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Crispy Green Bean Casserole Recipe – Easy Cheesy Bacon Side Dish

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This crispy green bean casserole is a cheesy, bacon-packed twist on the classic holiday side dish. With a homemade creamy sauce, sharp cheddar, and a double layer of crunchy topping, it’s a crowd-pleaser perfect for gatherings or weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (16 oz) fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces (or use frozen, thawed and patted dry)
  • 6 slices bacon (about 5 oz), cooked crisp and chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup (or homemade creamy sauce)
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped yellow onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 1 cup French fried onions, divided
  • 2 tbsp melted butter
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • Optional: 1/4 tsp smoked paprika or cayenne
  • Optional: 1/2 cup sour cream
  • Optional: 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add green beans and cook for 3–4 minutes until bright green and slightly tender. Drain and rinse with cold water.
  3. In a skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until crispy (about 6–8 minutes). Drain on paper towels, cool, and chop. Reserve 1 tbsp bacon fat if desired.
  4. In the same skillet, sauté onion and garlic in reserved bacon fat or 1 tbsp butter for 2–3 minutes until soft and fragrant.
  5. In a large bowl, combine cream of mushroom soup (or homemade sauce), milk, sautéed onions and garlic, shredded cheddar, salt, pepper, and optional sour cream and smoked paprika.
  6. Add blanched green beans and chopped bacon to the bowl. Toss gently until beans are evenly coated. Add extra milk if mixture is too thick.
  7. Spread mixture into prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 1/2 cup French fried onions over the top.
  8. In a small bowl, mix panko bread crumbs with melted butter and remaining 1/2 cup French fried onions. Add a pinch of cayenne if desired.
  9. Scatter crispy topping evenly over casserole.
  10. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10–15 minutes until topping is golden brown and bubbly.
  11. Let casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.

Notes

For gluten-free, use GF panko and fried onions. For dairy-free, substitute cheese and milk with plant-based alternatives. Make ahead by assembling without topping, refrigerate, then add topping and bake before serving. For extra cheesy finish, sprinkle more cheddar over topping for last 5 minutes of baking. Let casserole rest before serving for clean slices.

Nutrition

Keywords: green bean casserole, cheesy casserole, bacon side dish, holiday side, comfort food, Thanksgiving, crispy topping, easy casserole, potluck recipe

Find it online: https://bitematrix.com/crispy-green-bean-casserole-recipe-easy-cheesy-bacon-side-dish/