This simple cheesy green bean casserole is the ultimate comfort food that combines tender green beans with creamy cheddar cheese and crispy fried onions. Perfect for holiday dinners, potlucks, or weeknight meals, this easy casserole recipe requires just 6 basic ingredients and delivers rich, cheesy flavor that both kids and adults love. It’s a delicious twist on the classic green bean casserole that’s sure to become a family favorite.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes | Servings: 6-8
Table of Contents
Why This Cheesy Green Bean Casserole is a Winner
This cheesy green bean casserole takes the classic holiday side dish and elevates it with an extra layer of melted cheddar cheese. The combination of creamy mushroom soup, rich cheese, and crunchy fried onions creates the perfect balance of textures and flavors. Unlike traditional versions, this recipe adds cheese both inside the casserole and on top for maximum cheesy goodness in every bite.
What makes this recipe special:
- Extra cheesy with cheddar throughout
- Simple 6-ingredient recipe
- Ready in just 45 minutes
- Perfect for holidays and potlucks
- Kid-friendly comfort food
- Easy to customize with your favorite add-ins
Ingredients for Cheesy Green Bean Casserole
- 4 cups fresh green beans, trimmed and halved
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup French fried onions
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
How to Make Simple Cheesy Green Bean Casserole
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 2-quart baking dish or 9×9-inch casserole dish with butter or non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
Step 2: Blanch the Green Beans
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add the trimmed and halved green beans and blanch for 5 minutes. The beans should be bright green and slightly tender but still have some crunch. Drain the green beans thoroughly in a colander and set aside.
Step 3: Make the Cheesy Sauce
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup, milk, and half (1/2 cup) of the shredded cheddar cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well combined. The soup and milk create a creamy base while the cheese adds rich flavor.
Step 4: Combine Beans and Sauce
Add the blanched green beans to the soup and cheese mixture. Stir gently until all the green beans are evenly coated with the creamy sauce. Make sure every bean gets covered for maximum flavor.
Step 5: Assemble the Casserole
Transfer the green bean mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. This creates a beautiful melted cheese layer.
Step 6: Bake
Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden around the edges. The casserole should be hot throughout.
Step 7: Add Crispy Topping
Remove the casserole from the oven and immediately sprinkle the French fried onions evenly over the top. The residual heat will warm them slightly while they maintain their crunch. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Tips for Perfect Cheesy Green Bean Casserole
Use fresh green beans. Fresh beans provide the best flavor and texture. If using frozen, thaw and drain thoroughly before blanching. Canned green beans can work in a pinch but may be softer.
Don’t overcook during blanching. The green beans will continue to cook in the oven, so keep them slightly crisp during blanching to avoid mushy casserole.
Season generously. The soup contains some salt, but don’t be shy with additional salt and pepper. Proper seasoning enhances all the flavors.
Adjust cheese amount. Love extra cheese? Increase to 1 1/2 cups total. For milder flavor, reduce to 3/4 cup.
Add fried onions at the end. Adding them after baking keeps them crispy. If added before baking, they’ll become soggy.
Let it rest. Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes after baking so the sauce thickens slightly and the flavors meld together.
Choose quality cheese. Freshly shredded cheddar melts better than pre-shredded. Sharp cheddar adds more flavor than mild.
Make-Ahead Cheesy Green Bean Casserole
This casserole is perfect for advance preparation:
Up to 1 day ahead: Assemble the casserole completely through Step 5 (without the fried onions). Cover tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate. When ready to serve, bake at 350°F for 35-40 minutes (adding 5-10 extra minutes since it’s cold), then add the fried onions.
Morning of serving: Prepare the casserole and refrigerate. Let it sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before baking for more even cooking.
Partial prep: Blanch the green beans up to 2 days ahead and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Assemble and bake when ready.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Refrigerator: Store leftover cheesy green bean casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezer: While the casserole can be frozen, the texture of the green beans may soften. Freeze in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating: Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or reheat the entire casserole covered with foil at 350°F for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Add fresh fried onions on top after reheating for best crunch.
