This Cheesy Green Bean Casserole with fresh green beans takes the classic Green Bean Casserole to a different level with rich shredded cheese added to the sauce and fresh green beans instead of canned. This tasty five-ingredient recipe, using canned cream of mushroom soup, french-fried onions, shredded cheddar cheese, milk, and green beans, will be the star of your Thanksgiving, Christmas, or holiday table.
Round out your holiday or Thanksgiving dinner with my Vegetarian Stuffing, Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes, and Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows.
Cheesy Green Bean Casserole with Fresh Green Beans
This Cheesy Green Bean Casserole with fresh green beans is a next-level upgrade to the green bean casserole you've been making for years. I added a nice helping of rich shredded cheddar cheese to the sauce which turns it super cheesy and delicious. Instead of using basic and expected canned green beans, this casserole is elevated with gorgeous freshly steamed green beans. The fresh green beans make this casserole bright and tasty instead of dull and boring.
Sure you could make basic Roasted Green Beans with Garlic for the holidays, but let's add some punch to the dish with this cheesy and delicious casserole.
Even with these delightful upgrades, this entire green bean casserole recipe still only takes 5 ingredients to make and just 10 minutes of hands-on cooking time. This truly is a recipe you will go back and make again and again.
It tastes so good and the rich cheesy, creamy mushroom sauce is swoon-worthy!
Serve this as a side dish for any cozy family dinner, or of course on the holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter. It's so good, you will want to eat it on more than just the holidays.
Cheesy Green Bean Casserole with FRESH green beans! Share on X
Why You'll Love this Cheesy Green Bean Casserole with fresh green beans...
- This Cheesy Green Bean Casserole with fresh green beans tastes incredible.
- It's close enough to the original version to please green bean casserole traditionalists but has a great cheesy spin for folks who want to switch things up.
- It's still really simple to make with only 5 ingredients and 10 minutes of actual work. It's a nice upgrade from canned green beans, without making everything from scratch.
- The fresh green beans have a nice crunch and taste, way better than mushy canned beans.
- You can easily double this for a crowd! The recipe serves 6, but double it to a large casserole dish for 12.
- Did I mention the sauce is cheesy??
Ingredients:
Here's an overview of what you'll need to make this Cheesy Green Bean Casserole with fresh green beans, but keep scrolling for the full recipe amounts.
- Green Beans: I use fresh green beans for this casserole because they have a nice crunch and fresh taste. Look for bright green ones that are crisp and free of blemishes. To prepare them, trim them and cut them into 1 ½-inch pieces. I've included instructions below on how to steam them before putting them in the casserole. If you'd like to use canned green beans for this, use 2 14.5-ounce cans of green beans that you have drained. If you are using canned green beans, do not steam them. They are already cooked. You can also use frozen green beans. When using frozen, follow the instructions on the package to pre-cook the green beans before adding them to the casserole.
- Canned Cream of Mushroom Soup: I love the taste and taste of this standby soup that's been in green bean casseroles for generations. The soup creates a creamy texture and adds a savory mushroom flavor, without a fuss. It also allows the cheese to easily melt into the sauce without having to make a fancy cheese sauce.
- Shredded Cheese: I use shredded cheddar cheese for this recipe for the rich flavor. I like to go for sharp cheddar cheese.
- French-fried Onions: French-fried onions are another non-negotiable for a green bean casserole. These savory bites of onion are classic and give the casserole a bit of crunch on the inside and add color and flavor to the topping.
- Milk: A touch of milk gives the casserole enough moisture to cook correctly.
- Pepper: I add freshly cracked black pepper to this recipe, but not salt. The cream of mushroom soup, cheese, and onions are already very salty. Adjust to your taste though.
Instructions:
This is an overview of the instructions to make this Cheesy Green Bean Casserole with fresh green beans, but the full detailed printable recipe is below in the recipe card.
Step One: Steam the Green Beans
- Prepare the green beans by trimming them and cutting them into 1 ½-inch pieces. Cut them all evenly.
- Heat a large pot with a vegetable steamer and a few inches of water.
- Add the trimmed and cut green beans.
- Cook for 5-6 minutes or until the green beans are just starting to turn tender, but still slightly al dente. They will continue to cook in the casserole.
- Remove the cooked green beans from the steamer.
- If you don't have a steamer, you can also boil the green beans for the same amount of time. You will then need to drain the beans.
