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Creamy Bacon Green Bean Casserole

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This creamy bacon green bean casserole is a nostalgic comfort side dish featuring tender green beans, crispy bacon, and a rich, velvety sauce, all topped with crunchy fried onions. Perfect for holidays, potlucks, or cozy weeknights, it’s a crowd-pleaser that brings classic flavor with a modern twist.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/2 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces (or use frozen green beans)
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 cup crispy fried onions
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 2-quart casserole dish and set aside.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add green beans and cook for 4–5 minutes until bright green and just tender. Drain and rinse under cold water. (If using frozen beans, skip blanching and thaw completely.)
  3. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook chopped bacon until crispy (about 6–8 minutes). Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside on paper towels. Pour off excess bacon grease, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan.
  4. Add chopped onion to the skillet and sauté until soft and golden, about 4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. In a medium mixing bowl, combine cream of mushroom soup, heavy cream, whole milk, shredded cheddar cheese (if using), salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Stir in sautéed onions and garlic. Whisk until smooth.
  6. In a large bowl, toss blanched green beans with half of the crispy bacon. Pour creamy sauce over beans and gently mix until evenly coated.
  7. Spoon mixture into prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle remaining bacon over the top.
  8. In a small bowl, toss crispy fried onions and panko breadcrumbs with melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over casserole.
  9. Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, until bubbly and golden on top. If topping browns too quickly, loosely cover with foil for last 10 minutes.
  10. Let casserole cool for 5–10 minutes before serving. If sauce is too thick, add a splash of milk and stir gently.

Notes

For gluten-free, use gluten-free fried onions and breadcrumbs. For vegetarian, omit bacon and add sautéed mushrooms. Prep green beans and bacon ahead for efficiency. Cheese is optional but adds richness. If using canned green beans, drain well and reduce baking time by 5 minutes. For extra crunch, broil for 1–2 minutes at the end.

Nutrition

Keywords: green bean casserole, bacon, creamy, comfort food, holiday side, Thanksgiving, Christmas, potluck, easy casserole, classic recipe

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