Description
This Ultimate Green Bean Casserole is a rich and comforting dish combining crispy bacon, sautéed mushrooms, creamy mushroom soup, melted Monterey Jack cheese, and tender green beans topped with crispy French fried onions. Perfect for holiday dinners or family meals, this casserole bakes to a bubbly, golden perfection that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Dairy
- 6 strips bacon
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/4 cup milk
Vegetables
- 1/2 yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 1/2 cups chopped button mushrooms
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 (14.5-ounce) cans cut green beans, drained
Other Ingredients
- 2 (10.5-ounce) cans cream of mushroom soup
- 1 1/2 cups French fried onions
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook Bacon: In a large skillet over medium-low heat, cook the bacon strips until crisp. Remove the bacon and drain on paper towels, then crumble into small pieces. Drain all but about 2 tablespoons of the bacon grease from the skillet.
- Sauté Onions: Return the skillet to medium heat, add the finely diced onions, and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes until they become translucent and soft.
- Cook Mushrooms and Garlic: Add the chopped mushrooms to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes until the mushrooms turn golden brown. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more, just until fragrant.
- Combine Soup, Bacon, Milk, and Cheese: Stir in the undiluted cream of mushroom soup along with the crumbled bacon. Mix well, then add the milk and shredded Monterey Jack cheese, stirring until the cheese melts and the mixture is smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add Green Beans: Fold the drained green beans into the mixture until they are thoroughly combined with the creamy mushroom and bacon mixture.
- Assemble and Bake: Pour the casserole mixture into the prepared baking dish and evenly top it with French fried onions. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, or until the casserole is hot, bubbly, and the topping is golden brown.
Notes
- For extra flavor, use fresh green beans and blanch them before adding to the casserole.
- You can substitute cheddar cheese or mozzarella if Monterey Jack is unavailable.
- If you prefer a lighter version, use reduced-fat milk and low-fat cheese.
- Make sure to drain the green beans well to avoid a watery casserole.
- This casserole can be prepared a day in advance and refrigerated before baking.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
