Description
A classic, creamy green bean casserole loaded with crispy bacon, sautéed mushrooms, and topped with crunchy French fried onions. Perfect as a comforting side dish for any holiday or family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and 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
Condiments and Dairy
- 2 (10.5-ounce) cans cream of mushroom soup
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Others
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 1/2 cups French fried onions
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prepare for baking.
- Cook Bacon and Onions: In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium-low heat until crisp. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels, then crumble. Drain all but about 2 tablespoons of bacon grease from the pan, return to medium heat, and cook the diced onions, stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes until translucent.
- Sauté Mushrooms and Garlic: Add the chopped mushrooms to the pan and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Combine Mixture: Stir in the undiluted cream of mushroom soup, crumbled bacon, milk, and shredded Monterey Jack cheese. Stir until the cheese melts and the mixture is well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add Green Beans: Fold in the drained green beans until everything is evenly combined.
- Assemble and Bake: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and top evenly with the French fried onions. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly and onions are golden brown.
Notes
- For a crispier topping, add half of the fried onions before baking and sprinkle the rest on top after baking.
- Use fresh green beans blanched in boiling water for a fresher taste instead of canned beans.
- Substitute cheddar cheese for Monterey Jack for a sharper flavor.
- Bacon grease adds extra flavor; if preferred, substitute with butter to reduce fat.
- This casserole can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated; bake when ready to serve.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
