Description
This Ultimate Green Bean Casserole is a classic comfort dish elevated with crispy bacon, sautéed mushrooms, and creamy Monterey Jack cheese. Perfect for holiday gatherings or family dinners, it combines tender green beans with a rich mushroom sauce and a crunchy fried onion topping for a deliciously satisfying side.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 4 (14.5-ounce) cans cut green beans, drained
- 2 (10.5-ounce) cans cream of mushroom soup
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1/2 yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 1/2 cups chopped button mushrooms
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Additional Flavorings
- 6 strips bacon
- 1 1/2 cups French fried onions
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prepare for baking.
- Cook Bacon: In a large skillet over medium-low heat, cook the bacon strips until they are crisp. Remove the bacon from the pan and drain on paper towels, then crumble into small pieces.
- Sauté Onions: Drain all but about 2 tablespoons of the bacon grease from the skillet and return it to medium heat. Add the finely diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent and soft.
- Add Mushrooms and Garlic: Add the chopped button mushrooms to the skillet and cook for another 5 minutes until golden brown. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
- Combine Sauce Ingredients: Stir in the undiluted cream of mushroom soup, crumbled bacon, milk, and shredded Monterey Jack cheese. Mix until the cheese has melted completely and the sauce is smooth. Season with salt and pepper according to your taste.
- Mix in Green Beans: Fold the drained green beans into the sauce mixture, ensuring they are well coated.
- Assemble Casserole: Pour the green bean mixture into the prepared baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the French fried onions on top for a crispy finish.
- Bake: Bake the casserole uncovered in the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until it is hot and bubbly, and the topping is golden.
Notes
- For a healthier version, use reduced-fat cheese and low-sodium cream of mushroom soup.
- Fresh green beans can be used instead of canned; blanch them beforehand for best texture.
- Try substituting Monterey Jack with cheddar cheese for a sharper flavor.
- If you prefer a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and use vegetable oil instead of bacon grease for sautéing.
- This casserole can be prepared a day ahead; just cover and refrigerate, then bake before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
