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
You can prepare this casserole up to 24 hours in advance. Assemble the casserole, refrigerate it, and then bake it when ready. Add the crispy fried onions just before baking. Remove your casserole from the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes before baking.
Freezing green bean casserole is not recommended. The texture of the green beans and the creamy sauce may change upon thawing and reheating.
If you do not like the crispy fried onions, you can substitute them for toasted bread crumbs, Panko bread crumbs, crushed potato chips, or buttery crackers.
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
Holiday Desserts
Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting
More Casseroles:
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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Easy Green Bean Casserole with Bacon and Mushrooms
Ingredients
- 1 12 ounce package bacon cooked and crumbled
- 1 onion diced
- 1 8 ounce package mushrooms sliced. I used white mushrooms.
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced
- 2 10.75 ounce cans cream of mushroom soup
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 cups shredded cheese cheddar, mozzarella, pepper jack, or your favorite
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 4 14 ounce cans cut green beans drained
- 2 cups French Fried Onions
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large skillet, fry bacon until crispy. Remove from skillet and drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Crumble when cool and set aside.
- Drain bacon grease leaving 2 tablespoons in the skillet. Heat to medium heat, then add onions and mushrooms and cook for about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Stir in mushroom soup, milk, crumbled bacon, cheese, pepper, and green beans to the skillet. Mix well.
- Pour into the prepared baking dish. Top with fried onions. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes or until bubbly and hot.
Great recipe
I had never had green beans casserole until I moved to the State’s. In Canada we don’t make it for holidays. Thank-you for this great recipe!
I am loving the addition of bacon and mushrooms to this green bean casserole!
Yum! This easy green bean casserole was so delicious! I loved all the flavors and it makes me excited for Thanksgiving! I can’t wait !
I love the addition of the mushrooms to this Green Bean Casserole they are the ultimate flavor bomb in any dish.
Green bean casserole is one of my favourite holiday side dishes. The addition of bacon I bet makes it even better!!
I love that you include mushrooms in this! Green bean casserole can get old really quickly but the mushrooms in this would certainly grab my attention
Lovely dinner idea. I bet my boys would love this. I’m going to save your recipe and give it a try. Thanks!
This is the best green bean casserole I have ever had! The cheese and bacon really added an amazing flavor combination to the casserole. Everybody here loved it.
Green bean casserole is a favorite dish of mine! Yours looks delicious!
Great recipe! I love that you add extra fresh mushrooms for more flavor, and I never thought of adding pepper jack cheese but that sounds positively delicious. Thanks for another winner!
Thank you, Eliza!
This was the perfect side dish! Will make over the holidays again!!
Love this twist on a classic green bean casserole! I’m going to be adding this to our holiday menu for sure!
Yummy! Mushrooms, bacon and cheesy sauce go so well with green beans! We used pepper jack in this recipe and it worked beautifully! Very flavoursome! Will definitely make it again soon 🙂
It’s the season for hearty casseroles! And I for one, can’t wait to try this out, love a good green bean casserole especially with mushrooms. Thanks for the recipe!
This is my favorite dish at the holidays. I love this classic homemade version
This was such a delicious casserole that pairs perfectly with just about anything! Adding this to my Thanksgiving lineup; definitely, a new favorite dish!
Love this! I added water chestnuts for a little more crunch.
This a must-have recipe for Thanksgiving and this looks so delicious. Thanks for sharing.
Everything this better with bacon, right! What a delicious side dish, my whole family love it.