This Loaded Green Bean Casserole Recipe is the perfect way to cook up green beans for an everyday dinner or a special holiday. Not only does this delicious side dish have loads of flavor, but it's one of those easy recipes that the whole family will love.
Green bean casserole is a favorite side dish for any time of year. Creamy green beans at Thanksgiving dinner are a staple, and let's not forget the rest of the holiday season, too. But this delicious green bean casserole recipe is a new favorite for the summertime months. You can literally make this any day of the week and take a simple meal to the next level of flavor.
What I love about this green bean casserole recipe with cream cheese is that it takes a classic side dish and turns it into a loaded version that includes cheese, bacon, and more. Delicious recipes like this prove that it doesn't take a lot to create.
Be sure to check out this Air Fryer Frozen Green Beans recipe for another fun way to cook this healthy vegetable and an easy way to add veggies to your daily intake. Find out how to get tender green beans from frozen in no time at all.
Ingredients
Green beans - You can use fresh green beans or frozen green beans. Whatever works best for your needs.
French fried onions - These are the crispy addition to the casserole and on top.
Shredded cheese - You can mix and match cheese options every time you make this dish. We normally use white cheddar cheese.
Crumbled bacon - If you want to cut out some of the fat, crumbled turkey bacon works well.
Cream of mushroom soup - This is the creamy texture that holds everything together.
Sour cream - Adds richness to the dish.
Mayonnaise - You can use light mayonnaise as well.
Cream cheese - This will melt nicely and add a rich creaminess to the cheese sauce in the casserole.
Salt - To taste. You can also add a little black pepper if you want.
Garlic powder - For flavor. Dried minced garlic also works well.
How to Make Loaded Green Bean Casserole Recipe with Cream Cheese
Step One: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8X8 baking dish with butter or non-stick cooking spray.
Step Two: Mix the ingredients for the sauce (follow the recipe card below) in a large mixing bowl.
Step Three: Once mixed, fold in the green beans, ½ cup of the onions, cheese, and bacon.
Step Four: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
Step Five: Add the rest of the french-fried onions, bacon, and cheese on top.
Step Six: Place the pan on the middle rack in the oven and bake the green bean casserole recipe with cream cheese for 30 minutes or until bubbly.
Expert Tip: Be sure to let the casserole cool some before serving because it will firm as it cools down.
Variations
The best thing that you can do for this loaded casserole recipe is to experiment with the flavors. You can up the cheese, lower the cheese, add more spices - anything that you'd like. Any way that you make this casserole dish is going to yield great flavor results and will be a win-win.
Use canned green beans - We really prefer fresh or frozen green beans but if you need to you can use canned. Just use canned green beans or French style beans instead.
Use a different canned soup - Cream of mushroom is my choice, but you can also use cream of chicken soup, too.
Change the type of cheese - You can use sharp cheddar, Monterey jack, white cheddar, pepper jack, or any other pre-shredded cheese.
Common Questions
Can I make my own homemade crispy onions?
You can! Since the flavor and texture are a great addition to this classic green bean casserole, why not kick up the flavor by making your own? If you slice the onions thin and then cook them in the air fryer, you can make your own crispy onions in no time at all.
This can also happen with crispy bacon, too. Add the bacon in a single layer to your air fryer or deep skillet and cook the bacon until it is nice and crispy. You then crumble and add.
What else would I pair with this for a holiday meal?
Anything that you want. This traditional green bean casserole would pair well with ham, turkey, and anything cranberry. Did I mention that this not only looks great on the Thanksgiving table, but it tastes great as leftovers as well?
For any time of year try it along with our Ultimate Chicken Casserole Recipe.
How do I store leftovers?
Once the casserole has cooled down, store any leftovers in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge. When you are ready to eat, you can reheat for 2-3 minutes or however long it takes to heat the dish all the way through. The crunchy onions will likely no longer be crunchy once reheated, but the flavor and taste will be there.
Recipe
Loaded Green Bean Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb green beans fresh or frozen, steamed
- 1 cup french fried onions divided
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese divided
- 1 cup crumbled bacon divided
Sauce:
- ½ cup cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup mayo
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350. Grease an 8x8 baking dish.
- Combine the sauce ingredients in a large bowl.
- Fold in the green beans, ½ cup onions, ½ cup cheese, and ½ cup bacon.
- Add the green bean mixture to the prepared pan.
- Top with the remaining onions, cheese, and bacon.
- Bake on the middle rack for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly. If the topping gets too brown cover with foil or move to the lowest rack.
jessica says
could you do this in a crockpot?
Taryn says
Yes, I would suggest googling for a 'crockpot green bean casserole' but then using our ingredient list.
Kathy says
Can this be frozen and if so how long? Also if so would you defrost before cooking?
Taryn says
I haven't tried freezing this myself but you can freeze green bean casseroles. You can use the instructions here: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/make-ahead-green-bean-casserole-3364231
Laurel says
This is delicious and was a huge hit at Christmas. I'm making it again for Easter, both times doubling the recipe. It will probably be requested for every holiday
Erica says
So yummy!! I made this dish for a family party today at 3. What is your suggestion for reheating since it is already done?
Taryn says
We normally just reheat in the microwave.
Dianbe says
It was a hit with my family. Making it again today for a church Christmas party. How many 14.5 oz cans equal the 1.5 can? Thanks for sharing
Taryn says
I'm not sure what your question is? You want to sub in canned green beans? I think it would be 3 cans but I really recommend using frozen instead. The texture will be much better.
Susan says
Do you use the soup straight from the can or reconstitute it with milk first? Thanks!
Paul & Taryn says
Straight from the can.
Anita says
What happens to the other half cups of mushroom soup, sour cream, etc? Wasteful!
Paul & Taryn says
Double the recipe and use them all. Or save for another recipe. I never tell you to throw them out so I don't see how it this is "Wasteful!". I just use in another casserole. Up to you. Or just make some soup with them and enjoy that.
CommonSense101 says
What are you talking about?? You only have to measure a half cup of sour cream and mayo. The rest stays in the container it comes in. There is no waste. As for the soup...eat it! Mix it with equal parts of milk. Sheesh. Have you never cooked or read a recipe before?
Darby says
Do you steam the fresh green beans first?
Paul & Taryn says
Yes, if using fresh. Or roast them.
Gretchen Lamm says
Can this be made ahead of time? If so, would you bake and then refrigerate or wait to bake until the day of? Thank you!
Paul & Taryn says
I would assemble ahead (except for the onions on top) and then bake the day of. Add the topping right before it goes in the oven.
Joe says
Do fresh green beans need to be boiled first?
Paul & Taryn says
Yes, steam or boil if using fresh. Or roast them.
Cathy says
If you’re using frozen green beans, do you have to thaw them first
Taryn says
I would. Otherwise they can release extra moisture and make the sauce too thin.
Kathy says
Is the bacon necessary for the flavour. I want to try this but have vegetarians in our group
Paul says
No. You can omit it if you want.
David H says
Absolutely amazing meal. Thanks for sharing. Added a little bourbon aged at sea for some extra flavor and honestly it’s the best recipe I’ve tried. Thanks again.
Paul & Taryn says
Thanks, David. Glad you liked it!