese to prevent graininess, stirring gradually for smooth, creamy sauce consistency.
• Swap green beans with asparagus or Brussels sprouts for different seasonal variations while maintaining the casserole's delicious core.
• Keep medium heat throughout cooking to prevent burning and ensure even vegetable browning and sauce development.

Fun Variations for Green Bean Casserole

• Vegetarian Green Bean Delight: Replace bacon with crispy smoked tofu or tempeh strips for a plant-based protein option that adds crunch and smoky flavor.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Swap: Substitute green beans with cauliflower florets and use almond flour instead of regular flour to create a keto-friendly version of the casserole.
• Dairy-Free Creamy Alternative: Use coconut milk instead of regular milk and nutritional yeast or dairy-free cheese alternatives to accommodate lactose-intolerant or vegan diners.
• Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Incorporate fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, and oregano, and swap bacon for pancetta or prosciutto to give the casserole a Mediterranean-inspired profile.

Sides to Serve with Cheesy Green Bean Casserole

• Cozy Family Dinner Companion: Pair this hearty casserole with roasted chicken or sliced turkey for a complete meal that feels like a warm hug.
• Crowd-Pleasing Potluck Star: Bring this dish to gatherings and watch everyone dive in, especially with a crispy bacon topping that adds irresistible crunch.
• Comforting Side Dish Delight: Serve alongside classic meatloaf or grilled steak to elevate your dinner plate with creamy, cheesy goodness and fresh green beans.
• Holiday Showstopper: Perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, this casserole brings a delicious twist to traditional side dishes with its rich bacon and cheese flavor.

Storing Cheesy Green Bean Casserole for Later

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, ensuring the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent odor absorption.
• Transfer casserole to a freezer-safe container, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 2 months. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place casserole in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating.

FAQs

• Can I use frozen green beans instead of fresh?

Yes, you can use frozen green beans. Just thaw and drain them completely before adding to the casserole to prevent excess moisture.

• What type of cheese works best in this recipe?

Sharp cheddar cheese provides the best flavor, but you can also use a blend of cheddar and monterey jack for extra creaminess.

• Is there a way to make this dish vegetarian?

Replace bacon with smoked almonds or vegetarian bacon bits to maintain the smoky flavor profile. Use vegetable broth instead of bacon drippings.

• How can I make the casserole more crispy on top?

Sprinkle breadcrumbs or additional crispy bacon bits on top before the final heating step to create a crunchy texture.

Cheesy Green Bean Casserole: Holiday Classic with a Twist

• Discover a mouthwatering green bean casserole that transforms a classic side dish into a star attraction.
• Infusing bacon drippings creates an incredible depth of taste that makes this dish irresistibly rich and savory.
• Prepare the entire recipe in a single cast iron skillet, minimizing cleanup and maximizing convenience for busy home cooks.
• A creamy, cheesy vegetable dish that appeals to both kids and adults, perfect for family gatherings and potlucks.

Ingredients for Cheesy Green Bean Casserole

• Green Beans: Fresh vegetables that provide the core foundation of this hearty casserole.
• Bacon: Crispy meat that adds rich, smoky flavor and a delightful crunch to the dish.
• Cheese: Melts into a creamy sauce that binds the casserole together with tangy goodness.

• Mushrooms, Onion, Garlic: Vegetables that create a deep, savory base for the casserole.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Adds a subtle heat and spicy kick to the dish.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and enhance the overall flavor profile.

• Milk: Creates a smooth, creamy liquid base for the cheese sauce.
• Flour: Helps thicken the sauce and provide a velvety texture.
• Bacon Drippings: Provides additional richness and depth of flavor to the casserole.

Casserole Tools for Easy Prep and Baking

• Large Cast Iron Skillet: Essential for cooking bacon and building layers of flavor in this cheesy casserole.
• Slotted Spoon: Perfect for removing crispy bacon without excess grease.
• Paper Towel-Lined Plate: Helps drain excess bacon fat and keep bacon crisp.
• Jar: Handy for storing leftover bacon drippings.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring vegetables and mixing ingredients smoothly.
• Measuring Spoons: Crucial for accurate seasoning and flour measurement.
• Measuring Cup: Needed for precise milk quantity.

