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A steaming hot, homemade green bean casserole recipe in a white baking dish, topped with crispy fried onions and sitting on a rustic wooden table in front of a cozy fireplace.

Irresistible Green Bean Casserole (Creamy, Crispy & No-Can Hack!)

5 from 1 vote
Skip the soggy stuff! Try the BEST Green Bean Casserole recipe with our no-canned soup hack. Crispy topping, creamy filling, and ready in 55 minutes your new Thanksgiving favorite!
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Course: Dinner, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food, Thanksgiving
Calories: 280
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Creamy Mushroom Sauce
  • 2 tbsp 30g Unsalted Butter Or olive oil for vegan
  • 8 oz 225g Cremini Mushrooms Sliced
  • 1 Small Yellow Onion Minced
  • 2 cloves Garlic Minced
  • ¼ cup 30g All-Purpose Flour Or 1:1 GF flour blend
  • 2 cups 480ml Chicken or Vegetable Broth Use vegetable broth for vegetarian/vegan
  • 1 cup 240ml Heavy Cream Or whole milk (or full-fat coconut milk for vegan)
  • ½ tsp 3g Salt Or to taste
  • ¼ tsp Black Pepper Or to taste
  • Pinch Ground Nutmeg Optional, but recommended
For the Casserole
  • 1.5 lbs 680g Fresh Green Beans Trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup ~60g Crispy Fried Onions Divided (e.g., French's)
Optional
  • ½ cup 50g Shredded Cheddar Cheese
  • ½ cup Cooked Bacon Bits Crumbled

Equipment

  • 1 Large Pot For blanching green beans
  • 1 Large Bowl For ice bath
  • 1 Large Skillet or Sauté Pan For making the sauce
  • 1 Whisk
  • 1 9x13 inch Baking Dish Or similar 2-quart casserole dish
  • 1 Spatula or Large Spoon

Method
 

Prep the Beans & Sauce
  1. Blanch Beans: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the trimmed green beans and cook for 3-4 minutes until bright green and crisp-tender. Immediately transfer them to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Once cool, drain thoroughly and pat very dry. Set aside.
    A hand using a slotted spoon to move bright green, blanched fresh green beans from a pot of boiling water into a glass bowl of ice water.
  2. Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 5 minutes until softened. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook until browned and their liquid has evaporated (5-7 mins). Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
    Hands sautéing sliced mushrooms and chopped onions with a wooden spoon in a cast-iron skillet to create a fresh, creamy sauce for a homemade green bean casserole
  3. Make Sauce: Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir constantly for 1-2 minutes. Slowly whisk in the broth until smooth. Bring to a simmer, whisking, until it starts to thicken. Pour in the heavy cream (or milk/coconut milk), salt, pepper, and optional nutmeg. Simmer gently for 2 minutes until creamy. Remove from heat.
    A person whisking broth into a cast-iron skillet of sautéed mushrooms to create a creamy homemade sauce for a green bean casserole recipe.
Assemble & Bake
  1. Combine: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large bowl, combine the blanched and dried green beans, the creamy mushroom sauce, and half (½ cup) of the crispy fried onions. (Add optional bacon or cheese here if using). Mix gently to combine.
    A hand pouring a rich, creamy mushroom sauce from a skillet over a large bowl of blanched fresh green beans to assemble a homemade green bean casserole.
  2. Transfer: Pour the mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish and spread evenly.
    A hand using a white spatula to spread the creamy green bean casserole mixture evenly into a white 9x13 baking dish before it goes into the oven.
  3. Bake: Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, until the sauce is hot and bubbly around the edges.
    A steaming, hot, and bubbly homemade green bean casserole in a white baking dish, fresh from the oven and sitting on a marble counter next to an oven mitt.
  4. Top & Finish: Remove from oven, sprinkle the remaining half (½ cup) of the crispy fried onions evenly over the top. Return to the oven for 5 more minutes until the onions are golden brown and fragrant.
    A hand sprinkling crispy fried onions from a small white bowl over a hot, bubbling homemade green bean casserole in a white baking dish.
  5. Rest & Serve: Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
    A serving spoon lifting a large, creamy scoop of green bean casserole with a perfectly golden and crispy fried onion topping from a white baking dish.

Notes

Notes

 
  • Fresh Beans are Key: For the best texture and flavor, use fresh green beans. If using frozen, thaw completely and pat very dry.
  • Make Ahead: Assemble the casserole (without the final onion topping) up to 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Let sit at room temp for 30 mins before baking, adding 10-15 mins to the initial bake time.
  • Vegan Option: Use vegan butter, vegetable broth, full-fat coconut milk, and check crispy onions are vegan.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in the sauce and ensure crispy onions are certified gluten-free.
  • Extra Crispy Top: For an even crispier topping, you can briefly broil for 1-2 minutes at the very end (watch carefully!).