This Green Bean Casserole is a classic holiday side dish that’s made from scratch without condensed soup. Fresh green beans, a creamy homemade sauce, and crispy fried onions come together in this comforting and flavorful casserole that’s perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any special occasion.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Homemade Goodness: This recipe ditches the canned soup for a fresh and flavorful homemade sauce that’s made with simple ingredients.
- Easy to Make: With clear instructions and helpful tips, this casserole is surprisingly easy to prepare, even for beginner cooks.
- Classic Flavor: It delivers all the comforting flavors of traditional green bean casserole, but with a homemade touch.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious Green Bean Casserole:
For the Homemade Cream of Mushroom Sauce:
- Salted butter: Adds richness and flavor to the sauce.
- Baby Bella mushrooms: Finely diced, adds a savory depth of flavor.
- All-purpose flour: Used to create a roux to thicken the sauce.
- Chicken broth: Adds flavor to the sauce.
- Whole milk: Adds lightness and balances the richness of the sauce.
- Garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper: For seasoning the sauce.
- Dried parsley flakes: Adds a touch of freshness and color.
For the Green Bean Mixture:
- Frozen green beans: Trimmed, for a tender and vibrant green vegetable.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Adds a cheesy flavor and creaminess.
- Milk: Helps create a smooth and creamy texture.
- Crispy fried onions: Such as French’s Fried Onions, for a crispy and flavorful topping.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Green Bean Casserole (Without Mushroom Soup)
Step 1: Make the Cream of Mushroom Sauce
Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the finely diced mushrooms and cook for 5-6 minutes, or until the liquid is mostly reduced and the mushrooms are softened. Sprinkle the flour over the mushrooms and stir to create a roux. Cook the roux for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth until smooth, then whisk in the milk and seasonings (garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and parsley flakes). Continue to whisk and cook over medium heat until the sauce comes to a gentle boil and thickens. Remove from heat and let cool for 5-10 minutes to thicken further.
Step 2: Combine the Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the homemade cream of mushroom sauce, frozen green beans, shredded cheddar cheese, milk, and half of the crispy fried onions. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly distributed.
Step 3: Bake
Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (177°C) for 25 minutes, or until bubbly.
Step 4: Top and Finish
Remove the casserole from the oven and top with the remaining crispy fried onions. Return to the oven and bake for another 5 minutes, or until the onions are golden brown and the green bean mixture is bubbly. Serve immediately.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Use high-quality ingredients: The better the quality of your ingredients, especially the mushrooms, cheese, and green beans, the better the flavor of the casserole.
- Don’t overcook the roux: Overcooking the roux can result in a burnt flavor. Cook it just until it’s fragrant and lightly browned.
- Don’t overcook the green beans: The green beans should be tender-crisp, not mushy.
How to Serve Green Bean Casserole
- Holiday Side Dish: This Green Bean Casserole is a classic side dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any holiday meal.
- Potluck Favorite: It’s a crowd-pleasing dish that’s easy to transport and serve at potlucks or gatherings.
- Weeknight Side: Enjoy it as a comforting and flavorful side dish for any weeknight dinner.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating:
To reheat, bake the casserole in the oven at 350°F (177°C) for 5-10 minutes, or until warmed through. You can add a splash of milk or water if it starts to look dry.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of mushroom?
Yes, you can use any type of mushroom you like, such as cremini mushrooms or white button mushrooms.
Can I use a different type of cheese?
Yes, you can use Parmesan cheese or a blend of Italian cheeses instead of cheddar cheese.
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the casserole a day ahead of time and bake it the next day.
How can I make this casserole vegetarian?
You can use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth when making the sauce.
There you have it! A delicious and easy-to-make recipe for Green Bean Casserole (Without Mushroom Soup) that’s perfect for any occasion. Enjoy!
PrintGreen Bean Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dishes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This homemade Green Bean Casserole is a classic comfort food dish that’s perfect for any holiday gathering or special occasion. Made with fresh ingredients and a creamy homemade mushroom sauce, it’s a delicious and satisfying side dish that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Homemade Cream of Mushroom:
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 cups finely diced baby Bella mushrooms
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
Green Bean Mixture:
- 24 ounces frozen green beans
- 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 1/2 cups crispy fried onions, divided
Instructions
Make Cream of Mushroom:
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the diced mushrooms and cook for 5-6 minutes, until the liquid is mostly reduced.
- Sprinkle the flour over the mushrooms and stir to combine.
- Gradually whisk in the chicken broth until smooth.
- Whisk in the milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and parsley flakes. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, whisking constantly.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 4-6 minutes, stirring continuously, until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and let cool for 5-10 minutes.
Assemble Casserole:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, combine the homemade cream of mushroom soup, green beans, shredded cheddar cheese, ½ cup milk, and half of the crispy fried onions.
- Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Bake for 25 minutes, or until bubbly.
Finish and Serve:
- Remove the casserole from the oven and top with the remaining crispy fried onions.
- Bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the onions are golden brown and the casserole is bubbly.
- Serve hot.
Notes
- You can use fresh green beans instead of frozen, but blanch them in boiling water for 2-3 minutes before adding them to the casserole.
- For a richer flavor, use half-and-half or heavy cream instead of whole milk.
- Feel free to add other vegetables to the casserole, such as diced carrots or sliced mushrooms.
- This casserole can be made ahead of time and reheated in the oven before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 220kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 40mg