Green bean casserole is a classic dish that has been enjoyed by families for generations. It’s one of those recipes that everyone seems to have their own version of and it can be adapted easily to suit different tastes. In this article, I’m going to share my favorite green beans casserole recipe with you!
This easy-to-make casserole will surely become a family favorite in no time; the combination of creamy soup, crunchy onions, and savory cheese make an unforgettable flavor. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time, this delicious meal is sure to please even the pickiest eaters in your house. Read on for my full green beans casserole recipe – let’s get cooking!
Ingredients Needed
I’m excited to share this green beans casserole recipe with you! This dish is perfect for meal prepping, and the leftovers can easily be stored away. To make this tasty casserole, you’ll need a few key ingredients. You will need one 10-ounce package of frozen cut green beans, 1/2 cup of sour cream, one 4-ounce container of sliced mushrooms (drained), a 15- ounce can of condensed cream of mushroom soup, 3 tablespoons butter or margarine, 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt and 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese.
Once all your ingredients are gathered up it’s time to get cooking! Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Then melt the butter in a medium saucepan over low heat and add the mushrooms. Cook the mushrooms until they’re tender stirring occasionally so that nothing burns. Add the soup, sour cream and garlic salt then stir everything together until blended smoothly. Once combined pour the mixture into an ungreased two quart baking dish. Top off with half of the cheese followed by layering on the green beans before adding on top remaining cheese as desired. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes or until hot throughout and lightly browned at edges before serving warm with dinner rolls or other sides of choice!
Preparing The Green Beans
I start the green bean casserole recipe by picking out the best beans. I’m looking for bright green ones with no blemishes or discoloration, and making sure they are all roughly the same size so that they cook evenly. Once I’ve got my selection of beans, I get to pan-frying them in a little oil until they’re slightly browned and beginning to crisp up around the edges. This adds an extra layer of flavor to the dish that you just can’t get if you go straight from raw to baked!
Next, it’s time to prepare a sauce for the beans. For this particular green bean casserole recipe, I like to use a mixture of cream cheese and sour cream as my base. To that, I add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper and some fresh parsley for color. Then it’s just a matter of mixing everything together until it forms a nice creamy sauce.
After that comes assembly – spreading half of the sauce into your baking dish then adding the fried beans on top before pouring over the remaining sauce and stirring everything together lightly so each piece is coated with deliciousness! Finally popping it into the oven so it can bake away while flavors meld together into something even more delectable than when we started.
Making The Cream Sauce
I’m going to walk you through the process of making a creamy sauce for your green beans casserole. Start by adding butter to a pan over medium heat and melt it completely. Once the butter is melted, add some all-purpose flour and whisk it until there are no lumps left. When everything is well combined, slowly pour in room temperature milk while continuously stirring. You will want to keep stirring for about five minutes or until desired thickness has been achieved.
For extra flavor, you can also add dry seasonings such as garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, ground mustard seed, oregano or any other favorite herbs and spices that pair with your dish. Additionally, you can experiment with different types of cheese like gruyere and parmesan – they go great with this casserole! To make the creamier sauce variations try using half & half instead of milk or even heavy cream if you prefer an ultra rich finish.
When your sauce is ready turn off the heat and stir in grated cheese if desired; let cool slightly before pouring into your prepared casserole dish. There you have it: a delicious homemade cream sauce that’ll take this classic recipe up a notch – enjoy!
Assembling The Casserole
Well, here’s the exciting part — assembling the casserole! It won’t take long at all to put together this delicious dish. With a few simple steps and some easy time-saving tips, you’ll have your green beans casserole in the oven before you know it.
First things first: grab yourself an appropriate baking dish for your recipe. Then go ahead and spread about two cups of canned or cooked green beans across the bottom of the dish. If you’re using canned beans, make sure to drain them well before adding them so that they don’t add too much extra liquid to your casserole later on. Next, sprinkle one cup of grated cheese evenly over the top of the green beans and set aside.
Now it’s time for the topping mixture. In a medium bowl, combine 1 can of cream soup with ½ cup of milk until smooth then stir in ½ cup crushed corn flakes cereal (or croutons). Spread this mixture evenly over the cheese layer in your baking dish and finally top with remaining ¼ cup corn flakes (or croutons) as your final layer. Pop it into preheated 350°F oven and bake uncovered for 25 minutes until heated through and bubbly around edges. Now just sit back while dinner is cooking!
Baking And Serving
I’m ready to get into the kitchen and start baking this delicious green beans casserole. Here are some cooking tips for making sure your meal turns out perfectly:
First, make sure you plan ahead when it comes to meal planning. Make a list of all the ingredients that you need so that you don’t forget anything at the store. You can also pre-prepare any vegetables or other items before hand to save time while cooking.
Second, follow the recipe closely. Measure out all of your ingredients accurately and use fresh produce whenever possible. If substitutions are necessary, be mindful of how they will affect the flavor and texture of your finished dish. Lastly, always taste test as you go – add in more seasoning if needed!
This classic green beans casserole is easy to prepare and makes a fantastic side dish for family dinners or holiday meals. With just a few simple steps, you’ll have a tasty dish on the table in no time!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Servings Does This Recipe Make?
This recipe is great for a large family gathering or just to have some leftovers on hand. It makes approximately 8 servings, and you can easily adjust the cooking time depending on how much time you have available. If you need it ready quickly, reduce the cooking time from 40-45 minutes down to 30-35 minutes. Otherwise, stick with the original serving size of 8 people and enjoy!
How Can I Make This Dish Vegan-Friendly?
Making this dish vegan-friendly is easier than you think! Substitute the dairy cheese with a vegan cheese, or leave it out altogether. If you want your casserole to have some creamy texture, use a dairy-free cream cheese instead. You can also swap out butter for coconut oil and replace cow’s milk with nut milk or oat milk. Now your vegan green beans casserole recipe will be just as delicious without animal products!
Can I Substitute The Canned Green Beans For Fresh?
Sure, you can substitute the canned green beans for fresh! Just make sure that if you’re freezing them, they’re fully defrosted before adding them to your casserole. You may also want to consider adding some spices like garlic or onion powder to give it a flavor boost. Enjoy!
What Other Vegetables Can I Add To This Casserole?
Are you looking to add some extra flavor and texture to your casserole? You can always mix in a variety of veggies like carrots, mushrooms, onions, or peppers. Even adding spices like garlic powder or oregano will give the dish an extra boost! Keep in mind that when cooking with fresh vegetables, it may take longer for them to cook than canned green beans. So make sure to adjust your cooking time accordingly.
Is There An Alternative To Using Canned Soup In The Cream Sauce?
If you’re looking for an alternative to using canned soup in the cream sauce of green bean casserole, there are several vegetarian and dairy-free options. One option is to use a vegan cream or milk substitute instead of condensed soup. You could also replace it with a roux made from melted butter, flour, and either vegetable broth or water. For additional flavor, try adding herbs such as thyme and sage into the mixture.
Conclusion
The green bean casserole recipe is a delicious dish that will be the star of your holiday table. It’s easy to make and can easily be adjusted for vegan-friendly diets by omitting any dairy ingredients or substituting them with plant-based options. You can also substitute fresh green beans instead of canned, as well as add in other vegetables to customize it even further. If you don’t want to use canned soup for the cream sauce, try using coconut milk or cashew cream! With some simple tweaks, this classic recipe can become something truly special that everyone enjoys. So go ahead and give it a try – I’m sure you won’t regret it!