Step Two: Assemble the Green Bean Casserole
- The first step is to preheat the oven to 350 degrees and spray an 8x8 casserole dish with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, mix the cream of mushroom soup, shredded cheddar cheese, milk, and pepper.
- To the soup mixture, add the steamed green beans and half of the french-fried onions.
- Stir until well combined. Taste it and make sure you don't need more salt and pepper.
- Transfer the green bean mixture into the casserole dish and spread evenly.
- Sprinkle with the remaining French fried onions, as shown below.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the french-fried onions turn golden brown.
Variations
I love this Cheesy Green Bean Casserole with fresh green beans as written, but here are some fun variations.
- Other Additions: You can make this Cheesy Green Bean Casserole your own with other mix-ins including crumbled bacon, sauteed mushrooms, garlic, or parmesan cheese. You can also add a small amount of soy sauce or Worchesthire sauce for umami.
- Fresh Herbs: For even more flavor add fresh herbs like thyme, oregano, or parsley.
- Make it in the Crock Pot: Follow all of the same instructions to make the green bean casserole mixture but instead of putting it in a baking dish, put it in a crock pot or slow cooker. Leaving the French onions off the top until the end. Cover and cook on low for 2-3 hours. Add the French onions and cook for another 20-30 minutes.
FAQ
Storage & Leftovers
Store any leftover of this Cheesy Green Bean Casserole in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days.
Make Ahead
This is a great recipe for making ahead if you are cooking a big holiday meal. You can assemble this casserole (minus the french-fried onions on top) a day or two ahead of time. When you are ready to bake it, add the onions on top and then cook on Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter.
Freezing
Freeze this casserole in a casserole-safe dish for up to three months.
Are frozen or canned green beans better for casserole?
I think FRESH green beans are best for a casserole. They give you the best texture, flavor, and health benefits. However, either frozen or canned can be substituted in this casserole. I like frozen more than canned due to the taste.
Do I bake my casserole covered or uncovered?
This Cheesy Green Bean Casserole with fresh green beans can be baked uncovered so the french-fried onions on top turn golden.
Cheesy Green Bean Casserole with Fresh Green Beans is The Best!
This Cheesy Green Bean Casserole with fresh green beans is the absolute best Thanksgiving side dish! It's a nice switch up from the classic casserole, but still familiar enough to feel RIGHT at the holiday table. Give it a try this year and listen to everyone rave about the swap out. The crispy fried onions on top are pure perfection.
Add this to your Turkey dinner or any of these holiday classics to round out your Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter dinner.
Serve it with:
- Vegetarian Stuffing
- Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
- Stuffed Thanksgiving Butternut Squash
- Maple Balsamic Brussels Sprouts
- Farro, Mushroom & Cranberry Stuffed Acorn Squash
- Pumpkin Cornbread
- Cranberry Orange Relish
Cheesy Green Bean Casserole with FRESH green beans! Share on X
More Cheesy Vegetable Recipes to Try:
- Cheesy Asparagus Casserole
- Cheesy Ranch Potatoes
- Cheesy Grilled Potatoes in Foil
- Healthy Summer Squash Casserole
- Cheesy Broccoli Quinoa and Kale Casserole
- Cheesy Broccoli Quinoa Patties
If you make this Cheesy Green Bean Casserole with fresh green beans, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and a star rating ★ below. Make sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook too!
Cheesy Green Bean Casserole
Ingredients
- 6 cups green beans, cut into 1 ½ inch pieces
- 1 10.5 oz Cream of Mushroom Soup
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup milk
- 2 cups french-fried onions
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and spray an 8x8 casserole dish with cooking spray.
- Heat a large pot with a vegetable steamer and a few inches of water in it. Add the trimmed and cut green beans. Cook for 8-10 minutes or until the green beans are tender, but still slightly al dente. They will continue to cook in the casserole.
- In a large bowl, mix together the cream of mushroom soup, shredded cheddar cheese, pepper, and milk.
- To the soup mixture, add the steamed green beans and half of the french-fried onions. Stir until well combined.
- Transfer the green bean mixture into the casserole dish and spread evenly.
- Sprinkle with the remaining french-fried onions.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the french-fried onions are turning golden brown.
Notes
Nutrition
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Mindy S says
I used a combination of Gruyere and Swiss cheese, and it was so delicious!
Cara says
This is exactly the kind of simple but delicious recipe you need this time of year. Love that it's so simple to make with not too many ingredients