• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to header navigation
  • Skip to footer navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Yellow Bliss Road

Easy, approachable and family friendly recipes for any home cook.

  • Home
  • About Me
    • Meet the Team
  • Contact
    • FAQs
    • Disclosure
    • Sharing Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility
  • Collaborate
  • Signup >
Display Search Bar
  • Recipes
    • View ALL Recipes
    • Appetizers and Snacks
    • Asian
    • Beverages
      • Smoothies
      • Cocktails
    • Bread
    • Breakfast Recipes
      • Casseroles
      • Egg Recipes
      • Muffins
      • Pancakes
    • Desserts
      • Brownies and Bars
      • Cake and Cupcakes
      • Cookies
      • Fruit Desserts
      • No Bake Desserts
    • Dinner
      • Casseroles
      • Easy Weeknight Dinners
      • One Pot Meals
      • Pasta
      • Pork
      • Chicken
      • Beef
      • Seafood
    • Lunch
      • Easy Weekday Lunches
      • School Lunches
    • Cooking Method
      • Air Fryer
      • On the Grill
      • Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker
      • Slow Cooker
    • Dips and Sauces
    • Mexican
    • Sandwiches
    • Salads
    • Side Dishes
      • Vegetables
    • Slow Cooker
    • Soups and Stews
  • Holiday Recipes
    • Valentine’s Day
    • Halloween
    • St. Patrick’s Day
    • Fourth of July
    • Seasonal Recipes
    • Easter
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
    • Seasonal Recipes
      • Fall
      • Spring
      • Summer
  • Free Printables
    • Christmas
    • Thanksgiving
    • Halloween
    • Easter
    • Valentine’s Day
    • Fourth of July
    • School
    • Birthdays
  • Home/Crafts/DIY
    • Crafts and DIY
    • Gift Ideas
    • Home Decor
    • Photography Tips
  • Family
    • Adoption
      • My Adoption Story
    • Birthdays
    • Travel
Follow me on Facebook! Follow me on Pinterest! Follow me on Instagram!

Home » Recipes » Dinner » Casseroles » Green Bean Casserole (From Scratch!)

Green Bean Casserole (From Scratch!)

Published on September 13, 2019, Updated October 6, 2019 by Kristin Maxwell | 2 Comments

1572shares
  • 1562
  • 10
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Green Bean Casserole is a quintessential side dish for just about any holiday. This fresh, made from scratch green bean casserole is made with pantry ingredients and no canned soup! Yet it’s creamy, flavorful and absolute comfort food.

Serve this traditional holiday side dish with the Best Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe andthe Best Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes.

From scratch green bean casserole

Green Bean Casserole from Scratch

If you’ve been making green bean casserole with a bunch of cans because it’s easier, I’m about to blow your mind. You’re going to love how easy it is to make from scratch! It tastes so much fresher and it’s a lot better for you too.

Like ao many people, I grew up on green bean casserole made with canned green beans and cream soup. There’s nothing wrong with a classic, but when you can easily make it without all those “extra” ingredients it’s healthier, tastier and it’s about to become a new family favorite.

Why you’ll love this green bean casserole

  • No cream soup! This is a big one for me because I just don’t like the flavor or the preservatives.
  • Fresh vegetables! This casserole is made with fresh green beans and mushrooms.
  • It’s super easy, in fact it will probably surprise you.

A scoop of green bean casserole on a wooden spoon

How to make a green bean casserole from scratch

My recipe for Green Bean Casserole is super easy and can even be made a day ahead of time.

  1. Start by preheating the oven. This is important for making sure that your food cooks evenly.
  2. Trim the ends and pick out any green beans with lots of brown spots while you’re waiting for a big pot of salted water to boil.
  3. Par-boil the green beans. This is when you drop the beans into boiling water and just cook them part of the way. They should be bright green in color and be tender-crisp. This means that while you could eat them, they will still be a little crunchy. Remove the green beans from the boiling water and immediately drop them into a large bowl of ice water. The shock of the cold water will immediately stop the cooking process so the beans will keep that nice crisp texture.
  4. Dump the water out of the pot and put it back on the stove. Melt some butter, then saute some chopped onions, minced garlic, sliced mushrooms for several minutes. Be sure to season them with salt and pepper. It’s important to season at each layer so the seasoning carries throughout the dish.
  5. Add some flour to the pot and stir until you no longer see any white remnants of flour, then cook it for a couple of minutes. Finally add some chicken or vegetable broth and heavy cream and simmer the mixture until it’s nice and thick, which should take about 10 minutes. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings if you like. Stir in the green beans and make sure that everything is well combined before pouring the green bean casserole into a baking dish.
  6. At this point you could cover and bake the next day or slide it into the oven. I do like some crispy french fried onions on top, but if prefer to keep everything fresh, you could leave those off. They do add a nice nice of crunch and flavor though.

A green bean casserole half put together so show the ingredients

Green Bean Casserole Tips and Tricks

I’ve made this green bean casserole from scratch a few times now and I have a few notes for you to keep in mind.

  • How long do you boil the green beans? To get the beans at that crisp-tender texture that you want, it will take about 4-5 minutes.
  • Can you overcook green beans? Unfortunately, YES! One of the things I like least about the traditional casserole is how mushy the canned green beans are. So I make sure to dump the cooked beans right into that ice bath so they will stop cooking right away.
  • Assemble your green bean casserole ahead of time. This recipe doesn’t take long to prep; about 20-25 minutes. If you’re making this for a holiday, you could assemble everything except for the topping, cover it tightly with foil, and bake it the next day. This way it will be piping hot and fresh for your guests and you’ll have more time to prepare other, more time consuming dishes.
  • Let it rest. This is something to remember with any saucy casserole-type dish. As it cooks, the sauce bubbles up and thins out a bit. Letting it sit and rest will allow the sauce to thicken again.
  • Double or halve the recipe to fit your needs. The recipe as written will serve at least 8-10 people, depending on the other food you are serving. You can easily cut the recipe in half and just use a smaller casserole dish, or you can double the recipe and use 2 13″x9″ pans.

