Green Bean Casserole – Frenches

This Classic French’s Green Bean Casserole is a timeless holiday side dish that never goes out of style. Made with tender green beans, creamy mushroom soup, and topped with those iconic crispy fried onions, it’s a simple yet comforting recipe that’s been a family favorite for generations.

Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any gathering, this casserole is quick to prepare and always disappears fast from the table!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fancy but super simple.
This casserole looks like it belongs at a fancy French bistro, but it really just uses straightforward ingredients and comes together fast. No rocket science here, just good old-fashioned comfort food with a twist.

Texture and flavor harmony.
You get that creamy, savory mushroom sauce combined with tender-crisp green beans, topped off with crunchy fried onions that add both flavor and that perfect crunch. It’s like a party of textures in your mouth.

A fresh take on a classic.
Instead of the usual canned green beans, this recipe uses fresh ones, making it taste way less processed and way more delicious without extra fuss.

Ingredient Notes

• Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup – The classic base of creamy mushroom sauce is what makes this casserole creamy and flavorful. (You can use homemade cream of mushroom soup, too)
• Milk – Helps thin the soup for the perfect consistency.
• Black Pepper – Adds just the right amount of seasoning.
• Green Beans (cooked and cut) – Use fresh green beans, frozen, or canned—just make sure they’re cooked and cut for easy mixing.
• Crispy Fried Onions – The signature crunchy topping that makes this dish irresistible.

Kitchen Equipment

• Large Skillet
• Medium Saucepan or large saucepan
• Baking Dish (1.5 quart or similar)
• Mixing Bowls – large bowl
• Colander or Strainer
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula
• Aluminum foil – if needed

How to Make

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. In a 1 ½-quart casserole dish, combine the soup, milk, soy sauce, pepper, green beans, and ⅔ cup of the fried onions.
3. Bake uncovered for 25 minutes, or until the mixture is hot and bubbling.
4. Remove from the oven, stir gently, then sprinkle the remaining fried onions evenly over the top.
5. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes, until the onions are golden and crisp.

Variations & Substitutions

Add Cheese: Sprinkle a bit of Gruyère or Swiss cheese on top before baking for a creamy, nutty twist.

Make it Vegan: Swap butter for olive oil or vegan margarine, use coconut cream instead of heavy cream/milk, or use a vegan onion topping.

Add Crunch with Nuts: Top with toasted almonds or hazelnuts mixed in with the fried onions for a fun textural surprise.

Swap the Beans: Try green beans mixed with haricots verts or snap peas for a lighter, fresher flavor.

Mushroom Medley: Use a mix of mushrooms, like shiitake or oyster, for a richer, earthier sauce.

Flavor Boosters

• Add Fresh Thyme or Tarragon – A sprinkle of fresh thyme or tarragon gives the casserole a subtle herby brightness that balances the creaminess nicely.
• Splash of White Wine – Cooking some additional mushrooms with a little white wine before adding the cream adds a tangy depth that’s pretty next-level.
• Garlic Kick – Sauté a clove or two of minced garlic with some shallots for a more aromatic, bold flavor.
• Nutmeg Dusting – A tiny pinch of freshly grated nutmeg in the cream sauce adds a warm, cozy undertone that’s barely noticeable but super comforting.
• Parmesan Top-Off – Mix some grated parmesan into the crispy fried onions for an extra layer of cheesy yum.

You can change up this classic green bean casserole recipe in so many ways for your Thanksgiving dinner. Try updating this original recipe by adding a splash of chicken broth to the sauce, top with onion rings instead of french fried onions, sprinkle some cheddar cheese or parmesan cheese on top, add some garlic powder to the creamy mixture, swap the cream of mushroom with cream of chicken soup, or add the extra step of adding unsalted butter to the top when adding the last layer of French-fried onions.

What to Serve With Green Bean Casserole

• Roast Chicken – Classic roast chicken with crispy skin pairs perfectly with the creamy green bean casserole.
• Mashed Potatoes – Creamy mashed potatoes are basically cousins to this casserole in the comfort food family.
• Cranberry Sauce – A tart cranberry sauce cuts through the richness with a refreshing zing.
• Dinner Rolls – Soft dinner rolls or crusty bread are great for scooping up every last bit.
• Simple Salad – A light, crisp salad with a tangy vinaigrette will add balance and freshness to your plate.

Storage

Storing: Keep leftovers in the fridge in a sealed container for 3-4 days. Reheat gently to keep that creamy texture intact.

Freezing: Cool the casserole completely, then transfer to an airtight container or wrap tightly with foil and plastic wrap. Freeze for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen in a preheated oven at 350°F until heated through.

How to Reheat

Oven Method: Preheat oven to 350°F. Cover casserole with foil to keep moisture in and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until warmed through. Remove foil in the last 5 minutes to crisp the top.

Microwave Method: Place a portion on a microwave-safe plate, cover loosely with a damp paper towel, and heat in 1-2 minute increments until hot. This method is quick but might soften the crispy onions.

Stovetop Method: Heat a skillet over medium heat and gently rewarm a serving with a splash of water or broth, covered, until warmed through. It helps maintain creaminess without drying out.

Air Fryer Method: For smaller portions, heat at 320°F for 5-7 minutes. This keeps the texture nice and crispy without drying it out.

Troubleshooting

Casserole Too Watery
Make sure to reduce the cream mixture enough before combining with the beans. If it’s still watery, try adding a slurry of flour or cornstarch to thicken.

Green Beans Too Soft or Mushy
Don’t skip blanching and shocking with ice water; this locks in that snap. Also, avoid overbaking the casserole after assembling.

Fried Onions Go Soggy
Add the crispy onions only in the last few minutes of baking or on top right before serving to keep them crunchy.

Sauce Lacks Flavor
Don’t be stingy with seasoning as you cook; add to your liking. You can even add mushrooms and shallots that are well sautéed for maximum flavor.

Burnt Top
If onions brown too quickly, tent the casserole with foil halfway through baking or reduce the oven temperature slightly.

FAQ’s

Can I prepare this casserole a day ahead?

Absolutely. You can assemble it the day before, cover it well, and pop it in the fridge. Just add the crispy onions right before baking so they stay crunchy.

Is this casserole gluten-free?

It depends on your fried onion topping. Some brands have gluten, so look for gluten-free options or make your own crispy onions.

Can I use canned green beans?

You can, but fresh or frozen green beans really hold up better in taste and texture.

How spicy is this dish?

It’s not spicy at all—totally mild and creamy—but you could add a pinch of black pepper or cayenne to spice things up.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes, but use a larger baking dish or two dishes to make sure it cooks evenly.

DON’T MISS THESE HOLIDAY E-BOOKS!

If you love this classic side dish recipe, you’re going to love these other side dish recipes, too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!

More Great Holiday Recipes

Twice Baked Mashed Potatoes

Smashed Broccoli

Potatoes Au Gratin

Turkey Gravy

---

---