Description
Comfort meets innovation in this loaded green bean casserole, where classic holiday flavors dance with modern culinary twists. Crispy bacon, caramelized onions, and a creamy sauce elevate this hearty side dish, promising a memorable meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 cups green beans (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 6 slices bacon
Sauce and Cream Components:
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 0.5 cup milk
- 0.5 cup sour cream
Seasoning and Topping:
- 1.5 cups French’s fried onions
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
- 1 pinch paprika
Instructions
- Prepare the oven at 350°F for a perfectly heated cooking environment.
- Blend fresh green beans with creamy mushroom soup, introducing rich dairy components like milk and sour cream for a luxurious texture.
- Incorporate sharp cheddar cheese, aromatic garlic powder, and cracked black pepper to enhance the flavor profile.
- Fold in crispy bacon pieces for a savory dimension and mix with a portion of French’s fried onions to create depth.
- Distribute the mixture uniformly into a baking dish, ensuring even coverage for consistent cooking.
- Roast uncovered for 25-30 minutes, allowing ingredients to meld and green beans to soften.
- After initial baking, scatter remaining fried onions and additional cheese across the surface.
- Return to the oven for 5-10 minutes, monitoring until cheese melts and onion topping turns golden brown.
- Finish with optional garnishes of finely chopped green onions and a light dusting of paprika for visual appeal and subtle flavor enhancement.
- Serve immediately while the casserole maintains its warm, creamy consistency.
Notes
- Prep green beans ahead of time by blanching for vibrant color and crisp texture, ensuring they don’t become mushy during baking.
- Customize dairy-free by substituting milk and sour cream with plant-based alternatives like coconut milk and vegan sour cream for lactose-intolerant guests.
- Control sodium levels by using low-sodium cream of mushroom soup and reducing added salt, making the dish heart-friendly without compromising flavor.
- Create a crunchier topping by mixing French’s fried onions with panko breadcrumbs for extra crispy and textured casserole surface.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 263 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 660 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg