Green Bean Casserole with Bacon and Mushrooms

This Green Bean Casserole with Bacon and Mushrooms is a holiday classic and has earned its place at the holiday table. This casserole gets upgraded with bacon, mushrooms, and a creamy sauce full of flavors and textures. A great recipe that takes the traditional green bean casserole and kicks it up a few notches.

Green Bean Casserole is a timeless and classic dish with a savory twist. It’s baked in the oven until bubbly and topped with crispy onions. A delicious side dish for the holidays or any occasion.

A casserole that is easy to prepare and comes together quickly. It’s loaded with flavor and tastes like it has been cooking all day. Canned Green Beans are dressed up in a thick and creamy sauce and topped with crispy fried onions. Definitely a winner and will not disappoint you or your family.

What is Green Bean Casserole?

Before Thanksgiving rolls around and all through Christmas, you hear about the famous Green Bean Casserole. This is a dish made mainly with green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and fried onions.

Green Bean Casserole is well known around the holidays as a culinary classic. To my knowledge, it’s been around for over 60 years–before my time. It was born at the Campbells Soup company in 1955. I literally had no idea Green Bean Casserole was even a thing that many years ago.

Now, this casserole is either loved or hated by many, and there seems to be no middle ground. By the time the season is over, you’ve either had too much, eaten a bad one (let’s not call out anyone), or had one with no flavor at all. Whatever the case, I am here to change your opinion and introduce you to a delicious Green bean casserole your family will love not just for the holidays but all year long. Once this dish hits the table, it will be forever in your recipe file.

Why Bacon Green Bean Casserole is Fabulous

This is my favorite Green Bean Casserole not only for its taste but also for its popularity. Tender green beans mixed with crispy bacon make this dish hard to resist.

Comfort: Green Bean casserole reminds us that sometimes, the simplest of recipes brings us the most joy. This is a timeless dish worth sharing with friends and family during the holidays or quiet evenings at home. A dish that brings comfort today as it has for generations before us.

Nostalgic: Green Bean Casserole is a dish shared around many tables during the holidays as part of a holiday meal. It is a reminder of tradition and fond memories.

Easy: This casserole comes together quickly with simple ingredients and straightforward instructions.

Versatile: While I prefer this recipe as written, there is room for versatility. Add peas, diced potatoes, cheddar cheese, or even jalapenos. The choice is left up to your personal preference.

Pleasing: This is always one of the first dishes to disappear from the table, and everyone seems to look for it as a side dish. You know it’s the holidays when you see a green bean casserole on the table. 

Timeless: This casserole has stood the test of time from generation to generation. It’s a popular dish and is still cherished today.

Ingredients Needed for the Best Green Bean Casserole

See the printable recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and amounts.

All of the ingredients can be found in your local grocery store year-round, so this dish is perfect for any day of the week.

Green Beans-– I use a good brand of canned green beans. I prefer canned green beans over frozen or fresh green beans. Canned green beans are more tender, and frozen green beans are more firm. The choice is a personal preference. Follow the package directions on the frozen beans if you would like to use those instead.
Bacon-– Should I say more? Who doesn’t love bacon? I believe I could eat my weight in bacon. Any bacon you like will work- thick or thin sliced.
Mushrooms, Onions, and Garlic provides a trio of massive flavors for this dish. Sliced mushrooms, diced onions, and minced garlic add an undeniable taste that kicks this dish up a few notches. This takes this casserole from boring to extraordinary. I like to use fresh mushrooms, but you can also swap them out for canned if desired. Use a sweet onion, yellow, or white- whatever you have in your refrigerator—no purple or red onions.
Cream of Mushroom Soup & Milk — Mix the milk with the cream of mushroom soup to make this casserole creamy. You will need two cans of cream of mushroom soup. Feel free to use cream of chicken or cream of celery if so desired
Shredded Cheese– Green bean casserole with cheese is fantastic. This is a must for added flavor and creaminess. You can buy pre-shredded cheese if desired. However, I prefer to buy a block of cheese and shred it myself.
French Fried Onions— This ingredient is a must for this casserole. The crispy fried onions on the top add the finishing touch this casserole needs. Cover the top completely. These onions add a nice crunch.
Seasonings—  Just a few seasonings will do. Simple is best. Just a little bit of black pepper will do. The bacon, cream of mushroom soup, and fried onions replace salt. You don’t want it too salty. You can always add it at the end but you can’t take it away.