Recipe Variations
Bacon cheddar green bean casserole: Add 4-6 slices of crumbled cooked bacon to the green bean mixture or sprinkle on top with the fried onions for smoky flavor.
Mushroom lovers version: Sauté 8 oz sliced fresh mushrooms in butter and add to the casserole for extra earthiness.
Different cheese options: Try Gruyere for nutty sophistication, mozzarella for mild creaminess, or pepper jack for spicy kick.
Breadcrumb topping: Mix 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs with 2 tablespoons melted butter and sprinkle on top for extra crunch.
Fresh herb enhancement: Add 1-2 tablespoons fresh chopped thyme, rosemary, or parsley to the sauce for herbaceous notes.
Garlic upgrade: Add 2-3 cloves minced garlic to the soup mixture for savory depth.
Cream of chicken swap: Use cream of chicken soup instead of mushroom for different flavor profile.
Ranch seasoning: Mix in 2 tablespoons dry ranch seasoning for tangy flavor.
Jalapeño cheese: Add diced jalapeños and use pepper jack cheese for spicy southwestern version.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen green beans instead of fresh? Yes! Thaw frozen green beans completely and drain any excess water before using. You can skip the blanching step—just add them directly to the sauce mixture.
How long can I store leftovers? Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.
Can I make this casserole ahead of time? Absolutely! Assemble the casserole up to a day in advance and refrigerate. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time when cooking from cold.
Can I use canned green beans? Yes, though fresh or frozen provide better texture. If using canned, drain thoroughly and skip the blanching step.
What size can of soup do I need? A standard 10.5 oz can of condensed cream of mushroom soup works perfectly for this recipe.
Can I make this without soup? Yes! Make a simple cream sauce with 2 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons flour, and 1 1/2 cups milk. Cook until thickened, then add cheese and seasonings.
Is this recipe gluten-free? Not as written. Use gluten-free cream of mushroom soup and gluten-free fried onions to make it gluten-free.
How do I keep the fried onions crispy? Always add them after baking, not before. The heat from the casserole will warm them without making them soggy.
What to Serve With Cheesy Green Bean Casserole
This versatile side pairs beautifully with:
- Roasted turkey or chicken
- Honey-glazed ham or pork chops
- Beef roast or meatloaf
- Mashed potatoes and gravy
- Dinner rolls or cornbread
- Cranberry sauce
- Sweet potato casserole
Nutritional Information
Per serving (based on 8 servings)
- Calories: 145-160
- Protein: 6-7g
- Fat: 9-10g
- Carbohydrates: 11-12g
- Fiber: 2-3g
- Sodium: 380-420mg
This simple cheesy green bean casserole is proof that comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated. With just 6 basic ingredients and 45 minutes, you can create a rich, creamy, and cheesy side dish that’s perfect for holidays, potlucks, or any weeknight dinner. The combination of tender green beans, melted cheddar cheese, creamy mushroom sauce, and crispy fried onions delivers satisfying flavor and texture in every bite. Whether you’re serving it alongside Thanksgiving turkey or Wednesday night chicken, this easy casserole recipe is guaranteed to please the whole family.
Cheesy Green Bean Casserole
Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh green beans, trimmed and halved
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup French fried onions
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 2-quart baking dish or 9×9-inch casserole dish and set aside.
- Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add green beans and blanch for 5 minutes until bright green and slightly tender. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, combine cream of mushroom soup, milk, and 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese. Season with salt and pepper; stir until smooth.
- Add blanched green beans to the mixture and stir gently until evenly coated.
- Transfer mixture to the prepared dish. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup of cheese evenly on top.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes or until bubbly and golden around the edges. The cheese on top should be melted and lightly browned.
- Remove from oven and top immediately with French fried onions. Let rest 5 minutes before serving warm.