Home ยป Recipes

Cheesy Green Bean Casserole

Cheesy green bean casserole is a rich and delicious side dish that is a great addition to any holiday table.

It takes green bean casserole and knocks it up a notch for a creamy and unforgettable dish–Thanksgiving dinner will never be the same.

The Best Cheesy Green Bean Casserole

Baked cheesy green bean casserole on a red plate.

This is one of the best casseroles because it’s so easy to make, tastes wonderful, works for any occasion–especially holidays, and has a crunchy and creamy texture.

You can make this casserole side dish the day before you plan to cook it. Just leave the onions out so they don’t get soggy. You can add those right before you cook it.

A Budget-Friendly Side Dish

This is also a budget-friendly recipe, so you won’t be spending a fortune on food for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

These cheesy green beans are a great recipe any time of year, so you don’t have to reserve it for just the holidays.

Take the homemade cheesy green bean casserole to an office party or potluck, and you’ll be a hit with everyone.

Baked green bean casserole with cheese in an 8" x 8" baking dish.

Cheesy Green Bean Casserole Ingredients

The classic dish only requires a few basic ingredients that are budget-friendly and easy to find.

  • Canned (or fresh) green beans
  • Cream of chicken soup
  • Shredded cheddar cheese
  • Milk
  • Crispy fried onions
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Full printable recipe with measurements and instructions listed at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.

Holiday green bean casserole on a red plate with cheese and onions.

How Do You Make Cheesy Green Bean Casserole?

  1. Open the cans of drained green beans and add them to a large bowl.
  2. Next, add the cream of chicken soup, shredded cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, half of the fried onions, and milk. Mix until well combined.
  3. Place in the oven and bake uncovered for 30 minutes in the hot oven.
  4. After 30 minutes, take the casserole out of the oven and sprinkle the remainder of the fried onions on top.
  5. Bake for 10-15 more minutes or until the onions are a darker golden brown.
Green bean casserole with cream of chicken on a red plate.

How To Make Cheesy Green Bean Casserole

Green beans and cream of chicken in a glass bowl.

Open the two cans of green beans and drain the water from the can. Add the green beans and cream of chicken soup to a large bowl.

You can use fresh green beans for this recipe if you’d like. I used canned green beans because we like the flavor, and I am all about making easy recipes.

You can switch out the cream of chicken for the cream of mushroom soup in this recipe.

I get readers who don’t like the cream of mushroom, so the cream of chicken is a great addition to the recipe. Just choose which one you like and use that soup.

Green beans, cream of chicken, and shredded cheese in a glass bowl.

Next, add the shredded cheddar cheese to the bowl.

Sharp or mild cheddar cheese will work great in the recipe–it’s up to you. It comes down to personal preference.

Green bean casserole with cream of chicken and fried onions in a glass bowl.

Add half the crispy fried onions to the bowl and mix well.

I used a 6 ounce container of French’s Crispy Fried Onions for the recipe.

Pouring milk into green bean casserole with cheese.

Pour the milk into the bowl and mix again until everything is combined.

Uncooked green bean casserole in an 8" x 8" glass baking dish.

Grease an 8″ x 8″ baking dish and pour the green bean casserole with cheese into it.

Bake the casserole for 30 minutes. You can leave the dish uncovered while cooking.

Topping the casserole with fried onions.

Once the 30 minutes are up, remove the cheesy green bean casserole and sprinkle the remainder of the crispy onion rings over the top.

Bake again for about five to ten more minutes or until the onions are light brown and crispy.

Casserole with green beans, cheese, and fried onions on a red plate.

