Not Your Mom’s Campbells Green Bean Casserole Recipe

This recipe is a twist on the classic Campbell’s green bean casserole featuring fresh green beans, creamy cheddar cheese, and crispy fried onions. Elevate your holiday table with this delicious dish!

When I think of Thanksgiving, one of the first things that comes to my mind is green bean casserole. 

Growing up, I fondly remember helping my mom prepare her green bean casserole recipe every Thanksgiving with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on the television in the background. 

This family favorite dish was something I looked forward to every year, and it just didn’t feel like the holidays without this comforting casserole at Thanksgiving dinner. 

I love recipes that evoke happy nostalgic memories, so green bean casserole has been something I’ve continued to make for my own family around the holidays. However, I thought it might be time to elevate this classic recipe of my mom’s and give it a little twist to make it my own.

This original recipe still tastes like the casserole I remember making growing up, but with the use of fresh haricots verts and creamy cheddar cheese it elevates the traditional green bean casserole to a whole new level. 

This post is part of a Thanksgiving recipe blog hop, continue reading to the end of this post for all the delicious recipes.

Now, let’s get cooking!

Types of Green Beans You Can Use in This Casserole

While I love to use fresh haricots verts for this recipe, I thought it was important to point out that this recipe can be customized based on your tastes and the availably of fresh green beans near you.

Here are some green bean options to consider:

• Fresh Green Beans: Using fresh green beans imparts a crisp and vibrant texture to the casserole. Their natural crunch adds a delightful freshness to the dish.
• Frozen Green Beans: Frozen green beans are a convenient choice, retaining their nutrients and texture. While they might have a slightly softer texture than fresh ones, they still bring a lovely green color and a mild, earthy taste to the casserole.
• Canned Green Beans: Canned green beans offer ease and convenience. They will be softer than fresh or frozen beans due to the canning process however they are available year round.

What are haricots verts?

I discovered haricots verts a few years ago at the grocery store, and once I started cooking with them, I never went back. My family loves them!

But you might be thinking, “What the heck are haricots verts?”

They are often referred to as French green beans, and are slender, tender green beans that come from France. Unlike regular green beans, haricots verts are picked young, ensuring a delicate texture with a less stringy taste.

These slender beans are known for their vibrant green color and are typically harvested when they are just a few inches long.

Their subtle, earthy flavor and crisp texture make them a popular choice for sautéing, steaming, roasting, or incorporating into salads and casseroles.

Jump to Recipe

The Simple Ingredients for Homemade Green Bean Casserole

The Easy Green Bean Casserole Recipe

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. 

Melt olive oil and butter in a large heavy skillet over high heat. Add green beans, season with a pinch of salt & pepper, and sauté until beans begin to caramelize slightly (they will still be somewhat firm). 

While beans are sautéing, combine cream of mushroom soup and water in a small mixing bowl to create a creamy mushroom sauce. 

Pour the soup mixture into the pan with the beans, mix and heat through. 

Add the green bean mixture to a small or medium sized casserole dish. Top the beans with cheese, and then the crispy onions.

Place the baking dish in the oven and bake until cheese melts and the onions are golden brown, about 15-20 minutes. 

Remove the creamy green bean casserole from the oven and let it cool about 5 minutes before serving.

Enjoy!

Storing & Reheating Green Bean Casserole Leftovers

Once the casserole has cooled, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent moisture loss and freezer burn if you plan to store it long term.

For short-term storage in the refrigerator, place leftovers in an airtight container. Leftovers can be stored for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator or 2-3 months in the freezer.

To reheat, preheat your oven to 375°F. Place the leftover casserole in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil to prevent further browning, and warm it in the oven for about 15-20 minutes.

You can also use a microwave for quicker reheating, but this method may result in a softer, less crispy onion topping. 

Can you easily double this classic holiday side dish?

You can certainly double this simple recipe to feed a larger crowd!

Simply double all the ingredients listed, but use a larger sized baking dish to accommodate the increased quantity. 

Make sure to adjust the baking time, as a larger quantity may require a slightly longer cook time to ensure the casserole is thoroughly heated and bubbly.

Can you use other flavors of soup to make this recipe?

While the classic Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom Soup is the traditional choice for green bean casserole, you can absolutely experiment with other soup flavors to create unique variations of this dish.

• Cream of Chicken Soup: Offers a rich and savory base. It pairs well with green beans and can add a comforting flavor profile to your casserole.
• Cream of Celery Soup: Has a mild, herbal taste that complements the freshness of green beans. It adds a subtle earthy note to the casserol.
• Cheddar Cheese Soup: Will enhance the cheesy element of your casserole. Cheese lovers will enjoy the creamy and indulgent texture this soup provides.
• Cream of Asparagus Soup: If you enjoy the taste of asparagus, this variation can add a gourmet touch to your green bean casserole.

Other Holiday Side Dish Recipes

For more holiday sides dishes, try this creamy pumpkin pasta, these jiffy cornbread muffins made with cake mix, homemade apple butter that you can make in the crockpot, or this quick and easy pumpkin bread your friends & family will love.

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I look forward to sharing more of my home with you and inspiring you to have a well loved home! Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and LIKEtoKNOW.it.

xoxo, heidi

Thanksgiving Recipe Blog Hop

• Rooms for Rent | The Best Dinner Rolls
• Eleanor Rose Home | Not Your Mom’s Campbells Green Bean Casserole Recipe
• Midwest Life and Style | The Best Thanksgiving Side: Easy 5-Ingredient Baked Corn Pudding
• This is Our Bliss | Cranberry Baked Brie Bites
• Paint Me Pink | Cheesy Herb Potato Gratin
• Tatertots and Jello | Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Bread
• Inspiration for Moms | Pumpkin Dream Cake
• My Sweet Savannah | Savory Roasted Carrots
• Pink Peppermint Design | The Best Dutch Apple Pie Recipe

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