What to serve with green bean casserole

I’ve been known to make this casserole any time of the year, but it’s especially popular around Thanksgiving and Christmas. I mean, it’s the perfect side dish for a great Thanksgiving Turkey! So how about some classic holiday sides?

  • Sweet Potato Casserole
  • Best Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes
  • Honey Roasted Carrots
  • Creamy Cornbread Casserole
  • Easy One Pan Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

What to do with leftovers

Store leftover green bean casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw frozen casserole in the fridge overnight and reheat in the microwave at 50% power.

A side angle shot of a scoop of green bean casserole sitting on top of the casserole dish

Want more Thanksgiving Side Dishes?

  • Thanksgiving Side Dishes
  • 35 NEW Thanksgiving Side Dishes
  • 35 MORE Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Green Bean Casserole from Scratch

Kristin Maxwell
This fresh, from scratch Green Bean Casserole is made with pantry ingredients and no canned soup! Yet it's creamy, flavorful and absolute comfort food.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 50 mins
Total Time 1 hr
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings
Calories 374 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds green beans trimmed and cut in half
  • ¼ cup butter
  • 1 pound white button mushrooms cleaned and stems removed
  • 1 clove garlic minced (1 teaspoon)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • ¼ cup flour
  • 2 cups vegetable broth or chicken
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 6- ounce can French Fried Onions divided

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a large baking dish (13x9) with nonstick cooking spray.
  • Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons salt and the trimmed green beans. Boil for 4-5 minutes or until beans are bright in color and tender-crisp (tender but still have a “bite” to them).
  • Meanwhile, prepare a large bowl of ice water. Place the beans into the ice bath to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
  • Add butter to the pot and melt over medium heat. Add garlic, mushrooms, salt and pepper (¼-½ teaspoon each) and cook, stirring often, for about 6 minutes. Add ¼ cup flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add broth and heavy cream, reduce heat slightly and simmer until sauce is thickened; about 10 minutes. Taste and add salt and pepper to your liking.
  • Add green beans and about ⅓ of the french fried onions to the pot and stir until evenly coated. Pour into prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Top with remaining fried onions and bake uncovered until sauce is bubbly and topping is golden; about 20-25 minutes. Rest for at least 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 374kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 5gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 56mgSodium: 513mgPotassium: 442mgFiber: 4gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 1522IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 65mgIron: 2mg
Keyword green bean casserole, green bean casserole from scratch
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
pinterest friendly image pinterest friendly image pinterest friendly image collage pinterest friendly image pinterest friendly image

Previous Post
Next Post

About Kristin Maxwell

Kristin Maxwell is the creator and main recipe developer, writer, and photographer of Yellow Bliss Road. A self-taught cook and self-appointed foodie, she specializes in easy, flavorful and approachable recipes for any home cook. Read more about Kristin HERE.

5 Secrets to Dinnertime Sanity

free email bonus
Tested, Tasted & Terrific!

Reader Interactions

Join the Conversation

    Leave a Comment Cancel reply

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Marcia King says

    June 25, 2020 at 3:07 pm

    Kristin, this looks really good! My husband will love it. Can you tell me the serving size?

    Reply
    • Kristin Maxwell says

      June 26, 2020 at 12:45 pm

      Serving size is approximately 1/2-3/4 cup.

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

Hi, I’m KRISTIN!

I'm a busy wife and mom who loves to cook, bake and create. All of the recipes and tips you will find here are created with your busy family (and mine!) in mind.

Read More »
Follow me on Facebook! Follow me on Pinterest! Follow me on Twitter! Follow me on Instagram! Email me!

5 Secrets to Dinnertime Sanity

free email bonus
Tested, Tasted & Terrific!

Mexican Food Faves

  • How to Make Authentic Mexican Rice
  • A close up of Beef Enchiladas topped with sour cream, salsa, and cilantro Ground Beef Enchiladas
  • Mexican Chicken Casserole
  • Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup
  • mexican street corn dip, a hand holding a tortilla chip, roasted corn, cotija cheese and cilantro on top. image for social media Hot Mexican Corn Dip
  • caldo de pollo social media image Caldo de Pollo (Mexican Chicken Soup)
  • Cuban Sandwich Recipe
  • A cast iron skillet with Steak Fajitas Tender and Juicy Steak Fajitas

All-Time Favorites

  • Oven Baked Chicken Breasts
  • How to Make Authentic Mexican Rice
  • All-Natural Mattress Cleaner – How to Clean Odors and Stains from Your Mattress
  • A close up of cheesy scalloped potatoes Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes (Au Gratin)
  • Healthy Ground Turkey Teriyaki Rice Bowl
  • Crispy Baked Chicken Wings
  • Cheesecake Cookies
  • One Pot Cheesy Smoked Sausage Pasta Skillet

Yellow Bliss Road, Inc. is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Browse Around

  • Chicken
  • On the Grill
  • Pasta
  • Dinner
  • Soups
  • Sides
  • Salads
  • Desserts
Follow me on Facebook! Follow me on Pinterest! Follow me on Instagram!
  • About Me
  • Contact
  • Collaborate
  • Privacy & Copyright
  • Recipes by Category
Copyright © 2021 Yellow Bliss RoadTheme by Once Coupled