The Best Cheesy Green Bean Casserole

This isn’t your grandma’s green bean casserole…or maybe it is, but with a cheesy twist that makes it even better! Loaded with sharp cheddar and topped with crispy onions, this casserole is the ultimate side dish for holiday dinners or any comfort food craving.

Why You’ll Love It

This Cheesy green bean casserole recipe is everything you want in a comfort food: creamy, savory, cheesy, and topped with the perfect crispy crunch.

Unlike the traditional version, added cheese is what makes this the best green bean casserole ever!

The addition of cheese in this classic dish creates an extra rich, gooey filling that coats the tender green beans in the most delicious cheesy goodness. 

And because we’re not messing around, we’re also throwing in crispy fried onions for that golden, crunchy topping everyone loves. 

This delicious casserole is made with pantry staples (but you could sub in some fresh ingredients if you wanted to!), so you can whip it up anytime.  With just minutes of prep work, you've got yourself a delicious side dish that’s super easy to pull together.

The best part? This casserole is as low-maintenance as it gets when it comes to thanksgiving dinner sides. Mix everything up, layer it with extra cheese and onions, and pop it in the oven. 

Oh, and it's so popular that I even create a tiny version so be sure to check out my green bean casserole appetizer recipe, too!

After a quick bake, you’ve got a classic holiday side dish that’s perfect for the holiday table—or anytime you want to impress with minimal effort. 

No holiday meal is complete without a classic green bean casserole with a cheesy new twist. So serve it alongside roast turkey, ham, or just dig into it on its own—it’s that good!

Ingredients & Substitutions

All you need is a few basic ingredients to create my family's favorite green bean casserole. Here's what you need for this perfect side dish: 

• French Cut Green Beans: We're using cans of green beans because this recipe is supposed to be quick and easy, but you can use fresh green beans cooked al dente if you prefer. Just steam them slightly or blanche them in a large pot of boiling water before mixing.
• Cream of Mushroom Soup: This soup mixture is a classic base for creaminess; sub in more celery soup if the creamy mushroom sauce isn't your personal preference. 
• Cream of Celery Soup: Adds a light, creamy texture and savory flavor that pairs well with green beans. Cream of chicken soup or even sour cream could work as a creamy sauce substitute.
• French-Fried Onions: These are essential for that perfect crunch. Feel free to add extra if you want it extra crispy!
• Sharp Cheddar Cheese: In my opinion, cheese is always a great addition to any recipe.  So grab some cheddar cheese to add cheesy richness; mild cheddar, parmesan cheese or Colby Jack would work too.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances the flavors; adjust to taste. If you're using another type of salt, adjust accordingly.
• Cooking Spray: You could also use butter or olive oil - just something so the mixture doesn't stick to the baking dish. 
• Optional Additions: Want to up the classic version even more? Add a splash of worcestershire sauce or soy sauce. Or sprinkle the entire dish with black pepper, red pepper flakes, chopped onions or onion powder.

How to Make It

Here's how you'll make a traditional green bean casserole with a cheesy twist!

• Prep the Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Grease a baking dish and set it aside.

• Mix It Up: In a large bowl, gently combine the drained green beans, cream of mushroom soup, cream of celery soup, half of the crispy fried onions, half of the grated cheddar cheese, and salt.

• Assemble the Casserole: Pour the green bean mixture into the greased baking dish or casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese on top, followed by the remaining french fried onions for an extra-crunchy topping.

• Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for one hour, turning it halfway through for an even, golden brown crust.

• Cool and Serve: Let the casserole cool for about 20 minutes before digging in. Enjoy every creamy, cheesy, crunchy bite!
• Save: You can store leftovers in a in an airtight container or right in your casserole dish covered with plastic wrap for up to 4 days. 

What to Serve it with:

It's no surprise that these cheesy green beans go perfectly on a Thanksgiving table spread. Here are some of my favorite easy recipes for my family's Southern Thanksgiving side dishes: 

• My Mom's Southern Pineapple Cheese Casserole Recipe
• The Easiest Buttermilk Brined Turkey Recipe
• Sweet Potato Casserole
• Southern Jiffy Cornbread Dressing with (or without) Sausage
• Classic White Cheddar Mac and Cheese Recipe
• Southern Cheesy Squash Casserole with Ritz Cracker Crust
• The Best Southern Banana Pudding Recipe with Condensed Milk

Save this recipe for later!

Want to save this green bean casserole with cheese recipe for another time? I got you!

You can pin any image on this page or use the pretty ones I made above specifically for your Thanksgiving pinterest boards.

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And if pinterest isn't really your thing, you can always scroll down to the bottom of this post and print the printable recipe card. 

Recipe

Cheesy Green Bean Casserole

My Mother in law is famous for this cheesy baked green bean casserole! Unlike the traditional version, this one is slow roasted which creates a creamy, melt-in-your mouth texture that is unlike any green bean casserole I’ve ever had. The crispy cheesy crust provides the perfect textural contrast which makes the whole dish irresistible!

4.86 from 27 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 8 people

Equipment

• Casserole Dish
• Mixing Bowls

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 4 14.5 oz cans French Cut Green Beans drained
• 1 10.5 oz can Cream of Mushroom Soup
• 1 10.5 oz can Cream of Celery soup
• 1 6 oz container French Fried Onions
• 2 cups Sharp Cheddar grated and divided (about 1 8oz block)
• ¼ teaspoon Kosher Salt

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 375F degrees.
• In a large bowl, gently mix together drained green beans, mushroom soup, celery soup, half of the french’s crispy fried onions, half of the cheddar, and salt.
• Place in a greased baking dish and top with the remaining cheddar cheese then the crispy fried onions. Bake for one hour, turning halfway, to create a perfectly even golden crust on all sides.
• Let cool for 20 minutes before eating.

Video

Keyword casserole, cheesy bread, green bean, thanksgiving

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