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    Home » Recipes » Side Dish

    Green Bean Casserole Without Mushroom Soup

    Published: Aug 17, 2023 · Modified: Aug 31, 2023 by Food, Fun & Faraway Places. This post may contain affiliate links Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe
    Green bean casserole on a white plate with crispy onions on top.

    This green bean casserole without mushroom soup is a healthier revamped version of the classic recipe.

    Made with wholesome ingredients, it's a delicious and comforting side to any main course.

    Green bean casserole with crispy onions on a white plate.

    No holiday meal would be complete without tasty side dishes. My mom's Thanksgiving stuffing recipe usually takes center stage next to the turkey.

    Don't love turkey? Try this recipe for Skillet Chicken Thighs with pan sauce gravy or oven baked Greek chicken thighs.

    Classics, like a traditional green bean casserole and sweet potato casserole are other additions to almost any festive spread. And these Sweet Potato Bites are a must for an appetizer!

    However, this year I am trying out ways to give our holiday table a bit of a healthier makeover.

    To update the usual green bean casserole, I used all fresh ingredients and skipped the canned soup.

    Tender, vibrant green beans are cooked in a cheesy, creamy sauce and topped with sauteed onions and crunchy panko.

    The result? A warm and comforting casserole that makes the perfect side dish for any Thanksgiving dinner.

    For more favorite holiday dishes, check out some of these other scrumptious Thanksgiving side dishes.

    Jump to:
    • Why We Love this Recipe
    • What Goes into this Green Bean Casserole
    • Ingredients
    • Variations and Alternatives
    • How to this Make Green Bean Casserole
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Storage Recommendations
    • Easy Green Bean Casserole Top Tips
    • More Delicious Side Dishes
    • Green Bean Casserole without Mushroom Soup

    Why We Love this Recipe

    This homemade green bean casserole recipe is made with fresh ingredients, skipping the canned cream of mushroom soup.

    The flavors are even better than the old-fashioned recipe, helping keep the green bean casserole tradition alive in a healthier way.

    The simplicity of this easy recipe adds to its charm. It has an elegant twist that makes it ideal for a holiday meal yet it’s easy enough to make for any occasion.

    What Goes into this Green Bean Casserole

    Ingredients to make green bean casserole.

    Ingredients

    • Fresh green beans
    • Butter
    • Onion
    • Garlic cloves
    • Panko breadcrumbs
    • Heavy cream
    • Cheddar cheese
    • Parmesan cheese
    • Butter
    • Sea salt

    Scroll down to the printable recipe card to see full instructions and grocery store list for this simple recipe.

    Variations and Alternatives

    • Toppings: To the panko topping you can add some sliced almonds, pine nuts, fresh lemon zest, or crispy bacon.
    • Mushrooms: If you love the earthy flavors that mushrooms give the original recipe, you can use sliced, fresh mushrooms instead. Give them a quick sauté before adding them to the baking dish.
    • Cheese options: We used regular cheddar with the parm. But you can use white cheddar, gruyere, Comté cheese, or pepper jack for a hint of heat.
    • Sauce: This recipe calls for heavy cream. But you can half sour cream or cream cheese with the cream to make a thicker sauce. If using cream cheese, heat it in the microwave until it's slightly melted.
    • Other veggies: You can take this casserole to a whole new level by adding sauteed asparagus tips, whole-kernel corn, bell peppers, or snap peas.

    How to this Make Green Bean Casserole

    Step 1. Pre heat the oven to 395 F.

    Step 2. Bring a large pot of water with a pinch of salt to a boil. Add the beans and steam them for about 6 minutes.

    Step 3. When beans are just tender, run them under cold water for 2 minutes to stop the cooking process. Add the green beans to a colander and drain well.

    Green beans in collander.

    Step 4. In a large skillet, add butter and melt on medium heat.

    Step 5. Sauté the sliced onion and the minced garlic until the onion is caramelized or for about 2-3 minutes.

    Onions sizzling in pan.

    Step 6. Season with a little salt then add panko breadcrumbs and stir. Set aside.

    Cooked onions and Panko breadcrumbs in pan.

    Step 7. In a casserole dish, add half of the green beans.

    Green beans in white baking dish.

    Step 8. Pour half of the heavy cream over the beans.

    Green beans in white baking dish with heavy cream.

    Step 9. Add half of the cheddar cheese and half of the parmesan cheese to the top of the green bean mixture.

    Green beans in white baking dish with cream and cheeses.

    Step 10. Repeat the process with the rest of the remaining beans, then the cream and cheeses.

    Green beans in white baking dish with cream and cheeses.

