Description
This Ultimate Green Bean Casserole is a classic holiday side dish elevated with crispy bacon, sautéed mushrooms, and creamy Monterey Jack cheese. The dish combines tender green beans in a rich mushroom soup base, topped with crunchy French fried onions and baked to bubbly perfection. Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any festive gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 6 strips bacon
- 1/2 yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 1/2 cups chopped button mushrooms
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Dairy and Canned Goods
- 2 (10.5-ounce) cans cream of mushroom soup
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 4 (14.5-ounce) cans cut green beans, drained
Other
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 1/2 cups French fried onions
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prepare it for the casserole.
- Cook bacon and onions: In a large skillet over medium-low heat, cook the bacon strips until crisp. Remove the bacon and drain on paper towels, then crumble it into small pieces. Drain all but 2 tablespoons of the bacon grease from the skillet, return it to medium heat, and add the diced onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes until the onions become translucent.
- Sauté mushrooms and garlic: Add the chopped mushrooms to the skillet with the onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes until the mushrooms turn golden brown. Then add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Create the creamy base: Stir in both cans of cream of mushroom soup without diluting. Add the crumbled bacon back into the skillet. Then stir in the milk and shredded Monterey Jack cheese until the cheese melts completely and the mixture is smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine green beans: Fold in the drained green beans gently to ensure they are well coated with the creamy mushroom mixture.
- Assemble and bake: Pour the green bean mixture into the prepared baking dish. Evenly spread the French fried onions on top. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until the casserole is hot, bubbly, and the topping is golden.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, you can toast the French fried onions separately before topping the casserole.
- Using fresh green beans instead of canned requires blanching them in boiling water for 3-4 minutes before incorporating.
- You can substitute cream of mushroom soup with homemade mushroom sauce for a fresher taste.
- This recipe can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking; just add additional baking time if starting cold from the fridge.
- Adjust salt and pepper according to your preference, especially since bacon and canned soup add saltiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