This is a super easy side dish recipe that comes together fast and is not only perfect for the Thanksgiving menu but would be great as a weeknight side or part of a Sunday dinner menu.

How to Make the Ultimate Green Bean Casserole

For complete instructions, see the printable recipe card below.

This is my favorite green bean casserole recipe, and I use it often. It is one of my go-to side dishes that comes together fast and is delicious with each bite.

Learn How to Cook a Turkey In A Bag and get a perfectly moist turkey every time. Check out my tips and tricks to make your holiday special.

Can I Make this Casserole Ahead of Time?

Yes, Prepare this casserole– except for the onion topping and baking. Wrap the casserole in plastic wrap, and place in the refrigerator until ready to bake. Personally, I have prepared this casserole a day ahead, and it was great.
When ready to bake, take it out of the refrigerator and allow it to rest on the counter while the oven preheats. Then, remove the plastic wrap, add fried onions, and bake according to directions. If your casserole has been in the refrigerator, add at least 10 more minutes to the cooking time.

Substitutions for Cream of Mushroom Soup

Now, if you want to make your own homemade mushroom soup–go for it! I salute you!
But, if you are like me and want to cut corners if possible, use the canned stuff. It’s good, and your dish will be just as fantastic.
What if you forgot cream of mushroom soup? No worries. Grab some cream of chicken or cream of celery soup. They will work just fine.

What To Add to Green Bean Casserole

I like to add flavor to all of my food. Garlic, bacon, onions, mushrooms, and cheese add a ton of flavor to this dish, and this is not your ordinary casserole. One bite, and your taste buds will pop.

My No-Bake Pumpkin Pie is an amazing dessert. It’s simple to make and delicious to eat. Only takes minutes to prepare and is so light and creamy.

How to Store Leftovers

If you find yourself with any leftovers of this classic holiday side dish, then save them for another night. Bring leftovers to room temperature, cover tightly with aluminum foil, plastic wrap, or place in an airtight container, and refrigerate. They will be fine for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.

How to Reheat Green Bean Casserole

To reheat this casserole, place in a 350-degree oven and heat for 20 minutes or until hot or place small portions on a microwave-safe plate and heat until hot.

Tips and Variations for the Best Classic Green Bean Casserole

• Use a good brand of green beans. If using fresh green beans, boil, blanch, or steam them before adding them to the casserole. Pat dry to remove the water.

• Drain the canned green beans well before adding them to the casserole/ green bean mixture.

• Reserve some of the bacon grease for cooking the onions and mushrooms. 

• Add the crispy onion topping just before baking. 

• This casserole does not need any extra salt. The bacon, cheese, and soup have enough salt already.

• Add Pepper Jack cheese instead of cheddar, or combine both.

• Use fresh mushrooms, but canned mushrooms will work if you are in a pinch. 

This recipe makes enough for large family gatherings, a holiday side dish, and Thanksgiving dinner.

FAQs

Other Side Dishes to Serve for Holiday Dinner:

Be sure to check out my post on 13 Southern Side Dishes  to serve for the holidays. Need more? Check out this round-up of 23 Southern Side Dishes. There is something for everyone in the family.  They are perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes

Pineapple Casserole

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Fried Okra

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Chicken and Dressing

Cranberry Stuffing

Holiday Desserts

Southern Sweet Potato Pie

Chocolate Pecan Pie

Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting

Southern Buttermilk Pie

No Bake Pumpkin Pie

Southern Caramel Cake

More Casseroles:

Sweet Potato Casserole

Hashbrown Casserole

Of course, this dish usually shows up on holiday tables, but it’s also great to serve during the week all year long. Green Bean casserole takes me back to my childhood, and those were great memories. So make some memories with your family not just during the holiday, but every day.

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