Homestyle Green Bean Casserole with Smoky Bacon (Print Version)
Discover my homestyle Green Bean Casserole with Bacon. Creamy, savory, and topped with crispy fried onions. A comforting classic for any family meal!
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Contains Dairy, Contains Pork
# Ingredients:
→ Fresh & Green
01 -
1.5 lbs fresh green beans, trimmed
02 -
1/2 small yellow onion, finely diced (optional, for extra flavor)
→ Flavor Boosters
03 -
6 slices thick-cut bacon, diced
04 -
1 tsp garlic powder
05 -
1/2 tsp onion powder
06 -
1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
→ Creamy Core
07 -
1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
08 -
1/2 cup whole milk
09 -
1/4 cup chicken broth
→ Crispy Topping
10 -
1 (6 oz) can crispy fried onions
# Instructions:
01 -
First things first, let’s get those green beans ready. Snap off the ends, you know, the little woody bits. Then, I like to blanch them in boiling, salted water for about 5-7 minutes. You want them tender-crisp, not mushy! This is where I always forget to salt the water, but trust me, it makes a difference. Immediately plunge them into an ice bath to stop cooking and keep that beautiful green color. Drain them really well; soggy beans are a no-go.
02 -
Next up, the star of the show: bacon! Slice your thick-cut bacon into small pieces, then cook it in a large skillet over medium heat until it’s perfectly crispy. This usually fills my kitchen with the most amazing smell, honestly. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and let it drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Don’t pour out that glorious bacon fat, though! We’ll use a couple of tablespoons of it for our sauce base, because flavor!
03 -
Now for the heart of the Green Bean Casserole with Bacon. In the same skillet with the bacon fat (or a clean saucepan if you prefer), whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, whole milk, chicken broth, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Whisk until it’s smooth and starts to gently bubble. Oh, the aroma is just incredible at this stage! Taste it and adjust seasonings if you like. I tend to add a little extra pepper.
04 -
Gently fold the blanched green beans and about half of the crispy bacon into the creamy sauce. Make sure everything is well coated – we want every bean to be a flavor bomb! Pour this mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish. I usually give the dish a little shake to make sure it’s evenly distributed. Pop it into a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until it’s bubbly around the edges.
05 -
This is the moment we’ve been waiting for! After the casserole has had its initial bake, pull it out of the oven. Sprinkle the remaining crispy fried onions generously over the top. Honestly, sometimes I add more than the recipe calls for, because who can resist that crunch? Return the casserole to the oven and bake for another 5-10 minutes, or until the onions are golden brown and perfectly crisp. Watch it closely, those onions can burn fast!
06 -
Carefully remove your beautiful Homestyle Green Bean Casserole with Smoky Bacon from the oven. Let it sit for just a few minutes to cool down slightly and let the sauce set a bit. The smells are just heavenly right now! Serve it warm, perhaps with a little extra fresh parsley for garnish if you're feeling fancy. It’s comforting, it’s savory, and it’s always a hit, trust me!
# Notes:
01 -
Always par-cook your green beans, don't just dump them in raw. It makes a huge difference in texture!
02 -
You can assemble this whole Green Bean Casserole with Bacon a day ahead, cover it, and bake it when ready. Just add the crispy onions at the very end.
03 -
Tried swapping half the cream of mushroom for cream of chicken once - it actually worked pretty well, gave it a slightly different vibe.
04 -
Serve this warm, right out of the oven, with an extra sprinkle of fresh parsley for a pop of color.
# Tools You'll Need:
01 -
Large skillet
02 -
large pot
03 -
colander
04 -
ice bath
05 -
9x13 inch baking dish
06 -
whisk
07 -
measuring cups and spoons
# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
Calories: 350
Total Fat: 25g
Total Carbohydrate: 20g
Protein: 10g