Description
This Ultimate Green Bean Casserole recipe elevates the classic holiday dish with crispy bacon, sautéed mushrooms, and melted Monterey Jack cheese, topped with crunchy French fried onions. Perfectly baked to a bubbly golden finish, it’s a delicious side that will impress at any family gathering or festive occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat & Vegetables
- 6 strips bacon
- 1/2 yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 1/2 cups chopped button mushrooms
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 (14.5-ounce) cans cut green beans, drained
Other Ingredients
- 2 (10.5-ounce) cans cream of mushroom soup
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 1/2 cups French fried onions
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook the Bacon: In a large skillet over medium-low heat, cook the bacon strips until crisp. Remove them and drain on paper towels, then crumble into pieces. Keep about 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the skillet and discard the rest.
- Sauté Onions and Mushrooms: With the skillet back on medium heat and the reserved bacon grease, add diced onions and cook for about 5 minutes until translucent. Add chopped mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes more until golden brown. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Combine Soup Mixture: Stir in the undiluted cream of mushroom soup, crumbled bacon, milk, and shredded Monterey Jack cheese. Continue stirring until the cheese is melted and the mixture is well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add Green Beans and Assemble: Fold the drained green beans into the mixture until evenly coated. Pour the entire mixture into the prepared baking dish and evenly top with French fried onions.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the oven and bake uncovered for 30 minutes or until the casserole is hot and bubbly and the topping is golden and crispy.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh mushrooms and crispy bacon for maximum flavor.
- Can be prepared a day in advance; refrigerate before baking. Add extra time to baking if chilled.
- French fried onions can be substituted with homemade crispy onions if desired.
- Adjust salt and pepper according to taste, especially if using low-sodium soup.
- For a lower fat version, use reduced-fat cheese and milk, and turkey bacon or omit bacon.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