    Step 11. Add pats of the butter all over the top of the cheese and beans.

    Green beans in white baking dish with cream, cheeses, and butter.

    Step 12. Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes. Remove from oven.

    Green beans in white baking dish with melted cheese.

    Step 13. Scatter the onion mixture over the casserole.

    Green beans in white baking dish with crispy onion topping.

    Step 14. Broil for 1 minute or until the top is golden brown. Serve and enjoy!

    Broiled Green bean casserole in white baking dish with crispy onion topping.

    Recipe FAQs

    Can I make this casserole in advance?

    This easy homemade green bean casserole is a great make-ahead dish. Just assemble all the layers and prepare the topping. Store them separately in the fridge. Then before serving, bake it according to the directions.

    Can I use canned green beans for frozen green beans?

    The traditional recipe uses canned beans, but I am not a fan of mushy green beans. If you can't find fresh, frozen is the next best option.

    Can I make this gluten-free?

    Yes, you can use gluten-free breadcrumbs or pork panko as a substitute for regular panko.

    Can I freeze baked green bean casserole?

    While the casserole can be frozen, just keep in mind that freezing might slightly affect the overall texture. It can be safely frozen for up to a couple of weeks. Make sure to thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

    Green bean casserole with crispy onions on a white plate.

    Storage Recommendations

    To store leftover green bean casserole, allow it to cool to room temperature.

    Then cover it tightly with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container. Place it in the fridge for up to 5 days.

    Reheat in the microwave with medium heat or in oven.

    Easy Green Bean Casserole Top Tips

    • When using fresh green beans, make sure you wash and pick through them well to remove any that have blemishes or stems.
    • When steaming, you're just looking for crisp-tender green beans. They will continue to cook in the oven.
    • To ensure they cook evenly, try to cut the green beans in close to the same-sized halves.
    • For best results, let the casserole rest for a few minutes after baking. This allows the flavors to meld and the sauce to set.
    Green beans in white baking dish with crispy onion topping.

    More Delicious Side Dishes

    • Loaded roasted potatoes in crock.
      Crispy Country Potatoes Recipe
    • Butternut squash risotto in a white bowl on a white table beside a cutting board with butternut squash, a small bowl of uncooked rice, and a bundle of fresh basil.
      Vegan Butternut Squash Risotto
    • Cheddar bread partially sliced with shredded cheese on side.
      Easy Cheddar No Knead Overnight Bread
    • Parmesan risotto in a white bowl with rosemary, cheese on a wood board, and rice, on a white table.
      Parmesan Risotto Recipe

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    Green bean casserole with crispy onions on a white plate.

    Green Bean Casserole without Mushroom Soup

    This delicious Green Bean Casserole is ready in 25 minutes and uses no canned soup! You won't believe how easy this is to prepare, and the flavors will blow you away!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print this Recipe Pin this Recipe Rate
    Course: Side, Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 374kcal
    Author: Kelly Stilwell

    Ingredients

    For the beans

    • 2 lb fresh beans rinsed, trimmed and halved (907 g)
    • 3 tablespoons butter
    • 1 large onion sliced
    • 2 garlic cloves minced
    • ½ teaspoon sea salt
    • ⅓ cup panko breadcrumbs 1.41 oz | 40 g

    For the sauce

    • 1 ½ cup heavy cream 12.68 fluid oz | 375 ml
    • 1 cup cheddar cheese 4.12 oz | 117 g
    • ½ cup parmesan cheese 1.76 oz | 50 g
    • ¼ cup butter 2.11 oz | 60 g

    Instructions

    • Pre heat the oven to 395 F | 200 C.
    • Bring a large pot to boil with salted water and boil the beans for about 6 minutes. Drain in a colander and leave under running cold water for 2 minutes. Switch off the water and let the green beans drain.
    • In a skillet, add butter and melt on medium heat. Saute onion and garlic until onion caramelized. It will take about 2 minutes. Season with salt, add panko breadcrumbs and stir. Set aside.
    • In a baking dish, add half of the green beans, half of the heavy cream, half of the cheddar cheese and half of the parmesan cheese. Repeat and finish with dropping the butter over the cheese and beans. Transfer the baking dish in the oven and bake for 10 minutes.
    • Remove from oven and add the onion mixture. Broil for 1 minute.

    Notes

    Don't overcook the beans. They should be just tender once steamed as they will bake for 10 minutes.
    Feel free to use regular milk instead of heavy cream to lighten this dish up a bit. You may have to thicken the sauce with cornstarch or a bit of flour and milk mixed until runny.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 | Calories: 374kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 455mg | Potassium: 329mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1938IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 257mg | Iron: 1mg
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