Fresh Green Bean Casserole Recipe
There are so many versions of green bean casserole out there. Some start with a can of mushroom soup. Others toss in bacon. This Fresh Green Beans Casserole recipe leans more old-school, made from scratch with fresh green beans, mushrooms, and a dreamy, creamy sauce that doesn’t come from a can.
I love how this casserole bridges the gap between nostalgic comfort and fresh, real ingredients. It’s the kind of dish that works just as well on a holiday table as it does on a weeknight when you want something cozy. Plus, it doesn’t take forever to throw together.
If you love cozy casseroles like this one, try my Chicken Artichoke Casserole, Lazy Ravioli Lasagna, or Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Made from scratch: No canned soup here, just real, fresh ingredients.
- Still classic: Has that same crispy, creamy vibe you remember.
- Great for any occasion: Serve this comfort food side dish with your weeknight dinner, or alongside your smoked turkey and cranberry sauce for your holiday meal.
Ingredients
This is a list of the ingredients that you need to make your grocery shopping easier. You can find the full list of the ingredients and amounts needed in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Fresh green beans – Bright, crisp, and totally worth the extra few minutes to trim.
- Butter – Adds a rich base for sautéing the onions and mushrooms.
- Onion – Finely chopped so it melts into the sauce.
- Garlic – Just two cloves, but they bring serious flavor.
- Mushrooms – Fresh and sliced; they add depth and soak up the buttery goodness.
- All-purpose flour – Helps thicken up that creamy sauce.
- Chicken or veggie broth – Use whichever you prefer; both add a savory note.
- Half-and-half or milk – Makes the sauce creamy and luscious.
- Salt and black pepper – For balance and seasoning.
- Shredded cheddar cheese (optional) – Totally optional, but adds a cheesy kick.
- French fried onions – Crispy topping magic. Don’t skip these!
How to Make Fresh Green Bean Casserole
This is a quick overview of the step-by-step instructions for making this recipe. You can find the complete list of instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Boil a big pot of salted water. Toss in the green beans and cook for 5 minutes until just tender and bright green. Drain.
- In a skillet, melt the butter. Add onion and cook 3 minutes. Stir in garlic and mushrooms. Cook 5–6 minutes until mushrooms brown.
- Sprinkle flour over the mushroom mixture. Stir to coat and cook for 1 minute.
- Slowly whisk in broth and half-and-half. Cook 3–4 minutes until thickened. Season with salt and pepper.
- Stir in green beans and 1/2 cup of the French-fried onions (plus cheese if you’re using it). Transfer everything to a 9×13 baking dish. Top with cheese if you want.
- Bake for 20 minutes. Top with remaining fried onions. Bake another 5–10 minutes until golden and bubbling. Serve along with your favorite main dish, and homemade Hawaiian rolls for a great meal.
What To Serve With This Dish
This simple homemade green bean casserole goes well with any of your favorite main courses. I like to pair with a ham smothered in a maple syrup glaze, cheesy cauliflower, and a sweet treat like
Substitutions and Additions
- Beans: Use frozen green beans if you’re short on time. Just thaw, drain, and dry them.
- Bacon: Add cooked bacon or diced ham for a smoky twist.
- Spice: Add red pepper flakes for a hint of heat.
How To Store
- Storage: Cover and refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: While it’s possible to freeze this casserole, I strongly recommend against it. The texture changes, and it’s just not as good.
- Reheating: The oven works best at 350°F for about 15 minutes until hot and bubbly.
Sandra’s Pro Tips
- Don’t overcook the green beans. You want them tender, not mushy.
- Sauté the mushrooms until they brown. That’s where the flavor is.
- Add the cheese inside and on top if you love it gooey.
- Keep extra fried onions on hand; you can add them to the top of leftovers to add the crunch back.
- Let it sit for 5 minutes before serving, allowing it to thicken slightly.
FAQs
Do you have questions about this recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions for this recipe.
Yep! Assemble everything except the final layer of fried onions. Cover and chill. Add onions and bake just before serving.
White button or cremini both work great. Just keep them fresh, not canned.
Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour and make sure your fried onions are gluten-free too.
Other Delicious Green Bean Recipes You May Enjoy
Fresh Green Beans Casserole Recipe
Equipment
- Large stock pot
- Large Skillet
- 9" x 13" baking dish oven proof
Ingredients
- 2 pounds fresh green beans trimmed
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 8 ounces mushrooms fresh, sliced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup half-and-half or milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese optional
- 1 ½ cups French fried onions divided
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add green beans and cook 5 minutes until bright green and just tender. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and cook 3 minutes, then stir in garlic and mushrooms. Cook 5–6 minutes until mushrooms release moisture and start to brown.
- Sprinkle flour over mushroom mixture, stirring to coat. Cook 1 minute, then slowly whisk in broth and half-and-half. Cook 3–4 minutes until thickened. Season with salt and pepper.
- Stir in green beans and ½ cup French fried onions (and cheese if using). Transfer to a 9″ x 13″ baking dish. Sprinkle with cheese, if using.
- Bake 20 minutes, then top with remaining French fried onions. Bake an additional 5–10 minutes until golden and bubbling.
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Please note that the nutritional information provided are guidelines and may vary based on the brand of products used. For your specific nutritional goals use My Fitness Pal or Verywell Fit recipe calculators. All content within this site is not intended as medical diagnosis or treatment and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical expertise.
