Move over, turkey! This green bean casserole with bacon might just steal the show at your next holiday dinner. Made with fresh green beans, crispy bacon, sautéed mushrooms, Parmesan cheese, and a rich homemade cream sauce, this comforting casserole takes a Thanksgiving classic to another level.
Forget the canned cream of mushroom soup. This homemade green bean casserole brings together fresh ingredients and plenty of savory flavor, finished with a golden layer of crispy fried onions. It’s a delicious addition to your Thanksgiving table, holiday gatherings, or Sunday family dinner.
What Makes This Green Bean Casserole So Good?
The secret to this recipe is building flavor from scratch. Fresh green beans keep their texture, while bacon adds a smoky, savory richness. Mushrooms, garlic, and onions create a flavorful base for the creamy Parmesan sauce.
And, of course, no classic green bean casserole is complete without crispy fried onions on top!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs fresh green beans, washed, trimmed, and halved
- 1 tsp chicken bouillon
- 10 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 8 oz baby bella mushrooms, finely chopped (or your preferred variety)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup Field Day chicken broth
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 oz fresh Parmesan cheese
- 1 (6 oz) can crispy fried onions
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- Pinch of nutmeg
How to Make Green Bean Casserole with Bacon
Making homemade green bean casserole is easier than you might think! Follow these simple steps for tender green beans, a creamy mushroom sauce, and a perfectly crispy topping.
Step 1: Prepare the Green Beans
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add the chicken bouillon for extra flavor. Add the fresh green beans and cook for approximately 5 minutes, until bright green and tender-crisp.
Drain the beans and immediately transfer them to an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Drain again and set aside.
Step 2: Cook the Bacon
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon and set aside, leaving the rendered bacon fat in the skillet.
Step 3: Sauté the Vegetables
Add the diced onion, minced garlic, and chopped mushrooms to the same skillet. Sauté for 7–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.
Step 4: Make the Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Sprinkle the flour over the sautéed vegetables and cook for approximately 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
Slowly whisk in the chicken broth and heavy cream over medium-low heat. Continue stirring until the sauce thickens.
Season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg.
Step 5: Combine the Casserole
Stir the Parmesan cheese into the sauce until melted and fully incorporated.
Add the crispy bacon and prepared green beans, gently folding everything together until evenly coated. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
Transfer the mixture to a baking dish.
Step 6: Bake Until Golden and Crispy
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Bake the green bean casserole uncovered for 25 minutes. Remove it from the oven, sprinkle the crispy fried onions evenly over the top, and return it to the oven for another 5 minutes.
Once the topping is golden and the casserole is bubbling, remove it from the oven and serve hot.
Tips for the Best Green Bean Casserole
Use fresh green beans. Fresh beans hold their texture beautifully during baking. Blanching them before assembling the casserole helps prevent them from becoming too soft.
Don’t skip the bacon drippings. Cooking the mushrooms, garlic, and onions in the rendered bacon fat adds another layer of savory flavor.
Let the sauce thicken. A thick, creamy sauce coats the green beans better and helps prevent a watery casserole.
Add the crispy onions last. Waiting until the final 5 minutes of baking keeps the topping golden and crunchy rather than soggy.
Green Bean Casserole FAQs
How long do you bake green bean casserole?
For this recipe, bake the green bean casserole at 350°F for 25 minutes, then add the crispy fried onions and bake for another 5 minutes. The total baking time is approximately 30 minutes.
Do you bake green bean casserole covered or uncovered?
Bake this green bean casserole uncovered. This allows the casserole to heat through while the sauce bubbles and thickens. Adding the crispy fried onions near the end helps them stay crunchy.
Can you make green bean casserole ahead of time?
Yes! Prepare the green beans, bacon, and creamy mushroom sauce ahead of time. Assemble the casserole, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. When you’re ready to serve, bake until heated thoroughly, allowing additional time if the casserole is cold from the refrigerator. Add the crispy fried onions during the final 5 minutes.
Can you use frozen green beans instead of fresh?
Yes, frozen green beans can work in this recipe. Thaw and drain them thoroughly before adding them to the casserole. Since frozen beans are typically blanched before freezing, you can skip the initial boiling step. Keep in mind that the finished texture may be softer than when using fresh green beans.
What goes well with green bean casserole?
This creamy green bean casserole with bacon is a natural addition to a Thanksgiving dinner alongside roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and cranberry sauce. It’s also a great side dish for roasted chicken, ham, or a cozy Sunday dinner.
Keep Cookin’ with Oryana
Ready to make this homemade green bean casserole? Stop by either Oryana Community Co-op location in Traverse City to pick up fresh green beans, mushrooms, bacon, Parmesan cheese, Field Day chicken broth, and everything else you need. Looking for more cooking inspiration? Explore our recipe collection, sign up for Oryana’s email newsletter, and check out our upcoming cooking classes and events. Good food starts with good ingredients. Find yours at Oryana!