How to Make a Cheesy Green Bean Casserole

Step 1: Crisp Up The Bacon

Place bacon in a cold large cast iron skillet.

Turn heat to medium and cook until perfectly crispy, stirring occasionally.

This magical transformation takes around 25 minutes.

Step 2: Prepare Bacon Bits

Transfer bacon onto a paper towel-lined plate using a slotted spoon.

Save the drippings in a jar for future cooking adventures.

Return 4 tablespoons of drippings back to the pan.

Step 3: Caramelize Vegetable Medley

Return skillet to medium heat.

• Mushrooms
• Onions
• Garlic

Cook until vegetables develop a beautiful golden-brown color, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.

Step 4: Create Flavor Foundation

Add additional bacon drippings or butter.

• Flour
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Red pepper flakes

Stir until flour dissolves completely.

Cook for one minute to eliminate raw flour taste.

Step 5: Craft Creamy Cheese Sauce

Pour milk and stir thoroughly.

Remove from heat to prevent cheese from separating.

Gradually add cheese, stirring between each handful.

Step 6: Combine Green Bean Goodness

Mix melted cheese sauce with green beans and half the crispy bacon pieces.

Step 7: Final Skillet Magic

Return skillet to medium heat.

Cook until green beans are heated through and sauce thickens, approximately 3-5 minutes.

Garnish with remaining bacon crumbles.

Cheesy Green Bean Casserole Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Homemade green bean casserole brings classic comfort to holiday tables with creamy cheese sauce and crispy onion topping. Southern families cherish this hearty side dish that delivers rich flavors you will savor alongside roasted meats.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 24 ounces (680 grams) frozen green beans, thawed
• 1 pound (454 grams) smoked bacon, cut into 1/2“-3/4” pieces
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 8 ounces (227 grams) sliced baby bella (crimini) mushrooms
• 1/2 medium yellow onion, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced

Seasonings and Liquid:

• 2 cups whole milk
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, more to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1–2 pinches red pepper flakes, to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Initiate bacon preparation in a cold, spacious cast iron skillet over medium heat, cooking until crisp and golden, approximately 25 minutes while stirring periodically.
2. Extract bacon using a slotted spoon onto a paper towel-lined plate. Reserve bacon drippings in a separate container, returning 4 tablespoons to the original skillet.
3. Reposition skillet on medium heat, introducing mushrooms, onion, and garlic. Sauté until vegetables develop a rich, caramelized exterior, roughly 5 minutes.
4. Incorporate additional bacon drippings, then sprinkle flour, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Blend thoroughly, ensuring flour integrates seamlessly with vegetables. Roast mixture for one minute to eliminate raw flour taste.
5. Pour milk into the skillet, stirring to create a uniform consistency. Remove from heat to prevent cheese separation. Gradually fold cheese into the sauce, stirring between each addition.
6. Gently fold green beans and half the reserved bacon into the creamy mixture, ensuring even distribution.
7. Return skillet to medium heat, allowing casserole to simmer until green beans reach optimal temperature and sauce thickens, approximately 3-5 minutes. Garnish with remaining crispy bacon pieces.

Notes

• Bacon Preparation Tip: Start with cold bacon in a cold skillet to ensure even rendering and crispy texture without burning.
• Bacon Drippings Hack: Save extra bacon drippings for future cooking, adding rich flavor to other dishes like roasted vegetables or sautéed meats.
• Vegetable Browning Technique: Allow mushrooms, onions, and garlic to develop deep caramelization by not overcrowding the pan and letting them sear without constant stirring.
• Cheese Melting Trick: Remove pan from heat when adding cheese to prevent separation and maintain a smooth, creamy sauce consistency.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 396
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 773 mg
• Fat: 27 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 61 mg