Green Bean Casserole is a holiday must-have! This creamy classic has been gracing our tables for decades, and for a good reason—it’s comforting, easy to make, and loved by just about everyone. Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, or just a cozy family dinner, green bean casserole is the ultimate side dish.

I could not stop eating this Green Bean Casserole! I don’t know if it was the creamy mushroom sauce, tender green beans, or caramelized onions. Or maybe it was everything combined. Anyway, it was pure magic.

Most Green Bean Casseroles contain canned soup. I have nothing against canned soups and use them all the time in my recipes. However, this particular recipe is from scratch—no canned soup. Don’t worry—it’s still easy to make. I don’t like complicated recipes.

Why You’ll Love It

Creamy & Crispy: Each bite has tender green beans in a creamy sauce topped with crispy fried onions—it’s a perfect blend of textures!
Flexible: Use fresh, frozen, or canned green beans—whatever works best for you.
Easy to Make: Just a few steps and you’ve got a comforting side ready to go.
Crowd-Pleaser: The rich flavors and satisfying texture are a hit with kids and adults alike!
Homemade Sauce: No canned soup here—this version has a delicious homemade creamy mushroom sauce!

Ingredients

The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Need to fry to caramelize the onion topping.
Heavy Cream: Makes the base super rich and creamy.
All-Purpose Flour: Thickens the sauce to perfection.
Butter: Adds that savory, buttery goodness.
Garlic: Adds a nice hint of flavor and aroma.
Button Mushrooms: These add to the savory flavor and texture.
Green Beans: The star of the show! Use fresh, frozen, or canned.
Onion: Adds natural sweetness and balance to the dish.
Salt & Pepper: Essential for bringing out all the flavors.

How to Make Green Bean Casserole

Follow along to learn how to make green bean casserole!

Step One: Preheat oven to 350°F.
Step Two: In a saucepan, whisk together heavy cream, flour, butter, garlic, salt and pepper over medium-low heat. Continue to whisk until thickened, about 5 minutes. Add mushrooms and simmer for another 15 minutes.

Step Three: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Blanch the green beans for 60 seconds. Drain and rinse in cold water.
Step Four: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook until they start to brown.

Collage of cooking the green beans and the onions.

Step Five: To assemble, spread green beans in a 9×13 inch casserole dish. Pour over the mushroom sauce. Spread onions on top. Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Serve hot.

Collage of assembling the casserole in a pan.

What to Serve with It

Need some inspiration? Try these side dishes that pair well with green bean casserole:

Mashed Potatoes. Try my mashed potato casserole or sweet potato casserole.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts. Try my roasted brussel sprouts with cranberries and bacon.
Honey-Glazed Carrots. You’ll also like sweet and sour carrots.
Baked Acorn Squash
Roasted Turkey or Glazed Ham. Try my Christmas ham.
Cornbread
Simple Green Salad

Variations and Substitutions

Green Peas: Swap green beans for peas for a twist!
Spicy Kick: Add some heat by tossing the green beans with harissa before baking.
Crispy Toppings: Don’t stop at fried onions—try toasted bread crumbs, sautéed mushrooms, or crispy bacon for extra flavor and crunch.
Use Canned or Frozen Green Beans: Canned green beans work well! Just make sure to drain them to avoid a soggy casserole. You also don’t need to boil them in step 3.
Use Canned Soup. Use a couple cans of cream of mushroom soup instead of making the homemade sauce.

The recipe in a pan with a wooden spoon.

Storing Leftovers

Got leftovers? Here’s how to keep them fresh:

Cool It Down: Let the casserole cool to room temperature first.
Cover It Up: Store it in the fridge using an airtight container, or cover with plastic wrap or foil.
Enjoy Soon: It’ll stay delicious for 3-4 days, so dig in before then for the best flavor!

Can I Freeze?

You can freeze it, but there may be texture changes in the cream sauce and it can separate and become grainy. If you do freeze, store it up for up to 2 months in the freezer.

Make-Ahead Tips

Yes, you can make this ahead to save time! Just assemble the casserole, cover, and pop it in the fridge up to a day in advance. It may require a little extra time in the oven if it goes in cold.

The recipe in a pan with a few slices removed.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Go Fresh for Better Texture: If possible, use fresh green beans for a little extra crunch.
Cheese, Please: Add cheese for a fun twist! Cheddar, Parmesan, or Gruyère would be amazing.
Add Protein: Make it a complete meal with crumbled bacon or shredded chicken.
Top It Off: Don’t skimp on those fried onions—they’re the best part!

Holiday Side Dishes

You’ll also love Tater Tot Casserole, Twice Baked Potato Casserole, Baked Bean Casserole, Broccoli Casserole, Cabbage Roll Casserole and Cheesy Zucchini Bake.

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5 from 2 votes