Optional Toppings for the Green Bean Casserole

  • Crispy bacon: Cook until crispy and crumble over the top of the casserole before baking. Or, add some bacon bits from the store to the top.
  • Mushrooms: Sautรฉ fresh mushrooms in butter or olive oil and add them to the soup mixture.
  • Sour cream: Add sour cream to the soup mixture for a richer and more tangy flavor.
  • Additional cheese: Add some extra cheese, such as Parmesan cheese, Gruyรจre, or Monterey Jack, to the soup mixture or top of the casserole.
  • Fresh herbs: Add fresh herbs, such as thyme or rosemary, to the soup mixture for a more flavorful casserole.
  • Hot sauce: Add a dash of hot sauce to the soup mixture for a spicy kick.
  • Roasted nuts: For a crunchier topping, top the casserole with roasted nuts, such as almonds or pecans.
  • Breadcrumbs: Top the casserole with breadcrumbs for added crispy topping. Or use breadcrumbs instead of French-fried onions.
  • Fried shallot: Top the casserole with fried shallots for a crispy and flavorful topping alongside the crispy onions.

Other Side Dish Recipes to Serve with Cheesy Green Bean Casserole

  • Sweet potato casserole is a great addition to any holiday table. It’s a bit of a mix between a side dish and a dessert. Just make sure you have plenty because everyone at your Thanksgiving table will want seconds.
  • Jiffy cornbread with creamed corn is easy to make, and readers rave about it. It’s moist, filled with flavor, and a wonderful dish.
  • Southern homemade butter beans are another great dish that is simple to make in a small slow cooker.
  • The best mashed potatoes–these are a must-have on any holiday table and are made with just a few simple ingredients.
  • Classic green bean casserole – the entire dish only takes a couple of minutes to prep and get into the oven. It has been popular as a holiday meal for generations.
Holiday green bean casserole on a red plate with cheese and onions.

Cheesy Green Bean Casserole

Whether you prefer the classic version with canned cream of mushroom soup or a more homemade approach with fresh ingredients, cheesy green bean casserole is a surefire crowd-pleaser perfect for any holiday gathering.

With its creamy sauce, tender green beans, and crispy topping, cheesy green bean casserole is a comforting and flavorful side dish that’s easy to make and always a hit at holiday dinners.

Holiday green bean casserole on a red plate with cheese and onions.

Cheesy Green Bean Casserole

4.48 from 48 votes
Julie Pollitt
Cheesy green bean casserole is a rich and delicious side dish that is a great addition to any holiday table. It takes green bean casserole and knocks it up a notch for a creamy and unforgettable dish.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Side Dishes
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 302 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 – 14.5 ounce cans cut green beans drained
  • 10.5 ounce can condensed cream of chicken soup
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese mild or sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup two-percent milk
  • 1-1/2 cups crispy fried onions
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350-degrees and grease an 8" x 8" baking dish.
  • Drain the liquid off of the green beans and add them to a large bowl.
  • Next, add the cream of chicken soup, shredded cheddar cheese, milk, salt, and pepper to the bowl and mix.
  • Add half of the crispy fried onions and mix well.
  • Bake for 30 minutes.
  • Remove the casserole from the oven, sprinkle the remainder of the onions on top, and bake for five to ten more minutes or until the onions are brown.

Video

Notes

I bought a 6 oz. container of French's Crispy Fried Onions for this recipe.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container or cover them with plastic wrap and keep them in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 302kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 15gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 48mgSodium: 861mgFiber: 5gSugar: 6g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Find more delicious recipes at Juliaโ€™s Simply Southern, and South Your Mouth.

Similar Posts

4.48 from 48 votes (48 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating





6 Comments

  1. Can you substitute anything for the fried onions? I just don’t care for them.

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      Hi Kim,

      You can sub onions with crushed potato chips, crushed crackers, Panko bread crumbs, or even some croutons. Hope that helps!

  2. I plan on making this tonight for dinner. It sounds delicious. Can I mix it up ahead of time and put it in the fridge?

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      Hi Dee,

      You can definitely make it ahead, but leave out the onion rings otherwise they will get soggy. I would add those just before you cook it. Hope you love it!

  3. Hi. I have a can of cheddar cheese soup. Too much cheese, or would that work? Thanks.

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      Hi Jen, I think it depends on how much you like cheese. I don’t think it will be overkill, but it might be a little too cheesy.